http://americaabroad.tpmcafe.com/blog/zbyszekroyal/2006/dec/09/which_islam_r eligion_of_love_or_hate Which Islam: Religion of Love or <http://americaabroad.tpmcafe.com/blog/zbyszekroyal/2006/dec/09/which_islam_ religion_of_love_or_hate> Hate? The headlines read that six Sunnis leaving the local mosque were grabbed by Shia militia, doused with gasoline and burned alive, in a further despicable act of radical Islam. Now I ask you, isn't that redundant? Or at the very least a misnomer? On the streets and in the homes of America, and elsewhere across the globe, Muslims practice the good works that their faith and their Prophet demands. They do this because, like many practitioners of many religions, they fear and respect a vengeful God. Many of the faithful add to this fear and respect by adding love to the equation. Again, God demands love, regardless of the name or concept we assign to the Divine. But true love cannot be mandated; it comes from the heart and it springs eternal. It is the essence of all being and it permeates the consciousness of those who understand its import, until it becomes unconscious. There are many, many Muslims in this world - yes, even in Iraq and Iran and Afghanistan - who are filled with love for all life. They are a blessing to us all and a joy to acknowledge as our brothers and sisters. And they are the radicals. Make no mistake: Islam as it was originally propagated and disseminated is not a religion of peace. It offers peace only for those men who embrace Allah as the one true God and Mohammed as his only messenger. It demonstrates a certain tolerance towards Christians and Jews since they are "people of the Book," and because they share a common ancestry in Adam, Abraham, Isaac and Moses. But that tolerance always comes at a price, be it financial or a curtailment of freedom. Other religions, in the eyes of the true Muslim, are the machinations of Satan. And Islam is in no ways a friend toward any Islamic woman or girl. Or didn't you ever wonder: if males who die in jihad ("struggle") are promised by Mohammed ( as transcribed in one of his numerous hadiths) 72 eternal virgins upon their welcome into Paradise, what do females who die in Jihad get? Nothing. At least there's no record of him addressing this point. I'm not going to lay down a list of comparative Koranic verses; there's what must be thousands of online and on-paper translations of the venerable tome, some with disturbingly violent imagery and others far kinder and gentler, if not ambiguous. I can direct you to www.thetruereligion.org and www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/ to name a random two. (Seriously, though, just Google or Ask.com it.) I'm also not going to list atrocities carried out by Islamic Extremists. Go to www.thereligionofpeace.com for that one; they list 6896 such acts since the 9/11 attacks. I will mention here the "honor killing" of a 15-year-old girl whose father suspected her of sexual activity, and therefore hacked her to death; a Sudanese newspaper editor who was beheaded for publishing an article questioning the Prophet's parentage; and the two Christians, including a nun, who were brutally murdered after Pope's Benedict's ill-considered commentary on Islam. And of course there's the wars and whatnot in Somalia, Chad, the Sudan and elsewhere. My point is this: if Islam is a religion of tolerance and brotherhood, why then do so, so many interpret it far differently? There are extremist sects to every faith, but they are sects. So-called radical Islam commands a frightening majority in many communities. Riddle me this, as well: if Allah is all-powerful (and I trust that He is) then why does he need an army to fight his wars? And why is Paradise continually described as a male heathen's dream come true, (endless wine, sex -with pedophilia implied - and food) why are these so forbidden on Earth? Allah, through Mohammed, promised an "awful doom" (Qur'an 2:7) upon unbelievers: those whom Allah has pre-ordained to be the doomed. Granted, many of the world's major religious books promise similar.the Torah springs to mind, which may explain why these two "people of the book" seem hell-bent on destroying each other. But radical Judaism (Zionism) stops far short of the destruction avowed by Islamists. Take for example, Qur'an 5:38: "Cut off the hands of thieves." Or Qu'ran 5:33: "Those who make war with Allah and his messenger will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off." Christians did some horrible things to Muslims during the collection of wars and battles known as the Crusades. We all must admit that Muslims did the same - with the addition of imposing "Dhimmis" status on Jews and Christians - that is, convert, die, or pay a tax and relinquish personal freedom. Members of other religions were not even offered the choice. The most important aspect of this slice of ancient history is that it is ancient history! Nobody who was there then is alive to tell us about it now. Nobody can say what truly happened. Laying the blame at the feet of Christianity as an excuse for Islamic atrocity is unconscionable - or at least should be. What I propose is this: that followers of the loving Islam we all have heard so much about and all have experienced in one form or another - and that is practiced honorably by many who read this article - grant that theirs is a reformed Islam, a moderate Islam. That the truth of Mohammed's militant nature, his bigamy and promises of carnal delight in Paradise runs contrary to the convictions of millions of good people, practicing Muslims all. And that this moderate Islam wage a spiritual jihad against the traditional Islam of war and brutal hostility. That this newer Islam claim its place among the enlightened teachings of the globe. Finally, I extend an invitation to all Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and others to join me in a brotherhood aimed at international and inter-faith dialogue, to explore what it truly means to be human. To become a beacon of hope and good will for all. And only those who truly love love - a generous, spiritual, unconditional love for all of God's creatures (however you may call Him or Her) - or wish to know such love, may apply. In his film, Kingdom of Heaven, Ridley Scott posited that such a brotherhood did exist during the 12th Century. This was a total fabrication, creating the hope for a thing that was never reality in the first place. Well, that day is here. Let as join as one. For love. For peace. For all. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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