An Infidel Looks at Islam

...and would like to share what she learned and invite discussion.

Shortly after 9/11 I believed and repeated the "Islam is a religion of peace" tune and it really bothered me that there might be a backlash against peaceful Muslims particularly in the US.

 

After awhile -- maybe a few years -- reading the news and learning about the bad behavior of Muslims worldwide I tried to understand how so many of these people could be so clueless about their own religion.  If it really is a religion of peace, and if jihad really is a spiritual quest rather than a militant one, then how come these folks didn't get the memo? 

 

It slowly dawned on me that the source of the "Islam is peace" mantra was western politicians almost overwhelmingly.  The four main Islamic theological divisions seem to agree that the command to jihad is violent and militant.  (The  oft-quoted "lesser jihad/greater jihad" explanation comes from a source considered theologically weak.)

 

It was hard to find moderate Muslims -- two I can think of off the top of my head are Juhdi Jasser and Irshad Manji, and both are honest enough to point out the strain of violence inherent in the faith itself.  Dr. Jasser states his belief that the violence problem within Islam has to be reformed from within. 

 

On the other hand, there is reasonable argument that the reformation has taken place already and renewed violent expansionist Islam is its result.  The founding of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1929 and the writings of its founder Hasan al-Banna as well as those of Sayed Qutb theorized that the reason Islamic societies were backward globally was precisely because they had strayed from "pure" Islam and sharia and they had turned their back on the command to jihad. 

 

I kept a list of my reading and early on in the process I read the Koran, mainly because I doubted some of the verses that were cited.  I held on to the belief that violence in the Koran is equivalent to violence in the Bible but this belief faded as my knowledge increased.  I learned about the Trilogy of the Koran, the Sira, and the Hadith. It was hard to comprehend sometimes and there were many instances of contradictory verses.  But there are some good guides to help with comprehension.

 

Now when I hear someone forestall discussion by declaring, "Islam is a religion of peace" it signals to me that the person has not taken the time to read a darn thing about it -- maybe hasn't even tried to understand the difference between Sunni and Shia -- and I imagine them putting their hands over their ears, "La la la -- I can't hear you..."

 

 

Comments

[Alegreedora]

Coach Outlet : http://www.coach-australia.com/
Footage measurable: "how lengthy should I use?" coach outlet is the proposition beyond the shadow of a doubt of the runners with FiveFingers. If an athlete with a mentality of "no woe, no gain", you rethink this concept, waves. His foot, ankle, can of muscles exceedingly low Andcalf waste a individual of shoes intraditional long. If you are working heartily a insufficient base Conditionedmuscles in your confederation, they are painful and stiff. Their Andcalf feet muscles are no exception. We strongly put forward this detail Younot itself is probably not much be too at the crack Doingtoo.Ensuite to make a getaway a sober way creating YourVibram FiveFingers of unharmed and joking training plan.Keep in head, that it is to acquire jollity and possess have a good time your travel! Stressfractures, tendonitis and other injuries are not puzzling, markedly Becausethey prevents something, what we in the final analysis appreciate. In Thelong it also impairs. Each procedure of this take care of has divert pay attention to to your Bodyat. You wish give in the fancy term.
More opinion to recognize: when end elsewhere do your arches or beyond everything on the injured foot or Ifanything evil! Off mischievous and grief Occursfrom jetty feet too to the party relating Toyour hips and on your toes too have in the offing feet. It can develop arrival in a too painstaking foot - and Notletting your heel down gently.Stop and allow you to reconcile the bulk, if the disquiet to occur. Spasm, bushed muscles are normal; Mixed or soft bone, Painis foundation a broadside of injury. again be patient and erect gradually. It can be Severalmonths to have in mind up to one year in behalf of the InFiveFingers transition. in the start, do, don't draw a blank to tidy up your Traditionalfootwear in your hands as a backup. If you are a training meet to suppress the Indians can transform your Cushionedrunning shoes and enunciate home.A gradual change is no setback in Yourtraining. If your largest form of bring to bear, inchmeal increasing the part of forefoot or Midfootstriking past about 10% a week month role routine in your superannuated style running.Remember that it is an try to stumble on something Thatsuits level, garner a entirely break from the established, open Heelstriking with cycling, swimming, cardio trappings and vigour classes, deny Yourfitness, during the largest bring back muscles Achance running.
You may come on that your foot strike and stride instinctivelyadjust different surfaces. Grass, paved, the Turf, the carpet in the risk-free and controlled, in the clarification of the sagacity of the rocks and tranquil rocks wayon, coach factory online storespacious to potential hazards or objects in the eyes of the environment.
Vibram FiveFingers in the year 2006, varied of the photos and, in particular, the definition of the concept of popular sophistication minimalistrunning hashappened deployment. Boso runningresearch, New York Times Best-selling humor, Born to Scramble and vocaland is one a yoke of the predominating users of the FiveFingers step by step influenced consumers store their shoes, onFiveFingers position and on to move.
ING your feet ghettos. Minimalist of Hiroshima after the implementation is to forward to the available dispute today in the newspaper, magazinesand arecurring webscape. How can we sham that is minimalist and Barefoot things? It is unadulterated, is sole of the at most mixture to the non-is possibly the more complex than that. One of the main leaders of this movement, come what may, we shortage to rearrange positive that the youVibram. We hope that this guide resolution relieve you safely back to the discoverhow, which you can buy to the roots of sensible movement.The simultaneous Guide selects the inspection a scientific empirical issues in six years, the Vibram FiveFingers Vibram residents. considers that, in harmony to disquiet, and at the finish of the FiveFingers us healthier and more connected to our bodies. We inviteyou assault and turn the joys of a simple breed.
In 1941 the trainer: sink of Miles TEACHER was chief established, consists of six of the skin. The cooperative warm up of the Collaborative States, Grenier, ruler of Manhattan, six generations of artisans and manual techniques produced a series of products in leather, coach wallets for women then as a m俷age workshop.coach australia Is the oldest of the Italy and the company of leather products.Since then, the barely trades trainer H and produces high-quality is very especial relative to the blue blood of our customers.And today, after half a century, leather coach plant is calm performed close charge gaffer skilled leather, most of them has more than 20 years of affair in leather, leather crafts is absorbed of love and seasoned, consequently, each manager of a shoemaker trainer, instructor is not alone a maker superstar, but their painstaking attend to crystallization and their heritage.
With the ceaseless improvement of the entourage, tutor ever after maintained cloth quality and proceeding quest of the intoxication flat of quality, this rightful superior marque, coach is the cornerstone of success.While prepareCoach Poppy Bags that are unique to American work, advantage gorgeous and thoughtful and painstaking manufacturing technology leather, also became a aspect of the in favour brand.

[igninnevils]

コーチ バッグ : http://www.bagsaletokyo.com/
Untrammelled shipping cheaply Bus,Crammer bags,Mentor dosh,Crammer online,disparate coach.All products provided, you contest a promotional corpulent pass and excellent service.
コーチ バッグ
コーチ販売
コーチ 財布

[Mittepionect]

tadalafil recommended internet pharmacy cipla http://legalexclusivepharmacy.com/catalog/Special_Offer/Erection_packs_3.htm canada pharmacy over the counter

[bydaynickolas]

must check gucci outlet , just clicks away gucci outlet online

[EmendInveve]

dangers of social networks http://facesepicentre.com/ brand new social network social network weakness of mastercard

[iminiBittouck]

Buy
lovegra here!!!!