This is the last comment I will make publicly on the issue, I want nothing more than for it to be resolved
After re-reading my comment to HipShot earlier, I realize that I did not quite clarify what I was trying to say (I have apologized to him in PM). For the record, I do not believe that the Christian God that we pray to is the same God that Islamists use to justify murdering innocent civilians. I was stating that, based on my studies, Muslims believe that Allah is the same or a similar God Christians and Jews believe in. That is all, nothing more. I was only trying to clarify a statement made by another poster and it seems that I have failed miserably in that attempt.
I am young (22), and make some youthful mistakes in my attempts to redeem people who may or may not deserve redemption (I generally side with the one being picked on, always have). To anyone who was offended by my comments, I am deeply sorry
it was not my intent.
I have told my story here a few times. Just a reminder (if it is really needed): I come from a Christian family and I am a Christian myself. I originally found FR shortly after the 9/11 tragedy and was always amazed at the good and thoughtful folks here. I still am, but I am confused as to why I would be labeled an Islamic sympathizer due to the fact that I have tried to answer some questions as to what they believe (based on what I have been taught in college). My intentions are all good, every single one of them.
I want to have the chance to have children of my own, to teach them the ideals that have made America so great. I want to have a bright future, not one in which I have to be scared every day about the unknown. In trying to accomplish these goals I have taken a proactive approach to this WOT (just as many TM folks have, in their own ways). Part of being proactive is learning the intricacies of our enemy, and part of learning the intricacies of our enemy is looking at things from their point of view.
That is all; I only ask to be taken at my word, nothing more.
I second HipShot's applause. I also understand where you are coming from academically and historically. You are taking an academic and detached view. On the other hand, I know you see how many folks here have come to be hardened against the Islamic religion.
BTW, I am older than you and I still always give the benefit of the doubt to the "outsiders" or the "underlings" or the "ones being picked on." I know what you mean.
Also, many times our quick and unedited printed posts do not properly relay our sentiments because they are only words on the screen -- they cannot be supported by facial expressions or body language. Our posts can be downright deceiving and make us cringe because after we post them we more easily see how they can be taken the wrong way sometimes.
That's one of the reasons I would support an "edit" function. We always see our posts better once they are posted.
You certainly sound like a very kind, thoughtful person to me, but the key to your 'problem' might just be exactly what you said; 'based on what I learned in college' and that would give you nothing but a sanitized PC version of islam. (one of the great middle eastern religions etc.)
No reading of the koran or the numerous volumes of hadith of which there are more than 60 volumes, will teach you what you need to know about islam.
To understand this belief system one must know of the life of the 'prophet' and how the 'revelations' came about. The young mohammad was a vagrant who spent much time on the temple steps gaining knowledge of monotheism from Hebrew wise men. When driven out by the townsfolk, he and his small band of beggars found shelter in a village of Jews, where further knowledge was gained of Hebrew scripture.
Mohammad 'tailored' the God of Israel to suit his own ends, in his quest for power. Allah speaks with mohammad's voice because mohammad is allah, whose voice he heard in his head (mohammad said!)
Don't you think it's strange that very few muslims even know of the existence of a biography of their 'prophet'? And are certainly not encouraged to read it. (Most don't read the koran, either.)
Please read the biography of the 'prophet'...discover how and when and why the 'revelations' came about. Neither God nor allah or even the devil had anything to do with it. Mohammad was a cunning and extremely cruel creature who was abandoned by his mother and suffered from epilepsy plus numerous chiziod episodes. Were he alive today, he would probably be medicated and locked up.
For pdf download see my tagline. Now there's a true 'REVELATION'.
The only thing I have to say is "You shall know the truth and the truth shall MAKE you free." Dig for it...like a pot of silver hidden on an acre field. I see alot posted here, and alot of it is nothing more than a smoke screen to keep you busy and away from the truth. All of it heartfelt and genuine, but still busy work. Identify the Whore in Genesis, she is the SAME Whore in Revelation, THEN find her daughters, because they will return to her. She is at the beginning and at the end of the book and she has offspring. That's all I am going to say, because unless you unearth it yourself, that pot of silver doesn't mean near as much to you and you can't fathom it all if someone is feeding the truth (meat) in large quantities, you'll choke on it and spit it out. Just go to the library, hit the history books, go to archeology and look at the artifacts found from back in that time. It is all very BLACK AND WHITE. God in not into gray areas, He is about black and white...for Him or against Him. KNOW your enemy. Be as gentle as doves and as sly as serpents.
Hehehe, then leave the flame throwing to the real professionals
And make abundant use of PM when in doubt.
Well said.
You may be young, but you have good street sense, and the courage to publicly appologise.
(Something most of us 'elderly' can't or won't do)...
That is all; I only ask to be taken at my word, nothing more.
You have my vote of confidence -g-