Is it Islam, or just culture, that inspires violence against a teacher who names a teddy bear after a prophet?

Question

http://www.answering-islam.org/Terrorism/islam_and_violence.html

Bonus credit goes to the posters who actually read and interact with the link provided below. Sorry I didn't mention this sooner.

Thanks.

http://www.answering-islam.org/Terrorism/islam_and_violence.html

Companion, in Christianity, the response to insult is to turn the other cheek. Jesus specifically taught us to do that. And as a Christian, I have done that from time to time. It is not easy. It is jihad with the evil in my own soul. I must not seek equal partnership with God. That is shirk. If He specifically says that vengeance belongs to Him, and not to me, I cannot seek vengeance without committing shirk. Why is this so difficult for my Muslim friends to understand?

islamwaytoparadise, your statement about prophets being sinless does not hold up. Even according to your own book, Adam sinned. His sin is excused as forgetfulness, but that is impossible, because Satan was actively reminding him of God's command. How could anyone so perfectly healthy as Adam become forgetful in the presence of such powerful reminders? It is unreasonable. Furthermore, the sin itself was very serious. Adam thought he could become like God, knowing good from evil. He sought equal partnership with God. With all due respect, he committed shirk. You see, to true Christians, it is a great disrespect to God to hide from the truth He has told us about ourselves. We are all sinners. Every prophet born of human parents was a sinner. It is no disrespect to God to admit a truth God has commanded us to admit.

Answer 1

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked- who can know it?

Answer 2

Unfortunately, if it's culture, many Muslim societies seem to share it. Think of the demonstrations after the publication of those cartoons in Denmark--people were demanding that the cartoonists be beheaded, and a high official in one Arab country actually asked the Prime Minster of Denmark why those cartoonists didn't have their right hands cut off.

Keep in mind that the teddy bear wasn't even named for the Prophet, but for a little boy in the class. "Muhammed," in various spelllings, is the most common first name for men in the world. However, Muslims aren't the only people who can be touchy about the misuse of a revered name, even at second hand. In medieval Italy, women named Maria were forbidden by law to work as prostitutes. Much more recently, Marjorie Main ("Ma Kettle") was orignally named Mary but changed her name because whe didn't think a woman named Mary should be an actress.: .

Finally, it is puzzling that so many people would react so violently over the name of someone their faith makes a point of stating was just a man, in no way divine.

Answer 3

It's both. Radical interpretations of Islam combined with a culture nurtured on teachings that westerners are products of satan have created a barbaric culture where these sorts of things seem perfectly acceptable.

Answer 4

They have a violent culture with a violent religious twist. Christians did once too (and would still have if it weren't for the enlightenment and secularization of government in the west). I find no excuse tolerable for the sudanese response. In the west we are pretty good at religious tolerance, in Moslem countries they are NOT.

Answer 5

The culture and the religion are one and the same thing. You cannot separate the two. Islam is the purest expression of human stupidity.

Answer 6

Dear Brother/Sister!

Hmmm!
By the way, Why did the teacher give the name on the first place.
She knew that there were lot of problems in this world because of Denmark issue, then the French head scarf issue and ...

I think she did it on purpose she wanted to create a controversy,
Try to find out her background and you will see that she is linked politically,

Just for your info, Muslims regard Prophet Mohammed and Prophet Jesus Peace be upon them both very highly in the status and give high respect and they will not tolerate any insult.

I want to ask you, if a man call your Mother a ***** and he is standing in front of you and laughing, what will you do?
Will you join him and laugh with him? Or break his jaw?

Hope you understand.
Regards

Answer 7

It is part Islam, part government and religion being tied together, and part just plain religion in general. Religion is so obviously a cause of strife around the globe.

Answer 8

Jailing or possibly even lashing or executing someone for incorrectly naming a teddy bear is stupid and barbaric. I can't believe these types of things even happen in the modern world.

Answer 9

Islam is a violent, expansionist cult with a globalization agenda. If 9/11 & 7/7 did not wake people up to that fact I'm sure there'll be another act of terrorism along soon - just to reinforce it.

Answer 10

Im Muslim Its not Islam they just took offense they thought that their religion was being bashed....I do think they took it way too far leave the poor lady alone...fine her or something at the most!