Islam and Other Traditions

Islam | Unitarian/Universalist

Islam

Comment: I have as yet not been able to find any substantial content on the meaning of Noah (Nuh) in Islam. (I have found nothing but summaries of the Koranic passages and brief blurbs on Noah, often geared to children[1]). I'm sure such material exists and request your assistance in finding it. Please email [email protected].

Unitarian/Universalist

Noah's Ark for Grownups preached by Rev. Kathleen McTigue, Unitarian Society of New Haven (February 23, 2003). McTigue asks "But what is it that's true in the story of the flood and Noah's Ark— true even for a congregation of skeptical Unitarian Universalists in 2003?" The answer illustrates how far Unitarians have drifted from both conservative and liberal Biblical interpretations—God is completely absent. To paraphrase the answer:

1. accept the beat of a different drummer — no one believed Noah either
2. the value of living in a community — the animals didn't eat each other
3. the importance of hope in despair— Noah kept sending out birds "without any reason" for hope.

"Knee Deep in Abundance" by Diane Dowgiert, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta, OH (November 24, 2002). Dowgiert's sermon includes a line I have borrowed for this site:

"The story of Noah and his ark is a story as packed full of meaning as the ark is packed full of animals."

"The story reminds us that we have what it takes to face the storms of life and that we don't have to go it alone. There are companions for the journey, human and animal. Even the image of Noah knee-deep in a cargo-load of animal waste reminds us that life has an unavoidable messiness, and that too, is part of the journey. The final lesson is in the covenant of peace extended by God after the flood waters subsided — a covenant extended to every living creature."