comments on What is Islam?

posted by Brian, October 28, 2009:

What is Islam? The short answer is obvious. It is a religion - either an offshoot of Judaism or Christianity, depending on how you view history (at one time Islam was considered just another Christian heresy). It is a monotheistic "book" religion (these are the two revolutionary ideas Judaism brought to religion). Islam's "book" is the Koran, basically a reworking of the Torah (Old Testament) from the point of view of sixth century desert dwelling Arabs.

It is harsher and more violent sounding than the Bible, but it is fundamentally the same book. (We must remember that the Bible advocates the killing of people who disobey the ten commandments, or people who follow different beliefs) It conveys basically the same message that the Bible, as interpreted by Christian authorities does: namely; God loves you and will protect you and keep your soul alive after death if you do what the religious leaders tell you to do, and believe what they tell you to believe. If not, a terrible fate awaits you. People who follow different faiths, or no faith, will not receive this special protection, because their beliefs are false. Also, people who have different beliefs are worth less than people who follow the true beliefs (as interpreted by the religious leaders who claim to have God's ear).

The history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam follow the same path. In the case of Judaism, the chosen people (all religions claim to be the chosen people - in the case of Islam, it is the Arabs) prevailed by fighting their way into the "chosen land" - God chose it for them. In the case of Christianity, non Christians had the choice of converting or engaging in battle with Christians. Successful warfare and clever recruiting resulted in a completely Christine Western world (Christendom). When this was achieved Christians turned to inward battles. Various "heretic" sects were destroyed. Later, Catholics and Protestants slaughtered one another (as Sunnis and Shiites are doing today). Christianity and Islam became implacable enemies in the Dark Ages, and remain so today. Both claim to be the "true belief" and both claim that "infidels" will not do well.

So, it is true that Islam is a particularly bloody religion, and the Koran is a particularly violent and hateful book, but it is not fundamentally different from Christianity and the Bible.

I am not arguing here that religions are necessarily bad things. Millions of people take great comfort from the Bible, the Koran, or any of the other religious books. Many good works have been done in the name of various religions, and the vast majority of religious people subscribing to any of the world religions are peaceful people.

I am saying that all religions contain within themselves the intolerance that lead some of their adherents to use violence and hatred to advance their own agendas. In the past (or at least, mainly in the past) Christianity has been used to launch crusades, slaughter heretics, brutally conquer lands held by weaker people (the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Central America and South America cannot be matched in terms of brutality by any of the Islamic conquests).

What is different is that the Islamic wars continue today. While Christianity has matured to the point where it is at least recognized that forcing people to accept beliefs they don't want, or killing people in the name of God is wrong, Islam is still locked in an earlier time. Again, while most Muslims are peaceful people, the Imams still preach a fire and brimstone religion that belongs to the Dark Ages. Unless and until this changes the civilized world in under a very real threat.

The answer is clear to me: Muslims must reform their religion just as Christians did a few centuries ago. The religious leaders who advocate violence and hatred to people who follow other, or no, religions must be relegated to the extreme fringe. The bearded fellows who tell impressionable young men threat Allah wants them to blow themselves up and kill "infidels" must be denied any credibility within Islam. Moderation and non-violence must become the norm. Even though the belief will remain that their religion is correct, and all others are false, a live and let live approach must replace the extreme view that now is allowed to prevail within Islam.

***SOCIALIZEIT***

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