Is Islam a religion of peace?

by onacruse 24 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  onacruse

  The October 2003 Christianity Today has an article entitled "Competing Claims about Islam...is it a religion of peace or of violence?" Selected quotes (no link available):

  Sometimes the religion is shown as violent, promoting jihad (holy war), and providing theological justification for acts of terrorism. At other times, especially when American adherents to Islam are represented, the religion is described as one of peace.

  "Either view of Islam can be demonstrated by just picking certain verses in the Qu'ran and certain illustrations from history," Fuller Seminary professor Dudley Woodberry says. "The same can be done with the Bible and Christian history."

  There are two distinct phases in the life of Muhammad and his teachings, Samuel Shahid, Director of Islamic Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, points out. "The first phase was characterized by peace and appreciation for the revealed religions...but when [Muhammad] immigrated to Medina and established the first Islamic state, he was completely transformed...he began to organize an army...The 'Sword' verses started to find their way into the Qur'anic Scriptures. Within ten years, Muhammad waged over 35 wars."

  The concluding paragraph (emphasis added):

  "There may be sectarian groups in any religion that may choose to emphasize the more aggressive dimensions of that system; the real question is a matter of degree," says Kevin W. Mannoia, ean of the Haggard School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. "In other words, can the extreme acts of violence witnessed in the last few years be justified by the core essentials of a religion? There is no question that similar acts perpetrated by persons in the name of Christianity throughout history could not. The answer for Islam is not so clear."

  I've read a fair bit of the Qu'ran, and I must say I have a similar "reserved" feeling about Islam.

  Your thoughts?

  Craig
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  avishai

  It's a crock of shit that, peaceful members & verses aside, is causing a helluva lot of violence right here & now, in india, pakistan, indonesia, the US, the Phillipines, Israel, Palestine, The UK, etc. etc.
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  donkey

  ....religion of peace.

  Is that an oxy moron?
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  mizpah

  Historically, there are vast differences between the origins of Christianity and of Islam. Christ never taught his followers to fight against the enemies of the Christians. In fact, he instructed his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecuted them.

  In contrast, militancy and aggression was "part and parcel" of the teachings of Mohammed. He used military force to subjugate the unbelievers. He never hestiated to slaughter those who resisted. Jihad was and is a fundamental part of Islam.

  It wasn't until the time of Constantine that "Christians" began to use physical force as part of their strategy to convert and to control unbelievers. But by that time, the church was so corrupted that it ignored the teachings of Christ and cast aside all of the principles that early Christians held as sacred. This only proves that later Christians who engaged in this type of conduct were Christians in name only.
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  Badger

  Is any religion?
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  RubaDub

  This may be a generalization, but in my view, the ones that wear the colorful little hats that look like salad bowls at least appear more peaceful than the ones that wear towels.

  ***** Rub a Dub
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  logansrun

  Mizpah said,

  Christ never taught his followers to fight against the enemies of the Christians. In fact, he instructed his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecuted them.

  True. But Christ also recognized the Yahweh of the Old Testament, a god who perpetrated violence, rape and genocide of neighboring tribes (including their women, children and babies!). Jesus was guilty by association if you ask me.

  At least Islam is up-front about their violence. Christians just shove the violence part on to God's shoulders and wait for it to happen (Armageddon). Both are shameful, myopic and archaic belief systems.

  Bradley
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  SanFranciscoJim

  Religion is a snare and a racket. All religion.
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  Mulan

  I have several Muslim friends and they are great people. The women are very serene and lovely, and the men are nice too. After 9/11, several of them emailed me from their home country to ask me to please not blame all Muslims for the acts of a few fanatics, who have their own radical interpretation of the Koran.

  The ones who grow up as Muslims don't know any different, and naturally think their religion is the best one, the right one. I know very little of their teachings, and the only thing I would argue with them about (hypothetically speaking) is their view on the men having as many as 4 wives. I knew 2 men who had 2 wives each. One man married a younger woman when his wife stopped having babies. She has to accept his marrying again, or he can't do it, but their culture almost forces her to accept it. The last time I spoke to the first wife, her husband had 4 more children. She was sad, but didn't criticize him.

  The other man was young, and married an older rich woman, for her money. He got what he wanted, and divorced her.

  I have learned that many of the things we blame their religion for supporting, are actually cultural things............customs, that they say "Allah" is blessing them for doing and being part of.

  End of speech.
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  logansrun

  Mulan, with all due respect to your friends could it be that they are taking a liberal view of Islam which Muhammed never intended? Kind of like "liberal" Christians who will distort the clear statements in the Bible to say something that the Bible writers did not mean when they wrote them.

  Don't get me wrong, I think that it is GREAT that the majority of Muslims are peaceful, but are they viewing the Koran with unrealistic eyes? Baking their cake and eating it too?

  Just a thought.

  Bradley