Is it a religion of violence

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Islam

• Is it a religion of violence?

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Introduction

• Over the past week, Muslims have been angered by
  a reading of a 13th century manuscript in which
  Emperor Manuel II said
• "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new,
  and there you will find things only evil and
  inhuman, such as his command to spread by the
  sword the faith he preached"
• The Muslim reaction violence
• Protests, firebombing, and at least one murder
• Why?

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Introduction

• The Washington Post, September 16, 2006
• The criticism of the pope's remarks was often
  twofold at the reference of the prophet
  Muhammad's legacy as "evil and inhuman" and at
  the idea that Islam was spread by the sword. Much
  of the conversion that followed the prophet's
  life in the 7th century was a gradual,
  centuries-long process that left a remarkable
  degree of diversity -- albeit faded -- in parts
  of the Muslim world.
• Is Islam a peaceful religion being twisted by
  radicals?

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The Islamic arguments

• Terrorists are extremists who misapply the Quran
  to accomplish their own aims
• Islam is about peace
• Militants confuse literal and symbolic passages

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Figurative, Symbolic or Literal

• Even in Bible study, some are confused
• The determination is made on the immediate
  context and the overall aim of the work
• Some argue that Christianity is violent
• 1 Tim 612
• Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
  eternal life, to which you were also called and
  have confessed the good confession in the
  presence of many witnesses.
• Was Paul advocating violence?

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1 Tim 612 in context

• The immediate context
• Flee materialism 1 Tim 69-10
• Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
  perseverance and gentleness 1 Tim 611
• Make a good confession 1 Tim 612-13
• Pauls fight was spiritual 2 Tim 47
• 2 Cor 103-5
• Eph 610-17
• Jesus fight was spiritual Luke 951-56
• Is Islam also being misunderstood?

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A brief history of Islam

• Early in the 600s AD, Mohammed proclaimed he was
  the last prophet and the Quran (Koran) was the
  final revelation from God
• He and his followers were forced out of Mecca
• In Medina, he was given supreme authority
• He began a long, bloody war with Mecca
• Eventually he won, slaughtered his strongest
  opponents and exiled the rest
• By 630 AD, he was the most powerful military
  leader among the Arabs

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A brief history of Islam

• Mohammed died in 632 AD after conquering most of
  Arabia with war
• His first successor finished conquering Arabia by
  634 AD and died
• His second successor waged war and conquered
  Mesopotamia, Persia, Syria, and Egypt by 644 AD
• This was NOT a spreading by teaching, but of
  military conquest

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A brief history of Islam
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A brief history of Islam

• The only things that prevented Islam from
  conquering Europe were
• The heavily fortified city of Byzantium
  (Constantinople or Istanbul) which held out for
  700 years against repeated assaults
• The efforts of Charles Martel (father of
  Charlemagne) who rallied France to fight them in
  the Pyrenees Mountains
• His sons Holy Roman Empire continued to hold
  them at bay
• I firmly believe the hand of God in both
  situations kept Christianity safe

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Is Islam peaceful?

• Remember the Washington Post article?
• The Washington Post, September 16, 2006
• The criticism of the pope's remarks was often
  twofold at the reference of the prophet
  Muhammad's legacy as "evil and inhuman" and at
  the idea that Islam was spread by the sword. Much
  of the conversion that followed the prophet's
  life in the 7th century was a gradual,
  centuries-long process that left a remarkable
  degree of diversity -- albeit faded -- in parts
  of the Muslim world.
• History doesnt match what Islam claims to be its
  history

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Misguided or Faithful?

• Some claim the militants, terrorists and
  extremists are misguided and have misunderstood
  the Quran
• The extremists claim they are faithful to the
  Quran
• Who is right?
• We can see the extremists are following the
  methods of Mohammed
• They are following the history of Islam
• But what does the Quran say?

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Islam is the only accepted religion

• Surely the true religion with Allah is Islam
  Quran 318
• And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it
  will not be accepted from him, and in the
  Hereafter he will be one of the losers Quran 384

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Violence is allowed when Islam is resisted

• And fight them until there is no persecution and
  religion is only for Allah. But if they desist,
  then there should be no hostility except against
  the oppressors - Quran 2192

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Fighting is to be done in self-defense or defense
of Islam

• And fight in the way of Allah against those who
  fight against you but be not aggressive. Surely
  Allah loves not the aggressors. - Quran 2190
• What about context? Is this physical or
  spiritual?

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Quran 2190-194

• And fight in the way of Allah against those who
  fight against you but be not aggressive. Surely
  Allah loves not the aggressors. And kill them
  wherever you find them, and drive them out from
  where they drove you out, and persecution is
  worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at
  the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in
  it so if they fight you in it, slay them. Such
  is the recompense of the disbelievers. But if
  they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving,
  Merciful. And fight them until there is no
  persecution, and religion is only for Allah. But
  if they desist, then there should be no hostility
  except against the oppressors. The sacred month
  for the sacred month, and retaliation is allowed
  in sacred things. Whoever then acts aggressively
  against you, inflict injury on him according to
  the injury he has inflicted on you and keep your
  duty to Allah and know that Allah is with those
  who keep their duty.

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Quram 2217-218

• They ask thee concerning fighting in the
  Prohibited Month. Say "Fighting therein is a
  grave offense But graver is it in the sight of
  Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to
  deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque,
  and drive out its members. Tumult and oppression
  are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease
  fighting you until they turn you back from your
  faith if they can. And if any of you turn back
  from their faith and die in unbelief, their works
  will bear no fruit in this life and in the
  Hereafter they will be companions of the fire
  and will abide therein.
• Evangelism is aggression justifying killing

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Only Islamic governments are recognized

• O you who have been given the Book, believe in
  what We have revealed, verifying that which you
  have, before We destroy the leaders and turn them
  on their backs, or curse them as We cursed the
  Sabbath-breakers. And the command of Allah is
  every executed. Surely Allah forgives not that a
  partner should be set up with Him, and forgives
  all besides that to whom He pleases. And whoever
  sets up a partner with Allah, he devises indeed a
  great sin. - Quran 247-48

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Belief in the Godhead is considered blasphemy

• O People of the Book, exceed not the limits in
  your religion nor speak anything about Allah, but
  the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is
  only a messenger of Allah and His word which He
  communicated to Mary and a mercy from Him. So
  believe in Allah and His messengers. And say not,
  Three. Desist, it is better for you. Allah is
  only one God. Far be it from His glory to have a
  son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens
  and whatever is in the earth. And sufficient is
  Allah as having charge of affairs. - Quran 4171
• Certainly they disbelieve who say Allah, He is
  the Messiah, son of Mary. And the Messiah said O
  Children of Israel, serve Allah, my Lord and your
  Lord. Surely whoever associates others with
  Allah, Allah has forbidden to him the Garden and
  his abode is the Fire. And for the wrongdoers
  there will be no helpers. Certainly they
  disbelieve who say Allah is the third of the
  three. And there is no God but One God. And if
  they desist not from what they say, a painful
  chastisement will surely befall such of them as
  disbelieve ... The Messiah, son of Mary, was only
  a messenger messengers before him had indeed
  passed away. - Quran 572-75
• In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the
  Merciful. Say He, Allah, is One. Allah is He on
  Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He
  begotten and none is like Him. - Quran 112 1-4

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Terrorism is promoted for false religions, such
as Christianity when they insist on the trinity.

• We will cast terror into the hearts of those who
  disbelieve because they set up with Allah that
  for which He has sent down no authority, and
  their abode is the Fire. And evil is the abode of
  the wrongdoers. - Quran 3150

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Militancy in Islam

• O you who believe, take your precautions, then go
  forth in detachments or go forth in a body. ...
  So let those fight in the way of Allah who sell
  this worlds life for the Hereafter. And whoever
  fights in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he
  victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.
  And what reason have you not to fight in the way
  of Allah, and of the weak among the men and the
  women and the children, who say Our Lord, take
  us out of this town, whose people are oppressors,
  and grant us from Thee a friend, and grant us
  from Thee a helper! Those who believe fight in
  the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight
  in the way of the devil. So fight against the
  friends of the devil surely the struggle of the
  devil is ever weak. Hast thou not seen those to
  whom it was said Withhold your hands and keep up
  prayer and pay the poor-rate. But when fighting
  is prescribed for them, lo! A party of them fear
  men as they ought to fear Allah, or with a
  greater fear, and say Our Lord, why hast Thou
  ordained fighting for us? Wouldst Thou not grant
  us respite to a near term? Say The enjoyment of
  this world is short, and the Hereafter is better
  for him who keeps his duty. And you shall not be
  wronged a whit. Wherever you are, death will
  overtake you, though you are in towers, raised
  high. And if good befalls them, they say This is
  from Allah and if a misfortune befalls them,
  they say This is from thee. Say All is from
  Allah. But what is the matter with these people
  that they make no effort to understand anything.
  - Quran 471, 74-78

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Militancy in Islam

• Fight then in Allahs way thou art not
  responsible except for thyself and urge on the
  believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the
  fighting for those who disbelieve. And Allah is
  stronger in prowess and stronger to give
  exemplary punishment. - Quran 484
• O you who believe, fight those of the
  disbelievers who are near to you and let them
  find firmness in you. And know that Allah is with
  those who keep their duty. - Quran 9123
• Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in
  ranks, as if they were a solid wall. - Quran 614

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Fighting is advocated against Jews and Christians

• Fight those who believe not in Allah, nor in the
  Last Day, nor forbid that which Allah and His
  messenger have forbidden, nor follow the Religion
  of Truth, out of those who have been given the
  Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of
  superiority and they are in a state of
  subjection. And the Jews say Ezra is the son of
  Allah and the Christians say The Messiah is the
  son of Allah. These are the words of their
  mouths. They imitate the saying of those who
  disbelieve before. Allahs curse be on them! How
  they are turned away! - Quran 929-30

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Islam denies that Jesus was crucified

• And for their disbelief and for their uttering
  against Mary a grievous calumny And for their
  saying We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of
  Mary, the messenger of Allah, and they killed him
  not, nor did they cause his death on the cross,
  but he was mad to appear to them as such. And
  certainly those who differ therein are in doubt
  about it. They have no knowledge about it, but
  only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not
  for certain - Quran 4156-157

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Death in battle is rewarded

• And if you are slain in Allahs way or you die,
  surely Allahs protection and His mercy are
  better than what they amass. and if you die or
  you are slain, to Allah you are gathered. -
  Quran 3156-157

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Death in battle is rewarded

• And think not of those who are killed in Allahs
  way as dead. Nay, they are alive being provided
  sustenance from their Lord, Rejoicing in what
  Allah has given them out of His grace, and they
  rejoice for the sake of those who being left
  behind them, have not yet joined them, that they
  have no fear, nor shall they grieve. They rejoice
  for Allahs favor and His grace, and that Allah
  wastes not the reward of the believers. - Quran
  3168-170

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Death in battle is rewarded

• So their Lord accepted their prayer, saying I
  will not suffer the work of any worker among you
  to be lost whether male or female, the one of you
  bring from the other. So those who fled and were
  driven forth from their homes and persecuted in
  My way and who fought and were slain, I shall
  truly remove their evil and make them enter
  Gardens wherein flow rivers a reward from
  Allah. And with Allah is the best reward. -
  Quran 3194

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Suicidal Battle Commended

• Do you think that you will enter the Garden while
  Allah has not yet known those from among you who
  strive hard nor known the steadfast? And
  certainly you desired death before you met it. So
  indeed you have seen it now while you look at it.
  And Muhammad is but a messenger messengers have
  already passed away before him. If then he dies
  or is killed, will you turn back upon your heels?
  And he who turns back upon his heels will do no
  harm at all to Allah. And Allah will reward the
  grateful. And no soul can die but with Allahs
  permission the term is fixed. And whoever
  desires the reward of this world, We give him of
  it, and whoever desires the reward of the
  Hereafter, We give him of it. And We shall reward
  the grateful. And how many a prophet has fought,
  with whom were many worshipers of the Lord. So
  they did not lose heart on account of that which
  befell them in Allahs way, nor did they weaken,
  nor did they abase themselves. And Allah loves
  the steadfast. And their cry was only that they
  said Our Lord, grant us protection form our sins
  and our extravagance in our affair, and make firm
  our feet and grant us victory over the
  disbelieving people. So Allah gave them the
  reward of the world and a good reward of the
  Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good. -
  Quran 3141-147

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Is Islam a peaceful religion?

• Its origin says NO
• Its founder says NO
• Its history says NO
• Its religious document says NO
• Its present practices say NO
• Extremists, militants, and terrorists are not
  twisting Islam, they are true Muslims (one who
  submits) following Islam (submission)

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ConclusionWhich is from God?

• Islam a religion of violence and conquest, or
• Christianity
• Matthew 2237-40
• Matthew 543-48
• Matthew 712
• Romans 1214-21
• The answer is clear

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