Islam is a religion of peace…in the west
Anytime I hear someone state that “Islam is a peaceful religion”, something in me just does not get it. I mean, I think that it is safe to say here that most of the terrorist activity that is currently taking place today around the globe (intentional activity against civilians) is being committed by the hands of those that profess Islam as their religion. If a person in just about any Muslim-based country voices out opposition in any way, shape or form towards Islam, that person is oftentimes met with threats on his or her life–threats that are often carried out. Just recently, the Pope made a couple of critical remarks regarding Islam and its recent trend of violence around the world. The response? Rioting in the streets, images of the Pope being burned by angry mobs, the murder of a Catholic nun, and death threats on the Pope himself. In short, they did nothing but proved his point.
Islam is no stranger to “in-house” violence either. What about the years of infighting between Muslims such as the current conflict between the Sunnis and Kurds? These aren’t just simple arguments. These are full-blown conflicts that have been going on for years and have resulted in the loss of life of MANY individuals.
With some exceptions, a vast majority of Muslims tend to be very peaceful and civilized here in the west. If a person voices criticism towards Islam in most western countries, for the most part it may turn into an argument, but that’s it. No death threats or kidnappings. On college campuses across the United States, formal debates between Christians and Muslims take place all the time with no incident. In my own neighborhood, my kids have played with Muslim children without any hesitation from me.
So why the two faces of Islam? Before someone suggests that what we see on television regarding Muslim terrorist represents a minute percentage of the overall religion, let me pose the following question: If these are just a few “extremists” that do not represent the feelings of the majority in ANY way, why is it so hard for Muslim governments to clamp down on the problem of terrorism–a problem that oftentimes takes place within their own borders? Are Muslim groups here in the west protesting the governments of Muslim-based nations that do little to curb “in-house” terrorism? Or is there a code of silence? I mean, there are strict laws on steeling, strict laws for women, strict laws against folks who are caught trying to proselytize. Why the difficulty to use the same “justice” against those who intentionally kill innocent civilians in the name of Allah? Where are the Muslim armies willing to stop the ongoing rape and killing spree that has been taking place in Darfur by the hands of Arab Muslims?
So while we are being told by peaceful-minded Muslims here in the west that their religion represents peace, I am still having a hard time grasping that claim when I look at the bigger picture.
Update: “Somalia: Islam is Official Religion, Conversion is Banned”
Duane, stop speaking. You aren’t thinking first.
Islam is a religion of submission to the law of God, the same as Christianity should be. People call themselves Muslim like people call themselves Christian, Buddhist, or whatever else. Folks “going through some stuff” (as my bishop would say) call on God, but handle their truggles about land, food, power/powerlessness any way that they can. People in this country call themselves Christians because the power-brokers of this country told them to call themselves Christians. In Muslim countries it is the same. When people of color in this country stop being afraid of death, they (we) too will likely be called terrorists. Anyone on the opposite side of the nations power is a terrorist, unless they win. Then they’re called liberators, revolutionaries, or heroes.
…and by the way, I am afraid of so-called Christians. Christians who don’t read, or follow the bible. Christians who back a President they know is lying to them about devotion to any other god than himself, just because he invoked the name of Christianity.
Christians are responsible for the horrors Africans in America, Africans in Africa, Native Americans, Japanese, South American Indians, and more people around the world than I can name have suffered. Have not all of these people suffered religion being spread “by the sword?” Worse, by economic slavery; a pain lasts generations longer.
People do bad things. People create gods to justify their ills.
Are you so desperate to cling to the master’s religion that you won’t see the blood on the whip is from your back.
Murders claiming to be Muslim are wrong. Murderers claiming to be Christian are standing right behind you.
Comment by michael | September 23, 2006
You are right about one thing, “submission” seems to be the underlying theme–submit or else.
Directly answer the questions I have rasied hereand maybe we can have a more civil and itelligent discussion.
Comment by Duane | September 23, 2006
The questions you posed are not as cut and dry as one would like them to be. Yes Islam is a religion of peace. Unfortunately it is also a religion of people. The Qur’an is very strict on many things. It even calls for the death of people that violate the laws set forth in the Qur’an. (i.e.… proselytize) The belief being that if you kill the sinner then you kill the sin. Unfortunately, Western Muslims are very watered down and lack the heart of many Middle Eastern Muslims. So the answer to your question is no, there are no protest. The reality of the situation is that protesting what is going on there is likely to bring harm to you family back home. Furthermore, protesting would be like protesting against the David Koresh and Warren Jeff’s of the Christian community.
Comment by Saudia | September 25, 2006
Just as you can not judge Catholics on the merits of what American priest did, you can not judge all Muslims based on those that are on the fringe. Many Muslims see America and Israel as the enemy. (Dubya hasn’t done anything to make this much better) In Iraqi, the people feel that at least with Saddam we had lights, water and food. Many Muslims see what is going on as the Jihad. Just as many Christians see this as the end times.
Comment by Saudia | September 25, 2006
Unfortunately, Western Muslims are very watered down and lack the heart of many Middle Eastern Muslims.
Okay you are going to have to elaborate on this one.
Something I just noticed. First you said this:
“Yes Islam is a religion of peace…”
Then you said this:
The reality of the situation is that protesting what is going on there is likely to bring harm to you family back home.
That’s peace???
If I disagree with stances taken by the church, I don’t have to worry about relatives geting the “point” We just simply agree to disagree. Wife beatings (for example) are very common in Muslim culture outside the US (middle eastern areas), but why is it that I do not hear of Muslim women here in the west protesting against that terrible act? On the other hand if word got out that American troops were doing the same thing, there would be press conferences all over the place. Why is that?
“Just as you can not judge Catholics on the merits of what American priest did, you can not judge all Muslims based on those that are on the fringe.”
If you re-read my post, you will see that I made a distinct difference between Muslims that do push terrorism versus those that do not.
“Many Muslims see what is going on as the Jihad. Just as many Christians see this as the end times.”
Sorry, comparing “jihad” with “end times” is a huge leap. The Bible outlines what will happen in the end times, but you will not find Church-sanctioned actions that push for Christians around the world to “help God” to bring His judgement.
Thanks for responding!
Comment by Duane | September 25, 2006
1st women get abused in most cultures. (doesn’t make it right it is just the way things are at this time) The end times comment was cut off. The end times call for Christians to prepare for God’s coming and the saving of souls. A jihad calls for taking up arms and fighting for Allah and then he will come. The point is both are waiting for Him to come. Christians have had there fair share of do what we say or else. Crusades, Salem witch trials.
Comment by Saudia | September 25, 2006
1st women get abused in most cultures.
You know I cannot let you go on this one. Again I ask, why is the Muslim community quick to point out and rebuke the west for “aggression”, but will barely talk about the abuses that are common within its own institution? Yes, women are abused in other cultures, but if you look closely you will find that much of it is done under the guise of Islam (again, I am referring to African/middle eastern cultures). How many press conferences and riots have you seen done in the name of dennouncing violence against women within Islam by Muslims?? Several people have and they have death threats on them by Muslims (I cannot think of the name of the black woman in the Netherlands who is currently doing this. I’m on my way out the door)
Again, you are reverting back to a time in the Church that has long been admitted as wrong. Now you are justifying terrorism done in the name of Islam and the silence of many in the Islamic community with events that happened well over 100 years ago. Point to something current if you are going to make comparisons.
The point is both are waiting for Him to come.
But again it is not Christians who are destroying viliages, condoning circumcision of women, or blowing up busses to make a point. Again, I want you to point to speciffic (and current) examples where the Christian church as a whole gives the silent treatment to those that use Christianity to force others to convert.
Comment by Duane | September 25, 2006
Duane, it is unfair of you to demonize Islam, without taking a good long look at the history of people of all religions doing evil things “in the name of God”. There is silence in many communities with regard to the many atrocities going on in the world. Please recall the churches long history of anti-semitism. Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Let’s not forget the vicious war in Northern Ireland, “so-called Christians” on both sides. Continuing with this assault on Islam IS dangerous at this time in history. Pundits in the blogsphere too often highlight the Christian vs. Islam fight. We are told the war on terror isn’t a war on Islam, but everywhere we turn the emphasis is on Christians vs. Muslims, their way of life shown in the most negative of light, and that of the Christian west as the example we should all live by. Main point, Chrisitan hands are no cleaner than Muslim. The more we emphasize the Christian vs. Muslim battle the worse we will be for it. Can we demphasize this particular dynamic? If the United States is supposed to be a Christian nation (and I will debate this), then it may be argued that Christians have committed one of the most heinous crimes in human history when it dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. It doesn’t wash, so why blame an entire religion for the crimes of a relatively small faction?
Comment by DMG | September 25, 2006
Duane, it is unfair of you to demonize Islam
I’m stating the obvious and I’m demonizing….uhh yeah.
DMG, I know you enjoy debating for the sake of debating, but I don’t. One of the things I hate is repeating myself twenty different ways for folks who refuse to take the time to understand my points or answer any of my questions. Christians did not drop atomic bombs nor is the United States a “Christian nation”. This whole conversation was me simply asking the question why the silence from the Muslim community in regards to stark contrast in Muslim culture in African/Middle Eastern countries. I’ll do a post on this later.
Comment by Duane | September 25, 2006
Duane, I was making an analogy with the Christian/atomic bomb sentence. I said it sounds silly the same way an entire religion, Islam in this case, is being demonized because of a group of nuts. Read carefully.
Comment by DMG | September 26, 2006
Duane, you cannot keep using this so called argument. If you say Muslims do something, than Muslims can rigtly say Christians do something, its simple logic. You cannot point out a flaw in a system when you are living under a similair system, and if you do point that flaw out, you cannot get mad if someone throws it back into you face.
You argue that Muslims beat their wives…you are right, some Muslims hit thier wives…but by me saying that some Athiests, Christians and Buddists beat their wives, I am not justifying what Muslims do, i am making the point that the problem is in human nature. All human races and groups and socities have many of the same faults. Just because someone who defends Islam says “ur a hypocrite because you follow a religion that the slave masters imposed on you” doesnt mean they are not answering your question, they are making the point that you shouldnt speak on an issue if you yourself are guilty of it.
People claim Islam was spread by the sword…now, i can argue that Christianity was spread by Slavery…why can you say the first one and I cant saw the second????? and if i do, you sidestep it and dont acknowledge it.
Comment by WeeZie | September 26, 2006