Islam Delenda Est
I got this information from a book called Islam and Terrorism, by Mark A. Gabriel, PH.D, former professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, Cairo.
According to the Koran, a Muslim is called to live according to their strength in a given society.
Stage 1. Weakened Stage
This is when Muslims are a small minority in a non-Islamic community. The relevant sections of the Quran relate to when Muhammad was keeping a low profile in Mecca. Sort of "Muhammad, the early years". Verses such as "There is no compulsion in religion"(Surah 2:256, The Noble Quran).
Stage 2 Preperation Stage
This relates to when Muslims are a fairly influential minority, and can make better preperations for the upcoming conflict. An appropriate verse is
"Let not the Unbelievers think that they can get the better(of the godly):they will never frustrate (them). Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah, and your enemies, and others besides whom you may not know, but whom Allah knows. (Surah 8:59-60, Ali Translation).
The other major translation includes some interesting commentary.
"And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war(tanks, planes, missiles, artillery) to threaten the enemy of Allah..." (Surah 8:60, The Noble Quran).
Stage 3 Jihad
This stage is when Muslims are a minority with strength, influence and power. At this stage every Muslim's duty is to actively fight the enemy, overturning the system of the non-muslim country and establishing Islamic authority.
"Fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every strategem(of war)..."(Surah 9:5, Ali Translation).
Why does this matter to me? I'm a Christian myself, and am somewhat saddened when I hear of Christian Fundamentalists trying to push 'Creation Science', or shooting Drs who perform abortions(not that I don't feel a tad inclined myself, sometimes, on the last point).These people are either twisting the Bible for money and power, or they're really gullible. And I believe Christ calls me to use my brains as best I can, not hand them over to some schmuck in a fancy suit.
Now, I used to think the same was true of the RIFs, but it turns out this is not the case. Blowing yourself up in a shopping mall is a true and sincere expression of a follower of the Quran. In actual fact, Islamic govts other than Iran are actually twisting the Quran to try to wring some basic human decency out of it. Islam has a closer relationship to the cult of Thugee than anything else I know from the last 2000 years. The Carthaginians probably would have got on well with them, at least until they'd helped wipe out everyone else.
Maybe David Drake can help me with a new sig line? Something like "Islam delenda est". How's the grammar on that?
According to the Koran, a Muslim is called to live according to their strength in a given society.
Stage 1. Weakened Stage
This is when Muslims are a small minority in a non-Islamic community. The relevant sections of the Quran relate to when Muhammad was keeping a low profile in Mecca. Sort of "Muhammad, the early years". Verses such as "There is no compulsion in religion"(Surah 2:256, The Noble Quran).
Stage 2 Preperation Stage
This relates to when Muslims are a fairly influential minority, and can make better preperations for the upcoming conflict. An appropriate verse is
"Let not the Unbelievers think that they can get the better(of the godly):they will never frustrate (them). Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah, and your enemies, and others besides whom you may not know, but whom Allah knows. (Surah 8:59-60, Ali Translation).
The other major translation includes some interesting commentary.
"And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war(tanks, planes, missiles, artillery) to threaten the enemy of Allah..." (Surah 8:60, The Noble Quran).
Stage 3 Jihad
This stage is when Muslims are a minority with strength, influence and power. At this stage every Muslim's duty is to actively fight the enemy, overturning the system of the non-muslim country and establishing Islamic authority.
"Fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every strategem(of war)..."(Surah 9:5, Ali Translation).
Why does this matter to me? I'm a Christian myself, and am somewhat saddened when I hear of Christian Fundamentalists trying to push 'Creation Science', or shooting Drs who perform abortions(not that I don't feel a tad inclined myself, sometimes, on the last point).These people are either twisting the Bible for money and power, or they're really gullible. And I believe Christ calls me to use my brains as best I can, not hand them over to some schmuck in a fancy suit.
Now, I used to think the same was true of the RIFs, but it turns out this is not the case. Blowing yourself up in a shopping mall is a true and sincere expression of a follower of the Quran. In actual fact, Islamic govts other than Iran are actually twisting the Quran to try to wring some basic human decency out of it. Islam has a closer relationship to the cult of Thugee than anything else I know from the last 2000 years. The Carthaginians probably would have got on well with them, at least until they'd helped wipe out everyone else.
Maybe David Drake can help me with a new sig line? Something like "Islam delenda est". How's the grammar on that?
2 Comments:
It is my (somewhat cynical) view on any religion that they are all bad when followed with a fanaticism or view that actions should be dictated by the dictates of the religion only.
Christianity was one of the most blood-thirsty around until it gained a healthy dose of self-questioning with Martin Luther. Now that the actions dictated by its religious scriptures are only followed by a group of QUESTIONING believers it loses some of its dangers. One only needs to look at many of the Christian "cults" that have abounded and their effects to see that Christianity is no less dangerous when the questioning ceases.
Islam primarily seems to suffer at the moment that it has never reached the maturity of self-doubt.
By
Unknown, at 07:39
It is unfortunately the nature of any worldview that includes a spiritual aspect that it will develop personality cult off shots. Some people are comforted by the 'thus saith the Lord' in front of any given point.
My point is more that Christianity's scriptures contain within them the antidodes for such thinking, while the scriptures of Islam in fact encourage such thinking.
By
Chewie the furry Baen Sidhe, at 18:27
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