Islam, peace, and violence

1
Islam, peace, and violence
2
Questions

• Does Islam promote violence?
• What are some reasons for saying yes?
• What are some reasons for saying no?
• Is Islam unique, or it is like other religions?
• Yes?
• No?

3
Does Islam promote violence?

• Quran
• Difficult to put verses into context
• Need to read as a whole (not isolated verses)
• Need to put into historical context
• Written at a time of tribal warfare in Arabia
• Accepts warfare as necessary part of life
• Does put limits on how to wage war
• Do not transgress limits, for God loves not the
  transgressor (Quran)
• History
• Islam developed 600s Arabia became tool for
  unifying Arabs politically
• Developed in a violent culture actually limited
  the use of violence
• Judaism Used violence to gain land
• Christianity did not have political power for
  first 300 yrs then used violence to promote
  conversions

4
Just War in Islam

• Holy War term from Christian crusades
• Call to Christians (ca. 1100-1300) in Europe to
  reclaim possession of Palestine from Muslim
  Control
• Not an Islamic phrase
• Just War war cannot be waged for any reason,
  but must be justified by meeting certain
  criteria

5
Criteria

• Before going to war
• For what reason?
• Self-defense against aggression
• Protect others who are being victimized by an
  aggressor
• NOT to increase wealth or to convert people
  (There is no compulsion in religion, Quran)
• Who can declare war?
• Legal government or head religious authority
• During the act of war
• Who must be protected?
• Non-combatants cannot be targeted
• What kinds of force can be used?
• Should be proportionate (roughly equal) to the
  force used by the aggressor

6
Muslim disagreement today

• Is the West an aggressor?
• Osama Bin Laden, extremists Yes, the US put
  troops on Saudi soil during the 1991 Gulf War
• Moderates No, Osama provoked US response. But US
  does support Israel.
• Is Osama a competent authority to call for war?
• Most Muslims No, hes an extremist
• Was it wrong to kill people in 9/11 attacks?
• Vast majority Yes, they were innocent. Islam
  condemns the killing of innocents.
• Osama No, they are infidels and part of Western
  dominance.