Reference Video Links:
God's Muslim Warriors: Iran: Christiane Amanpour travels to Iran, the country where America first experienced Islamic fundamentalism in 1979.
God's Muslim Warriors: Sayyid Qutb: Christine Amanpour explores the influence of Egyptian author Sayyid Qutb who has inspired the likes of Osama bin Laden.
Note that there are still some misconceptions about the differences in some aspects of Islam and Christianity. Even amongst the Muslims. The 'love of martyrdom ' which Muslims are singled out for appears in Christianity as well, such as with Anders Breivik who is now martyring himself to the jail system (the most punishment you can receive under Norwegian Law!) to make a stand for his particular right-wing beliefs.
Muslims are allowed to fight in self-defense. In fact they are allowed to fight bitterly in self-defense. But they are not allowed to attack people without justifiable reasons that includes evidence. So the question is, why are the Muslim Fundamentalists (with terrorist offshoot groups) angry at the west...
On The O'Reilly Show on National Security and Terrorism...
In Detail: Islamic radicals attack the US for having military bases in the Holy Land AND the CIA's covert activities which have thoroughly documented by western news media and is outlined here. There has never been any religious attack from a Muslim for the United States people's 'freedom'. This is true. The stated reason by Al-Qaeda for attacking the United States is the military bases in the Holy Land (Saudi Arabia) and the support of tyrannical regimes in the middle east. With the Arab Spring one reason is beginning to dissolve the other reason would dissolve with Ron Paul's Presidency as he would remove all bases saving a ton of money and there would be non of the nonsense that Al-Qaeda is attacking America's because of their 'freedom' or 'way of life' - that never was, and still isn't, a stated purpose of the terrorists. It was a Bush Administration slogan, which was incorrect as many other statements (see above) Every normal analysis begins with the knowledge of America's history in the middle east and actual grieviences about ACTIONS taken in the middle eastern countries... this is the source of terrorism as Ron Paul obviously realizes (or he has done some general reading on the topic over the years)...
(Note: Ron Paul also makes a comparison of how it would feel if China invaded US - a method even professionals use to encourage empathy and understanding)
A quick look at the types of illegal and covert wars the United States Government has been involved in (which in turn creates problems for Israel and almost all of these actions seem to inevitably lead to war)...
1. Lt. Col. Daniel Davis: Commanders Sending False Impressions of Afghan War: - Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis recently criticized top military brass, including retired Gen. David Petraeus, saying they have misled Congress and the American people about progress in the war in Afghanistan. Margaret Warner speaks with Davis about his whistleblowing, why he went public and what his future may hold in the military.
2. Confessions of an Iraq War Whistleblower: The State Department fired me for telling the truth about US failures in Iraq. Here's why I don't regret it. What I saw while serving the State Department at a forward operating base in Iraq was, however, different. There, the space between what we were doing (the eye-watering waste and mismanagement) and what we were saying (the endless claims of success and progress) was filled with numb soldiers and devastated Iraqis, not scaredy-cat bureaucrats. That was too much for even a well-seasoned cubicle warrior like me to ignore, and so I wrote a book about it, We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the War for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People. I was on the spot to see it all happen, leading two Provincial Reconstruction Teams in rural Iraq while taking part up close and personal in what the US government was doing to, not for, Iraqis. Originally, I imagined that my book's subtitle would be "Lessons for Afghanistan," since I was hoping the same mistakes would not be endlessly repeated there. Sometimes being right doesn't solve a damn thing.
3. Petraeus and the signature of U.S. terror: The CIA pressures Obama to step up indiscriminate attacks in Yemen
4. The GOP's CIA's "War On Yemen"
5. Enemies of The Constitution?
6. From PBS: Timeline | The Decade-Long Covert War Against Iran
8. In declassified document, CIA acknowledges role in '53 Iran coup
One of the ways in which conflict is caused is through the use of USAID...
[Notes are in bold] 1. Ron Paul - 'For me this is taking money from poor people and giving it to rich people and it becomes a weapon of war'
That aid often goes to war lords, dictators or politicians is well known (i.e. the rich of that area). That it often contributes to regional instability is less known publicly but is well known otherwise: Rather, in countries ravaged by both humanitarian catastrophe and civil war, international aid may inflame or prolong the conflict. In a devastated country with no other income, the money spent by aid organisations in rent, per diem payments, taxes to governments or rebel warlords, bodyguards, gasoline, bars, whores and restaurants turns the "aid industry, supposedly neutral and unbiased, into a potentially lethal force the belligerents need to enlist". Even food becomes "a form of arms delivery". Polman gives a case of international NGOs (non-governmental organisations) paying warlords a tax on each child they vaccinate.
2. I would cut all foreign aid, I would treat everyone equally. Giving more aid to one nation and less aid to another can cause jealousy and even create suspicions of favoritism which would make attempts at diplomacy during a crisis difficult (unless more aid is given... it's a vicious cycle) We know its OK to treat siblings unequally but fairly. however, the US is not the parent to any other country nor should it assume such responsibilities (as being a 'world policeman' suggests, with 900 bases in 150 countries).
3. Issue of cutting aid to Israel Israel would be better off without US aid anyways. Full explanation is here.
4. Would you condone Ronald Reagan's tactics of negotiating for hostages (The not 'Soverign nation argument for negotiations', if accepted, does apply to Palestine as Israel was given statehood through the UN but Palestine wasn't, technically, accept it or not, Palestine is a 'state'.)
Among the most pressing foreign affairs problems facing the U.S. during Reagan's tenure was the activity of various rogue terrorist organizations. In 1980, Reagan campaigned on a pledge to take a firm stand on terrorism. Under his watch, he promised, the U.S. would never negotiate with terrorists. During Reagan's eight years in office hundreds of Americans, including 241 Marines stationed in Beirut, were killed by terrorist acts. Particularly troubling to Reagan was the plight of several U.S. citizens who had been kidnapped and tortured by Muslim extremists in Lebanon. In an effort to win release of the hostages, Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, along with members of the National Security Council and the CIA, sold weapons to Iran. Iran, at the time engaged in a war with Iraq and considered a terrorist nation by the U.S., was believed to have influence with the hostage-takers. The Iranians were overcharged for the weapons, and North then funneled the extra proceeds from the arms sale to the contras in Nicaragua. The operation resulted in several direct violations of stated U.S. policy and congressional mandate.
5. Ron Paul distinguishes between 'suspects' and 'terrorists' This is because... Rand Paul remains committed to his belief that prisoners deserve trials and disposition not indefinite detention. His stance remained unchanged even with political support for extra-judicial killings involving Muslim US Citizens.
PDF Documents (i.e. reasons for ordinary citizens of a country of humans to be angry):
Islam allows religions to exist as long as taxes as paid, most notably displayed by the much reviled Ottoman Turks (reviled by Christians). The Ottoman empire didn't discriminate on religion thus people were allowed to live in peace with their beliefs (though I'm sure they were mean to people for other reasons).
The reason why Islam is supposed to be more tolerant than Christianity is simply because the Muslims have been told, "There is no compulsion in religion" (2:256)
The problems in the Muslim regions stem from their history (not covered in western media, so I'll get to it later), lack of literacy and economic disparity. Another problem, addressed here, is that in reaction to Christianity's increase in prostylization there has been a Muslim backlash (to a very small extent, i.e. comparatively).
So, now, many Muslims actually believe it is their duty to go out and 'convert' when in reality it is their duty to learn and then teach
('the knowledge of Allah').
The following illustrates this dichotomy:
The above image is a common theme among believers of all faiths who are insecure or illiterate and misled.
What's wrong with the above image/points:
1. There is a vacuum in space, so no sound can reach the moon from here.
2. For there to be lights only in two places in Arabia there would have to be a worldwide blackout (we would have heard about it) - This is what the earth looks like at night...
Note: Seeking to convert others, or being desirous of converting others, is a missionary attitude not a Muslim one... i.e. "There is no compulsion in religion" (Quran 2:256)
Related Quranic verses encouraging religious tolerance:
Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 48 states:
If Allah so willed, he would have made you a single People, but his plan is to test each of you separately, in what He has given to each of you: so strive in all virtues as in you are in a race. The goal of all of you is to Allah. It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute. (The Quran 5:48)
Surah Al-Ankabut verse 46 states:
And dispute not with the People of the Book, except with means better than mere disputation, unless I be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury, but say to them: "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our God and your God is one; and it is to Him that we bow." (The Quran 29:46)
We tend to notice differences more than similarities when encountering other races or cultures. Yet we(the human race) have more in common than most people realize. A citizen of any country wants economic prosperity, peaceful conditions to live and raise a family, entertainment, freedom of choice and so on.
Governments come and go but the basic morality and compassion of the people remain the same through out the ages. Unless acted upon by an outside force. Be it invasion, famine, propaganda, despotism or revolution.
Guidance from The Holy Quran: The golden rule, kindness, mercy, compassion...
Those who act kindly in this world will have kindness.
Islam. Qur'an 39.10
God enjoins justice, kindness, and charity to one's kindred, and forbids indecency, abomination, and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.
Islam. Qur'an 16.90
If you efface and overlook and forgive, then lo! God is forgiving, merciful.
Islam. Qur'an 64.14
Happy is the person who finds fault with himself instead of finding fault with others.
Islam. Hadith
Let there be no compulsion in religion
Islam Qur'an 2:256
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
If you efface and overlook and forgive, then lo! God is forgiving, merciful.
Islam. Qur'an 64.14
Better and more rewarding is God's reward to those who believe and put their trust in Him: who avoid gross sins and indecencies and, when angered, are willing to forgive... Let evil be rewarded by like evil, but he who forgives and seeks reconciliation shall be rewarded by God. He does not love the wrongdoers.... True constancy lies in forgiveness and patient forbearance.
Islam. Qur'an 42.36-43
On Honesty:
O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it concerns rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts of your hearts lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do.
Islam. Qur'an 4.135
Related:
Stuff On Christianity From CNN, Magazines, C.S. Lewis & A Couple Of Preachers
{Reprint} God's Jewish Warriors & The Future Of Israel
Introducing The Death Planes (The Drone War)
Recent Discovery By Me:
Surah CIX
The Disbelievers
In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful
1. Say: O disbelievers!
2. I worship not that which ye worship;
3. Nor worship ye that which I worship.
4. And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.
In this early Meccan revelation it is very clear that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) didn't seek violence even against idolatorers as the reference here is to the anger the idolators of early Mecca felt towards the early Muslims. It wasn't till after a several year war of attempted Murder and Genocide of the newly converted Muslims by the early Meccans that destroying the Idols in Mecca became policy. Until the attacks the Muslim approach was one of peace. i.e. 'you're religion to you and my religion to me, lets live in peace'. In other words, there is precedent for destroying idols of cultures at war with Muslims. Not sure if the recent destruction of the huge Buddha Statues in Afghanistan (in the last decade - where no Buddhists seem to live & so they can't be attacking Muslims) can qualify as 'in line with Islam' as this Quranic Verse (above) makes clear that religious tolerance is the norm for a practicing Muslim.
Moment Of Zen On Religious Tolerance Of Modern Day Muslims
CNN - Pakistan group protects churches:
(i.e. ALL the 'Muslim rage & anger' is because of foreign policy decisions, such as killing children on the off chance they might get a terrorist, which no human can tolerate.)
It's obvious that even the anger, except for a few individuals in a nation on millions, from the drone strikes in Pakistan DOES NOT reflect on Pakistani Christians. If you want to learn religions tolerance you are better off learning from Pakistani's than the Mormons of Fox News.
Related:
GOP's "Hypnosis" - Guilt By Association Is Thier Main Measure Of Guilt For Discrimination
GOP's "Hypnosis" - Using Authority & Fear To Frame REAL Muslims
GOP's "Hypnosis" - Is Fox News Promoting Christianity OR Mormonism?
Notes:
On Women's Rights - Video Located here = http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/category/gods-warriors/
Video Link:
Overview of minimum women's rights in Islam
i.e. while rape was practically endorsed in the Old Testament - i.e. “If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives” (Deuteronomy 22:28–29) - and society was probably accepting rape as normal or the woman's fault as they did in that Indian village council (Todd Akin is saying the same thing with his "legitimate rape" argument, which is part of the GOP platform - In Islam a minimum was set for women's rights with the admonition to be kind, to do no harm (unless attacked - literally) and do have mercy and compassion. That's why modern Muslims in the middle class either give more to thier daughters (dowry) or an equal share as thier sons as what's recommended in the Quran is the bare minimum below which society is not allowed to fall. That is not the case in the GOP is the US (my former home) -
Islam On Rape:
"Those who act kindly in this world will have kindness." Qur'an 39.10
Hadith: “One day (at the time of the Prophet) a woman left her house to go and pray at the Mosque. On her way she was met by a man who forced her to have sexual intercourse. The woman screamed while the man raped her. After he raped her the man ran away. A group of men (who accompanied the Prophet on his flight form Mecca to Medina) passed by the girl and she said to them (pointing in the direction of the man running) “that man just raped me”. They then ran after him and caught him and when face to face with the woman she said “yes that was the person”. They went to the Prophet and the man said “Yes Prophet it was me who did this”. The Prophet said to the girl “go now, God has already pardoned you”. The Prophet then said to the man (while appreciating his confession) “stone him”. He then said “Actually, he has already learnt his lesson and if someone learns their lesson all the people of Median will understand”.Ibn al-Atsir, Jami al-Ushul, IV/270, no 1823
Hadith: During the time of the Prophet (saw) punishment was inflicted on the rapist on the solitary evidence of the woman who was raped by him. Wa'il ibn Hujr reports of an incident when a woman was raped. Later, when some people came by, she identified and accused the man of raping her. They seized him and brought him to Allah's messenger, who said to the woman, "Go away, for Allâh has forgiven you," but of the man who had raped her, he said, "Stone him to death." (Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)
Sûrah al Baqarah 2.223
'Your wives are your tilth; go then unto your tilth as you may desire, but first provide something for your souls*, and remain conscious of God, and know that your are destined to meet Him...'
* Note in Muhammad Asad's translation: 'a spiritual relationship between man and woman is postulated as the indispensable basis of sexual relations.'
Sûrah ar Rum 30.21
"And among His wonders is this: He creates for you mates out of your own kind, so that your might incline towards then, and He engenders love and tenderness between you: in this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think!
Sûrah al Baqarah 2.187
"... They are as a garment for you, and you are as a garment for them."
Sûrah al Nisa 4.19
"... And consort with your wives in a goodly manner, for if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something which God might yet make a source of abundant good."
Sûrah an Nâs 4.119
'O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will...'
Sûrah al An'am 6.120
”Abandon all harm (ithm), whether committed openly or in secret.”
(Check Sûrah al A`raf 7:33)
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