10 misconceptions about Islam

[Jeehad]

    MISCONCEPTION #1:
Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists.


This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from
the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a
gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA
guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox
militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not
used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed
to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard
the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence.

Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any
Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of
Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source
of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what
is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God'
and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'.

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps
this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West,
whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make
no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like
Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of
religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly
from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include
prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops,
trees and livestock.

NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS.. The Quran says:
"Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190)
"If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is
the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61) War,
therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous
conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally
means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad.
The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone
wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner
peace.



MISCONCEPTION #2:
Islam oppresses women.

The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to
stay home and forbidden to drive is all too common in most peoples
thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress
women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these
countries do not rule by any kind of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and
introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender
equity.

Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity
between the two is laid down in the Quran and the example of the
Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam sees a woman, whether single or
married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and
dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by
the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her
own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women
are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The
Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "The most perfect in faith
amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his
wife."

Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their
will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal
agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions.
Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is
not common, although it is acceptable as a last resort. According to
Islam, a Muslim girl cannot be forced to marry against her will: her
parents simply suggest young men they think may be suitable.



MISCONCEPTION #3:
Muslims worship a different God.

Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Allah for Muslims is the
greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word
of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God and ascribing no
partners to Him. It is exactly the same word which the Jews, in
Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in
Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name in Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped by Muslims,
Christians and Jews. Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is to
be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and
commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who were
sent at various times and in many places throughout history.
However, it should be noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He,
the Exalted, does not get tired, does not have a son ie Jesus or
have associates, nor does He have human-like attributions as found in
other faiths.


MISCONCEPTION #4:
Islam was spread by the sword and intolerant of other faiths.


Many social studies textbooks for students show the image of an Arab
horseman carrying a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other
conquering and forcibly converting. This, though, is not a correct
portrayal of history. Islam has always given respect and freedom of
religion to all faiths. The Quran says: "God forbids you not, with
regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out
of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God
loveth those who are just. 60:

Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself: "There is no
compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right
direction is distinctly clear from error". (2:256) Christian
missionary, T.W. Arnold had this opinion on his study of the question
of the spread of Islam: ".. of any organized attempt to force the
acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any
systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion,
we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of
action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as
Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made
Protestanism ..."

It is a function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of
minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have
flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many
examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph
Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of
worship to all religious communities in the city. Proclaiming to the
inhabitants that their lives, and property were safe, and that their
places of worship would never be taken from them, he asked the
Christian patriarch Sophronius to accompany him on a visit to all the
holy places. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up
their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the
minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in an
Islamic state are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or
not.

Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality
and how all peoples are equal in the sight of God. "O mankind! We
created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into
nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly,
the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in
piety. God is All-Knowing, All- Aware. (49:13)
And also the US has the fastest growing population of muslims in the entire world ...who is forcing them to convert??



MISCONCEPTION #5:
All Muslims are Arabs


The Muslim population of the world is around 1.2 billion. 1 out of 5
people in the world is a Muslim. They are a vast range of races,
nationalities, and cultures from around the globe--from the
Phillipines to Nigeria--they are united by their common Islamic faith.
Only about 18% live in the Arab world and the largest Muslim
community is in Indonesia. Most Muslims live east of Pakistan. 30%
of Muslims live in the Indian subcontinent, 20% in Sub-Saharan Africa,
17% in Southeast Asia, 18% in the Arab world, and 10% in the Soviet
Union and China. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan make up 10% of the
non-Arab Middle East. Although there are Muslim minorities in almost
every area, including Latin America and Australia, they are most
numerous in Russia and its newly independent states, India and
central Africa. There are about 6 million Muslims in the United
States



MISCONCEPTION #6:
The Nation of Islam is a Muslim group.


Islam and the so called "Nation of Islam'" are two different
religions. NOI is more of a political organization since its members
are not limited to a single faith. Muslims consider this group to be
just one of many cults using the name of Islam for their own gain.
The only thing common between them is the jargon, the language used
by both. "The Nation of Islam" is a misnomer; this religion should be
called Farrakhanism, after the name of its propogator, Louis Farrakhan.

Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. For example,
Farakhan followers believe in racism and that the 'black man' was the
original man and therefore superior, while in Islam there is no
racism and everyone is considered equal in the sight of God, the only
difference being in one's piety. There are many other theological
examples that show the 'Nation's teachings have little to do with
true Islam. There are many groups in America who claim to represent
Islam and call their adherents Muslims.

Any serious student of Islam has a duty to investigate and find the
true Islam. The only two authentic sources which bind every Muslim
are 1. the Quran and 2. authentic or sound Hadith. Any teachings under
the label of "Islam" which contradict or at variance with the direct
understanding of fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam form the
Quran and authentic Hadith should be rejected and such a religion
should be considered a Pseudo-Islamic Cult. In America there are many
pseudo-Islamic cults, Farrakhanism being one of them. An honest
attitude on the part of such cults should be not to call themselves
Muslims and their religion Islam. such an example of honesty is
Bahaism which is an off-shoot of Islam but Bahais do not call
themselves Muslims nor their religion, Islam. In fact Bahaism is not
Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.



MISCONCEPTION #7:
All Muslim men marry four wives.


The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and
so accommodates widely differing social requirements. Circumstances
may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted,
according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is
scrupulously fair. No woman can be forced into this kind of marriage
if they do not wish it, and they also have the right to exclude it in
their marriage contract.

Polygamy is neither mandatory, nor encouraged, but merely permitted.
Images of "sheikhs with harems" are not consistent with Islam, as a
man is only allowed at most four wives only if he can fulfill the
stringent conditions of treating each fairly and providing each with
separate housing etc. Permission to practice polygamy is not
associated with mere satisfaction of passion. It is rather
associated with compassion toward widows and orphans. It was the
Quran that limited and put conditions on the practice of polygamy
among the Arabs, who had as many as ten or more wives and considered
them "property".

It is both honest and accurate to say that it is Islam that regulated
this practice, limited it, made it more humane, and instituted equal
rights and status for all wives. What the Qur'anic decrees amount to,
taken together is discouragement of polygamy unless necessity for it
exists. It is also evident that the general rule in Islam is monogamy
and not polygamy. It is a very tiny percentage of Muslims that
practice it over the world. However, permission to practice limited
polygamy is only consistent with Islam's realistic view of the nature
of man and woman and of various social needs, problems and cultural
variations.

The question is, however far more than the inherent flexibility of
Islam; it also is the frank and straightforward approach of Islam in
dealing with practical problems. Rather than requiring hypocritical
and superficial compliance, Islam delves deeper into the problems of
individuals and societies, and provides for legitimate and clean
solutions which are far more beneficial than would be the case if they
were ignored. There is no doubt that the second wife legally married
and treated kindly is better off than a mistress without any legal
rights or expermanence.



MISCONCEPTION #8:
Muslims are a barbaric, backward people.


Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the
simplicity of its doctrine-Islam calls for faith in only one God
worthy of worship. It also repeatedly instructs man to use his
powers of intelligence and observation. Within a few years, great
civilizations and universities were flourishing, for according to the
Prophet (pbuh), 'seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim
man and woman'.

The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas and of new thought with
old, brought about great advances in medicine, mathematics, physics,
astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history.
Many crucial systems such as algebra, the Arabic numerals, and also
the concept of the zero (vital to the advancement of mathematics),
were transmitted to medieval Europe from Islam. Sophisticated
instruments which were to make possible the European voyages of
discovery were developed, including the astrolabe, the quadrant and
good navigational maps.



MISCONCEPTION #9:
Muhammad was the founder of Islam and Muslims worship him.


Muhammad(pbuh) was born in Mecca in the year 570. Since his father
died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was
raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew
up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so
that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes.
The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (pbuh)
was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence
of his society.

It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira
near Mecca. At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat,
Muhammad(pbuh) received his first revelation from God through the
Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for 23 years is
known as the Quran. As soon as he began to recite the words he heard
from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him,
he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution,
which grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to
emigrate.

This event, the Hijra 'migration', in which they left Mecca for the
city of Medina, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. After
several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to
Mecca, where they forgave their enemies and established Islam
definitively. Before the Prophet saw dies at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death
Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. He
died with less than 5 possessions to his name.

While Muhammad (pbuh) was chosen to deliver the message, he is not
considered the "founder" of Islam, since Muslims consider Islam to be
the same divine guidance sent to all peoples before. Muslims believe
all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent
with divine guidance for their peoples. Every prophet was sent to his
own people, but Muhammad(pbuh) was sent to all of mankind. Muhammad
is the last and final messenger sent to deliver the message of Islam.
Muslims revere and honor him (pbuh) for all he went through and his
dedication, but they do not worship him. "O Prophet, verily We have
sent you as a witness and a bearer of glad tidings and a warner and
as one who invites unto God by His leave and as an illuminating
lamp."(33:45-6)



MISCONCEPTION #10:
Muslims don't believe in Jesus or any other prophets.


Muslims respect and revere Jesus, upon him be peace, and await his
Second Coming. They consider him one of the greatest of God's
messengers to mankind. A Muslim never refers to him simply as
'Jesus', but always adds the phrase 'upon him be peace' (abbreviated
as (u) here). The Quran confirms his virgin birth (a chapter of the
Quran is entitled 'Mary'), and Mary is considered the purest woman in
all creation. The Quran describes the Annunciation as follows:

"Behold!" the Angel said, "God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you
good news of a word from Him whose name shall be the Messiah, Jesus
son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those
brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his cradle and
in maturity, and shall be of the righteous." She said: "O my Lord!
How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said: "Even
so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing, He says to it,
"Be!" and it is" (Quran 3:42-47)

Jesus (u) was born miraculously through the same power, which had
brought Adam (u) into being without a father: "Truly, the likeness of
Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust,
and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was." (3:59) During his prophetic
mission Jesus (u) performed many miracles. The Quran tells us that he
said: " I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you
out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breath into it
and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the
lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave." (3:49) Neither Muhammad
(pbuh) not Jesus (u) came to change the basic doctrine of the brief in
One God brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it.

In the Quran Jesus (u) is reported as saying that he came: "To attest
the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what
was forbidden you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so
fear God and obey Me. (3:50) The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner,
that Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and
messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating
from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by
God into Heaven. "(Hadith related by Bukhari).

[mon9999]

whatever!

[Curious39]

Well written Jeehad!

Well researched!

Well stated!

To bad you didn't write it or credit your source:

http://www.jannah.org/articles/misc.html

C

[Jeehad]

lol sorry:P But I got this article from an email on myspace so I really had no idea whom the other was!

[Mustardseed]

It still des not change the fact that you, as a rule, does not credit your sources. In your country that might be ok, but with an educated ,and well read audience, such as the AP it is not. It detracts from your message Jeehad, so try to avoid it. It is just plain uneducated. This is part and parcel of education, to accept that in any research you credit your source material.

No harm done though, just remember that.

Regards Mustardseed

I will leave you with 3 youtube clips Please watch them all. Outlandish are good friends of mine and in this song I see your heart and feel your pain. I cry for the victims of war as do you. The other clips are more controversial please try your best to respond in an acceptable way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYB4pG3kHIY&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKhrPJMRYpo&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZJma-PcoCw&mode=related&search=


Regards Mustardseed

[Jeehad]

Sorry for not crediting the source. Btw Isam is a friend of mine as well! He was preaching peaceful unitation of all religions in an Islam conference but according to you hes "brainwashing" me. My brother, I have absolutely nothing against Christians. My religions main principality is to respect ahli kitab(people of the book) YOU are among the people of the book! Muhammad Pbuh sent his early Muslim brother into the nation of Abyssinia owned by a Christian king BECAUSE THE KING WAS A NICE AND RESPECTFUL MAN! Please do not interpret my words as hateful preaching against Jews and Christians. I am just trying to tell you that theres more to terrorism then just religious motivation but I will not argue that it doesn't exist! For it exists in all religions equally!


loool Wafa sultan! She was an Irani who disagreed with her Irani government system because of the degrading of women so shes going on a rant disclaiming Islam! Really this proves absolutely nothing! I really don't care what some person who goes on CNN claiming ISLAM PREACHES TERRORISM I assure you I can pull out the same tricks. Again, I ask her to possibly provide proof of her words according to the rasuls sunna? According to the holy Quran? IT is not my religions fault that people are misunderstanding its principality! I disagree with an Irani government System! You must understand MustardSeed POLITICS AND RELIGION HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT WING WITH EACHOTHER! Again Mustard Lets bring this debate on an intellectual level instead of simply claiming "TERRORISTS." 

[Paola]

In the Quran, there is a paragraph that goes like this.........

It is Allah who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep.  He keeps those souls for which he has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed.  Verily in this are signs of a people who think deeply.

Do you think it is talking about people who have out of body experiences?

[Jeehad]

Paola technically yes. The Holy Quran makes references to people during dreams where he lifts there souls out of there bodies as many OBE people have actually experienced. Our dreams take place in another "plane" the plane in which our souls will taste death. Allah describes this as a temporary death! I don't astral project btw for I don't need this sort of spiritual enlightenment but I dont disordain it!

[Paola]

Yes i feel out of body experiences are a taste of death.

If that is the case, its very interesting.  I dont remember ever wanting to obe, it just happens. So it was not a choice so to speak.

Thanks for your response Jeehad

[Jeehad]

NP Paola! I think sleeping or OBEs are a taste of death as well.

[Paola]

Yes i think i agree with you.  Except in obe there is no sleep.

[DebInUSA]

lol sorry:P But I got this article from an email on myspace so I really had no idea whom the other was!

Jeehad, Islam/Muslims are associated with terrorism/violence because there are thousands of people going around calling themselves Muslims who say they are fighting and killing in the name of Islam. They aren't just bombing a certain place and not only doing it a few times as others you mentioned. There are Muslims fighting in about 20 of the 22 armed conflicts in the world today. We hear of Muslims killing on a daily basis, and our media and politicians do not even mention half of these killings. All religions have had cults formed in the name of their religion. These Muslim terrorists/extremists have formed the biggest cult the world has ever known in the name of your religion, Islam. It isn't because of our politicians or our media. In fact, our politicians constantly tell us not all Muslims are terrorists/extremists. It's what we see with our own eyes all over the world every single day that is causing Muslims/Islam to be associated with terrorism/violence. If peaceful Muslims would finally get that right, then maybe they could do something about these terrorists who have hijacked your religion. But stop blaming it on everyone else but the people who are actually saying they are killing innocent people in the name of your religion.

"And also the US has the fastest growing population of muslims in the entire world ...who is forcing them to convert??"

No, the US does NOT have the fastest growing population of Muslims in the entire world. In fact, there are very few Americans who have converted to Islam. Also, seven out of ten westerners who convert to Islam leave soon thereafter.  They tried to do a consensus on how many Muslims there are in the USA, but the members of CAIR wanted to lie about the numbers and would not allow them to do it because they wanted to do it by not counting children and by going by how many attended mosque/church every week, not by how many are on the books, because no one is ever taken off the books once they convert to Islam. Also, since Islam says to kill apostates, no one screams it out when they leave Islam.  The Reader's Digest you got this from was written a long time ago, probably close in time to the civil rights movement when a lot of blacks converted to Islam, and I forgot how it was done, but it wasn't accurate. Islam may still be the fastest growing religion in the world, but I seriously doubt it. It's mainly because all children born into a Muslim home automatically become Muslims and because Muslims multiply about five times more than average people. The Palestinian refugees are the fastest growing population in the world. Also, hardly any Muslims will leave Islam in the Islamic countries because they are afraid of being killed. But tens of thousand convert to Christianity in China and in Africa today. Also, there are more underground churches being built in the Islamic countries than in any other time known of in history. I got this information from a show on Al Jazeera, by the way.

As far as Islam's history, well, there are many ways to, let's say urge people to convert to a religion. One way would be to make them pay taxes they cannot afford. Another way would be to conquer a country, then make your religion that country's religion. People do not like being left out. I am sure there were times Muslims were good to non-Muslims during their empire days, but I am equally certain there were many times non-Muslims were not treated well at all. As I said on another thread, you cannot make one group of people superior and expect the minorities to be treated well or even fair. We even see it today with many Christians being persecuted in Muslim countries all the time. There are some, I am sure, who are good to Christians and are even friends with Christians, but there are also many who treat them really bad and very unfair. I am absolutely certain this was exactly the way it was years ago, too. I remember reading about the Europeans jumping onto the Ottomans for treating Christians badly when the Ottoman empire was the eyesore of that part of the world and Europe could threaten them. Then there are all of the letters people's ancestors left, talking about how Muslims would spit on them, make them bow to them, etc. It may not be written in Islam to act this way, but the superior thing has been a fact throughout history.

[Paola]

As i understand it, Muslims cannot drink alcohol or take drugs,
Why are they the worlds largest opium suppliers?

[SpiritWings]

Well whoever the source is, I appreciate the info.

Muslims get a bad rap.  I think they have been an instrumental  group in many good, worthy world events.  It's just the most recent events are freshest on many's minds. 

I never see why Jews and Christians seem to hate about the religion of Abraham's firstborn, Ishmael, and the "great nation" spoke of in the Bible (this is from their scriptures, not Quran.  A great nation).  A nation in the spiritual sense, as well as secular sense.  I think both Esau and Lot's children also  merge into this covenant as well.

Gen. 17: 20
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

I've read some things on Islam.  I believe it to be revealed of God, but don't believe it to be his final revelation to mankind.   I do respect most Muslims as very spiritual and good people.  Peace is just usually a more anonymous journey than warmongering, so the bad elements (or more correctly, offshoots) get all the attention.  I don't believe Islam at a truly fundamental level is anymore warmongering or intolerant than the other religions of the Abrahamic covenant.   Anyone can wear a name tag that says "Islam" and bomb a building.  It doesn't reflect the nature of the religion as much as the nature of the humans who happen to espouse it.

[Paola]

What about the opium plantations?

[jilola]

As i understand it, Muslims cannot drink alcohol or take drugs,
Why are they the worlds largest opium suppliers?

Consuming and producing are two different things?
Also somethign to ponder upon is that the medical industry needs opium to provide many  (if not most) of the anesthetics needed to perform any given surgery.
Add to that the post-operative pain management and a whole range of prescription analgesics.
Why doesn't the entire opium crop get bought by the medical industry from the get-go? Islam notwithstanding?
That would be much cheaper and significantly more succesfull than the current disastrously failing war on some drugs.


2cents & L&L
jouni

[abu-usaama]

most of the misconceptions appear to describe the Taliban.
Isn't it the Taliban who are in control of the opium?
I don't think all Muslim = Taliban... but I think many people
only think of the Taliban when they think of Muslims...
Muslims need to do something about the Taliban if they
are worried about misconceptions.

the taliban wiped out 99% of the opium trade from afghanistan

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n904/a07.html

[Mohamed]

DebInUSA,

"Jeehad, Islam/Muslims are associated with terrorism/violence because there are thousands of people going around calling themselves Muslims who say they are fighting and killing in the name of Islam."

In essence, you are correct.  There are thousands of people killing in the name of Islam - but could you hold those thousands up against the 1.8 billion Muslims in the world today?  You are taking several grains of sand and comparing them to the whole beach.

"We hear of Muslims killing on a daily basis"

Exactly.  The media is the main reason why you are so misguided when it comes to Islam.

"No, the US does NOT have the fastest growing population of Muslims in the entire world."

Hm.  I'd like to ask you a somewhat personal question...  How long have you been living under that rock nestled deep within that isolated cave you call home?  Hahahah, sorry if that sounds offensive but it just came to mind and I had to ask.  Anyway, here are some articles for you to read and ponder:

http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0596/9605013.htm
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/One+nation+under+Allah%3a+Islam+is+the+fastest+growing+religion+in...-a090794905
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/news1/an010701-15.html
http://www.themodernreligion.com/assault/rising.html

Peace, Love and Light,
Mohamed

P.S.  I purposely chose to ignore the rest of your post; and I'm sure you know why (If not, then God help you woman).

[badgerbug89]

As was stated before, in Islam there isn't really a separation of religion and every day life or politics as we have (mostly) in western culture. It's also important to understand that the entire culture in the middle east has a completely different mindset than western culture, which makes it hard to understand each other. Most westerners, in my opinion, see Muslim extremist as evil and the enemy while thinking western culture is completely blameless. Obviously I don't agree with extremism of anything, but it's important to see where this cult is coming from. When Israel was created it was basically the western powers taking land away from the Muslims like it didn't matter. It would be like someone from a culture u don't understand coming to ur house and kicking u out in order to give ur house to someone else on the grounds they they r oppressed. Wouldn't Americans get mad if the Muslims were able to take Florida and make it a separate, Jewish country? We would be equally angry, if not more. Then add to that the fact they are not allowed privileges that other western countries have. For example, we will not allow Iran to use nuclear energy even though it's not actually possible to take nuclear energy plants and make nukes. It's not like making nuclear weapons is an easy process. It would appear to most Muslim culture that westerners are threatening their sovereignty because they have a different paradigm that we can't understand, which makes us uneasy. That is what makes Islamic extremism so popular. It's them standing up for their sovereignty we've stomped all over and since Islam is so intertwined in politics and every aspect of life in middle eastern culture, it's easy to blame the religion while the teachings of Islam really don't have much to do with the political upheaval.

[Mustardseed]

Look closer my friend..........they ( the teachings ) have EVERYTHING to do with it

[ti_ama]

the taliban wiped out 99% of the opium trade from afghanistan

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n904/a07.html

Hahahaha You are kidding, right? Come on, you gotta be pulling my leg. Wait a minute; cite a source that isn't biased and which actually uses facts for their information and you might come up with the right answer.

http://opioids.com/afghanistan/opium-economy.html
This website states the Taliban banned the growth of Opium the year before they were removed from power. Convenient.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_production_in_Afghanistan
wikipedia talks about it.


My point is, what are you trying to say about the taliban? Think deeply before you answer, because I know several people who have died because of the Taliban.

I am by no means racist towards all muslims, but the majority of the world's major problems have been caused by religion. The religion of choice today is Islam. Catholics have been at blame before, as well Jews have suffered for no reason.. Religion is easily the biggest cause of war and suffering. It's just the way it is. I'm not saying all muslims are to blame, nor am I saying there are no muslims to blame. What about the comics that caused world-wide protesting? I don't go out and burn embassies because someone from their country made fun of catholicism.

Of course Islam itself isn't to blame. Neither was Catholicism during the crusades or inquisition. However, it was a major factor. You can argue if you want, but the fact is clear for the eye to see..

The best thing for humanity is to be able to see past religion, and see things for what they really are. I don't judge somebody because they are brown, or have a mohawk, or wear black clothes. I base my opinion on things I have seen and experienced. I don't let people tell me things they think are true, nor do I listen to a book to tell me everthing I should do. Like the Bible, or any other religious book.

If I judge something to be right, even though someone or something tells me it isn't, I trust what I feel inside myself. I don't listen to other people who tell me what to do. It is this ignorance which is giving EVERY religion a bad name. People should make their own decisions, regardless of what someone else tells them is true.

[badgerbug89]

Look closer my friend..........they ( the teachings ) have EVERYTHING to do with it

I think the extremism would be the same no matter what religion lived in that region.

the majority of the world's major problems have been caused by religion. The religion of choice today is Islam. Catholics have been at blame before, as well Jews have suffered for no reason.. Religion is easily the biggest cause of war and suffering. It's just the way it is. I'm not saying all muslims are to blame, nor am I saying there are no muslims to blame. What about the comics that caused world-wide protesting? I don't go out and burn embassies because someone from their country made fun of catholicism.

Of course Islam itself isn't to blame. Neither was Catholicism during the crusades or inquisition. However, it was a major factor. You can argue if you want, but the fact is clear for the eye to see..

I think that people, countries, cultures will fight with each other for many different reasons, but most cultures have a religion that is accepted and use that as a mask or an excuse when they fight, whether it be for power, security, sovereignty, anything. The root for the conflict does not dwell in religion, but religion does make problems worse and complicates things.

[lifemagic]

I generally understand that the long history of Islamic tolerance of 'other' religions are the 'book' religions of Judaism and Christianity based on the bible. Islam, I believe, has a long history of attacking Buddhism, especially in Central Asia and modern day Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[Mustardseed]

Most Religious scholars agree that it was only when Muhammad (pbuh) was weak and persecuted himself  that he spared the Jews and Christians. After his final rise to power he killed and tortured thousands, in order to spread his religion.

Most Muslims in the west obviously are not too open about these things but instead try to justify his actions in various ways away. Many in the Umma, (= Muslims living outside a Muslim country) actually believe that Islam is a peaceful religion, in my opinion they are ignorant of their own Holy book and past history, but the leaders of Islam, those who KNOW, for the most part, are adamant and will not rest till the world is Muslim. In Islam, the spreading the faith by physical conquest is accepted.

After this expected conquest they hope to establish Sharia law and it will then be punishable by death to leave Islam.

I have asked about and brought these issues to the attention of several Muslims here, in order to have a candid discussion, but they have started as of late to ignore my posts, so since they chose so, I suppose they are, by a lack of arguments, forced to agree with these observations.

Regards Mustardseed

[Sharpe]

I don't know if I'm late for this topic.
But hear this: It's not what's written in the quran that makes the rules.
It's the culture of the muslims, it's obvious the quran was written by men, and not women.
Even god can't be that of an moron towards women (unless he split up with mrs. God and got angry around 1600's  ).

Anyway, just keep on suicide bombing people please (2 for 1!!!), we suffer from overpopulation, I seriously hope you guys invade China and give an oppertunity for US to strike China and whipe it off the map.
Which would give Japan the oppertunity to attack US and whipe that off the map, so we European's can attack Japan and the rest of asia.
Less people = more space!
LEBENSRAUM!!!