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Copy That Floppy? Go To Jahannum (Hell)

Posted by chrisd on from the as-salaam-alinux-wa-rahmatullah-wa-barakatuhu dept.

andrewdm writes "The Business Software Alliance has a new partner: the grand muftis at Al Azhar in Cairo. The New York Law Journal has an article explaining the new holy(?) alliance between the BSA and the highest religious authorities in the Egyptian Sunni Islam sect. The clerics issued a fatwa (holy edict) against piracy, saying it is "the worst type of theft and prohibited by Islam." What's next? The Pope denouncing mp3's as mortal sins?" The worst type of theft, indeed.

2 of 641 comments (clear)

  1. Re:leader to 2 billion people by Lemmy+Caution · · Score: 5, Informative
    According to Catholic dogma, Roman Catholics believe that complete submission to the pope is required for salvation.

    Not only is that a caterogical lie, according to Catholic doctrine, you don't even need to be Baptized or believe in God or "accept J.C. as your personal saviour" to be redeemed. All you need to do is to recognize your fallen nature in some way, and wish for redemption. That is "baptism by desire."

    I'm an athiest, incidentally, but such crude anti-Catholic sentiment needs to be countered.

  2. Re:OK.. someone who knows islam by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well a couple of points:

    Firstly a "Fatwa" is mearly an opinion it is not binding in any way. So if a cleric issues a Fatwa as a Muslim you are not bound to it if you do not agree with that opinion.

    Secondly this Fatwa is actually wrong because in Islam copyrights and patents are not allowed, there are two reasons for this. The first being that it comes under "hoarding of wealth". The second is because in Islam you acknowledge that God is the creater of the universe, hence the holder of all knowledge and since you are part of that creation you can not claim to "own" any knowldege you gain as it is the result of your existance which of course you owe to God. Just imagine that God is the holder of all interlectual property.

    Thirdly the head of the religious institions in countries like Egypt are appointed by the government and are basically puppets and are in no means regarded as authoritive figures with regards to the Koran. As a side note, one of the most respected Islamic scolars is an American who converted when he was 18.

    Anyhow I hope that clears some things up, but to sum things up this fatwa is basically bullshit.