Do christians spread their religion by the sword?

Question

The Sword Of Christ, By Ali Ataie
http://www.voiceforislam.com/SwordOfChrist.html

[Note from the Author: When reading this article, please keep in mind that as Muslims, we do NOT hold the following Bible verses regarding the beloved Prophet Jesus ( Isa-- peace be upong him) to be true. The points made, therefore, are only intended to expose the hypocrisy of the modern-day Christian Evangelical's claim that the Musim scripture advocates violence.]

It is quite common to hear in the West the notion that Islam "was spread by the sword." Did you know that the word "sword" does not even appear in the Qur'an? It does however, appear in the Bible, 434 times!

In fact the word sword appears in the Christian Holy Writ 114 times more than the word “peace.” The Old Testament, in particular, is riddled with stories of massacre and death. It certainly would not be out of line to characterize the Bible as an anthology of sex and violence. But what about the "meek and lowly" Jesus? Presented below are three passages in which the "Prince of Peace" calls for the sword!

It's amazing how easily we are all conditioned to think in certain ways during our lives. To date, there has not been a single "Jesus movie" in which all three or even two of these verses were in the script -- including “The Passion of the Christ.” Certainly John 3:16 sounds much more inviting. But if this is what the Gospels present as the true Jesus, then why are the Christians so ashamed to provide us with accurate information?

The answer is because as long as they are "catching fish," anything goes. A conversion to the worship of Christ is more valuable in Christian eyes than selling themselves out to lies and deceit. It is not uncommon to find Christian missionaries in the Middle East wearing Muslim garb, speaking Arabic, and sporting long Sunnah (prophetic) beards, all the while handing out Bibles in Arabic to children and claiming that it is the Qur'an.

Passage One: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a SWORD. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:34-37).

I will guarantee that if you were to examine all of the authentic sayings (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad, which number in the several thousands, you will never come across anything remotely as blatant as "I came not to send peace, but a sword!" Never mind the fact that Jesus also advocates the killing of rebellious children (Mark 7:9-10) and supports the amputation of limbs that offend God (Matthew 5:29-30).

Passage Two: “For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and SLAY them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem” (Luke 19:26-28).

Passage Three: “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no SWORD, let him sell his garment, and buy one” (Luke 22:36).

Bonzo: good question. I (& others) do regularly engage in teaching Islamto other muslims, including denouncing terrorism, etc. Here are 1000s of examples of that being done as well:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=islam+denounces+terrorism&btnG=Google+Search

--
Muslims are to seek peaceful co-existance with those of other faiths.

"To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islamic Monotheism)." [Quran 109:6]

We are to be peaceful to THOSE WHO DO NOT FIGHT US ON ACCOUNT OF OUR RELIGION.

"Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity." [Qur'an 60:8]

And, also, we FIGHT, but appropriately to the situation. Someone attacks us with words, we can attack back with words. Someone tries to shoot us, we can shoot back. etc.

"And fight in the Way of Allâh those who fight you, but TRANSGRESS NOT THE LIMITS. Truly, Allâh likes not the transgressors." [Quran 2:190]

Answer 1

I don't know about the Koran, but when Jesus said that He was speaking of a "spiritual sword" that would cut off relationships. Most of the time such passages have the same meaning. The violence is internal, in the same way that you tell us jihad is internal.

Modern Christians regret deeply the Crusading times when we did the same things your terrorists are doing now. "Killing the infidel" has no place in religion.

Answer 2

The last by-force conversions to Christianity were by the Spaniards invading what is today called Latin America in the 1500s. So, this is 500 year old news.

There have been a few reported forced-conversions even into the early 1900s. It has been unheard of for the past 100 years, though.

Your basic premise is faulty.

Answer 3

The gospel is not spread by the "sword'. The word is like a sword, meaning it cuts to the very heart of man, rightly dividing the truth from a lie. God knew there would be people against Him and His word, there always have been, therefore, it bring violence. It's not Him, but it's the people, like yourself, who doesn't totally accept His word. You want to add/mix and it just wont work. Who cares if the Qu'ran never says "sword", it says plenty other stuff that people may find offensive. You took one word and totally took it out of context...as usual..God bless you, sweetie!

Answer 4

Yes. Christains use the SWORD OF TRUTH. Which divides
even unto soul and spirit. Soul only caring of it's own
concerns, and spirit knowing we all belong to our Creator.
Jesus said he brought a sword, because he knew the prideful
nature of man. And how we would twist everything around to
where TRUTH becomes a LIE.
The Adversary is not powerful enough to destroy us. Therefore, he plays our pride, and corrupts our hearts and minds, so
foolish men will detroy themselves.
But only the truly evil won't make it. Inshallah!

Answer 5

I am tired to hear people argue about religion. I am against religion and I certainly don't agree to be ruled by whichever religion. Religion should be a private thing. In western countries we have managed to get rid of the negative influence of the church on our society and we live better lives than people in most Muslim countries where the basic human rights are not respected and where violence prevails. If a molah says something against the west do we take to the streets, burn the flag of his country and his picture?

Answer 6

There's nothing to disagree with you about. You're correct the Muslim holy book does to ask it's followers to go around murdering people. It is not ALL Muslims who do this. There are unfortunately though some who claim to be God fearing Muslims who do go around murdering people. What would be really nice would be for the non-murdering Muslims to stand up and help get rid of these people hiding behind faith and inflicting murder on innocents.

Answer 7

Christians, in a general sense, got over the killing in the name of God thing a few centuries ago. Oddly enough, Muslims are still there. Maybe since they sprung out of the ground in the 7th century, as the bastard child of Christianity, Judaism and Paganism, they need about 700 more years of bloodshed before they figure out it's not cool to slaughter people.

Answer 8

tell that to the nun you all shot in the back. cowardly death cult is all the islam is. you preach your flowery verses and make excuses for muslims murdering all over the world. You remember Jill Carrol, or the fox news guys? got their "conversion" at the barrel end of an AK47. Any religion that needs that, and needs it to be the death penalty to leave, isnt much of a religion, regardless of how much you want to pretend it is otherwise.

Answer 9

He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."

Luke 22:36

He was fulfilling prophecy and never used the swords he asked for. In fact he later stopped his followers from hurting those that attacked him.


When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

Luke 22:49-59


Please read before spreading hate.

Answer 10

Christianity generally spreads its delusion by packaging a combination of a mythical carrot and stick, heaven and hell.

BTW, if the Muslim scripture does not advocate violence, could you just pass that detail on to the Muslims who are calling for death to (insert any perceived anti-Islam persons here) and the Muslims suicide bombers. Thanks ever so.