2006-09-19 10:44:07 · 19 answers · asked by The Count of Monte Cristo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All organized religions go through their middle school "bully in the schoolyard" adolescence, don't they? In Italy, the Inquisition was condemning people to death until the end of the eighteenth century, and inquisitional torture was not abolished in the Catholic Church until 1816. Maybe Islam needs a few centuries to "catch up" with Christianity.
2006-09-19 10:47:42 · answer #1 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
It depends on whether you want the simple answer or the longer version. The simple answer is: No. The longer version is: No way.
The quotation used by the Pope could not be further from the truth, and just start by looking at its original author. Clearly one involved in the Crusades, a war waged primarily to destroy the "enemy religion" of Islam, cannot be unbiased. He's going to make the enemy sound subhuman.
Look at the very word "Islam". It comes from the tri-letter root saa-laa-maa (salama) which means peace and submission to God. The greetings of Muslims is 'As-Salaamu 'Alaykum" - may peace be upon you.
Back to the Prophet Muhammad. Historically these are the facts. In his day, he was known to his people as Al-Ameen and As-Siddeeq, which mean the Trustworthy and the Truthful respectively. After revelation came to him, only the worst of enemies began a fruitless smear campaign against his character (it was the same for every Prophet), but why was it fruitless? Because even those who did not become Muslim said of him that he was the most honest of men who taught his followers kindness to all people regardless of gender or creed, and even to all animals and nature itself.
Here are a few links which might bring some enlightenment to anyone who wants to know more about him:
He was named the #1 most influential person in history by historian and author Michael Hart:
http://www.islam101.com/dawah/what_muhammad.html
And for a detailed, first-prize-winning book on the life of Muhammad, which conveniently is free online:
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/SM_tsn/index.htm
Hope this helps! Have a great day.
2006-09-19 18:43:13 · answer #2 · answered by zahweee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Islam is a religion based on works, not faith.
Mohammad did tell his followers to use the sword to convert (not in those words...)
Jesus tells Peter, "if you live by the sword, you will die by the sword."
Someone twisted and miss-quoted this scripture. It's NOT telling you to spead the Word of God with the sword...
***Deuteronomy 13:6-10
6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again.
It's also the Old Testament, we live under grace of Jesus Christ...and the New Testament.
Blessings!
**MC Hammer: Dear Soul...The sword that Jesus spoke of...is the Word of God. You are not only mis-quoting you are twisting the Word of God. So, you are not correct. ((verse 17 is proof))
Eph. 6:13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
You guys are so funny...trying to mis-quote scripture...well, there it is in BLACK AND WHITE...
Grace to all!
2006-09-19 17:49:00 · answer #3 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're verifying information and whether it's true about Islam or not. Who should verify it for you; knowledgeable people about Islam or people who just hear the information like you and need verification themselves?
Now, why are non-Muslims answering this question while their knowledge about Islam is not better than the asker's knowledge? What's the value of their replies in a field they're ignorant in?
2006-09-20 02:22:21 · answer #4 · answered by Weaam 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is true. Except nowadays they prefer the AK-47, but every once in a while they'll break out the sword and cut off some heads.
2006-09-19 17:53:39 · answer #5 · answered by JohnC 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes and no.
The Qu-ran teaches that people should not be converted by force: “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256a). However, that text came early in Muhammed's teachings when he was not well established, and consequently not very safe politically.
But Muslims follow not only the Qu-ran, but also the Hadith, accounts of Muhammad’s words and deeds, according to which, whenever Muhammad would send an out expeditionary force (later in his career when he was much more secure), he would admonish his appointed commander:
"When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to [accept] Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. ... If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them."
So, Muslims following this teaching would believe that it is perfectly acceptable for an enemy not to convert to Islam - provided that they pay a tribute, which would of course be used by a just Muslim to promote Islam throughout the world. Also note that - taken literally - this only applies to Polytheists - not Jews or Christians who are monotheists.
In any case, it would seem that Muhammed was a little more street smart than Jesus!
Xan Shui,
Philosophic Philanthropist, Honest Man
2006-09-19 18:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your mythical jeezus said this in the "sermon on the mount":
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household." (Matthew 10:34-36 NASB)
Or is it only violence and terrorism when the other guy does it?
What a typical hypochristian.
Additional:
The inept and illiterate "JCLOVESME" is another hypochristian.
I quote the bible verbatim and I'm "taking it out of context", but when a hypochristian quotes something out of context, "that's what god meant".
Like I said, what a typical hypochristian.
.
2006-09-19 17:52:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, but it is also true that according to the Bible, God is a vicious baby-killer:
Exodus13:15 "God killed every Egyptian firstborn child because Pharoah wouldn't let the Jews leave Egypt."
So, I don't think you can judge Muslims and Christians today based on ancient writings.
2006-09-19 17:51:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No it's not true, Islam prevents spreading the faith by sword.
Sincerely
Mike
2006-09-19 17:47:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes 100% true.
2006-09-19 17:48:56 · answer #10 · answered by Alfred 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋