Islam, what do you think?

[CMANN]

Is Islam just a benign religion?

Is Islam a threat to our way of life?

Is Islam more than radicals portray?

Can Islam be practiced in the United States without violating our Constitution?

What do you think?

Note: Admin, if you feel that this belongs in political please feel free to move it.

[borjo]

I have a DIL from Turkmenistan who was a practicing Muslim. She is now a Christian. She said her religion was a peaceful one, yet we hear the opposite. Look at Christianity and the wide range of beliefs from liberal to highly conservative. Could it be Islam is the same? Dare we judge it based on the extremes? Do you suppose the Koran is interpreted as differently as our Bible? The Bible states and eye for an eye and later in the New Testament, turn your cheek and love your enemy. Now that would be confusing to one with only a little knowledge of the Bible. I can see so much hatred and fear being spread over the internet basing opinions on the extremes. That's what so dangerous, people assuming they know about a religion or a people but based on....what? The media portrays one extreme, yes, perhaps the dangerous one, no denying that. Just realize there may be that other group that wouldn't be that extreme, that loves. I'd hate for us to become judgmental about ALL who practice Islam. I hope I'm not being naive here but using a little common sense.

[jblum315]

Is Islam just a benign religion?

Is Islam a threat to our way of life?

Is Islam more than radicals portray?

Can Islam be practiced in the United States without violating our Constitution?

What do you think?

Note: Admin, if you feel that this belongs in political please feel free to move it.

You could substitute the word "Christianity" for "Islam" in your query and it would be just as controversial.

[rp001]

You could substitute the word "Christianity" for "Islam" in your query and it would be just as controversial.

I think this is absolutely true. It seems the religious extremists get all the publicity..I also believe that these have been the cause of more killings since the dawn of humanity than all others combined.."My God is better than yours".

[ssmith]

Christianity says, "Love you enemy and turn the other cheek." Islam says kill the infidel....hmmmm could be a conflict here. Under Shariya law women have no rights. That being said, I do think there are extremists in both type religions though.

[DaleMN]

The Bible is contradictory because it is good fiction, nothing more. :(

[billethkid]

Christianity vs Muslim and same question?
Methinks one may have an apple vs a watermellon.

And don't we all know the only things we hear are the negatives done or created by a very few in any group one cares to name.

One would conclude by watching WESH news out of Orlando that two legged animals tend to kill each other.

I always am amazed at how easily the public is trained to speak about a specific incident and treat it as though it were the general rule.....it is not.

We are so easily duped and ready to follow vs trying to understand reality. And remember, reality is the last thing one gets from media.

btk

[borjo]

DaleMN, the Bible is contradictory because it shows the before and after of Jesus, how the teachings changed, what he taught compared to how the people thought at the time. He was God's voice for Christianity to show God's love for mankind. Fiction....definitely NOT!

[MelZ]

On 9/11 a friend of my children who I new all his life was FDNY and perished in the Twin Towers. I sat with his father and brothers as they waited word of his fate. I attended his memorial service and ultimately his funeral.

I think the majority of Muslims are not terrorists, although I believe most don't like the USA. But having said that all the criminals on 9/11 were Muslims, virtually every terrorist act is committed by Muslims. Read the Koran it is very different than the bible.

You never hear the Muslim community condemn the acts of the terrorists. I was in NYC on 9/11 and in the aftermath where were those condemnations, all we saw was cheering in the streets of the Muslims cities and in parts Michigan and parts of Brooklyn.

Muslims extremists (?) have openly proclaimed that they are at war with us.

God Bless America

Let the flames begin

[momesu]

Is Islam just a benign religion?
Not sure I would call any religion benign, but Islam is no different than any other religion. All have their dark moments in history. Especially Christianity...think crusades!

Is Islam a threat to our way of life?
No more so than Christian extremists are.

Is Islam more than radicals portray?
Definitely! They portray a very extreme viewpoint held by a minority of Muslims.

Can Islam be practiced in the United States without violating our Constitution?
Yes. Our country was founded on the premise of religious freedoms. It is in my opinion one of the backbones of our constitution!

What do you think?
The above is just my humble opinions. Take them or leave them as you will.

Note: Admin, if you feel that this belongs in political please feel free to move it.

See above in red for my thoughts.

[shcisamax]

Yes, the inquisition was not Christianity's mot stellar moment. This thread in general can only heat up and cause nonproductive bashing and others in crosshairs. Why rehash all the ugliness that orthodoxy encourages. Aren't there enough things to talk about for which there could actually be a productive conclusion?

[angiefox10]

Yes, the inquisition was not Christianity's mot stellar moment. This thread in general can only heat up and cause nonproductive bashing and others in crosshairs. Why rehash all the ugliness that orthodoxy encourages. Aren't there enough things to talk about for which there could actually be a productive conclusion?


Well said.

[allus70]

Dr Ian Guthridge cited many instances of genocide in the Old Testament:[7]:319-320

“ the Bible also contains the horrific account of what can only be described as a "biblical holocaust". For, in order to keep the chosen people apart from and unaffected by the alien beliefs and practices of indigenous or neighbouring peoples, when God commanded his chosen people to conquer the Promised Land, he placed city after city 'under the ban" -which meant that every man, woman and child was to be slaughtered at the point of the sword. ”
The extent of extermination is described in the scriptural passageDr Ian Guthridge cited many instances of genocide in the Old Testament:[7]:319-320

“ the Bible also contains the horrific account of what can only be described as a "biblical holocaust". For, in order to keep the chosen people apart from and unaffected by the alien beliefs and practices of indigenous or neighbouring peoples, when God commanded his chosen people to conquer the Promised Land, he placed city after city 'under the ban" -which meant that every man, woman and child was to be slaughtered at the point of the sword. ”
The extent of extermination is described in the scriptural passage Deut 20:16-18 which orders the Israelites to "not leave alive anything that breathes… completely destroy them which orders the Israelites to "not leave alive anything that breathes… completely destroy them

13 And when the LORD thy God delivereth it into thy hand, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword;
יד רַק הַנָּשִׁים וְהַטַּף וְהַבְּהֵמָה וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה בָעִיר, כָּל-שְׁלָלָהּ--תָּבֹז לָךְ; וְאָכַלְתָּ אֶת-שְׁלַל אֹיְבֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָךְ. 14 but the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take for a prey unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

[chachacha]

i don't think old testament horrors are relevant to the differences between christianity and islam today...there is no credible christian group advocating the killing of all infidels in today's world. i agree with mel z that the terrorist element of islam is very dangerous, and i do not see much outrage from the rest of the islamic community. the conflict for our constitution comes into play when our courts are asked to consider sharia law in judgements involving muslims...there should be no place in our legal system for any laws but those of our constitutional republic and our states. organizations like CAIR, with deep pockets, are working to undermine these laws and introduce sharia law into our legal system...that is the beginning of the end of our protections under the law.

[Taltarzac725]

i don't think old testament horrors are relevant to the differences between christianity and islam today...there is no credible christian group advocating the killing of all infidels in today's world. i agree with mel z that the terrorist element of islam is very dangerous, and i do not see much outrage from the rest of the islamic community. the conflict for our constitution comes into play when our courts are asked to consider sharia law in judgements involving muslims...there should be no place in our legal system for any laws but those of our constitutional republic and our states. organizations like CAIR, with deep pockets, are working to undermine these laws and introduce sharia law into our legal system...that is the beginning of the end of our protections under the law.

Not sure how you can make the assertion that CAIR is working to undermine our Constitution and other laws.
Council on American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_American%E2%80%93Islamic_Relations)

[coralway]

Too many burros

[wendyquat]

I used to question why my father admonished me to never discuss politics nor religion! Now I understand why!

[quirky3]

i don't think old testament horrors are relevant to the differences between christianity and islam today...there is no credible christian group advocating the killing of all infidels in today's world.

Where is the Christian outrage against the minister who very recently advocated penning up gays and lesbians with an electric fence and making them die off? In other words, this is Christians advocating Genocide in the name of God.

[rubicon]

The original poster asked what you people thought about Islam. In return he got a comparison between Christianity and islam all through the ages.

So since Christianity was brought into the subject i need to address it also.
christianity and hence Christians have evolved over the centuries. However we can not make that same assertion with islam. Islam nations are all still tribal and hence the stark contrast between its people as respects the Koran.

When arts made a mockery of christian symols using animal dong and presenting it at Metropolitan Museum of Art christian didn't march in the streets destroying property, threatening lives as did Musli when the Swedish newspaper published a cartoon concerning Mohmand....just saying

[batman911]

I grew up Lutheran and attended a church school until grade 8. At that time the church taught people to be good Christians and to worship God. There was no political agenda. Now it seems that most all religions have a political agenda. Islam is one of the worst in my view. When you start to force your religious beliefs on others throught intimidation, violence or the political process, I believe you have crossed a line that our country's founders saw as a threat to our freedom. I served in our country's military service for 32 years to protect your right to believe what ever you like but do not try to tell me what to believe or you will be in for the fight of your life. Run your own life and leave other people to run theirs.

[CMANN]

You could substitute the word "Christianity" for "Islam" in your query and it would be just as controversial.

Not unless you want to have a different conversation.

[CMANN]

I think this is absolutely true. It seems the religious extremists get all the publicity..I also believe that these have been the cause of more killings since the dawn of humanity than all others combined.."My God is better than yours".

The God of the jews, christians and muslims is the God of Abraham.

Go figure

[Salle]

What is the essence and reality of the human being, the universe, and all things?

What do they mean, both as individuals and as a whole?

What is beyond this entire existence—from atoms to nebulas, from the smallest particles of a human being to his material and spiritual depths—and their orderliness, harmony, beauty, and wisdom?

Since these facts cannot be attributed to coincidences, there must certainly be a truth upon which everything—from particles to planets— is based on. Indeed there is such a truth which is the ultimate basis of everything, and every individual has a duty to know this truth with their own particular qualities...


The Prophet was the greatest role model of wise and noble character and behavior. He, peace be upon him, knew how to diffuse serious situations and never retaliated against personal attacks to his self, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) urged us to follow his way.

Despite being wary of some trouble makers, the Prophet was always friendly, generous and gracious.Amid the multitude of different situations and people he faced, he maintained his stance on affirming justice and leniency. He would advocate all that was good and denounce all that was base and he raised his companions with wisdom, gentleness and consistency. Everything he did was in moderation, without excess or contrariness. With humility, eloquence and calmness, he faced hostility, threats and degradation, trusting in Allah and remaining steadfast.

People came to know him for his compassion and were never disappointed. Even his enemies trusted him with their valuables and when the Prophet was leaving Makkah to migrate to Madinah he ordered Ali to return the trusts of his enemies. This, at a time when wealth was scarce and the need was great!

The Prophet won the people's hearts by his exemplary conduct; no raised voices, no depraving speech, no dishonoring women and a dignified overlooking of human error. People's hearts inclined to him even though they had been his outspoken enemies. With gentleness, humility, strength, and kindness, the Prophet gathered and raised an Ummah...:ho:

[nitehawk]

I grew up Lutheran and attended a church school until grade 8. At that time the church taught people to be good Christians and to worship God. There was no political agenda. Now it seems that most all religions have a political agenda. Islam is one of the worst in my view. When you start to force your religious beliefs on others throught intimidation, violence or the political process, I believe you have crossed a line that our country's founders saw as a threat to our freedom. I served in our country's military service for 32 years to protect your right to believe what ever you like but do not try to tell me what to believe or you will be in for the fight of your life. Run your own life and leave other people to run theirs.

"When you start to force your religious beliefs on others throught intimidation, violence or the political process"
I guess all the Christian explores that landed in Central and South america - finding the people who were there were not Christians, decided to do what we are very good at. You are so right
Run your own life and leave other people to run theirs.[/quote]