Islam is a religion of war and violence

My post Are all Klansmen bad? asked a rhetorical question which wasn't supposed to be answered. The point I was trying to make was that the entire religion of Islam is bad.

There is the Occam's Razor argument. They blow stuff up all the time. Therefore Islam is a religion of violence. In fact we are all familiar with the Islamic doctine of jihad which is the duty to spread Islam through force.

In religions of peace, the most religious members are the most peaceful. In Israel, the ultra-religious Jews won't fight in the armed forces because they don't believe in killing, not even in defense of Israel.

In religions of violence, the most religious members are the most violent. The peaceful Muslims are the secular ones who don't take the religion so seriously.

There are two major branches of Islam, Shiite and Sunni. Both branches seem to share the exact same philosophy of spreading Islam through killing the heathan. It's hard to tell the difference in the religious philosophies of al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, because they both involve killing Jews and other infidels, yet somehow the Shiites and Sunnis are so different that they also fight against each other.

A group of Muslims who lived their whole lives in the United Kingdom, far away from the violence of the Middle East, also came to the agreement that it was their duty to Allah to blow up a bunch of airplanes. All around the world, a certain percentage of those who practice Islam turn to violent jihad.

I'm sure I haven't written anything here that hasn't already been written by others. So the whole post up to this point is kind of pointless becuase it adds nothing to the debate that hasn't already been said.

However, I do have a policy suggestion. We need to amend the Constitution so that Islam isn't protected as a religion. It seems suicidal to me to allow the enemy to preach within our own borders.

Comments

[The Superfluous Man]

I think you have a inaccurate view of Judaism, esp. if you consider it a religion of peace, as it recommends against such in certain situations such as, the commandment to kill all Amalekites, though rabbis say this no longer applies, for various reasons.

And the ultra-Orthodox don't fight because they deny the legitimacy of the state (while accepting welfare checks) and/or would rather learn Torah all day.

"Turn the other cheek" Christianity, if actually followed, may be more apt. Or Quakerism.

There's more to Muslim terrorism than Islam itself. Razib on GNXP continually notes this such as here - http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2006/08/protean-culture.php But as it is probably a necessary but not sufficient case, eliminating/removing Islam will do the job quite fine, thank you very much.

[nobody]

That is another rhetorical idea right? As someone with a law degree and with an IQ of 140+ HS should know better than to suggest it.

What is really dangerous is any group which holds an affiliation or allegiance that goes beyond the nation state. In this aspect, Muslims and Jews are much alike. Both groups are willing to "support" their own regardless of their nationalities. If an American born Jew can opt to fight for Israel by volunteering in the IDF, why it is surprising that an British born Muslim ends up fighting for Islam?

"And the ultra-Orthodox don't fight because they deny the legitimacy of the state"

Only the Satmar Hasidim deny the legitimacy of Israel, and they dont live in Israel.

"If an American born Jew can opt to fight for Israel by volunteering in the IDF, why it is surprising that an British born Muslim ends up fighting for Islam?"

Blowing up planes isnt any normal person's idea of fighting.

[Frank N Stein]

HS is just looking to increase comment count. You shouldn't take him too seriously, but in case you think he may be onto something, consider the bloody history of Christianity. That most Christians do not now advocate violence against nonbelievers is a good indicator that their religion was only a convenient excuse, and not the originating cause, of the violence.
Besides, when someone says "all X are Y", you only have to point out the existence of some X that are not Y, to invalidate the claim. For instance:

http://www.minaret.org/index.html

[JewishAtheist]

All around the world, a certain percentage of those who practice Islam turn to violent jihad.

Yeah, but WHAT percentage?

[Spungen]

Odd that not a single one of those irretrievably warlike, violent Muslims bothered to write in angry, even when HS dropped the A-bomb of insults. A couple Klan apologists, but no Muslims.

But, Frank, if HS were really pandering for comments, all he'd have to do to start a monster flame war is post something about his sexual standards. (Or maybe that only works when women do it, like Jacqueline Passey.)

[Rick Strange]

"consider the bloody history of Christianity"

Consider the bloody current events of Islam.

You can extract a war theology from the Bible, but it requires an interpretation that is strained and implausible. Similarly, you can extract a peace theology from the Koran, but it requires an interpretation that is strained and implausible.

[Jack La Can]

"However, I do have a policy suggestion."

Higher Education churns out one Postmodern Lit Major after 'ta other. Why don't they do something useful like deconstruct the Koran a hundred ways till next Sunday for a change?

[sceco]

MISCONCEPTION #1:

Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists.

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This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the >words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence. Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'.

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock.

NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS.

The Quran says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190) "If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.

MISCONCEPTION #2:

Islam oppresses women.

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The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home and forbidden to drive is all too common in most peoples thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these countries do not rule by any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender equity.

Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity between the two is laid down in the Quran and the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife." Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is not common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.

MISCONCEPTION #3:

Muslims worship a different God.

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Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Allah for Muslims is the greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God and ascribing no

partners to Him. It is exactly the same word which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped by Muslims, Christians and Jews. Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is to be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who were sent at various times and in many places throughout history. However, it should be noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He, the Exalted, does not get tired, does not have a son ie Jesus or have associates, nor does He have human-like attributions as found in other faiths.

MISCONCEPTION #4:

Islam was spread by the sword and intolerant of other faiths.

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Many social studies textbooks for students show the image of an Arab horseman carrying a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other conquering and forcibly converting. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of history. Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. 60:8) Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself: "There is no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error". (2:256) Christian missionary, T.W. Arnold had this opinion on his study of the question of the spread of Islam: ".. of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestanism ..." It is a function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. Proclaiming to the inhabitants that their lives, and property were safe, and that their places of worship would never be taken from them, he asked the Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany him on a visit to all the holy places. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or not. Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality and how all peoples are equal in the sight of God. "O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All- Aware. (49:13)

MISCONCEPTION #5:

All Muslims are Arabs

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The Muslim population of the world is around 1.2 billion. 1 out of 5 people in the world is a Muslim. They are a vast range of races, nationalities, and cultures from around the globe--from the Phillipines to Nigeria--they are united by their common Islamic faith. Only about 18% live in the Arab world and the largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Most Muslims live east of Pakistan. 30% of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab world, and 10% in the Soviet Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan make up 10% of the non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most numerous in Russia and its newly independent states, India and central Africa. There are about 6 million Muslims in the United States

MISCONCEPTION #6:

The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group.

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Islam and the so called "Nation of Islam'" are two different religions. NOI is more of a political organization since its members are not limited to a single faith. Muslims consider this group to be just one of many cults using the name of Islam for their own gain. The only thing common between them is the jargon, the language used by both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer; this religion should be called Farrakhanism, after the name of its propogator, Louis Farrakhan. Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. For example, Farakhan followers believe in racism and that the 'black man' was the original man and therefore superior, while in Islam there is no racism and everyone is considered equal in the sight of God, the only difference being in one's piety. There are many other theological examples that show the 'Nation's teachings have little to do with true Islam. There are many groups in America who claim to represent Islam and call their adherents Muslims. Any serious student of Islam has a duty to investigate and find the true Islam. The only two authentic sources which bind every Muslim are 1. the Quran and 2. authentic or sound Hadith. Any teachings under the label of "Islam" which contradict or at variance with the direct understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam form the Quran and authentic Hadith should be rejected and such a religion should be considered a Pseudo-Islamic Cult. In America there are many pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being one of them. An honest attitude on the part of such cults should be not to call themselves Muslims and their religion Islam. such an example of honesty is Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam but Bahais do not call themselves Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact Bahaism is not Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.

MISCONCEPTION #7:

All Muslim men marry four wives.

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The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair. No woman can be forced into this kind of marriage if they do not wish it, and they also have the right to exclude it in their marriage contract. Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted. Images of "sheikhs with harems" are not consistent with Islam, as a man is only allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the stringent conditions of treating each fairly and providing each with separate housing etc. Permission to practice polygamy is not associated with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather associated with compassion toward widows and orphans. It was the Quran that limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy among the Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered them "property". It is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam that regulated this practice, limited it, made it more humane, and instituted equal rights and status for all wives. What the Qur'anic decrees amount to, taken together is discouragement of polygamy unless necessity for it exists. It is also evident that the general rule in Islam is monogamy and not polygamy. It is a very tiny percentage of Muslims that practice it over the world. However, permission to practice limited polygamy is only consistent with Islam's realistic view of the nature of man and woman and of various social needs, problems and cultural variations.

The question is, however far more than the inherent flexibility of Islam; it also is the frank and straightforward approach of Islam in dealing with practical problems. Rather than requiring hypocritical and superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of individuals and societies, and provides for legitimate and clean solutions which are far more beneficial than would be the case if they were ignored. There is no doubt that the second wife legally married and treated kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal rights or expermanence.

MISCONCEPTION #8:

Muslims are a barbaric, backward people.

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Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine-Islam calls for faith in only one God worthy of worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the Prophet (pbuh), 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman'. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics), were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and good navigational maps.

MISCONCEPTION #9:

Muhammad was the founder of Islam and Muslims worship him.

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Muhammad(pbuh) was born in Mecca in the year 570. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (pbuh) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near Mecca. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad(pbuh) received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for 23 years is known as the Quran. As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra 'migration', in which they left Mecca for the city of Medina, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Mecca, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet saw dies at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. He died with less than 5 possessions to his name. While Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen to deliver the message, he is not considered the "founder" of Islam, since Muslims consider Islam to be the same divine guidance sent to all peoples before. Muslims believe all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent with divine guidance for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his own people, but Muhammad(pbuh) was sent to all of mankind. Muhammad is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam. Muslims revere and honor him (pbuh) for all he went through and his dedication, but they do not worship him. "O Prophet, verily We have sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner and as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating lamp."(33:45-6)

MISCONCEPTION #10:

Muslims don't believe in Jesus or any other prophets.

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Muslims respect and revere Jesus, upon him be peace, and await his Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as 'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace' (abbreviated as (u) here). The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows: "Behold!" the Angel said, "God has chosen you, and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you good news of a word from Him whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said: "Even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it, "Be!" and it is" (Quran 3:42-47) Jesus (u) was born miraculously through the same power, which had brought Adam (u) into being without a father: "Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was." (3:59) During his prophetic mission Jesus (u) performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he said: " I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave." (3:49) Neither Muhammad (pbuh) not Jesus (u) came to change the basic doctrine of the brief in One God brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Quran Jesus (u) is reported as saying that he came: "To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey Me. (3:50) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. "(Hadith related by Bukhari).

MISCONCEPTION #11:

MUHAMMAD WROTE THE QUR'AN

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In addressing this misconception, it is interesting to not that no other religious scripture claims to the direct word of Almighty in toto as clear and as often as the Holy Qur'an. As the Qu'ran clearly says: "if had been written by man, you would have found many discrepancies therein". At the time the Qur'an was revealed, the Arabs recognized that the language of the Qur'an was unique and that it was distinctly different from the language normally used by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The Arabs of that time, by the way, were known for their beautiful poetry and Muhammad was known to be an illiterate man! The Qur'an clearly says that Muhammad was unable to read and write, so if this wasn't true, certainly his contemporaries would have protested and rejected him. However, there are no reports of this. Certainly there were people who rejected Muhammad's message, just like other prophets were rejected, but none for this reason. On the contrary, Muhammad, peace be upon him, had thousands of loyal followers and the results of their efforts spread Islam from Spain to China in just over a century! It is also interesting to note that even though the Qu'ran is not poetry, the Arabs more or less gave up writing poetry after it was revealed. It could be said that the Qur'an is the piece of Arabic literature par execellance - and Muhammad's contemporaries realized that they couldn't out do it. Additionally, it is easy to prove that Muhammad did not possess a great deal of the knowledge which is expounded in the Qur'an: such as knowledge of historical events, previous prophets and natural phenomenon. The Qur'an says in several places that Muhammad and his people did not know these things - so, again, if this wasn't true, certainly his contemporaries would have rejected his claims. Suffice it to say that not only is the Qu'ran the most memorized and well preserved scripture on earth, it is also unequaled in eloquence, spirtual impact, clarity of message and the purity of its truth.

MISCONCEPTION #12:

MUSLIMS HATE JESUS

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Many non-Muslims are surprised to find out that according to Muslim belief, Jesus, the son of Mary, is one of the greatest messengers of God. Muslims are taught to love Jesus, and a person cannot be a Muslim without believing in the virgin birth and miracles of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. Muslims believe these things about Jesus not because of the Bible or any other religion, but simply because the Holy Qur'an says these things about him. However, Muslims always emphasize that the miracles of Jesus, and all other prophets, were by "God's permission". This having been said, many Christians feel to not believe that Jesus is the "Son of God", "God Incarnate" or the "Third Person" of the Trinity. This is because the Qur'an clearly says that Almighty God does not have a "Son" --- neither allegorically, physically, metaphorically or metaphysically. The Pure Monotheism of Islam rejects the notion of "defining" God (which is basically what the "Doctrine of the Trinity" does), saying that someone is "like" God or equal to him, or praying to someone else besides God. Also, Islam teaches that titles such as "Lord" and "Savior" are due to God alone. In order to avoid misunderstanding, it should be clarified that when Muslims criticize the Bible or the teachings of Christianity, they are not attacking "God's Word" or Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. From the Muslim point of view, they are defending Jesus and God's Word --- which they have in the form of the Qur'an. Muslim criticism is targeted at writings that some people claim are God's word, but Muslim's simply don't accept their claim that they are really God's word in toto. Additionally, Christian doctrines such as the Trinity and the Atonement are criticized by Muslims precisely because they did not originate from Jesus, peace be upon him. In this way, Muslims are the true followers of Jesus, peace be upon him, because they defend him from the exaggerations of the Christians and teach the Pure Monotheism that Jesus himself followed.

MISCONCEPTION #13:

ISLAM IS FATALISTIC

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Most Muslims find it rather odd that their religion, which strikes a beautiful balance between faith and action, could be accused of being "fatalistic". Perhaps this misconception came about because Muslims are taught to say "Praise be to God!" whenever anything good or bad happens. This is because Muslims know that everything comes from Almighty God, who is the All-Knowing Sustainer of the Universe, and that since a Muslim should rely completely on God, whatever happened must have been for the better. However, this does not mean that Muslims are not taught to take action in life --- just the opposite is true. Islam requires not only faith, but action --- such as regular prayer, fasting and charity. To be more precise, in Islam actions are part of one's faith. Islam total rejects the extreme beliefs of some religions that teach that you shouldn't go to a doctor when sick, but only pray for God to heal you. Islam's outlook is very positive, since it teaches that human beings can take positive action in this life. This was certainly what was taught by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to his followers --- since they obviously took the action of spreading Islam from Spain to Morocco in a very short period of time. Even though Islam teaches that God knows what human beings will do before they do it, human beings still have free will. Certainly God, who is All-Knowing and All-Wise, knows what is going to happen to everyone before it happens -- to deny this would be a denial of God Himself. However, if human-beings did not have free will, it would be ridiculous and un-just for God to demand that they do certain things and believe certain things. Far from being "fatalistic", Islam teaches that a human-being's main purpose in life is to be God-conscious. Due to this, Muslims worry less about material matters and view their earthly life in a proper perspective. This is due to the fact that Islam clearly teaches that if people worship and depend on Almighty God alone, then they have nothing to worry about - since God wants what is best for them. True freedom, from the Islamic perspective, does not mean aimlessly following all of your human desires for food, drink, wealth and sex. On the contrary, freedom means being able to control one's base desires and fulfilling them in a proper and legal way. This brings one's desires in tune with what God wants for us --- only then is a person truly free!

MISCONCEPTION #14:

THE ISLAMIC THREAT

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In recent years, a great deal of attention in the media have been given to the threat of "Islamic Fundamentalism". Unfortunately, due to a twisted mixture of biased reporting in the Western media and the actions of some ignorant Muslims, the word "Islam" has become almost synonymous with "terrorism". However, when one analyzes the situation, the question that should come to mind is: Do the teachings of Islam encourage terrorism? The answer: Certainly not! Islam totally forbids the terrorist acts that are carried out by some misguided people. It should be remembered that all religions have cults and misguided followers, so it is their teachings that should be looked at, not the actions of a few individuals. Unfortunately, in the media, whenever a Muslim commits a heinous act, he is labeled a "Muslim terrorist". However, when Serbs murder and rape innocent women in Bosnia, they are not called "Christian terrorists", nor are the activities in Northern Ireland labeled "Christian terrorism". Also, when right-wing Christians in the U. S. bomb abortion clinics, they are not called "Christian terrorists". Reflecting on these facts, one could certainly conclude that there is a double-standard in the media! Although religious feelings play a significant role in the previously mentioned "Christian" conflicts, the media does not apply religious labels because they assume that such barbarous acts have nothing to do with the teachings of Christianity. However, when something happens involving a Muslim, they often try to put the blame on Islam itself -- and not the misguided individual. Certainly, Islamic Law allows war --- any religion or civilization that did not would never survive --- but it certainly does not condone attacks against innocent people, women or children. The Arabic word "jihad", which is often translated as "Holy War", simply means "to struggle". The word for "war" in Arabic is "harb", not "jihad". "Struggling", i.e. "making jihad", to defend Islam, Muslims or to liberate a land where Muslims are oppressed is certainly allowed (and even encouraged) in Islam. However, any such activities must be done according to the teachings of Islam. Islam also clearly forbids "taking the law into your own hands", which means that individual Muslims cannot go around deciding who they want to kill, punish or torture. Trial and punishment must be carried out by a lawful authority and a knowledgeable judge. Also, when looking at events in the Muslim World, it should be kept in mind that a long period of colonialism ended fairly recently in most Muslim countries. During this time, the peoples in this countries were culturally, materially and religiously exploited - mostly by the so-called "Christian" nations of the West. This painful period has not really come to an end in many Muslim countries, where people are still under the control of foreign powers or puppet regimes supported by foreign powers. Also, through the media, people in the West are made to believe that tyrants like Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Moamar Qaddafi in Libya are "Islamic" leaders -- when just the opposite is true. Neither of these rulers even profess Islam as an ideology, but only use Islamic slogans to manipulate their powerless populations. They have about as much to do with Islam as Hitler had to do with Christianity! In reality, many Middle Eastern regimes which people think of as being "Islamic" oppress the practice of Islam in their countries. So suffice it to say that "terrorism" and killing innocent people directly contradicts the teachings of Islam

[TJIC]

We need to amend the Constitution so that Islam isn't protected as a religion.

I argued as much back in Feb 2006:

Proposed Amendment

XXVIII:

Any ideology or faction thereof that has as a tenet control of civil government and/or the use of violence to convert non-adherents shall not be considered a religion for purposes of interpreting Amendment I.

[SFG]

I don't think it's Islam itself, as several people have pointed out there's plenty of nasty stuff in the Old Testament, and the New Testament doesn't say you're supposed to kill the unbeliever, but that didn't stop Christians from killing lots of Muslims, Jews, and other Christians throughout the Middle Ages for religious reasons.

I do think it's the culture. I mean, we haven't seen any Turkish terrorists. So restricting immigration from countries that have done terrorism might be a more sensible way to go about things.

[SFG]

Let me amend that. Terrorism against US. Sends a stronger message.

[ChrisV82]

It doesn't have to be a bloody history of Christianity vs. the bloody current affairs of Islam.

Following the format of the originating post, we can see that the fundamentalist Christians are terrorists on our own soil. They kill doctors. They beat or otherwise torture homosexuals. They terrorize their women.

They are not rational. They believe in things that don't exist, like cherubs, creationism, and faith-based healing.

Even outside of the U.S., such as in Ireland, the fundamentalist Christians practice terrorism against their own people and others.

It is a religion of violence.

Or, like Islam, maybe there's just a bunch of nutjobs, and we shouldn't paint the whole religion with one stroke.

[The Superfluous Man]

But if there's just a bunch of nutjobs, proportionally speaking, they might as well all be, if you cannot distinguish among them. Of course, Muslims from different countries vary in their tendency towards terror eg, Iranians, in my experience not a threat (I live in L.A. where there are many, though some of them are also Jewish), vs. Pakistanis, the main Muslim group in Britain.

And even if say, the Muslims in Britain forsook their jihadist ideology, they would still be committing run-of the mill crimes at quite a high rate (http://www.islamfortoday.com/birt01.htm). This reflects the need to have an immigration policy focused on those with skills, and often graduate degrees, who tend to commit less crime and pay more in taxes.

[Douglas Knight]

Frank N Stein,
Is the range of Christian violence through history proof of irrelevance of Christianity to violence or proof that Christians are rare these days?
Certainly, the US is more Christian and more beligerant than Europe.

[Roy]

An artist places a crucifix in a jar of urine, and all that happens is some Christians call for revoking government funding of such "art".

Artists make some insulting cartoons involving Mohamed, and muslims burn down embassies. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183686,00.html

[SFG]

I think it has more to do with the mitigating effects of democracy and the Enlightenment than Christianity being better than Islam. It's just not socially acceptable to kill people who disagree with you anymore.

There's an interesting theoretical argument about whether Islam could ever have produced an Enlightenment. I don't know; they veered off into theology-land, certainly, but so did Christianity for a while. But we'll never really know, because if they ever do they might have been inspired by the West.

[rose]

Some of you can justify Islam all you want. The fact is still that if only 10% of 1 billion Muslims are terrorists, that's a hell of a lot of terrorists. And since they use the religion as a cloak, including having clerics that spout hate, I don't call Islam a religion of peace.

Also, all one has to do is look at Mohammed himself, who was a warrior and had no compunction about killing infidels. Now look at Christ, who did just the opposite as a man of peace. Even though both religions have perverted their original meanings, the fact is still that Christ was a man of peace and Mohammed was NOT. Role models do count.

[Jonesy]

Islam is irrational and opppressive. Muslims want to impose Islam on everybody else either through violence or by democratic means. The fact that they want theocracies is all that matters, that Islam tends to be war-like and violent just makes it that much worse. Christianity has the same problem although not nearly to the degree that Islam does.

[Skcorefil]

Have you ever personally known a Muslim? I grew up in a town with a large Muslim population but they were all just nice, normal people and they still are. What you hear in the news about the violent ones isn't the normal Muslim person who has the same rights to religion as any other person in the US.

[SFG]

Naaah, most of them are nice people. That's the depressing bit, actually. I even knew one fellow from a Muslim country who had become a militant atheist and was anti-religion in large part because of its destructive effects on his homeland.

The problem is that there is a small fraction of the population that wants to blow up the WTC, _and is protected by the community_. That's the essential difference, and you need both. Orthodox Jews are clannish and will protect criminals from outsiders (there was a recent article about a rabbi who had abused children and was protected in New York magazine), but aren't trying to blow up buildings right now. Recall how long the abortion clinic bomber hid out among Southerners. Mainstream Americans sometimes want to blow up buildings, but aren't members of a small community that shelters them--remember Ted Kaczynski's own brother sold him out.
The Unabomber was also rather unique among greenies in blowing people up, as I recall Earth First went to considerable trouble to avoid killing anyone despite doing a lot of property damage.

[Lisa]

I live in Dearborn where there is the largest Arab Muslim population in N. America.what is happening in the middle east is jihad from us it is murder. I am lucky to live in a place where I can experience those who left the middle east due to the wars of imperialism or religion. Only 20% of Muslims are middle Eastern. Why did our own government ship out Osama Bin Laden's family after 9/11? why did our country lie about weapons of mass destruction and then years later admit they didnt want the middle east to have control of the oil.Yes Iraqi insurgents have wanted to kill as many soldiers as possible to get us the hell out. We are not peacefull and turning the other cheek like Jesus. Not letting Muslims come in ...that is reminding me of what led up to the disaster that occured with FDR and the japanese concentrationcamps in the U.S. Wait we do have Abu Ghraib! Have you ever heard of interfaith dialogue? We are far to ignorant of the religion of Islam, the complex issues that causes terrorism, to be so judgemental and hypocritical.