Is this the religion of peace and understanding that so many people defend on here?\n\nhttp://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C19%5Cstory_19-3-2006_pg7_38
121134
LISTEN TO ME, ReILL.\n\nWhen you claim to be a member of a group and members of that group do despicable things, it is your duty to DENOUNCE the action.\n\nIf you don't do so, you condone it, and are as guilty.
199813
Study our recent U.S. history (20 years) and you will discover that more than 95% of our terrorist attacks and wars are against Muslims, and that they are the instigators of such activities.\n\nOR -\n\nStudy religion.  What are the Muslim faith doctrines ... OOPS!  "Death to all infidels!!!" (you are an infidel if you are not a muslim).\n\nNot all religions preach violence; you mentioned Christianity in your question, as I understand it christians preach peace, hope and love.\n\nOR -\n\nStudy Ancient History.  As far back as you would care to travel in time you will find the muslims at the heart of conflict from their very inception as a family, then tribe, then nation, then world religion.\n\nOR -\n\nStudy sociology.  Muslims view of life does understand that what you 'believe is true, is true' regardless of how other individuals or nations regard truth.  The driving force in Muslims lives is their religion because they clearly see that it is their belives that give meaning to life (and direction for their life choices).\n\nMeet a devote muslim and you will meet a person that has NO tolerance for anyone who does not believe exactly as they do. \n\nThis is true of very few of the 5000+ religions in the world.\n\nIn my opinion, muslims are just like you and me (hopefully), individulas that in the U.S. have the right to their thoughts and beliefs as long as they are not hurting others.  BUT therein lies the problem.\n\nThe scottish have a saying "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me."\n\nWhy are people racist . . .
177131
I'm the type of person who truly believes in people respecting the privacy of others, and in minding their own business.\n\nI, too, have read negative comments on various cultures and religions, and some of them are very cruel.  I would  prefer to learn about the activities of others, rather than go with negative thoughts about things which I have no knowledge.\n\nWhat's making it hard for people on this site, is that they are made to feel that they have to "defend themselves" from all the negative, and bigoted questions and answers.
386695
please my answer is not intended to offend you.\n\nif i slap you what reaction would you have.yes ! i got the answer.\nyou will either defend or slap me back. RIGHT.\n\nlook at it correctly and with understanding you will see that we are attacking Muslim all the time...WHY?\n\ni believe they don't want anything accept your understandings toward them.
599578
All of the great religions were brought for peace, including Islam. It is the misunderstandings of their followers that lead to war in the name of religion. The processes which cause a reevaluation of people's prejudices are speeding up lately due to the shrinking of the world with rapid communication (such as the internet) and lots of travel and migration. So, I think all religions, including Islam, are going to come to terms with one another, and it won't take as long as it did in the past. Of course, that doesn't mean it won't be a bit rocky along the way!
72737
I agree. 100%.\nIf religious people say things, we are swiftly "shut up" and our posts deleted.\nBut secularists can say almost anything and get by with it. They can offend us. They can attack our beliefs.\n\nI have found ridiculous posts on here. Vile posts. As long as it is religion under attack it appears to be accepted on here.
213773
It is not politaically correct to hate any other religion, but its socially acceptable to mock the christian faith.  People have a view of us as close minded, and arrogant.  However we follow a man who congregated with everyone from whores to tax colectors and even Romans.  They hold a belief that we are intolerant, and do nothing for our communities.  They see no truth in what we see.  \n\nAs for the people on here calling Islam a peaceful religion, lets look to their holy book for some answers since you guys are all experts on it lets see what the quran says:\n\nThis is for nonbelievers and how they should be treated.\n\n2:193, And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression\n3:28, Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah.\n4:84, Then fight in Allah's cause - Thou art held responsible only for thyself - and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.\n4:141, And never will Allah grant to the unbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers\n5:33, The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;\n8:12, I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them\n8:15-16, O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!\n8:60, 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 ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.\n8:65, O Prophet! rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers\n9:5, But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem.\n9:3, And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage, - that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.\n9:14, Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,\n9:23, O ye who believe! take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong.\n9:28, O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque.\n9:29, Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya* with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.\n9:39, Unless ye go forth, (for Jihad) He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least.\n9:73, O Prophet! Strive hard against the unbelievers and
559968
Oh, I've noticed. And not just here. It goes on all over the world. People "defending" the truth. What from? I have no clue. It looks to me as though any truth that would need someone to guard it and keep it safe is a weak truth indeed. The TRUTH should need no guardian, no protector. It should be strong enough to stand on its own, even when people deny it. It should be able to out live it's detractors. It should be true ALL the time, and not just part of the time. Hmmm ... Maybe its not the truth that they're guarding. Maybe its their own lack of faith in it, or their own lack of understanding what it really is. Maybe they're not trying to guard the truth at all. Maybe what they're guarding is their own insecurity. ;-) ~ Peace & Blessing ~
607504
Some people just feel the need to be vulgar without any real reason for it.  I have found that there isn't really a lot of religious tolerance demonstrated on this forum.  I am a Christian, I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, but I also try to respect the views and beliefs of the other religions of this forum.  Someone else on this site asked once, "why can't we just agree to disagree?"  The foul language isn't necessary.
285606
Yes, I think you are right.  When one feels that their religion is being offended they have every right to speak out and voice their opinion.  But they should always remain peaceful.
633312
Hello friend,\nBashing religions are very common these days and while I think the question you posted is not actually a question and more like a comment on religion, I would like to talk about it.\n\nWe usually forget to make difference between the religion and the follower of that religion, for example if my sister can't drive and I hand her my brand new car and she crashes it, am I supposed to blame the car company for not making a crash proof car and call it a "no good" car?\n\nIf you want to know about religions then pickup the scriptures and read them and then decide what is wrong and what is not.\n\n2nd common thing I have noticed in religion bashers is that they say "religion brought all the violence to the human kind". I say, if the religions are really this bad then name few civilizations that existed in the past which were not violent and were successful.\nI on the other hand can provide you a great list of civilizations from the past that were religious AND were successful.\n\nAs a matter of fact, the most violent time for human on this earth started right after the Darwinism which pointed directly and indirectly about human races differences are actually part of evolution where whites with blond hair and blue eyes are most superior kind of human evolution. \nNo wonder Hitler had ranches where he was "breeding" the superior humans for his army.\n\nAnother common practice I have noticed from religion bashers is they either posses no (complete) knowledge and know about only one religion and based on that, they claim all religions are evil.\nJust because one or 2 religions are nonsense doesn't grants one authority of labeling all religions. Pickup the scriptures and spend some time with them. Ask questions, find answers, counter-question those answers.\nIf one can spend 28 years to become a doctor and must follow the text in order to become a good doctor then what is wrong with picking up a book for that may help you become a better human being?\n\nI personally am a Muslim and the reason behind it that I asked questions and found answers. I have studied Bible, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Islamic scripture and then picked what I believed to be helpful for me to become a better human being for myself, the people around me and the people in this world.\n\nI hope you will open up your heart and try to understand where I am coming from.
295168
i think i understand. your right, it would seem this is supposed to be an open forum to discuss various religions openly without hosility, but some people just can't keep it friendly. debate is natural, but bashing is just silly. it would be nice to be able to learn about others beliefs with out having to weed out the slurs.
674089
The problem with this is that not everyone follows the same religion, so what one may believe or follow can be completely different from that of another.\n\nSometimes people get so irate over general questions like this because they will defend their religion to the end, which is quite fine by me. However, everyone is entitled to their own opinion/beliefs but they must also respect those of others.
549950
Muslim Man, I think it happens here all the time because people are so "anonymous" and they can post practically anything without censure. The 'Community Guidelines" are a joke. It's sad, too, because there are many people who come here for sincere dialog and curiousity, and end up being misled by those who are here just for mischief. I've been deeply disappointed in what I've seen here in this forum, and the unfortunate reality is, regardless of your beliefs, if you can't have an open and sincere dialog, then you really aren't doing your belief system any favors.
175260
No, your not.  This is suppose to be a forum of learning and understanding.  It would be a great tool to learn and understand belief systems of those that don't believe as you do.  But some, a very vocal minority, use to to try to convert those that don't believe as they do, telling them they are wrong and going to hell if they don't.  It surprises me how many narrow minded people are still left in the world.  Sites like this have a wonderful opportunity to promote understanding and learning but there are those that see it as 'their way or no way' and refuse to try to understand those that don't believe as they do or why they believe that way.  Wouldn't understanding and tolerance be a lot better for the world than attempting to convert all those that don't believe as they do?  Look around the world at what is happening in the name of religion right now, couldn't things be improved if there was more understanding and acceptance for different belief systems?  It's called an open mind and not judging but learning.  Sadly, there are those that will never do that and they wrap that all up in the name of religion.  Is it any wonder so many conflicts around the world are caused in the name of religion?  I doubt that is what 'God' had in mind for his followers...
108920
Because they cannot grasp the concept that people are different!  I guess they think the 'shock' of telling up we are going to hell might bring us back 'to the fold'.  What they DON'T realize is that <GASP> they are just solidifying our position and driving us AWAY from what they think is right.  They don't seem to be able to grasp that they are being rude and in some cases ( READ THAT BEFORE YOU FLAME I SAID SOME!) out and out ignorant about things.  They also seriously think they are being kind and nice when they are being about as lovable as a rabid pitbull who hasn't eaten for a month!  Then THEY get offended whe we question christianity!  Ergh...  The funny thing is, as a group from answers here on this site, that the most enlightened and tolerant groups are the ones outside islam or christianity.  They seem to be more tolerant and understand.  Also, or so it seems, the best read of all of them.  It does seem they are the ones that have read the tomes with an open mind of other relgions in their search for their belief.
640378
I don't think you are a middle eastern or a muslim when I read your questions.  The first thought that came into my mind was a very heavy-handed and one-sided bias.  I am glad that you are doing the necessary research to justify and re-affirm your convictions, but I somehow get the feeling that you are specifically researching to judge and condemn.  Don't get me wrong, I get what you are trying to do, I just can't seem to shake the impression of rabid.\n\nI am anti-war too, and I grew up amongst muslims; some have been my best friends and some my worst religious and cultural enemies, but I still seek out, talk to, and most importantly, listen to both sides of the conflict.\n\nAcknowledging the bad is good, but acknowledging the good is also crucial, although the most important is learning from your mistakes and rectifying it (and trying not to crow in the process).\n\nThat was a general statement, it was not directed at you specifically, if you are so inclined to take offense.\n\nMay God and His Word dictate your actions.