Why I am not a Muslim

by stillajwexelder 26 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Pahpa

  SLH

  I think you have misread the early history of Christianity. Christians endured nearly three hundred years of persecution from the Roman state. It wasn't until Constantine's day that Christianity was accepted as a state religion. By then, the church was compromised and willing to use the political powers for its own ends. One has to make the distinction between the early followers of Christ and the later followers of a compromised church.

  In contrast, Islam was violent from the very beginning. Mohammed used war and conquest to subject opposers. His followers used the same methods to spread the religion throughout the world.

  However it should be noted that during the "Dark Ages" when Christendom was buried in superstition and ignorance, a floushing Muslim culture existed in Africa and the Middle East.
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  Crumpet

  Their koran is a very contradictory book that can justify anything, at times it advises war and at times peace so some Moslems say it is a religion of peace and others see it as proposing war depending on what verses they quote

  Just like the Bible then. Full of contradictions - 2 thirds advocate war and invasion. 1 third advocates peace.
• 

  funkyderek

  Satan's Little Helper:

  The difference now is that Islam is a religion which spreads through poverty.

  I think you're confusing cause and effect. Poverty is spread through Islam, through the oppression of women, the adherence to antiquated rules of behaviour and the instilled hatred of Western society and values.

  The worlds ills are down to greed, not religion.

  No, greed leads people to try to improve their lives. Religion (especially Islam) teaches them to accept their lot in life, and slavishly obey stupid rules so they will get their reward in the hereafter.
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  Narkissos

  Early Christianity did not develop a military or governmental policy because it didn't have to. It mostly rested and relied on the existing political, administrative, judicial and military structures of the Roman empire (cf. Romans 13 and Acts). Submission to existing (Roman) authorities was the best possible strategy. In spite of a few sporadic persecutions (in terms of time and space) during its first three centuries this proved to be very effective as a whole.

  Islam, otoh, had to fight for existence from its very beginning. Hence it developed very soon a distinct theory of war and ruling. Christianity, otoh, lacked that and kept relying on the "secular arm" of the rulers and princes seen as a diverse continuation of the Roman empire (Byzantine, Germanic, etc.).
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  Terry

  I think you have misread the early history of Christianity. Christians endured nearly three hundred years of persecution from the Roman state.

  Not to contradict you, but more to fill in the blanks; there was as much persecution of Christians by OTHER Christians as there was a crackdown by Roman authorities.

  An historical fact worth considering: Romans never attacked anybody without pretext.
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  Dansk

  Why I am not a Muslim

  Because I wasn't born to parents in the religion.

  Ian
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  Pahpa

  Terry

  I think you will find that sectarian persecution between Christian groups did not generally occur until after the church had the backing of the political powers after the fourth century. True, there were arguments and disagreements over church doctrine. But until the church obtained the authority and power of the state, it was the object of persecution.

  "Christianity, a persecuted minority faith at Constantine's conversion in AD 312 had become the religion of the Empire by the end of the century." (Handbook to the History of Christianity)