Is Islam Really a Religion of Terror?

[Fonceai]

Look closely at what you wrote, shield.

What I see.

When I lived in the Middle East, I did not see dancing in the streets when Americans were killed. The people knew that it would only lengthen our time there and increase hostility.

But here, I see dancing in the streets and I wonder where these places are that people are dancing. I'm not saying that Muslims don't celebrate, but I do think the media is trying to inspire hate towards Muslims so that the American public stays convinced that the war in Iraq is necessary.

[Fysk]

I have a question that's mainly for the North Americans here: how big a presence does Islam have in the population where you come from? I ask because Britain has quite a large chunk of people with roots in Pakistan and other mostly Muslim countries and hence a fairly hefty Muslim community.

After the 7/7 bombings in London the news didn't really show many people whooping and cheering in the streets. There was, however, a lot of talk from leaders in the Muslim community condemning the bombers, talking about working closely with police and the government and generally trying not to dent Islam's public image so as not to encourage retaliatory attacks on Mosques.

Do you have as many (for want of a better phrase) friendly neighbourhood Muslims, or do you mostly just get pictures from afar?

[Fonceai]

I know that it sucked for many American Muslims, post-9/11.

Most of them didn't have a problem with American society, and then they suddenly are being labeled with guilt by association and faced horrible abuses at the hands of "patriotic" Americans.

[ItsDarts]

Quote by: Fysk I have a question that's mainly for the North Americans here: how big a presence does Islam have in the population where you come from? I ask because Britain has quite a large chunk of people with roots in Pakistan and other mostly Muslim countries and hence a fairly hefty Muslim community. After the 7/7 bombings in London the news didn't really show many people whooping and cheering in the streets. There was, however, a lot of talk from leaders in the Muslim community condemning the bombers, talking about working closely with police and the government and generally trying not to dent Islam's public image so as not to encourage retaliatory attacks on Mosques. Do you have as many (for want of a better phrase) friendly neighbourhood Muslims, or do you mostly just get pictures from afar?

Good question, and I can only speak for the State of Michigan. In the city of Dearborn (just outside of Detroit) is the country's largest Muslim/Arab community. We also have a large Pakistani population as well. Not once did local news show muslims whooping it up during terrorist acts against the US or other acts in the UK, India, or elsewhere. They do get on public TV and say that thier religion is being highjacked by extremists. It does appear that most of the party stores in the tri-county area along with most gas stations are owned and operated by Arabs and you rarely hear about them being involved in criminal acts. There was a link to 911 by 4 Arabs in the local community, but other than that, they seem to get along with everyone. I admit, they are human and I have no doubts that there may be other links to terrorism within this community. I know the government is keeping a close eye on these people, which may contribute to the seemingly good behavior. With that said, prior to 911, you still rarely ever heard of ciminal acts and with a large jewish community only a few miles away, there is rarely if ever any problems between the two groups in public. What they think of each other personally, may be another story. I have no problems coming to the defense of Moderate Muslims.

[ItsDarts]

Quote by: Fonceai I know that it sucked for many American Muslims, post-9/11. Most of them didn't have a problem with American society, and then they suddenly are being labeled with guilt by association and faced horrible abuses at the hands of "patriotic" Americans.

You're right, there was some of that here as well, but surprisingly, it wasn't as bad here (Detroit area) as one would have thought. It lasted for a week and no one (that I know of) died from "patriots" but there were some assults. It seemed everyone was very suspicious for at least a year afterwards, but after that, things pretty much went back to normal. The blacks in the area for once, were comrads with the whites and the Arabs were the new " blacks" of the area. Sad to say the least.

[Fonceai]

To a degree, some of the profiling was justified.

It sucks that their religion is so closely tied to their ethnicity.

But ultimately, I heard the same sentiment, both here in the U.S. and in the Middle East that the extremists were giving them a bad name.

[rez]

Quote by: Abdullah So this implies that the Jews started this conflict and attacked the Muslims, in no way does it imply that you should go out and kill Jews, this is just a future prophecy of war ( perhaps between Israel and Muslim nations?) . There exists no command for the wanton killing of Jews or any people EXCEPT in self-defense.

Great, so a book that was written in the 7th century helps instruct people how to handle problems in the 21st century. The problem here resides in the fact that religion is no longer relevant in today's society, yet people use it to justify certain acts. I am not intolerant toward your Muslim beliefs, however, I am intolerant towards irrational decisions. Call me a bigot if you want, but until people start taking responsibility for their own actions then will I be able to take a side and judge the wrong doer.

[shrike]

Quote by: rez Great, so a book that was written in the 7th century helps instruct people how to handle problems in the 21st century. The problem here resides in the fact that religion is no longer relevant in today's society, yet people use it to justify certain acts. I am not intolerant toward your Muslim beliefs, however, I am intolerant towards irrational decisions. Call me a bigot if you want, but until people start taking responsibility for their own actions then will I be able to take a side and judge the wrong doer.

Absolutely agree btw Its true about any other religion.
The problem of Islam that it's now in it violent stage much like Christianity in time of crusades.

[RickSp]

Quote by: Fonceai I know that it sucked for many American Muslims, post-9/11. Most of them didn't have a problem with American society, and then they suddenly are being labeled with guilt by association and faced horrible abuses at the hands of "patriotic" Americans.

In my neighborhood, which has a significant Muslim minority, everyone seemed just to be keeping their heads down. One local food store was nearly mobbed when word got out that the owner had a picture of "Osama Bin Laden" behind the cash register. Turns out the owner was an Egyptian Christian, a Copt, and the picture was of the Coptic Pope. Not so different from the Sihk who was beaten up in Boston for wearing a beard and a turban.

Bigotry is usually also stupid.

[RickSp]

Quote by: shield772 Stop defending our enemies, they would kill you as soon as look at you, we are infidels plain and simple and deserve only death.

Which enemies are those? All Muslims or small sects of radicals?

Uninformed hysteria is far more dangerous than terrorism.

[ItsDarts]

Quote by: RickSP Bigotry is usually also stupid.

Is there ever a time when bigotry isn't stupid?

[Fonceai]

When it's based on a unique and traumatic experience.

[Arawn-ap-Hywel]

Quote by: Abdullah OK, since I neither have the time nor energy to chase down all of the anti-Islamic propoganda and polemics on this forum and respond to each and every allegation, I wanna see the proof that Islam promotes terror. Basically what I'm saying is bring forth all of your false accusations so I can refute them all, proving that Islam does NOT promote terror or violence. So lets see your distorted Qur'an and Hadeeth qoutes and your lies against the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم . ____________________________________________ [سورة الأنعام 108 | Surah Al-An'am Verse 108 (6:108)] وَلاَ تَسُبُّواْ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ فَيَسُبُّواْ اللّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ And abuse not those whom they call upon besides ALLAH, lest they, out of spite, abuse ALLAH in their ignorance....

Bless you Abdullah true your religion does not promote terror or violence. The words of love like those of the Christians anr as strong in the Qur'an and Hadeeth .
However like the Christian the Muslims hold sad and poor realising individuals whose hearts are drained by haterd and they are lost souls beyond human who should for the sake of humantiy be irradicated :)

[ItsDarts]

Quote by: Fonceai When it's based on a unique and traumatic experience.

You mean like if one muslim mugged me? Should I hate the entire group in favor of my own group? How is that not stupid? If I hate just one person because he mugged me (regardless of what group he belongs too) then this isn't bigotry. This is just personal hate or dislike.

[Fonceai]

@ItsDarts

I understand what you're saying.

But when you face repeated trauma from one group, it's perfectly psychologically natural to transfer that hate to the entire group. Especially if it seems everyone in that group acts the same way.

You are right, I'm just thinking of something more significant than one mugging.

[Nathan Struth]

The problem of us doesn't seem to lie in religion, moreso in the interpretation of it, the manipualtion of it. And so much hippocracy associated with it. (Jesus lovers not turning the other cheek and killing people) (Islam extremists who're paranoid that someone's out to get them), (Apathetic daoists; saying to let things go their course), (Judaism which I used to be of telling to not be caring of ourselves, yet whenever we mention the holocaust it's "6 million Jews" and not the others.).

The problem clearly lies in human nature, and I don't know if it's a possible thing to get rid of. My personal nature as an aethist is still following by buddhist morals without all the "spirits" and life force (I'm scientific). But yes abdullah, as with the quote before by the person who brought up the argument. How is genocide of a group JUSTIFIABLE??? I completely disagree to your previous point. genocide is not good even in self-defense.

[Kuldeep]

Quote by: Abdullah So this implies that the Jews started this conflict and attacked the Muslims, in no way does it imply that you should go out and kill Jews, this is just a future prophecy of war ( perhaps between Israel and Muslim nations?) . There exists no command for the wanton killing of Jews or any people EXCEPT in self-defense.

Kashmiri Pandits (Kashmiri Hindu) were compelled to leave their homes in Kashmir. Being small in number and basically not a fighting race, may not be able to fight/kill the culprits. Would Allah help them somehow someday to return their lost and leftover homes, Abdullah ?:eek:

[Chris the Chees]

Quote by: shrike Agreed but the Muslims are most active and their have wider support that any other extremist religion group.

Eh? You do know that the IRA ( a religious terrorist organisation) recieved a vast portion of its funding from donations from Irish American Catholics?

Then you have Irgun in Israel, I believe recently that there was a celebration in Israel for the anniversary one of their attacks which killed just under 100 people.

The only reason why islamic extremists have taken an even more extreme line is because the persecution of Muslims has been considerably greater and they happen to be the ones in the news at the moment.

[Hostile55]

I think this thread has failed somewhat. The idea was that everyone was to say "Islam=terrorism" so that abdulla could refute their claims, but most people have said the opposite. I cannot find it in myself to put this right as I myself dissagree with the argument that Islam is fundimentally violent.

I think the problem here is agendas.

Why does the media, on the whole, promote the idea that islam is violent?

Why do some groups actively seek out and indoctrinate muslims to become suicide bombers?

What is really going on?

There is a struggle for control happening in the world today and all the victims of 9/11; of the Iraq war; of all the suicide bombings around the world are just insignificant pawns caught up in the middle. Humanity is corrupt. To its very core. There is no salvation. No absolution.
NO GOD CAN SAVE US NOW!!!!

[Athena]

Quote by: shrike Ok I will bite. How about the command to kill jews. USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts

Well, when good Christians did this, they thought it was the right thing to do.
What is your point?