Why Muslims Cannot Depend on Reasoned Arguments?

Submitted by Ico Ucé (United States), Jun 14, 2008 at 19:22

It is extremely telling that the only responders I see quoting the Koran or other Muslim holy books, in this or in any other forum on the subject which I have visited, are non-Muslims. I have yet to encounter a Muslim who will engage in theological debate on the issues we Westerners "misunderstand" or "misinterpret" about Islam.

Commentator 4 Largely posted several Koranic quotes reproduced below for your convenience. Not one commentator identifying themselves as Muslim has responded on the theological merits of the criticism. It appears to me that the Muslim criticism that non-Muslims simply have an insufficient theological understanding of Islam is a case of the kettle calling the pot black.

As is the case with all religions containing dogma objectionable to modern moral and political sensitivities - including Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism - moderates in these religions simply ignore or are ignorant of, the objectionable nature of some edicts in their religious tradition. Only a psychopathic Christian would judge it moral to kill his son for disobedience, when he would be merely following God's word as recorded in the Bible (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

Likewise, if a Muslim deems it correct to kill a former coreligionist for the crime of changing their mind, and consequently, their religious affiliation, then they should not be surprised if the are called what they are "psychopaths". No amount of religious sanction makes immorality moral; more than once Muhammad has a rival assassinated - including for the crime of insulting him - that is not the actions of a moral man, but the actions of a politician who believes in realpolitik and has no moral compulsions about furthering his agenda by whatever means - the ends justify the mean kind of guy, certainly no pillar of morality, godly or otherwise.

Now, for the Muslims amongst you, you can choose to have a reasoned debate about whatever you may disagree with - citing sources and quotes - or you can call me names or seek to harm me in some way and thus prove my point - it's up to you. Quran 4:89: "They (infidels) desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper." Quran 8:12: "Instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers;" Quran 2:191: "... kill the disbelievers wherever we find them …" Quran 8:7: "Allah wished to confirm the truth by His words: 'Wipe the infidels out to the last.'" Quran 47:4: "Strike off the heads of the disbelievers" and, after making a "wide slaughter among them, carefully tie up the remaining captives." Quran 9:5: "When the sacred forbidden months for fighting are past, fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, torture them, and lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war." Quran 8:12: "Your Lord inspired the angels with the message: 'I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes.'"

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