Thanks for the reply. A good point, because there is a lot of mis-information on this.
1): Our Muslims friends on this forum have pointed out that the english translation with "friends" is wrong, and should be "protectors"
2): If it is "protectors" then indeed this verse should be taken literal is also my understanding
3): Literal makes sense as it is best to ask God for protection and not humans
4): As we experience even heated virtual disagreements on RF, I understand "stick for protection to the same believe system"
4): Koran was written in a time with lots of violence and wars going on between Muslims and Christians/Jews; so silly to take them as protectors
5): Your quote [Sahih Muslim 16: 1489] should also be seen in the context of war as explained in the link below [experts say]
Hadith “Do Not Greet Jews… Force Them To Narrow Road…” Explained
But I also advise the Muslims to not blame always the non-Muslim not knowing context [there are always 2 to blame]:
1): Note: Muslims always tell non-Muslims "don't interpret if you don't know the context of verses around or even historical context"
2): Note: I tell Muslims "Better don't write verses out of context first, then we non-Muslim won't read out of context"
3): Note: Consider that 20% Muslims are fanatics = Wrongly interpreting the Koran, shows that even Muslim experts read verses Wrong
So from the above I would say the problem is not with the non-Muslim reading wrong.
The real problem is that the Muslim experts (and translators) are still doing the writing wrong.
When Muslim experts are writing books which are too much out of context [just some loose verses said 1200 years ago out of context]
And expecting the readers to take and read other books (Sahih) for knowing their context [while even Muslim experts (fanatics) interpret like us non-Muslims]
I would say, they are the ones making the huge mistake; creating misunderstanding instead of understanding and harmony
When I write something I make sure there is no misunderstanding. Even then misunderstanding happens. But to refer to other books and expect others to know these books, and even buy these books and read these books and make the right connections [and also knowing the correct historic context], just goes to far for me. Then better don't write a book in which "violent advices are given, without proper to find context"
If you write about committing a violent act [don't be friends; don't make space for them to pass by], and you fail to give correct context or even fail to give a note referring where to find the context, I think you failed to create the correct scripture. I can understand that 1200 years ago they didn't have computers, so I forgive them for not being that accurate. And those people knew the context, because they were living in it. But now 1200y later still failing to give the context must be IMHO fear to add something to the original text
IMHO
