Posted on 02/23/2002 8:15:48 AM PST by MadIvan
From over privileged guilt ridden leftists on college campuses to left leaning media to portentous gasbags in world governments, we hear a steady droning that Islam means “peace” and that it is a nonviolent religion practiced by millions around the world.
Mixed with these proclamations that Islam is peace, we are deluged on a daily basis with news accounts of deaths and horror inflicted on other people of faiths by practitioners of this acclaimed “peaceful” faith. The images and sounds from the news are emotionally gripping, powerful and horrific.
The screens and headlines shout one event after another until we are numb from disbelief … from kidnapping and murder of tourists in the Philippines to the shock of September 11, 2001 to videotaped executions of hostage reporter Daniel Pearl to street gangs in the Palestinian Authority gleefully bathing in the blood of dead Israeli soldiers.
We continue to hear cries of “jihad” from the street. We find ourselves dumbfounded to learn Islamic worshipers enter mosques to pray, and depart with shouts they are ready to kill for the glory of Allah.
What to believe about Islam and its practitioners? I suggest we examine some facts and try to reach some conclusions.
First, let’s start with the impression that the word “Islam” means “peace.” A little research quickly uncovers this is incorrect. The translated Arabic word ‘Islam’ means `submission' or ‘surrender’. The Arabic word ‘salaam’, a close linguistic cousin to the Hebrew ‘shalom” means peace
Second, history shows Muhammad used to send letters to the kings and leaders of the surrounding countries and tribes, inviting them to surrender to his authority and to believe in him as the messenger of Allah. He always ended his letters with the following message … `surrender and you will be safe', or in other words, `surrender or face death'.
Conversion at the point of a sword certainly begs the question of exactly where is the `peace' in all of it. Is it considered “peace” to threaten to kill other people, do away with their customs, and dominate them by whatever means possible? I think not, and thus, a historical review of Islam reveals it to be merely a successful means of conquest and expansion of religious creed but also secular political power.
To the faithful, this is an acceptable means of spreading their faith as well their influence. It also explains its rapid growth throughout the world over the last 5 centuries. A religion that was established by violence and still believes in violence as a chief tenet to growth is not a religion of peace – not by any stretch of the imagination.
Third, through reading secular history and even the Islamic holy books themselves, we find sufficient anecdotal evidence that without violence and conquest, Islam might not have survived.
“But, but, but, how can this be?” you might be asked by people who hadn’t heard this on the Nightly News With Tom Brokaw.
Examining the wars of Al-Riddah (the wars against the apostates) yields powerful verification to support this supposition. This series of conflicts began almost immediately after the death of the prophet Muhammad.
It’s a long story. However, the capsulated version goes like this - after the disappearance of Muhammad the conquered peoples, who have been forced to embrace Islam, refused to pay, imposed religious taxes and revolted.
The first Caliph, Abu-Bakr, knew without tax money he could not sustain his empire. He ordered his army to fight the apostates and after 2 years won out over the rebellious tribes. To justify the massive bloodshed, Abu-Bakr based his claim were necessary to preserve the faith and even went so far as to say he had been instructed by both Allah and the prophet messenger Muhammad to do so.
Thus, we see the beginnings of the religion and state being one using whatever means necessary to survive.
Fourth, the Qur’an itself is full of messages of peace, love, justice, harmony and oneness with the fellow man, but only if that man is Islamic. For all other peoples and nations, the message appearing throughout the Qur’an is clear and consistent – find the nonbeliever, get him to convert or kill him.
One example -
" But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” - Qur'an, 9:5
Conclusions - A religion of peace? Not from a historical perspective regarding its inception. Not from the tactics it used to develop. Not from its own religious text. Not from modern-day examples of real world practices of its followers, and clerics.
Islam is not a religion founded on peace, and its followers today have not done enough to stem the violent sects. Further, Islam is long overdue for a renaissance that can make it religion of peace and in harmony with the world of today.
What does it mean for us today?
The rate of these attacks appears to be increasing and all done by Islamics who are described by leftist apologists as mere “fringe” elements. I believe it bears pointing out these “fringe” actions bear a striking similarity to the birth of the Islamic movement, and appears to be continuing the tactics of centuries ago to gain converts or eliminate competing beliefs.
It is not an exaggeration to state Islam has a goal of dominating all other religions, as well as eliminating offensive Western style democracies. This objective has remained unchanged since the prophet messenger Muhammad demanded conversion or death.
Does this mean all Muslims are violent? No, not at all.
Many Muslims, like almost all mankind, wish to live in peace and leave their neighbors alone. However, in current times, we see the overwhelming majority of religious related attacks done by Islamics against Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jews and Buddhists around the world.
Most American Muslims, and indeed other populations of Muslims around the world, appear to be lying low. This is unsettling to the Western world as we are unclear whether or not they merely wish to avoid controversy or whether they are merely unsure which side to cheer.
Many Westerners are wondering aloud if the lack of a strong opposition Muslim voice to terror campaigns as well as mere lip service to anti-terror activities raises one alarming concern.
If the notion of these terrorist actions done by “fringe elements” is in error, are we looking at the revitalization of an Islamic crusade began centuries before.
If so, what will “moderate” Muslims do when they hear the louder calls to join with their brothers in jihad? After all, these “moderate” Muslims are keenly aware any Muslim who fails to heed the call to avenge his brothers, in the long run, will be marked as a traitor and hunted down like dogs.
Will the “moderates” seek elimination of this “fringe” and try to change their faith to become more in tune with modern society? Or are they going to choose war, and the renunciation of Western civilization concepts like democracy and freedom while embracing the religious fanatical tyranny embodied by the Taliban?
There are no quick easy answers. These questions are merely like a storm in the distance. Something to keep in mind as well as to keep an eye on as time and events continue to unfold.
All religious fanatics are dangerous -- and all religions are a bit nutty. But whatever the intentions of these apologists -- at least one desirable outcome is that they are "talking them into it" -- in other words it is also propoganda -- "you are peaceful, you are peaceful."
Considering the level of unsophisticated brainwashing that religionists are suceptible to, this isn't such a bad idea.
No, nothing will reach the hard core fanatical religionist -- but the mainstream sheep -- that's a lot easier.
If Islam were to dominate, guess what side the "peace loving" and "low lying Islamics" would be on????
Both killed in their name of their God for their religion. Is Christianity on trial because of Andrea Yates? No. When why is Islam on trial because of Atta?
There are peaceful Moslems. I know many who pray 5 times a day and are appalled that their religion is being hijacked.
The ignorance on these lists is pretty incredible. Go after the bad guys -- Do NOT paint an entire group with the same broad brush -- or is it that Christians are fundamentally ignorant, superficial and judgemental?
You see, I can paint with a broad brush, too.
We can't afford to wait to find out what the "moderates" will do -- that's why we're about to spend billions on HOMELAND defense -- defense not only from the enemy without, but from within.
But Islam will always be The Religion of Peace to this Freeper. sarcasm
For starters, I don't see thousands of "Andrea Yates" being trained in worldwide camps to rise up and kill their children.
Praying in public five times a day means absolutely nothing -- I know many people who pray throughout the day, but they don't make a show of it, or force employers, school principals or anyone to allow them time to pray.
I am beginning to believe these are not your friends you speak of, but your fellow Muslims -- and if this is all you can do to defend Islam, it speaks volumes for the hyprocrisy of this "religion of peace."
In fact, their primary concern has been that they not be harrassed. I understand that no one wants unfair treatment, but I think they throw gas on the fire when their response to the accusations--most of which are hysterical and irrational--is "you'd better not say bad things or hurt us, or we'll sue!"
It just doesn't inspire confidence.
The better course would be for "moderate" Islam in the West to begin policing its own house, and to show their loyalty to the western governments by giving us REASONS to believe in them.
They will have to work hard to win the hearts and minds, because the hate-mongers, here on FR and elsewhere, are working very hard to portray them all as enemies of all that is good.
Then you haven't been paying attention to the Feminist movement which has been so successful, that it isn't unusual to find people even on FR feeling sorry for Andrea Yates and defending her.
We are ALL in the training camps, as far as Feminism is concerned.
The fact that they are not is loud and clear.
Problem is, Ivan, the bad guys have all the guns and the good guys have been disarmed. Traditional muslims in Agfhanistan had their weapons taken away the moment the Wahabbi Taliban took over. Those who resisted... (well you know the rest of the story)
Same thing in Pakistan. The Wahabbi and their allies kidnap, shoot, and torture anyone who resists. Starting with other Muslims.
But I must take issue with the verse from the Koran you've used. That verse (if memory serves) has its origins in the battle against the pagans of Mecca who had persecuted the Muslims and were on their way to Medina to finish them off.
Christians and Jews are not pagans according to the Law. The Koran defines them as believers. If twisted fucks like bin Laden misuse the word for their own malignant purpose, well let's kill them.
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