84(2:256)— with which to offset the general message
of intolerance. There is also the doctrine of “abroga-
tion,” under which later— generally less tolerant—
verses are believed to supersede earlier ones. My
understanding is that 2:256 is nullifi ed in this way.
The second central message— the other side of
the same coin, really—is the promise of paradise,
which explicitly devalues life in this world. Obvi-
ously, that isn’t unique to Islam either, but the
belief in martyrdom, and in jihad as a way of
achieving it, is primarily a Muslim phenomenon.
Islam teaches that dying in defense of the faith is
among the surest paths to paradise— and the only
one to reach it directly, bypassing the Day of
Judgment. Some teachings suggest that a martyr
can bring seventy of his dearest friends and family
in after him. And we all know about the virgins
who seem to guarantee that eternity will be spent
in an open- air bordello. The belief that a life of
eternal plea sure awaits martyrs after death explains
why certain people can honestly chant, “We love
death more than the infi dels love life.” Again, you
and I both know that these people aren’t bluffi ng.
They truly believe in martyrdom—as evidenced
by the fact that they regularly sacrifi ce their lives,
or watch their children do so, without a qualm.
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