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Islam forbids Aggressive Violence? IIPosted by gimpel on June 19, 2006 - 6:28 AM As part of a political science class at Augusta State, on June 6 and June 11 Rev. Saundra Reinke and J. Edward Sumerau wrote articles in the Chronicle about Muslims, and the way they are treated in post 9-11 America. Their articles left more questions than they answered. Their choice of verse certainly did not make Islam seem non-aggressive. There have been letters to the editor, and posts on this blog page asking someone to clarify. Could someone in the Muslim community please answer the following questions? Why that choice of verse? “…except for just cause†is a bit frightening to those of us who aren’t Muslim. Is being a Christian “just cause?†I am not a Muslim. I am an “unbeliever.†The first article stated, “Muslims in the CSRA believe that, through education and understanding of our differences and similarities, our community could come together. In so doing, we have a chance to end discrimination, hate and misunderstanding.†Please, help us to understand, either by answering the questions, or writing another article. Submitted by mgroothand on June 21, 2006 - 8:51 AM.
It is the fervent wish and belief of all people of Islam that infidels (non-believers) become true believers by whatever means necessary. "just cause" means exactly that. To help make that happen is a direct path to Paradise. While the local Islamic chapter may have pointed out that verse to the two Christian do-gooders, they (the do-gooders) were merely the tools to get a message across. I doubt that you'll ever see them speak up for themselves, they haven't for almost five years. Remember this "verse", there's nothing ambivalent about it: Submitted by JohnRandolphHar... on June 25, 2006 - 10:10 AM.
Below is a reasoned, measured, and kind response to the questions posed by Gimpel in his blog and by some letters to the editor in the print edition of The Augusta Chronicle. I wonder if Gimpel will take this in a positive light as an effort to explain Islam to Christians and to dispel some of the ignorance that fuels distrust? We can certainly hope so, but somehow I rather doubt it. Writers strive to understand Islam Writers strive to understand Islam Sunday, June 25, 2006 The Rev. Saundra Reinke and J. Edward Sumerau ("Biased media coverage is unfair to Muslims," June 11) are striving toward understanding and good relations in our community by publishing their columns in this newspaper. They worked hard to research the subject. I like to quote George Bernard Shaw, the great scholar and philosopher: "If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe, within the next hundred years, it could be Islam." He also said, "I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess the assimilating capacity to changing phase of existence, which can make itself appeal to every age." (Shaw, The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936). This great scholar was well-read, and wrote these words after doing thorough research. There are other great Western scholars who also have come to the same conclusion. Let us be rational, not irrational like the terrorists. As far as Islamic history is concerned, the conquest of Jerusalem in 638 A.D. heralded the first time Jews were allowed in the city. Khalif Omar allowed full freedom to practice all religions, and everyone was allowed to keep places of worship and property. Counter to the massacre and debauchery by the Crusaders of Europe, when Saladin retook Jerusalem he treated the Crusaders with kindness and mercy. Regarding the letter titled "Columnist avoids history of Islam" (June 15): Islam has high regard for Jews and Christians, and calls them People of Books. From the Quran: "Behold! The angel said: 'O Mary! God sends thee the glad tiding through a word from Him, of a son who shall become known as the Christ Jesus, son of Mary, of great honor in this world and in the life to come, and of those who are drawn near to God.' " (3:45). We must support the Rev. Reinke and Mr. Sumerau for correcting the wrong of the biased media, and striving for justice. I. A. Jilani, Martinez From the Sunday, June 25, 2006 edition of the Augusta Chronicle Submitted by gimpel on June 25, 2006 - 8:13 PM.
Yes, you doubt correctly. Submitted by logos on June 29, 2006 - 2:37 PM.
What's really odd is that the Koran speaks of "Christ Jesus", which being translated is "The Annointed One Who Provides Salvation". Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Islam teach that "salvation" is achieved only by observing Islamic law handed down via Mohammed (and which says it's OK to kill infidels), and NOT through Christ Jesus? If we are all "People of Books", then it seems the Koran needs a re-write. It is internally inconsistent and contradicts itself. Mr. Jilani needs to realize that Christians worship Jesus Christ as God. They do not worship "Allah" or recognize Mohammed as a prophet. Christians and Muslims are like oil and water. No matter how hard politically-correct apologists try to mix the two, there are will always be fundamental, irreconcilable differences. The Bible teaches Christians to pray for Muslims. Despite denials, the Koran teaches that killing of Christians is a service to Allah. Who is really biased and unjust in this true picture???? Submitted by wardw@eur.disa.mil on June 25, 2006 - 5:16 PM.
I'm sorry..Rev Reinke, Mr Sumerau & I.A. Jilani must all be smoking from the same hookah... Submitted by olorin on November 12, 2006 - 5:48 PM.
I don't know if its too late to respond, since the last post was in June. But I would like to. If only one person ever reads this post, it will be worth it. I am a Pakistani muslim. I grew up in Saudi Arabia, so I guess I am fairly representative. I have never been told to kill a christian or a jew. I have never read it in scripture. I have never been advised or encouraged to do this by any politician, relative, scholar or cleric of Islam. Violence is not allowed in Islam, except for a just cause, and being christian or jewish is NOT such a cause. There are only 2 "just causes" which we are told is sufficient to invoke killing. The first is to implement civil justice (capital punishment) after due process and judgement based on evidence. I believe as the only western democracy to allow capital punishment, the USA should be familiar with the concept. The second "just cause" is the forced genocide or expulsion of muslims from their homes "if this is based on their faith". Such an expulsion occured in Palestine to create Israel. Millions of Palestinians were expelled, for no other reason than that they were not Jewish, to make room for the state of Israel after world war II. Even if such forced migration or genocide does occur, Islam has strict rules of combat that dictate that innocent civilians are not to be harmed. Specifically women, the elderly, and children. Terrorists capitalise on the expulsion of Palestinians to invoke Jihad, but they lose the right to claim jihad the moment they target innocent civilians. Throughout most of Islamic history, muslim lands were safest for Jews. We had no pogroms (mass killings of jews organised in northern europe). It was north-european jews who were killed and persecuted by caucasians, who created Zionism and the state of Isreal. It was not the Sephardic jews (jews living under Muslim rule) who created zionism and israel. It was those persecuted outside muslim rule who needed sanctuary from the likes of Hitler and Stalin. There is no parallel to Hitler in Muslim history. All muslims do desire the conversion of people of other faith. But I am not aware that Christians are free of this desire as well. Christian missionaries travel the world to convert people in underdeveloped countries. What is wrong with wishing that others shared your faith? Islam does not hate anyone. Islam clearly states in its main scripture that "there is no compulsion in religion". I am not aware that either Christianity or Judaism has adopted this tenet as a fundemental principle to the degree that Islam has. You can look it up in the Quran, Chapter 2, verse 256. If you have any doubts, please visit http://www.themodernreligion.com/terror/terrorism_verses1.htm Peace to all! Submitted by 4Him on November 30, 2006 - 9:39 AM.
olorin: You must understand why we have the opinion we do about Islam when we see muslims killing non-muslims in the name of Allah. I, as a Christian, can understand how some people can misconstrue scripture. It's human nature to see things as we want them sometimes, especially those that are not wholly devoted to their faith. But, there are verses in the Quran that seem like they promote violence. Maybe you can shed some light for us. Can you tell me how you interpret these verses.... Chapter 9, Verse 5: Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Chapter 9, Verse 29: Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book [Jews and Christians], until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection. Chapter 9, Verse 123: O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). |
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