Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....

Not too long ago I was listening to the radio, Bill O'Reilly on KFMB, as I recall. During his show, Bill was talking about some passages from the Koran that had appeared in print that seemed to contradict much of the CAIR and other Islamic apologist propaganda.

During the program a man, a Muslim, called in to the show to accuse O'Reilly of being unfair and taking things out of context, etc. He then said that you need to have an Imam explain these passages to you so you can understand their meaning. This of course means one of several things.

The first possible meaning is that the average person is too stupid understand the Koran without help. Another is that Mohammed chose not to speak plainly and clearly when relating Allah's word for one reason or another. Or, possibly, that the Imam's tell their followers this so that they may remain in control of the religion, and interpret it as they please without fear of contradiction.

Having read the Koran, cover to cover, and in its various parts, I contend that it's the latter--with the added twist that Mohammed had been out in the hot sun too long and was not thinking all that clearly during most of his sermons. One of the reason's I believe this are the frequent admonishments to the faithful not to listen to others speak about their religions. Fear of contradiction of the Koran as a whole as well of its constituent parts is a consistent theme.

That is not to say that there is no confusion in the Koran that needs clarification. In fact, the Koran goes from being quite clear to downright confusing and back again, repeatedly. Mostly it consists of rambling parables, admonitions repeated ad nauseum, and bad retellings of Old Testament stories (often repeated in fragments). The Koran is also difficult to read because as it lacks any kind of narrative thread and is constantly repeating itself. In fact, my copy, which spans over 400 softcover pages, could easily be condensed to about 50 pages and still thoroughly cover every it has to say. Not true with The Bible.

Other than that, anyone with a high school education and the will power to wade through it can easily understand it (most of it anyway), without help from anything other than a strong cup of coffee--which probably accounts for the Islamic ban on alcoholic beverages. It's guaranteed to bore you into a deep sleep if you try reading it under the influence. And Mohammed probably got upset when people fell asleep during his sermons.

We've heard all the rhetoric about the Koran being a book of peace and enlightenment, but little about the parts of the Koran that give rise and fuel to fanatical hatred and terrorism. The few that have been quoted in the press are pounced on by CAIR and other groups and isolated phrases taken out of context. The follow those charges up by pointing out bad things Christians have done in previous decades and centuries. The difference is that when Christians have persecuted and killed people they were acting against the principles of their faith. When Muslims do it they are acting in accordance with the Koran.

Another point that needs to be made is that all of the things that people point to in the Bible, to make the Koran look less bloody by comparison, are in the Old Testament. And almost all are refuted or moderated by the New Testament. The Koran is all "Old Testament" and makes the fire and brimstone of the first half of the Bible seem mild by comparison.

The following passages are just a sampling of what what I would call the "Dark Side" of the Koran. Or, at the very least, those that are interpreted by certain Imam's to mean that it is O.K. to blow up babies and drive airplanes into skyscrapers. They are presented in the order they appear in the Koran and I have taken care not to quote things out of context (something we infidels are always accused of doing). I will also add my layman's commentary and translations (in bold), as we proceed.

One of the ways to determine whether something is just an "isolated passage" or part of a larger, mainstream theme, it to take a look at how many times the same or similar wording appears. It must be assumed if something is repeated, it must be something that was intended to be remembered. Frequency says a lot. Therefore, in this posting, you will find what appear to be redundant quotes. There are included to show that a particular theme is not "isolated."

BTW, just by writing this little piece I am subject to being the object of a Fatwah. So, if I see any middle-eastern, or Nation of Islam looking types cruising slowly by my house, I will shoot first and ask questions later.... (yes, I profile).

The Quran, Translation: M.H. Shakir. In the citations I have added the Names of the various books (Surah's). They have very little to do with the subject of their particular Surah, so don't read anything into them..

One more thing: Depending on who you talk to, the term Jihad can mean anything from struggling with your zipper to all-out nuclear Holy-war, and several stops in between. You will not find the word in most available English translations, where it has been substituted with the words "fight" and "struggle". Where you see those words in the following passages they may or may not refer to Jihad.

And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers. They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive. There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied. - Koran, Surah II: 8-10, "The Cow."

According to Mohammed, Allah hates hypocrites worse than infidels (or at least as much). This is a common and often repeated theme, but it only applies with regard to hypocrisy concerning belief in Allah, which probably explains Islam's constant use of Hypocrisy in all other instances.

Who break the Covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the land; these it is that are the losers.
How do you deny Allah and you were dead and He gave you life? Again He will cause you die and again bring you to life; then you shall be brought back to Him. - Koran, Surah II: 27 & 28, "The Cow."

There are several passages like this. I believe that this passage and others like it support Islamic laws against converting from Islam, and the subsequent penalties that go along with it--like death. It's an effective way to keep from losing your flock to competing religion. Kill any who convert and the rest will get the message.

And (as to) those who disbelieve in and reject My communications, they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide. - Koran, Surah II: 39, "The Cow."

All infidels go to Hell, even Christians and Jews. This is one of the most repeated themes in the Koran.

And do not mix up the truth with the falsehood, nor hide the truth while you know (it). - Koran, Surah II: 42, "The Cow."

I threw this one in so you can quote it back at those jerks from CAIR the next time they start spinning.

And there are... Illiterates who know not the Book but only lies, and they do but conjecture. Woe, then, to those who write the book with their hands and then say: This is from Allah, so that they may take for it a small price; therefore woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn. - Koran, Surah II: 78 & 79, "The Cow."

Depending on how you choose to read this and other passages like it, this includes people like me, and that Rushde guy who wrote Satanic Verses, and so upset the Mullahs that they issued a death sentence against him. It also seem to provide for the punishment they decreed.

Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book do not like, nor do the polytheists, that the good should be sent to you from your Lord....
Many of the followers of the Book wish that they could turn you back into unbelievers after your faith, out of envy from themselves, (even) after the truth has become manifest to them.... - Koran, Surah II: 105 & 109, "The Cow."

My guess is that this provides for Islamic laws that make it illegal to bring religious texts other than the Koran into some Islamic countries, and make it illegal to even speak to a Muslim about Christianity or Judaism under penalty of death.

And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: surely Allah's guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper. - Koran, Surah II: 120, "The Cow."

And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a short while, then I will drive him to the chastisement of the fire; and it is an evil destination. - Koran, Surah II: 126, "The Cow."

The East and the West belong only to Allah; He guides whom he likes to the right path. - Koran, Surah II: 142, "The Cow."

Two things here. First, the whole world belongs to Allah. Second, he only guides the people he likes to the right path. This not only negates free-will, but leads to the obvious conclusion that if you do not follow the right path it is because Allah does not like you. A little on the petulant side for a loving God and the antithesis of the Old and New Testaments.

And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive. - Koran, Surah II: 152, "The Cow."

Surely those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers, these it is on whom is the curse of Allah and the angels and men all.... - Koran, Surah II: 161, "The Cow."

And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves. Bequest is prescribed for you when death approaches one of you, if he leaves behind wealth for parents and near relatives.... - Koran, Surah II: 179-180, "The Cow."

The Palis probably know this one by heart. It even talks about those cash rewards to the families of those who blow themselves up.

And kill them wherever you find them [we infidels], and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers. - Koran, Surah II:191, "The Cow."

And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah. - Koran, Surah II:193, "The Cow."

Ask the Israelites how many a clear sign have We given them; and whoever changes the favor of Allah after it has come to him, then surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil). - Koran, Surah II: 211, "The Cow."

In other words, the true word was revealed to them, they rejected it, and now they're going to get theirs from Allah, or Yassir, or Hamas.

Allah does not call you to account for what is vain in your oaths, but He will call you to account for what your hearts have earned, and Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing. - Koran, Surah II: 225, "The Cow."

Being a vainglorious blowhard is O.K. as long as you are a believer at heart. So much for humility. This passage probably explains all those grandiose boasts by Saddam and Bin Laden.

And fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is Hearing, Knowing. - Koran, Surah II: 244, "The Cow."

Allah is the guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of the darkness into the light; and (as to) those who disbelieve, their guardians are Shaitans who take them out of the light into the darkness; they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide. - Koran, Surah II: 257, "The Cow."

Ever hear of night-vision? Allah may be your guardian in the light, but we own the night. Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Say to those who disbelieve: You shall be vanquished, and driven together to hell; and evil is in the resting place. - Koran, Surah III: 12, "The Family of Imran."

O you who believe! Do not take for intimate friends among others than your own people; they [unbelievers] do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still.... - Koran, Surah III: 118, "The Family of Imran."

This one is quoted in the Hamas Charter. Basically, were not good enough to be their friends and we cannot be trusted. BTW you'll see this one again.

Yea! If you remain patient and are on your guard, and they come upon you in a headlong, your Lord will assist you with five thousand of the havoc-making angles. - Koran, Surah III: 125, "The Family of Imran."

I wonder, is this is what Saddam was counting on? Just make sure they aren't those crappy Soviet-made havoc angels....

And certainly you desired death before you met it; so indeed you have seen it and you look (at it). - Koran, Surah III: 143, "The Family of Imran."

And a soul will not die but with the permission of Allah; the term is fixed; and whoever desires the reward of this world, I shall give him of it, and whoever desires the reward of the hereafter I shall give him of it; and I will reward the grateful. - Koran, Surah III: 145, "The Family of Imran."

You might as well blow yourself up because you have no free-will and you'll die when Allah wants you to, and if you die blowing yourself up, it must be because Allah wants you to, so why feel guilty about it?

Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. - Koran, Surah IV: 34, "The Women."

O you who believe! Take your precaution, then go forth in detachments or go forth in a body. - Koran, Surah IV: 71, "The Women."

Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward. - Koran, Surah IV:74, "The Women."

I would imagine that this passage is used to bolster the proposition that suicide bombers really are allowed by the Koran.

They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper. - Koran, Surah IV:89, "The Women."

You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given you a clear authority. - Koran, Surah IV:91, "The Women."

Somewhat unclear as to the exact nature of the provocation, but quite clear that you can pursue and kill whoever does whatever this passage refers to (it does not really help the clarity to add the passages immediately preceding or following). The Mullahs probably make great use of this passage.

And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his punishment is hell; he shall abide in it, and Allah will send His wrath on him and curse him and prepare for him a painful chastisement. - Koran, Surah IV:93, "The Women."

Definitely falls under the preceding set of punishments. Kill a Muslim, whatever your reason and you better be Muslim yourself.

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement. - Koran, Surah V: 33, "The Food."

Of course, waging "war against Allah and His apostle" can be interpreted in many ways.... everything from speaking out against Islam to dropping a JDAM on Bin Laden. Whatever suits the propaganda needs of the clerics.

And (as for) the man who steals and the woman who steals, cut off their hands as a punishment for what they have earned, and exemplary punishment from Allah; and Allah is Mighty, Wise. - Koran, Surah V: 38, "The Food."

O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes for them a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people. - Koran, Surah V: 51, "The Food."

So much for tolerance and that middle-east peace plan. Remember this one when the hypocrites at CAIR talk about Jews and Christians being "people of the book" who should not worry about devout Muslims. I challenge them to find an equivalent statement anywhere in the Bible.

O you who believe! take care of your souls; he who errs cannot hurt you when you are on the right way; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will inform you of what you did. - Koran, Surah V: 105, "The Food."

This one is kind of interesting. If the enemy wins it is because you were not faithful enough.

Do they not consider how many a generation We have destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth as we have not established you, and We sent clouds pouring rain on them in abundance, and We made rivers to flow beneath them, then We destroyed them on account of their faults and raised up after them another generation. - Koran, Surah VI: 6, "The Cattle."

Sometimes variations on this passage are in reference to the story of Noah, Lot, Exodus and others. This one is not used in particular reference to any Old Testament destruction. It's just letting the unbelievers know that Allah has wiped them out wholesale in the past and will probably do it again.

And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or (he who) gives the lie to His communications; surely the unjust will not be successful. - Koran, Surah VI: 21, "The Cattle."

Anyone who says anything bad about Allah/Mohammed is unjust. I guess that would be a reference to me or anyone else who points out the Koran's little inconsistencies.

And this world's life is naught but a play and an idle sport; and certainly the abode of the hereafter is better for those who guard (against evil); do you not then understand? - Koran, Surah VI: 32, "The Cattle."

I wonder if blowing up women and children, or gassing whole populations, is considered "idle sport."

And certainly We sent (apostles) to nations before you, then We seized them with distress and affliction in order that they might humble themselves. - Koran, Surah VI: 42, "The Cattle."

Sounds like the Wahabbi infiltration plan to convert the world to radical Islam.

And when you see those who enter into false discourses about Our communications, withdraw from them until they enter into some other discourse,.... - Koran, Surah VI: 68, "The Cattle."

Muslims are so secure in their faith that they are instructed to stick their fingers in their ears and run away when others start talking about their religions. If that doesn't work and they convert to another religion, kill them. Mohammed must have known how weak his arguments were.

They are lost indeed who kill their children foolishly without knowledge, and forbid what Allah has given to them, forging a lie against Allah; they have indeed gone astray, and they are not the followers of the right course. - Koran, Surah VI: 140, "The Cattle."

Mama's... don;t let your babies grow up to be suicide-bombers. (sung to the tune of "Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys".) A passage conveniently forgotten by the PLO, Hamas, etc. Then again, it's all in the interpretation.

Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it, and whoever brings an evil deed, he shall be recompensed only with the like of it, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly. - Koran, Surah VI: 160, "The Cattle."

Too many Muslims seem to be overly selective in their application of this rule.

And for every nation there is a doom, so when their doom is come they shall not remain behind the least while, nor shall they go before. - Koran, Surah VII: 34, "The Elevated Places."

Sooner or later Allah is going to get us. Then we'll be sorry. (This is another frequently repeated theme).

Evil is the likeness of the people who reject Our communications and are unjust to their own souls. - Koran, Surah VII: 177, "The Elevated Places."

If you don't accept Islam you are unjust--period. Can't you feel the love? ...the tolerance?

And (as to) those who reject our communication, We draw them near (to destruction) by degrees from whence they know not. - Koran, Surah VII: 182, "The Elevated Places."

I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them. - Koran, Surah VIII: 12, "The Spoils of War."

Surely the vilest of animals, in Allah's sight, are the deaf, the dumb, who do not understand. And if Allah had known any good in them He would have made them hear.... - Koran, Surah VIII: 22, "The Spoils of War."

Various versions of this passage appear throughout the Koran. Some are metaphors regarding those who refuse to listen, some are literal, like this one. The deaf are the way they are because Allah made them that way, and he made them that way because he knew they were bad and would never accept Islam. Pretty twisted logic working here. I wonder what Muslims think about hearing aids....

And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah. - Koran, Surah VIII: 39, "The Spoils of War."

And if you fear treachery on the part of a people, then throw back to them on terms of equality; surely Allah does not love the treacherous. - Koran, Surah VIII: 58, "The Spoils of War."

So, if you think the other guy (non-believer) might betray you, it's o.k. to betray him first. That's the same logic an old girlfriend of mine once used. Where's Dr. Phil when you need him?

"So, Mohammed, how's that working out for you in the relationship department? Have you heard about my fried pork rind diet?"

O prophet! Urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand. - Koran, Surah VIII: 58, "The Spoils of War."

Oh, don't worry, we get it.... We're a little slow sometimes, but we definitely get it.

Announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve. - Koran, Surah IX: 3, "Repentance."

So when the sacred months have passed away; then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. - Koran, Surah IX: 5, "Repentance."

What! Will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Apostle...? - Koran, Surah IX: 13, "Repentance."

Fight them, Allah will punish them [idolaters] by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people. - Koran, Surah IX: 14, "Repentance."

This passage is significant. It clearly states that Allah intends to have unbelievers killed by the hands of the faithful. Vengeance is not reserved for Judgment Day or for Allah alone. In fact, the only real admonition against killing refers to one Muslim killing another on purpose. Compare this to the Bible.

And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away! - Koran, Surah IX:30, "Repentance."

Wait a minute! I thought we peoples of the book were supposed to be tolerated?

He it is Who sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, that He might cause it to prevail over all religions.... - Koran, Surah IX:33, "Repentance."

One world, one religion. When the Wahabbi's infiltrate countries by building mosques and acting nice, this is what they are aiming for.

Allah has promised the hypocritical men and the Hypocritical women and the unbelievers the fire of hell to abide therein; it is enough for them; and Allah has cursed them and they shall have lasting punishment. - Koran, Surah IX: 68, "Repentance."

O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness. - Koran, Surah IX: 123, "Repentance."

What was that CAIR said about a few isolated and mis-characterized passages from the Koran?

And (as for) those who have earned evil, the punishment of an evil is the like of it, and abasement shall come upon them--they shall have none to protect them from Allah--as if their faces had been covered with slices of the dense darkness of night; these are the inmates of the fire; in it they shall abide. - Koran, Surah X: 27, "Yunus."

For his sake there are angels following one another, before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's commandment; surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition; and when Allah intends evil to a people, their is no averting it, and besides Him they have no protector. - Koran, Surah XIII: 41, "The Thunder."

I call this one the catch-22 passage. I suppose Mohammed meant to say that God helps those who helps themselves, but remembered it wrong. Instead you have a recipe for fatalism.

Do they not see that We are bringing destruction upon the land by curtailing it of its sides? And Allah pronounces a doom--there is no repeller of His decree, and He is swift to take account. - Koran, Surah XIII: 41, "The Thunder."

And those before them did indeed make plans, but all planning is Allah's; He knows what every soul earns.... - Koran, Surah XIII: 42, "The Thunder."

Hell is before him and he shall be given to drink of festering water:
He will drink it little by little and will not be able to swallow it agreeably, and death will come to him from every quarter, but he shall not die; and there shall be vehement chastisement before him.
The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their actions are like ashes on which the wind blows hard on a stormy day; they shall not have power over any thing out of what they have earned; this is the great error. - Koran, Surah XIV: 4,5, "Ibrahim [Abraham]."

More fire and brimstone for the unbelievers whose actions, whatever they may be, will always be for naught. The Koran has lots of descriptions of heaven and hell.

Allah causes the unjust [unbelievers] to go astray, and Allah does what He pleases. - Koran, Surah XIV: 4,5, "Ibrahim [Abraham]."

More catch-22 from Allah. No free-will to choose to believe or not believe because Allah decides who will or will not, and then punishes you for what is essentially his decision.

And never did we destroy a town but it had a term made known. No people can hasten their doom nor can they postpone (it). - Koran, Surah XV: 4,5, "The Rock."

Only they forge the lie who do not believe in Allah's communications, and these are liars. - Koran, Surah XVI: 105, "The Bee."

No specific lie here other than to believe in Allah or not. This might also be interpreted as all unbelievers are liars.

He who disbelieves in Allah after his having believed, not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens his breast to disbelief--on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall have a grievous chastisement. - Koran, Surah XVI: 106, "The Bee."

He who converts from Islam to another religion will suffer the wrath of Allah. In this case death, by the hand of a believer.

And We had made known to the children of Israel in the Book: Most certainly you will make mischief in the land twice, and most certainly you will behave insolently with great insolence. - Koran, Surah XVII: 4, "The Israelites."

Read your book; your own self is sufficient as a reckoner against you this day. - Koran, Surah XVII: 14, "The Israelites."

And this one is for the nitwit that called into O'Reilly and said that you need an Imam to tell you what the Koran means. Seems to me if your smart enough to figure it out for yourself on Judgment Day, you can probably handle the task when the sky isn't falling.

And when We wish to destroy a town, We send Our commandments to the people of it who lead easy lives, but they transgress therein; thus the word proves true against it, so We destroy it with utter destruction. And how many of the generations did We destroy after Nuh [Noah]! - Koran, Surah XVII: 16-17, "The Israelites."

Here's one of those passages that randomly makes reference to the Old Testament story of Noah. In the Old Testament their are numerous stories of destruction by God's wrath, but each of them is specific to a time and place with the stories of Noah and Lott being the most significant. In the Koran, passages like that above are numerous and do not always reference anything specific.

The overall impression is that Allah goes around destroying towns and cities after giving them a chance to convert first. Historically, this is what happened during the spread of Islam. When one looks at the expansion of Islam as it spread through the middle-east, Africa and into Europe during it's salad days, it is easy to see where they got the idea. Islam was spread primarily by the sword. For those who like to point out the Christian Crusades, they should be reminded that those were in response the Muslim Crusade that nearly succeeded in subjugating Europe by the end of the 7th century A.D.

And do not kill any one whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause, and whoever is slain unjustly, We have indeed given to his heir authority, so let him not exceed the just limits in slaying; surely he is aided. - Koran, Surah XVII: 33, "The Israelites."

So far the only ones that cannot be slain are Muslims by other Muslims on purpose. Everyone else is fair game for one reason or another.

And we will drive the guilty [unbelievers] to hell thirsty. - Koran, Surah XIX: 86, "Marium."

Surely you and what you worship besides Allah are the firewood of hell; to it you shall come. - Koran, Surah XXI: 98, "The Prophets."

These are two adversaries who dispute about their Lord; then (as to) those who disbelieve, for them are cut out garments of fire; boiling water shall be poured on their heads. With it shall be melted what is in their bellies and (their) skins as well. And for them are whips of iron. Whenever they will desire to go forth from it, and taste the chastisement of burning.
Surely Allah will make those who believe and do good deeds enter the garden beneath which rivers flow; they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and (with) pearls, and their garments therein shall be of silk. - Koran, Surah XXII: 19-23, "The Pilgrimage."

Mohammed really had a thing about describing all the punishments of Hell and the pleasures of Heaven. Not much to do with spiritual growth--just avoid the pain and get to the pleasure.

Surely Allah will defend those who believe; surely Allah does not love any who is unfaithful, ungrateful. - Koran, Surah XXII: 19-23, "The Pilgrimage."

So, if an American Army full of unbelievers beats a Muslim Army, what does that mean? I'd like to hear an Imam explain this one. Good thing they don't allow tap shoes in mosques.

Permission (to fight) is given to those whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is well able to assist them.... - Koran, Surah XXII: 39-40, "The Pilgrimage."

And (as for) those who strive to oppose Our communications, they shall be the inmates of the flaming fire. - Koran, Surah XXII: 51, "The Pilgrimage."

We're not neccesarily talking about "Judgment Day" or Hell. It could be that guy wearing the bulky over-coat in August.

That (shall be so); and he who retaliates with the like of that which he has been afflicted and he has been oppressed, Allah will most certainly aid him; most surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving. - Koran, Surah XXII: 60, "The Pilgrimage."

Repel evil by what is best; We know best what they describe. - Koran, Surah XXIII: 96, "The Believers."

The fire shall scorch their faces, and they therein [Hell] shall be in severe affliction. - Koran, Surah XXIII: 104, "The Believers."

Getting tired of these descriptions yet. Nearly every Surah in the Koran has one or more like it. I'd call that a pattern, not just a few out-of-context quotes.

Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will most certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers before them, and he will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them.... - Koran, Surah XXIV: 55, "The Light."

Call not this [judgment] day for one destruction, but call for destructions many. - Koran, Surah XXV: 14, "The Criterion."

The parable of those who take guardians besides Allah is as the parable of the spider that makes for itself a house; and most surely the frailest of houses is the spiders house--did they but know. - Koran, Surah XXIX: 41, "The Spider."

I threw this one in because, except for "The Women", "The Spider" is the only Surah in which the title matches anything in the subject matter.

...none deny Our communications except the unjust. - Koran, Surah XXIX: 49, "The Spider."

Since we're all unjust, I guess that means it's all right to blow us up, hijack airplanes, and be generally unpleasant.

And who is more unjust than one who forges a lie against Allah, or gives the lie to the truth when it has come to him? Will not in hell be the abode of the unbelievers? - Koran, Surah XXIX: 68, "The Spider."

Nay! Those who are unjust follow their low desires without any knowledge; so who can guide him whom Allah makes err? - Koran, Surah XXX: 29, "The Romans."

There's that catch-22 again. Allah makes us err, and then sends us to hell because we did. That's I'd call unjust.

Surely they used to behave proudly when it was said to them: there is no god but Allah; And to say: What! Shall we indeed give up our gods for the sake of the mad poet? - Koran, Surah XXXVII: 35, 36, "The Rangers."

This is a reminder; and most surely there is an excellent resort for those who guard (against evil), The gardens of perpetuity, the doors are opened for them. Reclining therein, calling therein for many fruits and drink. And with them shall be those restraining their eyes, equals in age. - Koran, Surah XXXVIII: 49-52, "The Suad."

Now I have searched for specific references to those 72 virgins we keep hearing so much about, and this is the closest I can come to it. I have found one or two other passages that make reference to "those restraining their eyes" awaiting the faithful, but no references to either their number or their chastity. It is possible, however, that I missed it during the many times my eyes glazed over during the search.... One should not drink adult beverages while reading the Koran. Conversely, one should not try to operate heavy machinery or a motor vehicle while reading it. The end result is the same.

Surely Allah does not guide him all right who is a liar, ungrateful. - Koran, Surah XXXIX: 3, "The Companies."

He is Allah, the One, the subduer (of all). - Koran, Surah XXXIX: 4, "The Companies."

Those who dispute concerning the communications of Allah without any authority that He has given them; greatly hated is it by Allah and those who believe. Thus does Allah set a seal over the heart of every proud, haughty one. - Koran, Surah XL: 41, "The Believer."

And whoever defends himself after his being oppressed, these it is against whom there is no way (to blame). - Koran, Surah XLII: 41, "The Counsel."

Absolution for the Palestinians. We all know how oppressed they are. All except for Yassir, that is.

So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you overcome them, then make (them) prisoners,... and as for those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will by no means allow their deeds to perish. - Koran, Surah XLVII: 4, "Muhammad."

No translation needed here; but they might want to read Clausewitz or Sun Tzu before they take us on again.

And (as for) those who disbelieve, for them is destruction, and He has made their deed ineffective. - Koran, Surah XLVII: 8, "Muhammad."

A parable of the garden which those guarding (against evil) are promised: Therein are rivers of water that does not alter, and rivers of milk the taste thereof does not change, and rivers of drink delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey clarified; and for them therein are all fruits and protection from their Lord. - Koran, Surah XLVII: 15, "Muhammad."

Get to heaven and you are safe from your own God. Makes life sound like a shooting gallery where Allah takes pot shots at you till you make it to home base.

And be not slack so as to cry for peace and you have the upper hand, and Allah is with you, and He will not bring your deeds to naught. - Koran, Surah XLVII: 35, "Muhammad."

In other words, when you have them on the run, keep them on the run--no mercy.

The life of this world is only idle sport and play, and if you believe and guard (against evil) He will give you your rewards, and will not ask of you your possessions. - Koran, Surah XLVII: 36, "Muhammad."

Hmmm... don't take life seriously, and, if you're faithful, Allah let's you take it with you? Deep. Very Deep.

Say to those of the dwellers of the desert who were left behind: You shall soon be invited (to fight) against a people possessing mighty prowess; you will fight against them until they submit; then if you obey, Allah will grant you a good reward; and if you turn back as you turned back before, He will punish you with a painful punishment. - Koran, Surah XLVIII: 16, "The Victory."

What do you want to bet that Bin Laden reads this one a lot? And how do you think it will be interpreted by the Muslim world if we turn tail in Iraq and Afghanistan before finishing our business over their?

He it is Who sent His Apostle with the guidance and the true religion that He may make it prevail over all the religions, and Allah is enough for a witness. - Koran, Surah XLVIII: 16, "The Victory."

Can you say "Wahabbi Fifth-Columnist?" Is it really a good idea to let them recruit in our prisons or to commission them as Army Chaplains?

O you who believe! do not take My enemy and your enemy for friends: would you offer them love while they deny what has come to you of the truth.... If you go forth struggling hard in My path and seeking My pleasure, would you manifest love to them? And I know what you conceal and what you manifest; and whoever of you does this, he indeed has gone astray from the straight path.
If they find you, they will be your enemies, and will stretch forth towards you their hands and their tongues with evil, and ardently desire that you may disbelieve. - Koran, Surah LX: 1&2, "The Examined One."

That's number three. So I guess it's not such an isolated, out-of-context passage after all. And this one takes it a step further than the others. Remember--frequency and pattern...

O you who believe! why do you say that which you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that which you do not do. - Koran, Surah LXI: 2&3, "The Ranks."

Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall. - Koran, Surah LXI: 4, "The Ranks."

Further Quotes on The Subject...

"We are terrorists, and terror is an obligation in the book of Allah. Let the west and east know that we are terrorists and we strike fear: 'Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power. Including steeds of war to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies...' (8:60), So Terror is an obligation in the creed of Allah SWT" - Sheikh Abdullah Azzam.

"Our new world rests on order. The danger is disorder. And in today's world, it can now spread like contagion. The terrorists and the states that support them don't have large armies or precision weapons; they don't need them. Their weapon is chaos." - Prime Minister Tony Blair, speech to the U.S. Congress Accepting the Congressional Gold Medal, July 17, 2003.

"I know [the war on terrorism is] hard on America, and in some small corner of this vast country, out in Nevada or Idaho or these places I've never been to, but always wanted to go. I know out there there's a guy getting on with his life, perfectly happily, minding his own business, saying to you, the political leaders of this country, 'Why me? And why us? And why America?'
And the only answer is, 'Because destiny put you in this place in history, in this moment in time, and the task is yours to do" - Prime Minister Tony Blair, speech to the U.S. Congress Accepting the Congressional Gold Medal, July 17, 2003.

"We expect nations to speak the truth about terror. They shouldn't encourage malicious lies and outrageous conspiracy theories concerning the attacks of September the 11th. No government should promote the propaganda of terrorists." - President George W. Bush, Radio Address to the Nation, from The Oval Office, November 10, 2001.

"The only alternative to victory is a future of terror. So we will fight for victory." - President George W. Bush, Radio Address to the Nation, from The Oval Office, November 10, 2001.

"Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike? If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly emerge, all actions, all words, and all recriminations would come too late. Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option." - President George W. Bush, State of the Union Address, Tuesday, January 28, 2003.

"One hundred percent of the successful terrorist attacks on commercial airlines for 20 years have been committed by Arabs. When there is a 100 percent chance, it ceases to be a profile. It's called a 'description of the suspect...." - Ann Coulter.

"No matter how long this war takes, this issue is the issue of an entire nation which has refused a life of humiliation under American arrogance and Israeli violence. Secondly, the organization of al-Qaida announces that Bush the father, and Bush the son, and in between them, Clinton, Blair and Sharon are at the head of the criminals, the Zionists and the crusaders, who have committed the worst practices and greatest atrocities against the Muslim nation, before and now." - Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, Osama bin Laden spokesman, statement on al-Jazeera satellite channel, October 14, 2001.

"[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement" - Hamas Charter, Article 13.

"The Muslim women have a no lesser role than that of men in the war of liberation; they manufacture men.... raising the children upon the moral concepts and values which derive from Islam; and of educating their sons to observe the religious injunctions in preparation for the duty of Jihad awaiting them." - Hamas Charter, Articles 17&18.

"This, for the purpose of calling upon the Arab and Islamic peoples as well as their governments, popular and official associations, to fear Allah in their attitude towards and dealings with Hamas, and to be, in accordance with Allah's will, its supporters and partisans who extend assistance to it and provide it with reinforcement after reinforcement, until the Decree of Allah is fulfilled, the ranks are over-swollen, Jihad fighters join other Jihad fighters, and all this accumulation sets out from everywhere in the Islamic world, obeying the call of duty, and intoning "Come on, join Jihad!" Hamas will only be of help to all associations and organizations which act against the Zionist enemy and those who revolve in its orbit." - Hamas Charter, Article 33.

"Safety and security can only prevail under the shadow of Islam.... The members of other religions must desist from struggling against Islam." - Hamas Charter, Article 31.

"Jihad becomes a duty binding on all Muslims.... We must spread the spirit of Jihad among the [Islamic] Umma, clash with the enemies and join the ranks of the Jihad fighters.... I indeed wish to go to war for the sake of Allah! I will assault and kill, assault and kill, assault and kill." - Hamas Charter, Article 15.

"Allah is its goal, the Prophet its model, the Qur'an its Constitution, Jihad its path and death for the case of Allah its most sublime belief." - Hamas Charter, official slogan, Article 8.

"Make no mistake: Unless we give this Millennial Generation a clear, cause-and-effect understanding of what freedom is, how it works and what it takes to protect it, then that uniquely American birthright could be lost to history forever.
"Whatever you do, don't shrug it off. The world has been relatively free now for several decades of the tyranny and terror that faced the great "G.I. Generation" of World War II. But sleeping giants inevitably awaken, and the cycle of history never strays far from its orbit. Make sure the next generation is prepared. Its children and grandchildren will thank God you did." - Charton Heston, "Next Generation Is Our Hope but Must Understand Freedom", June, 2001.

"I wonder is the possibility of being killed through ignorance of a threat somehow secondary to surviving at the expense of offending someone's ethnicity? Have we all gone nuts? (Somebody better turn up the burner on America's melting pot there are still a few lumps in the broth.)
"The media, and most politicians, are reluctant to identify a terrorist as a terrorist, preferring the term 'militant' all the while assuring America that 'most of Islam is moderate and not all militants are terrorists.' Even a quick reading of my book, The Everlasting Hatred, the Roots of Jihad, would dispel that fantasy." - Hal Lindsey, "Survival Speak", January 2, 2003.

"An international fraternity of terrorists, with the Soviet Union as the chairman of the rush committee, has enabled the Russians to engage, as Senator Henry Jackson has put it, in "warfare by remote control" all over the world. Other members of the international club include North Korea, Cuba, South Yemen, East Germany, Libya, and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Malcontents from all over the world are trained by them in the arts of kidnapping, assassination, sabotage, bomb making, and insurrection, and then sent off to ply their trade. Their tutors are careful to keep them well supplied with weapons and to provide sanctuary when they need it." - Richard Nixon, The Real War, 1980.

"We must force America to fight on a hundred fronts all over the Earth. We must force it to fight in Lebanon, to fight in Chad, to fight in Sudan, and to fight in El Salvador." - Colonel Qadhafi, Dictator of Libya, 1985.

"We must take a stand against terrorism in the world and combat it with firmness, for it is a most cowardly and savage violation of peace. We must remember our heritage, who we are and what we are, and how this nation, this island of freedom, came into being." - Ronald Reagan, campaign speech in Chicago, August 1980.

"The American people are not--I repeat--not going to tolerate intimidation, terror, and outright acts of war against this nation and its people. And we're especially not going to tolerate these attacks from outlaw states run by the strangest collection of misfits, loony tunes, and squalid criminals since the advent of the Third Reich." - President Ronald Reagan, Remarks at the Annual Convention of the American Bar Association, July 8, 1985.

"When a boy becomes a martyr, thousands of people attend his funeral. Poor families become celebrities. 'Everyone treats them with more respect after they lose a son,' a martyr's father said. 'And when there is a martyr in the village, it encourages more children to join the Jihad. It raises the spirit of the entire village,' he continued." - Jessica Stern, Foreign Relations.

"You are not an enemy combatant, you are a terrorist. We hunt terrorists down and bring them to justice." Federal District Court Judge William G. Young, statement upon sentencing al-Queda "shoe-bomb" terrorist Richard Reid, January 31, 2003.

Further Reading:

Internet seductress convicted [Arab terrorist seduces

Israeli teen, then murders him}

Jerusalem Post ^ | Oct. 22, 2003 | THE JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Posted on 10/21/2003 8:57 PM EDT by yonif

The Ofer Military Court on Tuesday convicted Amani Mona of Bir Naballah of voluntary manslaughter in the terrorist murder of a 16-year-old boy.

The Palestinian woman lured Ashkelon teen Ofir Rahum to his death in Ramallah by offering to have sex with him during an Internet conversation.

Mona, 24, will be sentenced at a later date. The Israel Police Computer Crimes Squad carried out forensics on Rahum's computer, reconstructed old files through data recovery, and helped track down Mona and pin her to the crime.

Israeli security forces arrested Mona in early 2001 after Rahum's bullet-riddled body was found on a West Bank road.

Mona frequented Internet cafes in the Ramallah area and struck up conversations over the Internet with Israelis and others using ICQ, identifying herself as Sali.

It was during this period she introduced herself to Rahum, telling him her father was Moroccan and her mother Israeli and that she had arrived a year earlier from Morocco. All the chats between the two were in English.

After a number of conversations she informed her friend, Fatah activist Hassan Kadi that Rahum was a suitable candidate.

A scheduled meeting between the two last December fell through, when Rahum informed her he was unable to travel to Jerusalem and she turned down Rahum's suggestion that they meet in Ashkelon.

In the week prior to Rahum's murder, Mona pressed him to meet her in Jerusalem, where she said the two could have sex in her girlfriend's apartment. She warned Rahum not to inform his parents, saying she would ensure that he would return home at his usual hour.

On January 17, the two agreed to meet at the Jerusalem Central Bus Station. She had previously arranged with Kadi where they would meet, and confirmed that he had organized a hiding place and getaway car.

She met Rahum at the bus station and they got a taxi to her car at the A-Ram junction north of the city.

She drove him toward Ramallah, stopping at the site she had previously arranged with Kadi. Shortly after he arrived, armed with a Kalashnikov, and Kadi ordered Rahum to get out of the car and when he refused, shot him.

He and accomplice Fatah Doola placed Rahum's body in the trunk of their car and drove off. Mona followed them in her car and drove to the Fatah office in El-Bira, parking her car a distance away because of the bloodstains on it. She then met a girlfriend for lunch, visited an aunt in the hospital, and attended a defensive driving course in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Kadi gave the vehicle to a third party, who buried Rahum's body.

Mona was arrested three days later, and Rahum's body was returned to Israel as a result of the intensive actions of Israeli security officials, who investigated his disappearance and demanded that the Palestinians hand the body over to them.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1005494/posts

U.S. Believes Bin Laden Aide Murdered Pearl (Orig. WSJ Article) ^

Posted by The Raven

On 10/21/2003 8:38 PM EDT

U.S. officials familiar with the investigation of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl's murder now say they believe he was killed by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged chief organizer of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S.

If the belief proves correct, it would be the first known episode of Mr. Mohammed -- whom the U.S. calls one of Osama bin Laden's closest aides -- personally carrying out one of the deadly acts that he is better known for simply organizing. It also would resolve a question following numerous arrests and four convictions stemming from Mr. Pearl's murder last year: Who was the 38-year-old reporter's actual killer?

Mr. Mohammed, suspected of being the al Qaeda terror network's operations chief, was arrested in March 2003 in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, near the capital of Islamabad, and is being held in an undisclosed location.

Now Bush administration officials have told The Wall Street Journal and Mariane Pearl, Mr. Pearl's widow, that they have developed credible, corroborated information that Mr. Mohammed was "directly involved along with the men recently convicted in Pakistan" in the murder of Mr. Pearl.

Mr. Pearl, the Journal's South Asia bureau chief, was kidnapped Jan. 23, 2002, while reporting a terrorism story in Karachi, Pakistan. A month later, investigators learned of his death when they obtained a videotape that depicted his murder. It showed only Mr. Pearl's face, but not those of a group of men who, according to captured suspects, restrained him while one of them slit the reporter's throat with a knife.

Mr. Mohammed, 38, is one of nine people in custody in the Pearl case. Until now, law-enforcement officials have considered him a plotter, financier and organizer of major al Qaeda attacks that he monitors from afar. He is accused of plotting to blow up 12 U.S. airliners in the mid-1990s. He also is accused of helping to plot the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, and of masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks and a suicide bombing at a Tunisian synagogue last year that killed 22 people.

In April 2002 -- almost a year before his capture -- he gave a clandestine interview to Yosri Fouda, a reporter for the Qatar-based television agency al Jazeera. At one point, Mr. Fouda wrote in an account of the meeting, Mr. Mohammed handed him a video recording of Mr. Pearl's murder, and asked him to distribute it to Western media.

Last year, four men were convicted of organizing Mr. Pearl's kidnapping and e-mailing demands and photos of the captive reporter to news agencies. A judge handed down a death sentence to Omar Saeed, who trapped Mr. Pearl by masquerading as a follower of a cleric with whom the reporter was seeking an interview. Mr. Saeed met with Mr. Pearl in Rawalpindi and, using a false identity, exchanged several e-mails with him, then lured him to Karachi.

Four other men are in custody for allegedly picking up Mr. Pearl from outside a Karachi restaurant where he awaited a ride to an interview with the cleric, then abducting him and guarding him at a nursery on the city's outskirts. Two of the four additional suspects led authorities to Mr. Pearl's body in May 2002, and described the last day of the reporter's life.

On Jan. 31 or Feb. 1, a phone call was received by one of the guards alerting them that some men would come to the nursery and that they shouldn't be interfered with, investigators quote the suspects as saying. Afterward, the nursery's owner -- a businessman named Saud Memon -- drove up with three Arabic-speaking men, the investigators say. One of the men spoke with Mr. Pearl, ordered one of the others to videotape Mr. Pearl's replies and killed the reporter, according to one suspect. It now is believed this main participant was Mr. Mohammed, an ethnic Pakistani who grew up in Kuwait and went to Chowan College in North Carolina. Pakistani authorities are seeking Mr. Memon, a garment-factory owner in Karachi. Last week, the U.S. froze the U.S. assets of the al Akhtar Trust for alleged terrorist activities, and named Mr. Memon a financier of that organization.

Reports of Mr. Mohammed's alleged role as Mr. Pearl's killer surfaced several months ago, but officials repeatedly dismissed them. But the investigators' allegation of Mr. Mohammed's complicity now lends credence to the two suspects' account of Mr. Pearl's death. It isn't clear whether Mr. Mohammed himself confessed under interrogation or whether some other fresh evidence emerged to convince the officials otherwise.

Among the many unresolved questions in the Pearl case have been the most basic ones: Who ordered him killed, and why did they do it? If Mr. Mohammed is indeed found to be the killer, that could answer the first question. Until his arrest, he was regarded as Mr. bin Laden's operations chief, so he wouldn't necessarily require anyone's orders for a relatively small operation. The second question remains unanswered, though.

In addition, it isn't clear whether Mr. Mohammed's only role was to kill Mr. Pearl, or whether he was involved earlier in the plot, such as at the organization stage. From evidence they have compiled so far, senior Karachi police officials have concluded that Mr. Pearl was kidnapped by one group -- organized by Mr. Saeed, who told investigators Mr. Pearl was simply a target of opportunity -- but that another set of militants assumed control later. An initial e-mail from the kidnappers didn't suggest Mr. Pearl's life was in danger, but a second message sent toward the end of January 2002 included a death threat. Mr. Saeed suggested to authorities that he alone organized the kidnapping.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1005477/posts

Campaigners Hope Sudan Peace Deal Will Spell End to Slavery

Crosswalk ^ | Oct 2003 | Stephen Mbogo

Posted on 10/22/2003 3:12 AM EDT by miltonim

Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi, Kenya (CNSNews.com) - Anti-slavery activists are hopeful that the finalization of a Sudanese peace deal will bring an end to the atrocity of modern-day slavery that has taken place in the war-torn country.

Peace talks between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) have entered what may be their final stage in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

"This marks a significant opportunity to end slavery in Sudan," said Beth Herzfeld of the London-based anti slavery group, Anti-Slavery International.

ASI estimates that 14,000 people, mainly women and children, have been abducted and forced into slavery since 1986.

Pro-government militias, often with the assistance of the national army, have carried out raids in villages in southern Sudan, according to the campaigners.

They have abducted civilians and taken them to the north, where they are employed as slaves or as sexual concubines.

"The war has also prevented the safe return of rescued abductees and slaves to their villages in the [south]," ASI said in a statement.

Ending abduction and the use of forced labor need to be an integral part of any peace agreement reached between Khartoum and the rebel SPLA, it added.

"The peace talks are a welcome step. An end to the civil war means a real chance for both sides to work together and within humanitarian and relief groups to end the system of slavery that has been allowed to flourish in Sudan. We must not allow this opportunity to be missed," said director Mary Cunneen.

ASI said the transitional unity government to be set up under the peace deal should act to stop the abductions, state publicly that the abuses are illegal, and develop laws and penalties to protect people and punish offenders.

Anti-slavery campaigners say slaves taken to the north face hard labor, maltreatment, sexual abuse and Islamic indoctrination.

Some groups have worked actively to purchase the freedom of south Sudanese enslaved by Muslim gangs, although not all relief groups have supported the idea. Some argue that it perpetuated the traffic by increasing the value assigned to slaves by the traders.

The 20-year-old civil war has pitted Arab Muslim northerners against Christian and animist African southerners.

Political, economic and social spheres of government are currently controlled by northerners.

The peace agreement set to be signed shortly has a provision for southerners to form their own state after six years of transitional government, following a referendum on independence.

The final round of talks began in a mood of optimism.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said he believed a peace agreement would be concluded "before the end of this year," while SPLA leader John Garang told reporters here he was ready to remain engaged in the talks "as long as it takes to find peace."

Both parties have agreed on how to handle security issues during the transitional period.

Some SPLA militias will be integrated into the national army while joint forces will be established to provide security to specific areas still under dispute.

The key remaining issues are wealth and political sharing, and the religious status of Khartoum, which is currently governed under Islamic law.

The rebels want a secular national capital.

During early negotiations, the SPLA wanted 40 percent of oil revenues to be used for the reconstruction of the war-battered south during the transitional period.

For its part, Khartoum wanted 85 percent of the revenues to be used to run the unitary government, another 10 percent for reconstruction of oil-rich areas, and five percent for reconstruction elsewhere.

An estimated two million people have died during the war and accompanying famine.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1005655/posts

They`re all kettles of evil, houses for the conned. And I bet just from me writing that I put a chill up your spine.

Quite the rant.

Though I consider myself a member of the Christian faith, I don't care much for churches. Give me the book, let me read, and I'll make up my own mind. So on that much we probably agree.

Where I would disagree, however is that all "organized" religions are equal. All religious constructs are subject to abuse by those who claim leadership. Eventually, however, the scope of the treachery they can commit in a religion's name is constrained by the written teachings of that religion, which are recognized by its rank and file adherents. Eventually they reign in clerics who travel too far out of bounds. This was the case in the many reformations of the Christian religion--which continue to this day.

In the case of Islam, what would be considered clerical abuse of scripture among Christians, is, in fact, supported and encouraged in the Koran. Islamic clerics have not been called to account for the evil they are encouraging because they are, in fact, following the written teachings of their religion.

The simplest way to judge the reletive merits of Christianity and Islam, is to compare the United States with any Islamic country of your choice.

The United States, who's laws and social structure were (and for the most part still are), based on the Judeo-Christian ethic continues to advance the cause of human rights and justice. We are country that people are banging down the doors to enter.

Islamic countries, those based on Koranic law, are mostly totalitarian dictatorships. Many still practice slavery. These are countries where people (except for the privileged classes), can't leave fast enough.

As for which "organized" religions are more-or-less evil, just ask yourself which country you would rather live in. The United States (Judeo-Christian), Saudi Arabia (Islamic), India (Hindu), or China (atheist--yes, it's as much a matter of faith as any religion).

BTW. Not only did you not put a "chill" up my spine, I found the superficiality of your post amusing (I used to think much the same thing). You need to read your history a bit more carefully and expand the scope of what you do read.

"As the union between spiritual freedom and political liberty seems nearly inseparable, it is our duty to defend both. And defense in the first instance is best." - Thomas Paine, Pennsylvania Magazine. 1775.

"Whenever the visible church has been oppressed, political freedom has suffered with it." - Thomas Paine, Pennsylvania Magazine. 1775.

"It must never be forgotten that religion gave birth to Anglo-American society. In the United States, religion is therefore mingled with all the habits of the nation and all the feelings of patriotism, whence it derives a peculiar force. To this reason another of no less power may be added: in America, religion has, as it were, laid down its own limits. Religious institutions have remained wholly distinct from political institutions, so that former laws have been easily changed whilst former belief has remained unshaken." - De Tocqueville.

"For my own part, I doubt whether man can ever support at the same time complete religious independence and entire political freedom. And I am inclined to think that, if faith be wanting in him, he must be subject; and if he be free, he must believe." - De Tocqueville.

"Wisdom, benevolence and courage: these are the three universal virtues. Some practice them with the ease of nature; some for the sake of their own advantage; and some by dint of great effort." - Confucius, Analects, c.400 b.c.

Silence surrounds Muslim Jew-hatred (in Swedish schools and society) windsofchange ^ | (Dagens Nyheter, 2003/10/20) | Sverker Oredsson and Mikael Tossavainen Posted on 10/21/2003 9:21 AM EDT by dennisw

Sverker Oredsson and Mikael Tossavainen

Translation by Mårten Barck

Swedish original: "Judehat bland muslimer tystas ned" (Dagens Nyheter, 2003/10/20)

A Muslim and Arab Jew-hatred is spreading in the suburbs of the major Swedish towns. At the same time Jewish congregations in Sweden are reporting a sharp increase in Muslim aggression towards Jews in recent years. This is shown in a new report presented in DN Debatt.

NEW REPORT: ARAB AND MUSLIM ATTACKS ON JEWS ARE RISING SHARPLY IN SWEDISH SOCIETY.

"Silence surrounds Muslim Jew-hatred"

Teachers in the suburbs of the major Swedish towns report widespread and brazen hostility against Jews among groups of Arab and Muslim students. These students view the Holocaust as Zionistic propaganda, express admiration for Hitler and regret that he didn't succeed in killing more Jews. The problem is aggravated by the almost complete silence which is surrounding this form of jew-hatred. Sverker Oredsson, a professor of History, and the researcher Mikael Tossavainen write on a new report about the subject which is presented today.

Most Swedes believe that anti-Semitism is an extinct problem in our country. They are aware that prejudices and hatred aimed at Jews have regrettably occured in the past in Sweden but that is now seen as part of history. Most Swedes believe that our society has evolved and that we are more enlightened today. Most Swedes believe that Jews today don't meet more prejudices than Danes or smålänningar [people living in the Swedish province Småland].

Unfortunately they are wrong. During the last year the security police registered 131 anti-Semitic crimes. Nobody knows how many incidents go unreported but the security police expect the number to be large. Jews in Sweden today are living in the shadow of a very concrete anti-Semitism. Jews in Sweden today often feel compelled to hide their religious identity in public: necklaces with stars of David are carefully hidden under sweaters and orthodox Jewish men change their kippot to more discrete caps or hats when they are outdoors. Jews in Sweden nowadays get secret telephone numbers to avoid harassment. In Sweden. Today.

Anti-Semitism has been more or less absent from the political mainstream since the end of the Second World War. Jew-hatred was in principle only found among marginalized groups at the extreme right and left. That is not the case anymore.

During the last decade another form of anti-Semitism has started to spread in the suburbs of large Swedish towns: a Jew-hatred — often imported from the Middle East and not seldom presented under an Islamic flag — which also wins adherents among groups of Arabs and Muslims in Sweden.

In the Middle East anti-Semitism is alive and flourishing in a way which reminds one of Europe during the 1930s. Most regimes in the Arab world and in many other Muslim countries have supported the spread of Jew-hatred in state controlled media a long time.

In schools and mosques from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf the message that Jews are descendants from monkeys and pigs, a treacherous and greedy people striving for global dominion, is preached. The Jews are blamed for practically everything. For example it is alleged that the 9/11 terror attacks were carried out by Jews in one form or another, most often the Mossad, with the aim of getting America to attack Islam. The explosive spread of AIDS in Africa and Asia in general, but in the Muslim world in particular, is blamed on the state of Israel, who is alleged to send out hiv-positive Jewish prostitutes to weaken the enemies of the Jews.

In addition the Holocaust is regularly described as a Jewish lie aimed at grabbing money from Germany or Swiss banks and give rise to sympathy for Israel and the Jewish people. Even ancient Christian blood libels about Jews using the blood of Christian children for the baking of "Purim" pastries are used in anti-Semitic propaganda. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the blood libel is spread in a modified version, where the blood is alleged to be from young Muslim boys.

This Jew-hatred is nourished partly by specific interpretations of Islam. Throughout history, Jews have traditionally been better treated in Muslim countries than in Christian ones and pious Muslims around the world have lived for centuries without letting their attitude towards Jews be charged with anti-Semitism. In spite of this there always has been some degree of discrimination and animosity. The Koran is not without passages which can be used for rationalizing jewhistolity. In connection with the colonisation of the Middle East, European Christian and racist anti-Semitism was also spread in the area. The serious attraction and exploitation of Jew-hatred was however connected to the antagonism between Jewish and Arab nationalism and later on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The existence of a Jewish state in the middle of a perceived Muslim land and not least the current political situation in the Middle East heighten the anti-Jewish atmosphere in the Arab world and in other Muslim countries such as Iran and Pakistan. The Israeli state is the primary target for Arab and Muslim Jew-hatred, but the distinctions between Israelis, Zionists and Jews are not upheld. The propaganda which is spread from Damascus, Tehran and Islamabad often goes beyond criticism of Israeli politics and turns into pure demonization of the Jewish people.

This anti-Semitism is a part of the ideas and traditions brought to the segregated suburbs of Europe. The isolation from the new homeland and the retention of the culture of the country of origin via satellite TV, Internet etc., contribute to the survival and even strengthening of Jew-hatred among groups od Arabs and Muslims in London, Marseille and Paris.

But similar tendencies exist also in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmoe. This is shown in a study authored by one of the authors of this article, historian Mikael Tossavainen, which is published today by the Swedish committee against anti-Semitism.

Teachers in Swedish suburbs report widespread and brazen hostility against Jews among groups of Arab and Muslim students. This hostility is expressed by the refusal to concern oneself with anything that even can be considered as Jewish. Students may sabotage or skip teaching of Religion when Judaism is the subject, skip homework, books or examinations on courses about Judaism.

During lessons in history confrontations arise between teachers and students, who may on one hand say that the Holocaust never happened — instead dismissing it as Zionistic propaganda — or on the other hand express their admiration of Hitler and regret that he didn't succeed in killing more Jews.

There are quite a few websites in Swedish on the Internet that cover Arab and Muslim political, cultural or religious topics. Many of these are spreading gross anti-Semitic propaganda together with information about Islam.

Jews are described as greedy, mean, power hungry, thieving, revengeful, blood thirsty and sexually perverse. The Jewish religion is also attacked and is described as an inferior, morally reprehensible doctrine.

To support these allegations, false quotes from the Bible and the Talmud are used in many cases. It is alleged, for example, that Jewish men have the religious right to rape non-Jewish women and that it is permitted for Jews to lie to or deceive non-Jews. These allegations are sometimes explained with the idea of the chosen people, which is distorted to some sort of Jewish superiority myth.

Another returning theme on these websites is the belief in the existence of a Jewish world-conspiracy. In connection with this delusion lists of well-known Swedes with Jewish origin who are alleged to be part of this conspiracy to obstruct Islam, enslave the Palestinian — alternatively the Arab — nation or simply take over the world, are sometimes published.

It is hardly surprising that people who are living in such a world of ideas and are constantly fed with this kind of portrayal of Jews become anti-Semites. Nor is it particularly surprising that these attitudes are channeled in the form of threats and violence against Jews.

Jewish congregations in Sweden have noted a sharp increase in harassment, threats and attacks by Arabs and Muslims against Jews in the Swedish society during the last few years, clearly connected to the escalation of the Middle East conflict.

In this connection it is important to emphasize that the Muslim minority in Sweden is a very heterogenous group, religiously, culturally as well as ideologically and that far from all Arabs and Muslims in Sweden have anti-Semitic views. The report is not exhaustive, but its results are unambiguous and they expose an alarming situation.

The problem is furthermore aggravated by the almost complete silence which is surrounding this form of Jew-hatred. If anti-Semitism among Arabs and Muslims in Sweden is discussed at all in Swedish media and debate, it tends to be in the form of trivializations or denials of the problem.

There are even examples of commentators who allege that anti-Semitism in Sweden today is a made-up problem, which is grotesquely exaggerated by the Jews to get the attention away from the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

The reason for the silence is probably multi-faceted. Perhaps some journalists and commentators regard their knowledge of Islam as insufficient for an appraisal of Islamic anti-Semitism. Perhaps they think it's difficult to draw a clear line between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism. Perhaps they try to avoid criticizing a group which already is vulnerable and discriminated in the Swedish society out of a fear of adding to racism in general and islamophobia in particular.

You don't need any more profound knowledge about Islam, however, to be against anti-Semitism spread under the guise of religion: condemnation of Jew-hatred is not about criticism of Islam. You don't need any deeper knowledge about the Middle East conflict to realize that talk about a Jewish world-conspiracy or ritual murder of Muslim children cannot be considered legitimate criticism of the policies of Sharon's government. If this agitation against Jews had been spread by neo-Nazi groups it would in all probability be treated with great indignation and receive strong condemnations by the same journalists and politicians who turn a blind eye when it comes to Jew-hatred spread in the name of Islam.

Arab and Muslim immigrants are done a disservice by the silence surrounding anti-Semitic utterances: by not signalling that the Swedish society doesn't accept agitation against Jews, the integration of these groups is not speeded up nor made easier — to the contrary.

Nobody gains from indulgence or apologetic silence when facing anti-Semitism. In this respect it is completely irrelevant whether it is spread by members of organisations on the extreme left, neo-Nazis or Arabs and Muslims. It should never be acceptable for frustration over the situation in the Middle East to strike Swedish Jews. To turn a blind eye to the fact that it does is a silent approval and this can only have negative effects — not only for Jews in Sweden today, but in the long-term also for our open, tolerant society and for the Swedish democracy.

Intellectuals, politicians and leading representatives of Muslim organizations in Sweden must signal their repudiation of Arab and Muslim anti-Semitism in our country — for the benefit of all.

SVERKER OREDSSON
MIKAEL TOSSAVAINEN

[Posted 2003/10/20]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1005044/posts

'I wish Eighty or Ninety Jews Would Die with each Bomb' (Religion of Peace/Eurotrash Alerts)

JewishComment.com ^ | Saturday 11th Oct 2003 | Editors

Posted on 10/21/2003 10:46 AM EDT by Jacob Kell

On Thursday evening we went to Marks & Spencer department store. On the way, the bus conductor wanted it known to the passengers that he was Moroccan. He went from seat to seat making a point of greeting passengers in Arabic, and animatedly chatting with women in traditional Muslim clothes.

He did make a point of grunting to those of us who were, shall we say, ‘traditional locals.’ We did not feel slighted but as we approached Oxford Street he went to the front of the bus and told those of us seated at that end of the vehicle that ‘Marks and Spencer sell things and then send the money to the Jewish.’ He then said what one assumes was a similar piece of useful information to a Muslim woman and both became rather agitated. The bus driver, a white-haired London Buses oldtimer of decades standing, leaned out of his cab and with considerable irritation lectured the conductor on the history of the Holocaust and of the ‘Jewish.’ As we were leaving the bus I could hear the driver and conductor arguing ; the latter reminding the Englishman that all Marks and Spencer money goes to the ‘Zionist murderers.’

We then found ourselves in Oxford Street and outside ‘M&S,’ as it is affectionately known, was a contingent of policemen and women who were protecting a small group of young Jewish men who had set up a table with an Israeli flag. The men were further protected by a substantial metal barrier, to separate them from what can only be described as an hysterical crowd of hate-filled people of every shape and size. What was so depressing was that non-Arabs in the noisy crowd outnumbered those from the Middle East.

(Let me explain the background : for years Palestinian groups have had a stall outside Marks & Spencer to protest the history of the Sieff family and to stop people from shopping at a store that stocks Israeli goods. The Palestinian young people are never attacked, and when Jews approach them the most that happens is a lively discussion. To a lesser extent its neighbour store, Selfridges, has had leafletters outside for years protesting the presence of Israeli wines on its shelves. One day last year I went into Selfridges and accosted the first couple I saw. They said they agreed with the Palestinian leafletters and thought no ‘Zionist apartheid’ goods should be sold anywhere in the UK. When I asked this otherwise charming English pair where they had learned the word ‘apartheid’ in relation to Israel they said they had read about it in The Independent and had seen ‘atrocities on the BBC.’)

Back to Thursday: I began to pick up snippets of shouts from this viscerally angry crowd. One woman in religious Muslim attire standing next to me -- actually jumping up and down -- screamed at the top of her voice to the Israel supporters, ‘You Jews destroyed my country, Iraq.’ Someone asked her what Israel had to do with Iraq and she screeched ‘You killed sixty of my family in Iraq.’ She was asked how sixty Iraqis were killed by Israelis and she said ‘Israel -USA! Same thing! And now you will take over Iran!’ She became so agitated that she had to be led away by the police.

Then came the chorus of really quite terrifyingly angry English people with their shouted mantras of ‘You people invented terrorism in Palestine.;’ ‘Israel is expanding every day and will soon own the whole Middle East!!’; (doh???) ; ‘Israel is slaughtering thousands of Palestinians every day.’ (Again, doh?)

But the crowning glory was an elegantly-dressed businessman next to me who seemed normal except for the fury in his eyes. He said, ‘I love and revere the suicide bombers. Every time I hear of a suicide bomb going off I wish it had been eighty or ninety Jews instead of a pitiful handful.’ He then went on to shout at everyone around him every time someone tried to speak, and had reached a point of hysteria -- ‘You people have been trying to acquire land across the entire globe and will soon own every nation if you are not stopped!’ -- when, thankfully, a policewoman came over. One can think of some poeple who, had they been armed, would be in prison tonight because his suggestion that not enough Jews are killed each time a bomb goes off ‘made one crazy’ as the saying goes, but we were pleased to see that the policewoman was making every effort to book him.

(Imagine how far he would have got had he said such things in New York or Washington about Americans!)

What does this tell us about British society? Pim Fortuyn was assassinated because he expressed what were considered to be extremist views about the rise of Islam across Europe and in his native Holland. We have no objection to ethnic diversity but we are sickened when we see British and Arab people united in such blood-curdling hatred of one very tiny minority. (Lest we forget Jews are now outnumbered ten to one by Muslims in the UK.) What alarms us is the profoundly visceral hatred shown by the crowd on Thursday towards a mild-looking group of young Jewish men and bystanders supporting them.

Does this mean, as Melanie Phillips has said so often in the British press this year, that Britain is no longer a place where Jews may live without fear? Yes, we think it does. Our liberal friends will say that the actions of the Sharon government are making life hell for Diaspora Jews. Well, here is the crucial point: when Yitzhak Rabin was making peace and Israel was booming -- and the Palestinian territories were beginning to flourish -- terror bombs were exploding as often as during the dark days and way back then, one's British hosts were saying the same unspeakable things about ’you people invented terrorism in Palestine' and 'hopefully in the next war Israel will be taight a lesson it won't forget...'

Sadly, we believe anti-Semitism is endemic in the world at large. We feel that our own spiritual home is the United States ( we have given up trying to explain to European Jews why we feel as free and proud as Jews in the USA as we do in Israel ), but were we as young as the men on the Israel stall on Thursday we would make aliyah. NOW.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1005097/posts

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