Here may be our problem with Islam

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.[47.1] (As for) those who disbelieve and turn away from Allah's way, He shall render their works ineffective.
[47.2] And (as for) those who believe and do good, and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad, and it is the very truth from their Lord, He will remove their evil from them and improve their condition.
[47.3] That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood, and have given them their dowries, taking (them) in marriage, not fornicating nor taking them for paramours in secret; and whoever denies faith, his work indeed is of no account, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.
[47.4] So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates. That (shall be so); and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have exacted what is due from them, but that He may try some of you by means of others; and (as for) those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will by no means allow their deeds to perish.
[47.5] He will guide them and improve their condition.
[47.6] And cause them to enter the garden which He has made known to them.
[47.7] O you who believe ! if you help (the cause of) Allah, He will help you and make firm your feet.
[47.8] And (as for) those who disbelieve, for them is destruction and He has made their deeds ineffective.
[47.9] That is because they hated what Allah revealed, so He rendered their deeds null.
[47.10] Have they not then journeyed in the land and seen how was the end of those before them: Allah brought down destruction upon them, and the unbelievers shall have the like of it.
[47.11] That is because Allah is the Protector of those who believe, and because the unbelievers shall have no protector for them.
[47.12] Surely Allah will make those who believe and do good enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; and those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as the beasts eat, and the fire is their abode.
[47.13] And how many a town which was far more powerful than the town of yours which has driven you out: We destroyed them so there was no helper for them.
[47.14] What! is he who has a clear argument from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work is made fairseeming: and they follow their low desires.
[47.15] 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 whereof 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. (Are these) like those who abide in the fire and who are made to drink boiling water so it rends their bowels asunder.
[47.16] And there are those of them who seek to listen to you, until when they go forth from you, they say to those who have been given the knowledge: What was it that he said just now? These are they upon whose hearts Allah has set a seal and they follow their low desires.
[47.17] And (as for) those who follow the right direction, He increases them in guidance and gives them their guarding (against evil).
[47.18] Do they then wait for aught but the hour that it should come to them all of a sudden? Now indeed the tokens of it have (already) come, but how shall they have their reminder when it comes on them?
[47.19] So know that there is no god but Allah, and, ask protection for your fault and for the believing men and the believing women; and Allah knows the place of your returning and the place of your abiding.
[47.20] And those who believe say: Why has not a chapter been revealed? But when a decisive chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein you see those in whose hearts is a disease look to you with the look of one fainting because of death. Woe to them then!
[47.21] Obedience and a gentle word (was proper); but when the affair becomes settled, then if they remain true to Allah it would certainly be better for them.
[47.22] But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship!
[47.23] Those it is whom Allah has cursed so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes.
[47.24] Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Nay, on the hearts there are locks.
[47.25] Surely (as for) those who return on their backs after that guidance has become manifest to them, the Shaitan has made it a light matter to them; and He gives them respite.
[47.26] That is because they say to those who hate what Allah has revealed: We will obey you in some of the affairs; and Allah knows their secrets.
[47.27] But how will it be when the angels cause them to die smiting their backs.
[47.28] That is because they follow what is displeasing to Allah and are averse to His pleasure, therefore He has made null their deeds.
[47.29] Or do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will not bring forth their spite?
[47.30] And if We please We would have made you know them so that you would certainly have recognized them by their marks and most certainly you can recognize them by the intent of (their) speech; and Allah knows your deeds.
[47.31] And most certainly We will try you until We have known those among you who exert themselves hard, and the patient, and made your case manifest.
[47.32] Surely those who disbelieve and turn away from Allah's way and oppose the Apostle after that guidance has become clear to them cannot harm Allah in any way, and He will make null their deeds.
[47.33] O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle, and do not make your deeds of no effect.
[47.34] Surely those who disbelieve and turn away from Allah's way, then they die while they are unbelievers, Allah will by no means forgive them.
[47.35] 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.
[47.36] 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.
[47.37] If He should ask you for it and urge you, you will be niggardly, and He will bring forth your malice.
[47.38] Behold! you are those who are called upon to spend in Allah's way, but among you are those who are niggardly, and whoever is niggardly is niggardly against his own soul; and Allah is Self-sufficient and you have need (of Him), and if you turn back He will bring in your place another people, then they will not be like you.

My daughters and I were discussing Mohammed the other night. We wondered kind of religious background he came from. In other words, What religion was practiced by his friends and relatives before he introduced Islam?

So we looked him up in several books we have, including the Pictorial History of Philosphy, by Dagobert D. Runes, Philosophical Library , NY. (pp 166-167)

It seems idolatry was practiced in his area, but Mohammed changed that.

We also learned, from the book, that "He did not feel he was a saint, and consciously refrained from performing miracles."

So why does GWB trip over himself to make a distinction between terrorists and Islam, "a peaceful religion???"

Or was he intentionally using the term "crusade" as an allusion to what's coming.

Mohammed was a radical something (I haven't been able to determine what), born in Mecca, he was run out of Mecca as a young man by the people there. He sought refuge in Medina and was welcomed by the Jews there in Medina, for about 17 years. He started his writings and gathering Medina Jews for his army and began to attack other tribes in the area of Medina, built his army and trained his Jewish Generals, until they were able to attack Mecca and beat his old enemies. Then the Jews got fed up with him, and quit his army, and were then attacked by his remaining army and killed. He was initially a minor husband of a rich woman in Medina and took her riches to start his career.

So, Mohammed is a puzzlement, who turned on just about everyone who befriended him. Must have been quite a talker though. I guess he reminds me of bill clinton.

According to Paul Johnson's History Of Christianity, Mohammed was a Monophysite Christian -- i.e., a Christian who did not accept the doctrine of the Trinity. He simplified Christian doctrine for Arabic consumption, added the idea of conversion by the sword for local political effectiveness, and accepted the role of Prophet of the new faith of Islam after it became the dominant religious and political force in the region. Within twenty years, the Monophysites had nearly all been absorbed into Islam.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com

"So why does GWB trip over himself to make a distinction between terrorists and Islam, "a peaceful religion???" Or was he intentionally using the term "crusade" as an allusion to what's coming"

All my Moslem friends are generally very peaceful and honorable, but like Christians, will fight. Like radical Christians and Jews, the Moslems all 3 religions believe also in the same God, but selectively pick portions of the Koran/Bible to justify their hegonomy.

I just picked this one as one of the passages which 'justifies' their actions. Remember too that all non-christians are going to hell, and 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'

I think W just made a normal choice of his normal vocabulary in choosing the word 'crusade'. Just a long term 'war', not a single battle. Unfortunately, it was taken in the meaning used in the middle-ages. He is now using the synonym, for his meaning, 'campaign'.

God made a promise to Israel-

Where does it all end, all made promises. All using religion in their Will To Power

Comments like yours disgust me.

Next time get it in writing from God, rather than heresay.

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The Koran

Muhammad