Islam a Religion of Peace?

[vox]

I have posted a few articles relating to Islam from a Christian perspective. The most recent threat posed by British islamist group to blow up to 10 British Airways trans-atlantic flights and some US airlines so as to kill in a massive scale is yet another example of radical Islam holding the non Muslim world to ransom.

The question is, are they really a fanatical group of muslims who subscribe to a brand of radical Islam or are they just being good Muslim following in the foot-step of Osama bin Laden and their Prophet Mohammed?

Go to:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/001/1.32.html

[secondeve]

If you can make that argument, then I can say that wiping out the Cathars branch, root and tree in the Middle Ages was par-for-the-course Christianity, and that other acts before and since only confirm this perception. I could even find scriptures to back my position up - but Christians would, of course, object to this. They would say that I was misrepresenting them, that I didn't understand - perhaps they would accuse me of being deliberately belligerent or offensive. As a matter of fact, the last time a similar thread cropped up here, the assertion was made and held by most Worthy Christians that violence committed in the name of Christianity, such as against the Cathars and during the Crusades, was not real Christianity, based on their own judgements that Christianity is always non-violent. Ergo, anything violent done by supposed Christians in the name of Christianity was therefore not Christianity at all. All this does is change the definition. It does not eradicate the violence; it just attempts to take no responsiblity for its origins.

My position is this: the Qu'ran and the Bible both leave ample space in the reading for belligerent, first-strike, aggressive defence of the faith. The logical conclusion is by no means that the true Christianity/Islam is a violent religion, nor that all Christians/Muslims are violent/prejudiced or walking a violent/prejudiced path. It does follow that some, perhaps many, are. I couldn't tell you which interpretation of either text is, definitively, the correct one as intended by the original writers, be they human or divine. But neither can anyone else. The differing political, doctrinal schisms in both faiths are a testament to this uncertainty. Because it is a matter of interpretation, people only think that they and they alone are right; and although they can by no means prove it, they can and do act on their faith.

You want to say that each and every Muslim is violent? Fine. I can make the same assertion about each and every Christian. But I won't be right, and neither, Vox, will you.

[LadyRaven]

I have posted a few articles relating to Islam from a Christian perspective. The most recent threat posed by British islamist group to blow up to 10 British Airways trans-atlantic flights and some US airlines so as to kill in a massive scale is yet another example of radical Islam holding the non Muslim world to ransom.

The question is, are they really a fanatical group of muslims who subscribe to a brand of radical Islam or are they just being good Muslim following in the foot-step of Osama bin Laden and their Prophet Mohammed?

Go to:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/001/1.32.html

That question was as deliberately inflamatory as someone saying to us..."Are they really a fanatical group of Christians who subscribe to a radical brand of fundamentalism or are they just being good Christians following in the footsteps of Fred Phelps or Constantine?

Your question would have been a good one if you had dropped it after "Good Muslim." you can't place the other information into the question unless you can back it...but in order to back it you'd have to already have the information you are already asking for. If you are going to make any logical deductions about Osama you have to first determine what is good and what is radical according to the Koran. Instead you are already assuming what you are trying to prove/say.

Islam is a false religion. Radical Islamism is dangerous to everyone who is not a radical islamist. I'm no fan believe me, but if you're gonna have a discussion you can't assume your point before you prove it.

[billie]

You go, Raven!

[georgesbluegirl]

the radical islamists aren't just a threat to "the non-muslim world" it would seem - they're a big threat to normal practicing muslims who just want to live their lives without being accused of "following in the footsteps of osama bin laden," a suggestion that would offend most here in the west.

if you want a real look at how muslims view islamist terrorists, i suggest you look for muslim, and not christian, sources.

oh by the way eve - i love that dylan thomas quote. he's one of my faves!

[ayin jade]

I asked a real muslim how she felt. It wasnt the answer you would think GBG.

[ted]

These muslims we speak of, do they deserve anything less than our prayers?

It's easy to get caught up in the heat of the times. Trust me, it's my job to be wary of any threat to our nation. I, and we, must remain vigilant to the threat of islamic terrorism.

But in all of this, should we not put them in the forefront of our prayers thereby asking our God to change their hearts in the hopes that they come to Jesus?

In my line of work, there is something called a "gut check". Usually, the phrase is associated with physical training and enduring a little bit more to build ourselves up. Perhaps these dealings with the terrorists are kinds of spiritual gut checks?

Food for thought.....

t.

[pointer]

the Qu'ran and the Bible both leave ample space in the reading for belligerent, first-strike, aggressive defence of the faith.

Can you prove this as far as the Bible goes? Let us examine actual Bible quotes to see what meaning is intended by them.

[vox]

You want to say that each and every Muslim is violent? Fine. I can make the same assertion about each and every Christian. But I won't be right, and neither, Vox, will you.

Kindly point out where and when did I say every Muslim is violent? I was not referring to ALL Muslims, I was referring to the British islamist group whose intention was to commit mass murder in a massive scale, so please get your fact right.

2nd, those Christians who committed violent act did so not in accordance to the teaching of Christ. If you can find anything in His teaching advocating violence please show me.

That question was as deliberately inflamatory as someone saying to us..."Are they really a fanatical group of Christians who subscribe to a radical brand of fundamentalism or are they just being good Christians following in the footsteps of Fred Phelps or Constantine?

Your question would have been a good one if you had dropped it after "Good Muslim." you can't place the other information into the question unless you can back it...but in order to back it you'd have to already have the information you are already asking for. If you are going to make any logical deductions about Osama you have to first determine what is good and what is radical according to the Koran. Instead you are already assuming what you are trying to prove/say.

Islam is a false religion. Radical Islamism is dangerous to everyone who is not a radical islamist. I'm no fan believe me, but if you're gonna have a discussion you can't assume your point before you prove it.

Again I was only referring to the British Islamist group. And Constantine certainly was not the founder of Christianity. Please do not twist my word.

I assume nothing. However you can certainly assume a point and than prove it by providing evidence, what's wrong with that? It is a legitimate question based on the article in the link provided, unless of course you have not bothered to read the whole article.

[vox]

the radical islamists aren't just a threat to "the non-muslim world" it would seem - they're a big threat to normal practicing muslims who just want to live their lives without being accused of "following in the footsteps of osama bin laden," a suggestion that would offend most here in the west.

if you want a real look at how muslims view islamist terrorists, i suggest you look for muslim, and not christian, sources.

oh by the way eve - i love that dylan thomas quote. he's one of my faves!

Are you wearing the same blinkers as the other two? I was referring to the British islamist group!

And why not Christian sources? The article I posted is from a Christian sources, it does not make it any less valid than from an Islamic source.

Could you explain why the lack of condemnation from the Islamic world re attrocities committed in the name of Islam? Why such support shown for Bin Laden from ordinary Muslims around the world? May be you know something I don't, do share.