For most Americans, Islam was a religion that lived on the periphery of their lives, a culture they caught glimpses of in movies and television shows. Then came the tragic events of 9/11, and suddenly the Western world was desperately grasping to understand a religion they knew precious little about. With all the questions swirling around the true nature of Islam, none has been asked more than this: Does Islam promote violence?
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Does Islam Promote Violence?
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The Religion of Peace?????
Not all Muslims are terrorists; but all the terrorists are Muslim.
Everyday, somewhere in the world, there is an act of terrorism being committed by a Muslim.
If you wish to see a list of the murder and mayhem "the religion of peace" is contributing to the world every single day, log onto the website "thereligionofpeace".
- Sivan
July 24, 2008 6:45AM
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All terrorists are Muslim?
Please check your statement. It is not factual. What do you call Timothy McVeigh, if not a terrorist?
- deenybeeny
September 24, 2008 8:35AM
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Sivan
Timothy McVeigh was not an institutionalized religion. He was a single individual who was a radical lunatic and a mass murderer. And, if you're going to blame Chrisianity, please name the Christians who are currently blowing up hotels and driving bulldozers into groups of civilians in order to murder innocent people?
To repeat, not all Muslims are terrorists. But all of the terrorism, all over the world, is commited by Muslims. Most recently Pakistan and Israel.
Yes, the U.S. has supported some bad regimes in the past...sometimes it is a necessary evil in order to combat an even worse evil. For example, we became allies with Russia in order to fight a worse evil - Nazism.
Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world and we have to do the best we can. But lying about the evil done by Radical Islam is a fool's paradise.
I stand by my original statement!
Sivan
- Sivan
September 24, 2008 12:09PM
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Speaking of Israel
... they terrorise Palestinians everyday. But no one says a word about it because it's Israel, and if you did, you'd be called an anti-semite (in case you didn't know, Israel isn't Muslim... they're Jewish. You appear not to know this). Or maybe it wasn't Israel that just bombed civilians. Or maybe it wasn't Israel who put landmines outside of play areas of children.
The guards who terrorized the prisoners at Abu Ghraid weren't Muslim and yes, it was terrorizing.
Black Water isn't Muslim, yet they shot innocent civilians and terrorized the citizens of Iraq.
Simply because we're on one side and "they" are on the other doesn't make invading Iraq any less of a terrorist act perpetrated by a government. We invaded a sovereign country and lied about the reasons for doing so. We bombed buildings and killed innocent people. The reasoning behind it was false. Yet somehow it's okay, because it's the U.S.. Because we would never do anything that's wrong, and it's okay if we did because we're a democracy.
You can stand by your original statement all you want to but you'll still be standing by the words of a fool.
In the same way that guns don't kill people, but people kill people - Islam doesn't kill people, people kill people. Using religion as a reason to kill has worked for many Christians (Crusades), and continues to work for them. It doesn't mean Christianity promotes violence anymore than Islam does. It means misguided people will listen false purveyors of truth (in regards to religion).
- SocialistBetty
December 30, 2008 9:56AM
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ISLAMO-FACISM
The following is a quote from the speech of Geert Wilders, a Dutch Parliamentarian and chairman of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands.
"In some elementary schools in Amsterdam the farm can no longer be mentioned, because that would also mean mentioning the pig, and that would be an insult to Muslims.
In once-tolerant Amsterdam gays are beaten up almost exclusively by Muslims. Non-Muslim women routinely hear "whore, whore".
In France school teachers are advised to avoid authors deemed offensive to Muslims, including Voltaire and Diderot; the same is increasingly true of Darwin.
The history of the Holocaust can in many cases no longer be taught because of Muslim sensitivity.
Last week a man almost died after being beaten up by Muslims in Brussels,because he was drinking during the Ramadan. Jews are fleeing France in record numbers, on the run for the worst wave of anti-Semitism since World War II.
I could go on forever with stories like this. Stories about Islamization.
Allow me to give you a brief Islam 101. The first thing you need to know
about Islam is the importance of the book of the Quran. The Quran is Allah's personal word, revealed by an angel to Mohammed, the prophet. This is where the trouble starts.
Every word in the Quran is Allah's word and therefore not open to discussion or interpretation. It is valid for every Muslim and
for all times. Therefore, there is no such a thing as moderate Islam. Sure, there are a lot of moderate Muslims. But a moderate Islam is non-existent.
The Quran calls for hatred, violence, submission, murder, and terrorism. The Quran calls for Muslims to kill non-Muslims, to terrorize non-Muslims and to fulfil their duty to wage war: violent jihad.
Jihad is a duty for every Muslim, Islam is to rule the world - by the sword."
And these are the words of a government official from a country that welcomed Islamic imigrants with open arms and tried to help them get established in their country.
If you go online, you can get the complete text of Mr. Wilders speech.
Sivan
- Sivan
December 30, 2008 3:34PM
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YOU are the fascist.
And you're unreasonable, and you're racist against an entire group of people. Classic case of "It's okay if I do it, but horrible if you do it."
No amount of reasoning with you will ever work because you don't hear it. You have it in your head that only Muslims are terrorists and they're all out to get you. Nothing anyone can say will convince you otherwise.
Thus you, and people like you, will continue this idiocy into the future without recognizing problems for they really are and the wars and fighting and dying continue. Bravo.
- SocialistBetty
December 31, 2008 10:10AM
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Thank You So Much
Thank you for your rational and eloquent response (and personal attack on me).
Your ability to quickly sift through all the facts in my previous email and come to the conclusion that the problem is that I’m prejudiced against an entire group of people is a credit to your critical-thinking skills.
Thank you so much for clarifying the whole issue. No more discussion is needed.
Respectfully,
Sivan
- Sivan
December 31, 2008 3:14PM
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Wrong question
Islam certainly is the religion of the vast majority of terrorists, to blame Islam is completely missing the point. It is easy for the West to blame terrorism on radical Islam rather than look closely at the situation and understand WHY they hate the west. You don’t have to agree but it is imperative that we look through their eyes to understand terrorism. You will see why a war on terror is unwinnable. I also feel the good Muslim people, which represent the vast majority, should do more to denounce and educate against their radical counterparts.
Our CIA armed and trained resistance fighters in Afghanistan on the premise of being the good guys, helping them stave off the Soviet invasion. When the Russians left, we did nothing to help them rebuild their country making it clear we were only fighting against Russia, not for the Afghan people.
We left Afghanistan in ruin, broke from years at war and with a massive political vacuum, filled by the Taliban and resentment towards the USA. One of the men the CIA trained and abandoned was Osama Bin Laden. This is why leaving Iraq in a fragile state could have dire consequences. Imagine the terror breeding ground of the Taliban fueled by billions in oil revenues. You can make a strong case about not going into Iraq in the first place but we are there now, and leaving too soon could be a disaster of epic proportions.
Our foreign policy claims to be about promoting democracy for humanitarian reasons yet when it benefits us, we turn a blind eye to excessive humanitarian abuses of our “allies” like Saudi Arabia.
Syria was our ally in the first gulf war. They had troops on the ground that fought alongside us and sent missiles into Baghdad from locations East of Damascus. Was there something Syria did to move from ally to enemy? No. We made them an ally because we wanted Arab support for the first gulf war then determined they were evil when we no longer needed them. This is not to say that Syria isn’t guilty of supporting terrorism, only to say that they were just as guilty of that before but we ignored that then.
While a generalization, poverty often breeds hatred as people are susceptible to blaming another group for their problems. The Nazi movement predating World War II was in part fueled by the poverty in Germany brought on by economic sanctions leveled after World War I. Look carefully at the places where radical Islam is preaching against the West: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, etc. In each of these countries you find massive poverty. Yet countries that redistribute oil wealth like Qatar, Kuwait and Dubai/UAE are not breeding grounds for terrorism. Not to say that there are no terrorists there but to say they aren’t breeding grounds of radical Islam as found in impoverished nations.
We overthrew Saddam Hussein because he was an “evil dictator” yet we ignore the entire continent of Africa which is ripe with evil dictators and mass genocide.
Remember that there is a fine line between terrorist and freedom fighter. PLEASE try to read what I am about to say, not as support of terrorism in any way, but rather an explanation of how terrorists view themselves. For decades, the USA and other countries viewed the ANC (African National Congress) as a terrorist organization and they bombed various targets in South Africa. The leader of the radical arm of the ANC was named Nelson Mandela. Later, public perception changed as the world viewed apartheid as morally wrong and the ANC were no longer thought of as terrorists but as freedom fighters and Mandela a world hero. So while we view groups like Hamas and Hezbollah as terror organizations, and rightfully so, much of the Islamic world sees them as freedom fighters.
I have nothing but respect for the Jewish faith yet I don’t see criticizing Israel when appropriate as having anything to do with the Jewish faith. We criticize the UK and France when appropriate but have a different stance towards Israel, backing them 100% without question as if criticism of Israel somehow makes us anti-Semitic. When it comes to the Palestinian occupied territories or Southern Lebanon, there are no innocent victims. Each side carries some culpability and the solution to peace lies with respect, understanding and compromise from both sides.
At the end of the day, you cannot hold a gun to the head of a member of the Klan and tell him to like black people. And while fighting against terrorism on the battle field is important, you will never win that war because you are not fighting an army, you are fighting an ideology. Failure to understand an enemy surely makes any unwinnable in the long run.
Some of you will certainly read the above and feel my comments are unpatriotic; nothing could be further from the truth. I feel it essential to understand one’s enemy. To win the “war on terror” we must fight both on the battle field and in the hearts and minds of Muslims.
- Pliskin
October 3, 2008 10:10AM
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its a western propoganda
do not think any religion promotes violence. its because the western world particularly America wants to dominate the world by spreading information and subsequently invading oil rich islamic countries in the name of fighting terrorism.
The Americans have had their victories, trouncing Afganisthan. Later to trounce Saddam Hussein, for a revenge long sought Bush Junior invaded Iraq. How many more to continue??? God only knows.
- balaji
July 24, 2008 8:51AM
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Do you deny...?
Do you deny that the violent fanatics in Islam justify their murder of Westerners by quoting passages from the Koran? Do you speak up against them in person? What passages from the Koran do you use to refute them to their faces?
If you are silent because they are men of violence, then what strength do you use to cleanse Islam of the filth of their hatred and violence/
You want us who do not believe to respect Islam as a peaceful religion. But, how can you claim the violent ones are not the core of Islam, when they can eliminate your "moderate" voice by killing you?
They want to dominate all mankind by conquest. Do you not approve of overcoming all other ideologies with Islam? What method do you promote to achieve this aim? Or, do you secretly approve of their method of violence?
Until you answer these questions, they may kill us, but they will not win our conversion or respect. Neither will objective morality.
- pbeaird
August 20, 2008 6:06PM
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Jerry Falwell
Wasn't it he who said he thanked God everyday that we were in Iraq fighting the war?
As if it's any different to justify the murders (and that's exactly what it is) of innocent people in the name of "Democracy" or "Freedom".
As if it's different for guards to use Christianity in their torture of prisoners.
As if it's any different for men to shoot other men while wearing crosses around their necks.
As if we don't know that many young, idiotic, idealist young men joined the Marines and the Army to "Go shoot me some rag-heads." As if we don't know that baby or man, a dead Arab is a dead Arab to these people. Many of these same young men who would pray at night and go to chapel.
As if we don't know. But because it's "our side" it's okay. And because it's "their side" it's wrong.
When people fall victim to others who use religion as a method to promote violence, there's a reason. And a lot of it has to do with what OUR COUNTRY has done. Our involvement, and our dismissal.
It's very easy to shout "It's all Islam's fault." But it won't do a single thing to change the situation. It won't change how people fall prey to the ideologies of *other men*.
It doesn't change the fact that religions do not promote violence, MAN PROMOTES VIOLENCE. Religion is just a handy tool to get people to listen. The promise of eternal reward in a place that is beautiful and sweet and completely unlike the dirt and dust and grime men starve in now.. where they watch their nephews or perhaps own children die, or grow up hungry all the time. The promise of salvation if you believe. .... It's an easy hook, and people who are hooked will swallow just about anything else a person feeds them if it's done right.
Especially if it's crammed in their heads repeatedly (like the term Islamo-Fascism was crammed,coincidentally).
- SocialistBetty
December 31, 2008 11:33AM
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Weigh All Sides
Well said Redondo! Like you, I have not studied the religion enough to state that Islam promote violence.
What I do know is that the Oklahoma City bombing was done by Christians. I know that the US Government propped up some of the most abominable, horrific regimes in history in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. I know that the Catholic church instituted war after war, as well as creating the most horrific forms and devices of torture ever conceived, against Moors, Jews, Protestants, and others.
I know that Islam, Christianity and Judaism all share an Abrahamic covenant and most people are inclined towards peace. I know that while Christians were mired in the dark ages, Muslims were creating art, math, science and medicine.
What I do not know is that Islam promotes violence of and by itself.
- Kasidie July 24, 2008 9:52AM
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Violence in the Quran
The Quran is full of violent verses promoting fighting the unbelievers (Jews and Christians).
9:29 Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya [tribute] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
9:5 But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
I could go on and on, but I only have a few characters left.
- jmelika July 24, 2008 12:19PM
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Consistent errors ...
Yes, Islam promotes violence or, more accurately, many who hold to the philosophy called "Islam" behave violently. Every philosophy under the sun has been used to justify individual and collective violent behavior. No philosophy has been immune to the errors of fact and reason of those human beings who cling to them.
Islam is no different in its violent history than has been Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Democracy, Communism, Libertarianism, Girl Scouts etc.
Human choose to be savage or they do not. Philosophies appear to be beside the point.
- Naumadd
July 24, 2008 8:39PM
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Violence?
Islam has 5 basic tenets(similar to the 10 commandments), none of which promote violence or even anything resembling it. In fact the only one that mentions Jihad, refers to the moral and internal struggle between choosing good versus evil and disciplining oneself to be a faithful follower of Islam. All the other tenets deal with chartiy to the poor and needy, the Haj (trip to Mecca once in one's life) daily prayer 5 times a day and belief in One God (Allah). The Qu'ran does exactly what the old testament (and some parts of the new testament do), encouraging muslims to promote faith in Allah among the pagans but also to respect the children of the Book and fellow monotheists.
In an historical context, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have all had their more aggressive episodes against other religions and faiths,as did pantheistic Romans and Greeks, Assyrians, Celts and so on. However Islam is a faith that holds all life dear, believes in a forgiving and merciful God and in world peace.
- weedonald
July 25, 2008 9:49PM
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So, we can count on you to...
Do you openly decry as evil the Muslims who destroyed our Towers? Will you reject inner cheer, when Muslims attack the West again? These are men who use the Koran to justify violence. Yes, Hebrews and Christians killed those who disagreed. Does that justify Islam for the violent conquest of other peoples? Do you justify Mohammed's 1st attack on a neighbor's caravan, praising God for stolen goods? Do you justify the wars between Sunis and Shiites from Mohammed's death till today? Peaceful Islam is oppression by political means. The moderates aim to conquer the world by population. When it takes over a country's government, that government will not honor human choice, votes or individual rights. The dictates of Islam will be forced on all by government. That is violence against the natural rights of man, the enslavement of those who disagree. There can be no separation between Islam and government, no peace for those who disagree. Islam is a totalitarian political movement.
- pbeaird
August 21, 2008 10:47PM
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It is certain people who practice the religion
In all forms of religion, Islam and Christianity included, there are sects and practitioners that promote violence and moral subjugation. I'm not a religious person myself (I believe in a Great Architect), but religion can be used for both good and evil. The real problem with all religions is not the religion itself, but some of the people who practice it.
- PSYOP
August 28, 2008 3:26PM
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THE ISLAMIC MESSAGE
Islam is a philosophy of life. It gives reasons and a set purpose for living. Furthermore, it defines the best ways to secure progress and happiness. This is done by elevating the spiritual side and satisfying the material needs of people.
Islam considers man as a viceroy of God on earth. This status is a fine one, but it is also critical for the requirements must be satisfied. Thus, he is in an envied position, and consequently his acts and behavior are expected to conform to the high level he is occupying.
The Islamic concepts and laws are inseparable parts of the Islamic ideology. They are the practical expression of Islam in society and life in general. These concepts and laws are essentially concerned with harmonizing people's relationships among themselves, with other beings, and above all with the Creator.
The basic Islamic outlook to this life is that of an introductory course. This worldly life is viewed as a prelude to another eternal life. Therefore, this world is a preparatory stage for people in order to attain the spiritual level which permits them to enter Paradise. The other side of the picture is the horror of Hell for people who misuse the powers at their disposal. Hence, success and failure are not measured with this worldly or materialistic supremacy. The Islamic measure differs from materialistic standard by accounting for the life hereafter. The satisfaction of God is the sublime aim which surpasses all other inclinations and wishes. This is by no account neglecting materialistic supremacy, but putting it in its rightful place. It is with the satisfaction of God that Muslims seek materialistic supremacy.
- joolaee
September 5, 2008 2:37AM
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But who is interpreting the message?
What you say is fine, until it is used as an excuse to bully, intimidate and even murder those with whom you disagree. That seems to be the way a substantial number of Muslims are behaving. They are not content with living their own code, they wish to impose it on others - even other Muslims of a different persuasion.
The fact that so many of them use murder and violence in this pursuit should concern all Muslims. Until the highest religious authorities make it a priority to repudiate violence against others and expel those who advocate it, Islam cannot claim to be peaceful.
So far, Islam is failing that test.
- AlibiFarmer
September 9, 2008 8:54AM
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Look at the leaders of Islam.
In no other religion do the leaders so openly encourage violence and murder. Not only do they advocate attacking 'unbelievers', but even their coreligionists of other sects. Even children are not exempt from being targeted.
Most suicide bombers don't exist in isolation. They are armed, prepared, and promised eternal paradise by 'devout' religious leaders. Until that religious infrastructure is dismantled and the leaders cast out, Islam must be considered a contributor to violence.
- AlibiFarmer
September 5, 2008 12:34PM
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Jesus Camp
Watch that movie. It's "enlightening".
- SocialistBetty
December 31, 2008 11:37AM
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I have watched that movie.
But fail to see how it is relevant to the debate. The leaders of those camps do reject and disparage other faiths, but they don't advocate murdering them. Don't you find that a relevant difference?
- AlibiFarmer
January 1, 2009 9:37AM
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Is that so?
So when Becky Fischer says she wished more fundamental Christians would show the same kind of devotion as fundamentalist Muslims what do you think these kids... CHILDREN... are hearing?
These kids and many like them are being indoctrinated from the time they are born. They are taught to hate, and to spread their hate, all in the name of a man who spoke only of love.
While in this movie there are no directives towards violence, don't assume that they don't exist. What we see in this movie is only the tip of the radical Evangelical iceberg. These are the people who are responsible for abortion clinic bombings. These are the people who are responsible for killing, and bludgeoning gay people. These are the people who are responsible for it is *their idealogy* that triggers these responses in people in the same manner as the ideology of radical Islam does. That there is no direct war on Islam here doesn't mean it isn't so across the globe. Killing or harming others in the name of god is the same no matter which god is being claimed.
As far as the underlying cause to subjugate all people to the rule of Islam, what exactly do you think radical Christians are trying to do? They are doing the exact same thing.
Key point: These are not the whole of the religion. And if anyone thought it was, there would smiting going on all over the place.
There is a difference in this movie... There is only a bridge that is waiting to be crossed. It is already built, and waiting for these kids, and others like them to follow in the extremist footpaths of those who have already crossed it. The extremist ideology that "even children are not exempt from" is just as dangerous, and it's happening in your backyard...
- SocialistBetty
January 1, 2009 2:26PM
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Are you at all interested in the thread of this disccusion,....
or merely using it to blacken those with whom you disagree?
I grew up in the South, among evangelicals, fundamentalists, and others. I don't share their beliefs, but I respect their right to hold them. And I would feel safer leaving my wallet with most of them than many others I have known. They are passionate in their beliefs, as you are. The world is changed by those with passion. I found the movie upsetting, but not threatening. I have known people like those, and they are neither violent not unreasonable outside of their faith.
All children are indoctrinated. It's called parenting. But there is a clear line between teaching kids it is acceptable to murder those of other faiths and that their beliefs are wrong. Having read your letter carefully, I find you are not only disregarding the subject of this discussion, but you are projecting your own prejudices, fears, and hates on others FAR beyond what you are using as justification.
If you do this often, you should put your thoughts in better order if you wish to be taken seriously. If it is affecting your ability to hold a job or interact with others, you should get professional help.
- AlibiFarmer
January 2, 2009 7:55AM
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Tough cookies, Richard.
With all due respect, I'm not the one telling a child who wonders if there's even god at all that he's full of sin and making him fearful of even his own mind.
You are saying that because there are people in Islam who are violent then the whole of Islam is violent.
I am saying that the same thing exists in Christianity. These are fringe groups and yes, they do promote violence. Not ALL of them, but a lot of them.
So how is it different?
You don't like to hear this, because it's what you grew up with. You would trust your wallet with them. Great.
But the only response you have is that I am projecting prejudice, fear and hate onto others and should seek professional help?
That's what you're doing when you say the whole of Islam is represented by the small portion of fanatics who twist what their religion teaches into an excuse to murder. You are projecting your fear, your prejudice and your hate on others. Which is exactly what the fundamental evangelicals do.
Lastly, I never said these lunatics never had a right to do what they're doing - but it's just as dangerous and insane to use any religion as an excuse to preach hatred, and violence. And yes, Jesus Camp does only show the tip of the iceberg.
- SocialistBetty
January 2, 2009 12:24PM
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I see no Christian leaders advocating violence and murder.
I do see this among many Muslims - and not being rejected by the overwhelming rank and file. When some Danish cartoons mocked Mohamed, there were 2 million Pakistanis in the streets - many of them urging death to one Western group or another. When several Pakistanis undertook a terrorist raid in India, there was no outrage. If Christian groups reacted with violence and outrage to insult, this whole country would be swamped.
Comparing the 3,000 dead from 9/11, the 100s dead recently in India, the nightclub bombings, the fatwas calling for the murder of authors, the whole tenor of intolerance in much of Islam to the the few, the isolated, and the rejected instances of violence based on any faith issue elsewhere does cause me to question your reasoning abilities. Most Muslims may be peaceful. But they have not demanded peace and tolerance from their leaders. Muslims certainly turn out in the 1,000s and 100,000s when they feel offended. And they certainly threaten murder and destruction on those they disagree with. And they have acted upon those impulses often enough to be taken seriously. If you are going to equate Christianity to that, show me the examples - on the same scale.
Jesus Camp was a disturbing movie. But those ideas and those camps have been around for a LONG time. They were around when I was growing up in the 50s. Where are the examples of terror and murder they have promoted? We lost more people in the Kansas City bombing than we have in all the abortion clinic violence since the beginning. When I read of violence against gays and lesbians, it isn't inspired by religion - but by culture. The two are similar, but hardly identical, and I challenge you to cite the example where faith prompted the attack.
You may not like fundamentalists, but I doubt you are in hiding from them. You are free to express your opinions. If you went to their worship and expressed yourself, you would be ejected, but not harmed. When Islam can say the same, it will have made progress. If you don't like fundamentalists, you are free to preach your own truth publicly. After you have tried that in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, etc tell me there is no difference.
EVERY community has its crazies. The scale and acceptance of violence incited by Islam is orders of magnitude greater than anything else I can think of though. Until Muslim change that, my opinion remains Islam does promote violence. You don't seem to reject that, you just want to include your own personal vendetta in the mix. Perhaps you need to start your own thread?
- AlibiFarmer
January 2, 2009 1:46PM
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Of course is does. Duh!
It is self evident that Islam promotes violence. Whenever you here about a terrorist attack in the Middle East or some kind of war guess who cause most of it. Remember all the recent wars with holy jihad & hezbollah. Every terrorist act that occurs today is done by Radical Islam and there is no freedom in that religion. People who are from countries that practice Islam are either forced to abide by the laws or they will get death or be excommunicated. For those who choose to follow Islam die heartedly is brainwashed.
As a woman I don't even see the benefits of being Muslim who wants to be treated a little better than an animal. I remember watching the news and the women wanted to get educated and that was forbidden I even saw a man beating them with a stick ( that was in Afghanistan). I guess they want to keep them weak and ignorant.
Some people say that Christianity promote violence that is not true especially regarding the crusades. Some people have a tendency to use the name of God & manipulate it, they are not Christians. No true Born Again Christian promotes violence.
- Tamara
September 5, 2008 5:46PM
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True Yet Not True
Tamara, I think your comments sum up some of the problems faced by Muslims: a lack of understanding. Islam runs the full range as does all other religions including Christianity, which is my faith. Do not forget the near cult-like Christian groups exposed recently for treating women as currency, sex and marriage to minors, etc etc. Or Christians that bomb abortion clinics in the name of "God." In my prior post, I mentioned that I live in an all-Jewish area and they are Orthodox Jews here where often women must walk behind the man, cannot wear shorts and expose their legs and must cover their hair when in public.
When most here think of Muslims, they think of women in Burkas and yes, that is one type of the Muslim faith but countries like Jordan have gone a long way towards equality of the sexes, in part do to the great work of Queen Noor, an American woman who married the king of Jordan. But even more so, the pre-Taliban Afghanistan, Iran under the Shah and even Iraq, yes Iraq, were among the most progressive Muslim countries towards women.
Certainly, many Muslim countries do not treat women to the standards of the west but do not forget, there are plenty of countries in the world that are not Muslim that do not come close to our standards either.
While women got the right to vote here over 100 years ago, it was not that long ago that women were still treated as less than equals and not up to the standards of other nations and I think you could make the case that women are still not treated as true equals here.
The other thing is, having spoken with Muslim women in Muslim countries, although not women in Burkas, granted, you would be surprised at how they feel about us. In their view point, they see the culture of the West as degrading towards women. As I sat in a Muslim country, seeing Madonna videos on the satellite TV where she is scantily clad and "dry-humping" the stage, I can see their point.
While the Burka is sickeningly oppressive, in most Muslim countries, the Burka is not used and in those places, women see the behavior of Western women equally as degrading as we see the Burka.
After I returned from Iraq, I gave a speech at a prominent women's college on the rights of women in Muslim nations and my point is that we must be careful when judging others based on our standards and perceptions gained from the media because by thier standards and perceptions, we treat women worse than they do: as purely sexual objects and that opinion is well supported by our media: in film, music and magazine covers.
If you can imagine what their opinion of us is based on what they see on the news and in film, etc. maybe you can understand how our perception of them is somewhat skewed based on what we see in the media. While I will never condone mistreatment of women for any reason in any land, you cannot lumps all Muslims in one group anymore than you can lump all Christians or all Jews into a single bucket of ideology either.
- Pliskin
October 3, 2008 11:02AM
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All faiths can promote violence
Judaism, Christianity, and now Islam have all used their respective faiths to promote violence during their histories.
During the Dark Ages of the West, Christianity had the crusades (jihads), the Inquisition, and a general dominance of religion and religious persecution in all Christian countries roughly akin to what we see today across the Muslim world. The list of atrocities committed in the name of Jesus is too long to elaborate.
Christianity only began to change to a more peaceful religion starting with the Renaissance. It was then that the fear and intolerance promulgated by Christianity gave way to the power of the rational human mind. Life became a joy rather than a miserable stop on the way to heaven, human happiness became a goal unto itself, and the magnificence of human beings began to be appreciated (see Michaelangelo's sculptures and paintings if you doubt it).
I suspect that Islam is in the midst of its Dark Ages right now, which is why there are so many parallels with the Christian West's Dark ages. Maybe all religions have to go through this appalling period during their evolution. It's an interesting question for historians and philosophers.
The important practical question is Will the Muslim world ever have a renaissance of its own through which it will convert to a more secular, rational, pluralistic, individualistic, tolerant, prosperous and peaceful culture?
- SidAirfoil
September 11, 2008 9:50AM
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Actions speak louder than words
Does Islam promote violence? It seems like the wrong question to me.
The real question, I think: Does organized religion promote violence?
The answer seems an invariable yes. Look at the history of the world. By measure of lives lost or irreparably harmed, two entities have done more damage than anything else: organized religion and organized government. Authority results in violence, whether religious or governmental.
Actions speak louder than words. The words of authority often may be about love, peace, and acceptance, but the actions of authority invariably involve coercion, propaganda, and violence.
Does Islam promote violence? Hell yeah. But so do the other organized religions. Let's not single out Islam. Christianity, Judaism, Hindu and other religions have enacted violence upon their fellow man in the names of their religions too. Even modern religions like Scientology have enacted violence upon people.
Authority breeds violence. No message of history seems more clear.
- ebsarver
September 20, 2008 8:34PM
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Can't See the Forest for the Trees
Does authority breed violence, or are religion and government simply outlets for man's unfaltering violent tendencies. Hypothetically, if these organizations did not exist, i would still expect violence to take place.
I believe that it was not the intention of the original creators of these religions for the writings to promote violence. I think that there purpose was to pass on knowledge, values and social norms to future generations. I agree with you that these texts have been abused throughout history. But does that mean that Islam promotes violence, or does it mean that certain people that practice Islam (and other religions) promote violence because of their human nature?
- Jefe32
October 9, 2008 7:57AM
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Oh My Gosh Does It Ever
The Qur'an clearly states that those who do not submit are to be killed. Also remember what it says about those who die in the name of Allah fighting what the Qur'an calls the "people of the book" (all the virgins waiting in their version of heaven). Not to mention the forced circumcisions of both boys and girls (BOTH of which are morally repulsive procedures, though that's another debate).
9/11, etc., all Islamic related. To say that Islam does NOT promote violence is to say that you are very ignorant.
- bagpiper2005
September 27, 2008 4:45AM
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Christianity and Islam is not the same.
To Pliskin
This is what I want you and everybody to understand. Christianity is not like other religions. To a Born again believer filled with the Holy Spirit it is not a religion it is life. Not everyone who call themselves Christian are Christians. Whenever you here people mistreat people for what ever reason in the name of Christianity they are not Christians just religious heretics so I am tired of hearing people say Christians do this or that in the name of God. You used the word "cult-like Christian" that's an oxymoron every thing cult like is demonic therefore not of God.You will know a tree by it's fruits.
What distinguishes Christianity from Islam and Judaism is Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth of and the life. No one will get to heaven without Jesus. He is the one that makes sinners righteous there is nothing you or anybody can do to make your self right before God without Jesus. Man's righteousness is filthy in God's sight.That is why God sent Jesus to bridge the gap between Himself and humans. All people have to do is accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life ( if they want) from then on you are righteous and God enable us to do good works. So your goodness carries more weight when you are in Christ than when you are not in Christ because you are still a sinner.
I stand by what I said before. There is no freedom in Islam (since the topic is about Islam). This is what Christianity has which no other religion has everybody's savior for their religion is dead and still dead. Jesus died and rose three days later and still alive upon till this moment. Let me ask you this where is Mo hammed and who really is Allah? There is nothing similar about Christianity and Islam.
Christianity is basically a relationship between that person and Jesus whatever commandments Jesus said he/she must follow is to protect or keep them safe rather than harm them or be a burden to them. The Bible said I present before you life or death choose life.
As for