An Avatar for Mohammed?

No images please, we're Muslims

Mohammed in a nutshell
Mohammed was born 571 years after Christ. He was an illiterate businessman. About the age of 40 he was praying to God in a cave near Mecca and heard a voice tell him “You are the messenger of God.” People followed his teachings. Persecutors attacked them so in 622 Mohammed and his Muslim followers migrated to Medina. Muslims began attacking Meccan trading caravans, because they had no resources. In the battle of Badr, Muslims defeated the Meccans and later moved back to Mecca to take over that city too.
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Voice-over
Parallels. God appeared before both Moses and Mohammed in a cave and told them to lead the people. In both accounts, persecution occurred and an exodus or migration took place. Mysterious commanding voices in dark places, gathering followers in need of a leader, migrating to higher ground. These simple events of a good story make a myth, build a culture, draw adherents.

Differences: In pragmatic approach: Christ taught his followers peace, Mohammed led his followers into battle. Christ gave himself up at the age of 34, Mohammed passed away after completing his work at 62. There are books: the Bible Christians read, written by Christ’s followers. And the Koran written by God through Mohammed.

Then there is the graphic issue. Christ’s picture is everywhere, Mohammed’s picture is nowhere. Is it better PR to fill the media everywhere with a Christ image? Or to disallow representational art forms and hope that mystery will attract as with Mohammed? In terms of numbers of adherents, (Christians 2 billion, Muslims 1.6 billion) both approaches seem effective enough.

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Moses in a nutshell

Moses? OK. In a nutshell.

Follow God? Follow me!

Hebrew boy children are being killed in Egypt, mother puts Moses in a basket on the river, princess picks him up and raises him, Moses grows up with Ramses who later becomes king, Moses finds he is Hebrew, escapes to Midian, God tells him "Set the Hebrew slaves free," Moses uses God's power to attack Egypt and Ramses, Hebrews exodus from Egypt. Soldiers chase them, God opens the waters, Hebrews escape, soldiers drown. Hebrews wander, become unruly, worship multiple gods. God gives Moses ten commandments to control society: e.g. Follow ONE god, do NOT kill, steal, get jealous.

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Voice-over

Who? Moses

Where? Egypt to Jordan

What? Hebrew Exodus

When? 3000 years ago

Why? Hebrews were slaves, wanted their own land, needed a leader, leader needed laws to control followers.

In a nutshell? The outer casing, the general shape. Inside is the meat. Idiom meaning outline.

wh5 frames it!

Epic story! See The Ten Commandments. Or if you haven't the patience for 3.5 hours of 1956 drama, try the light and breezy 1.5 hours animation The Prince of Egypt (1998).

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