Comment

Comment by Wayne Humphrey on April 6, 2011 at 10:45am

Concerning the population of Muslims in Russia, "The major religious communities include Christians, 56.3 percent; Muslims, 8.7 percent; ... Jews, Buddhist, and animists, [2.3 percent]. The non-religious population is about 32.7 percent. The Muslims are represented mainly by Turkic and Caucasus peoples" (Braswell, 1996, p. 204).

 

Additional references:

• University of Southern California Center for Jewish-Muslim Engagement http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/...
• Braswell, G. W. (1996). Islam: Its Prophet, Peoples, Politics and Power. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Comment by Wayne Humphrey on March 23, 2011 at 6:56pm

Mr. Gawlik:

 

Please support your assertion with something more than your opinion. If the statement I made is false, prove it with verifiable data, references.

 

Concerning your Russian friends, regardless the sect they belong, there is only one Quran.

 

Further, the only "political correctness" espoused in this forum is your position that a Muslim and Islam is a peaceful person and religion -- that is false. Moreover, I have provided verifiable proof in quotations of the Quran.

 

Additionally, the Hadith (a manual of sayings and insights of Muhammad) has an entire chapter devoted to jihad concerning its purpose and practice. I assure you; it's fails to paint a pretty picture for the non-believer. Likewise, this manual is rigorously adhered to by all Islamists.

 

Finally, I have written with substance. If you choose to continue writing based on feelings, supposition (true BS) rather than peer-reviewed data or references, maybe then this isn't the best place to offer an educated, credible post.

Comment by JL Gawlik on March 23, 2011 at 5:14pm

Mr. Humphrey,

 

I was responding to your comment:

 

If one reads the Quran, one will understand that there is no such thing as a radical Islamist.

 

That is a false statement in itself. And i my opinion, more BS. Or perhaps you would prefer the word Political correctness?

 

Apparently i miss read your statement on the chronological order. My Russian friends are a variation of the degree of the religion, which if you are a scholar of the religion you will know that to be true. They are from the Azerbaijan region just about Iran on the Caspian sea and they have experienced many atrocities of the religion against their own people. 

 

My apologies if i offended but will stand by my statement of BS, as there is so  much of it flying around lately and we all need to seek the truth of it all.

Comment by Wayne Humphrey on March 23, 2011 at 4:53pm

Mr. Gawlik:

 

First, you are correct, the Quran, in its bound form, is not written chronological (I had stated so in my earlier post; unfortunately, you had overlooked it); however, it was obviously written chronologically. Moreover, Dr. Gustav Weil has compiled a listing of the chronological order in which the surahs were written: First Mecca, Second Mecca, Third Mecca, and Medina. Furthermore, Dr. Weil has been academically peer-reviewed by both the University of Southern California (USC) and Penn State University (PSU) -- both have top-rated Islamic study centers.

 

Next, as for your Russian Muslim friends, yes, they may not subscribe to violence, just like the Nation of Islam here in America. Conversely, considering the distance they live from Mecca, they may not be what one might term "the truest of believers."

 

When you read the Quran in the chronological order it was written, one finds that Muhammad's tone changed from one of love and compassion to one of ill-will, anger, and domination.

 

In addition, if one has been to the Gulf State region -- Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, etc... -- one would realize, the closer you get to Mecca, the more true-hearted the believers are, and they do most assuredly subscribe to violence against non-believers. Again, this may be reason why your Russian friends lack the purity of those found within the center of the Islamic region in and around both Mecca and Medina.

 

As well, if you are educated, you would know to use a greater sample size than "your Russian friends" to hypothesize that Muslims are not violent.

 

Lastly, I both speak and write intelligently; therefore, I would expect the same in kind, so in the future, please refrain from remarks like "BS."

 

Reference sources:

http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/private/cmje/religious_text...

http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/koran/Koran.pdf

http://thriceholy.net/Texts/Rodwell_Koran.html

Comment by JL Gawlik on March 21, 2011 at 12:06pm

Here is a url that should make you happy, Wayne that Carla posted on Billie's Libya Petition:Do your part post at: http://www.fctpcommunity.org/profiles/blogs/libya-petition-do-your-...

 

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=194989

Comment by JL Gawlik on March 20, 2011 at 7:35pm

Wayne, i have read the Qu'ran and it is very disorganized in content. There is a very open view that is very varied. Where you get the idea that it is so orderly is beyond me. Speak to many of the Russian Muslims they will tell you their teachings. There is so much conflict in the writings of Muhammad, there is NO chronological order. 

 

The whole statement of: "As one can see, there is no such thing as a radical Muslim. If one is Muslim, then one is called, mandated to fight for Islam in the way of the Quran."

 

I have met Russian Muslims who do NOT subscribe to the above. They are very peaceful Muslims.

 

There is such thing as a Radical Muslim who believes in "ALLAH AKBAR!!!" go figure that one and C.A.I.R. is heavily involved up to their ears as well as many Arabic countries and their teachings... just ask what atmosphere created Osama Bin Laden? And many more like him? Re: the leadership of IRAN.

 

Wayne what you are stating is pure BS. Political Correctness at it's worst. Open your eyes...

Comment by Wayne Humphrey on March 20, 2011 at 6:35pm

If one reads the Quran, one will understand that there is no such thing as a radical Islamist.

 

When speaking of radicals, one is referring to those who support or are actively involved in jihad -- killing or subduing all who are not Muslim. Unfortunately, that is truly not the case.

 

To understand, one must first know the composition of the Quran.

 

First, concerning the Quran, it was written from the largest chapter, surah, to the smallest, not chronologically.

 

Next, if there's a conflict between something written earlier verses something written later, then the latest written take precedence, canceling out what was previously written. Hence, one must ascertain when the individual chapters were written to accertain what the current precedent is.

 

From the Quran, the last chapters written, in chronological order, concerning jihad:

• “Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things.” (2:244)
•  “…When the forbidden months [Ramadhan] are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an [sic] seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)….” (9:5)
• “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 – tax –with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (9:29)
• “And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham.” (22:78)
• “And verily those who believe not in the Hereafter are deviating from that Way. If We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering in distraction to and fro. We inflicted Punishment on them, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor do they submissively entreat (Him)! Until We open on them a gate leading to a severe Punishment: then Lo! they will be plunged in despair therein!” (23:74-77)
• “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks [i.e., cut of their heads]; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah’s Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.” (47:4)
• “Only those are Believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings and their persons in the Cause of Allah: Such are the sincere ones.” (49:15)

As one can see, there is no such thing as a radical Muslim. If one is Muslim, then one is called, mandated to fight for Islam in the way of the Quran.

 

Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an: New Edition with Revised Translation and Commentary. Brentwood, MD: Amana Corporation, 1989.

Comment by JL Gawlik on March 20, 2011 at 10:58am

Rick, I read that story yesterday and was very bothered by it. Franklin Graham and his father both have always been very open and honest with their feelings.

 

Again actions speak a lot louder than words. People need to start observing carefully and come to their own conclusions, the evidence is all around us.