Islam (Religion)

by dhw, Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 13:11 (5672 days ago) @ xris

Xris has drawn our attention to the hatred and violence incorporated in the basic teachings of Islam, and informs us that on Muslim forums, moderates "never or hardly ever respond to the extremists in their midst". - My thanks to Xris for what I believe is the first post on this website from someone with direct experience of Muslim forums. - Sadly, the point you make is borne out by even a cursory glance at the Koran. Here are three quotes found after just five minutes' research: - 9:5 "Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them." - 9:73 "Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them." - 47:4 "When you meet the unbelievers in the Jihad strike off their heads." - Carl is right when he points out that the moderates live at peace with their neighbours, and have done so for centuries, but the exhortation to violence is in the Koran itself and is a terrible reminder of how dependence on ancient texts, possibly on inaccurate translations and subjective interpretations, can create havoc. No doubt the failure of moderates to respond to fundamentalists is the result of fear. I too would be reluctant to argue with someone who believes he has divine authority to cut off my head.