It looks like I missed a lot while I was away! I hate pc too - I think it is divisive than unifying.
Gee, what other religious group do we know that's such a "lovely, welcoming bunch" to a newcomer
Strange, I was thinking that myself too when I wrote it!
Mary, I checked the quotes from the Qur'an. This is what I see:
Surah 9.29 - It does read as you quoted, but I suspect that there is a historical context to the whole surah, which looks like a code of conduct and instructions on how to deal with opposition etc.
On the I.S. course I took, we were told that Jizyah is like income tax, paid by non muslims instead of zakat which muslims have to pay (both these taxes go to provide help for the needy and keep the state running). It is a smaller amount than zakat. Its also seen as 'protection money' (not meaning that in its bad sense) as non muslims aren't permitted to join the army.
Surah 9.30 - My translation begs to differ slightly, it says 'may Allah's curse be on them' - not as extreme as 'destroy'
Surah 8.12 The whole verse reads: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I wil instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them.'
So this appears to be instructions given to the angels rather than to Muhammad and his army. Surah 8.13 continues: 'This is because they contended against Allah and His Messenger' - The angels can only carry out the punishment against people who have actively opposed Muhammad. The whole surah is entitled 'The spoils of war' Again, it had a historical context. Also, to support this, I learnt that Muslims are forbidden to dismember bodies - friend or foe.
Re the 'divine' commandment to persecute Jews and Christians and your examples:
Surah 8.39 - Is in a section dealing with defeated enemies (who have actively opposed). So I suppose this verse was about how to deal with 'terrorists' who insist on not living in peace after the war has ended!!
Surah 9.5 - Refers in my translation to the Pagans, not Christians and Jews.
Surah 9.29 - See previous comments!
Surah 47.4 - 'Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight) , smite at their necks; at length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: until the war lays down its burdens'
This appears to be battle code rather than general instructions.
On the I.S. course, we were taught that there were clear definitions of groups in Islam - Believers(Muslims), People of the Book (Jews, Christians), and Unbelievers (Pagans and Hypocrites ie backsliders from Islam). If this is so, then those references need to be taken into account also.
All this said, I wish the extremists would read it in proper context too - so goes the saying:
A text taken out of context is the pretext for a proof text.
Here's a nicer verse to finish with!
Surah 60.7,8 reads 'It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies....Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.'
Phew - I must learn to type faster!
