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July 09, 2005
Some quotes from the Koran on violence against infidels...
Sura 4-89: “They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): but take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks…”
Sura 9-29: “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.”
Sura 22-9: “As for the unbelievers for them garments of fire shall be cut and there shall be poured over their heads boiling water whereby whatever is in their bowels and skins shall be dissolved and they will be punished with hooked iron rods.”
Sura 47-4: “When you meet the unbelievers, strike off their heads; then when you have made wide slaughter among them, carefully tie up the remaining captives”
A vast majority of Muslims regard the Koran (the source of these quotes) as the Word of God. The word is fixed, immutable, and cannot be changed by man. The Koran is what it is. No discussion of the text as a human work which shows cultural influences and evolves over time is allowed. Show me comparable passages in the teachings of the Buddha, or of Jesus, or Confucius. You can not.
BTW: Moslems argue not over the words but the meaning. Translations are done and since none are "offical" (all translation of the Koran are officially considered inaccurate) the meaning in English has some variations. I've read one Moslem scholar argue that all these passages are not to be interperted literally. Yes, they will say the Koran does contain these passages but either (a) these commands are not to be taken litterally or (b) the words don't mean what they used to mean. Personally, I don't buy that theory.
Islam is the most violent major religion.
Posted by rakhier at July 9, 2005 01:41 PM