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I have read 5 different translations of the Qur'an; the freely available here that has the three translations side by side, the Maulana Muhammad Ali translation, and the Rodwell translation. The Rodwell translation is bad, the Yusuf Ali translation is the one most recommended my Muslims that I know and is the one I found easy to read. To me it reads like an instruction manual, I don't understand all the claims about its poetic nature, I just don't see it in the English translations. I collect the "holy texts" from all the major religions, I think they are an important part of any well rounded education in that they help you understand what influences other peoples thought.
The Qur'an is like the Bible; its one of the most read books, yet the least examined. My belief about religion is Agnostic or Athiest, call it what you will I do not "believe". I have collected very beautiful leather bound editions of the Tanakh, the Qur'an, and the Septuagint, as well as many various english translations of the bible. Actually reading these texts and examining them for many years is what led to my agnostic or atheist belief. Most Atheist I know say it was actually reading the Bible that led them to their decision also.
So, I actually recomend people read and examine them, ignorance about whats in them is the cause of most of the irrational fears about them. Regardless if you believe them or not, they are important texts from a historical perspective that have influenced the behavior of millions over the centuries.
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