by John DeGroff
Clash Daily Guest Contributor
Okay, here’s your fifty cent word for the day-reciprocity. According to my copy of the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10th Edition), it means:
1. The quality or state of being reciprocal: mutual dependence, action, or influence. 2. A mutual exchange of privileges; specifically: a recognition by one or two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other.
So, by any stretch of the imagination, does this apply to Islam, particularly the second part?
We keep hearing from Islam’s apologists that “…the majority of the world’s Muslims are peaceful.” If so, why aren’t the peace loving Muslims rising up and demanding that all who adhere to the teachings of the Quran prove their peaceful intent?
It’s because they can’t. Forget this B. S. about the “religion of peace.” Islam, so called moderate or otherwise, is by its very nature and inception based on violence.
The very word “Islam” comes from an Arabic word meaning “submission”; which in turn is derived from a word meaning “peace.” Now, stay with me here. Here is the logic and the theological basis for the phrase “religion of peace”. Anytime a Muslim uses the word “peace”, he is not giving it the meaning that Western cultures gives it. Peace, in Islam, refers to Dar Al-Islam, meaning land of peace. In the religious context, the only “peace” is found through complete submission to Allah. Complete submission does not allow for “a mutual exchange of privileges.”
Throughout the Quran, the total lack of reciprocity and propensity for violence is preached. There are over 100 verses that tell a Muslim how to treat infidels, or non-believers. Here are just a few.
Quran (2:191-193): “And slay them wherever you find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out…fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah.”
Quran (3:56): “As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world.”
In Quran 4:74, the theological basis for suicide bombers is found: “Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a just reward.“ Couple this with Quran 4:95: “But those who strive and fight hath he distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.”
Quran (8:12): “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.” (Gee…this is sure spiritual in nature.)
In reference to Christians and Jews, or “people of the book” in Islam, Quran 9:29 says this:“Fight those who believe not in Allah nor…acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if they are) People Of The Book, until they pay the Jizya [tax] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”
In the Hadith, a collection of traditions containing the sayings of Mohammad, we find this: Tubari (9:69) “Killing unbelievers is a small matter to us.”
None of this sounds moderate, reciprocal, or peaceful, does it? You cannot escape the fact that the so-called “religion of peace” is anything but. So compare/contrast the “religion” of Islam with other faiths.
Many atheists and anti-Christians of all stripes point to things in Christianity’s past such as The Crusades. Okay, admittedly not one of the Church’s better moments. But there is an interesting history behind The Crusades. While they are regarded as a religious movement, they were entirely political in origin.
Pope Urban II (Pope from March 1088 until his death in 1099) ruled the Catholic Church during a time of war and division within the church. Urban II used the fact that Islam was in control of the Holy Land and parts of the Byzantine world as a means to centralize his power. Seeing that a pilgrimage (it wasn’t called a Crusade until later) to aid these Christians under siege would unify the Church, he gained support to do just that in 1096.
There were several Crusades, the last being in 1291, which actually ended in failure. The point is, though, the motive behind The Crusades was political, not religious, in nature.
Catholics and Protestants in Ireland have a long history of enmity, which has only recently been resolved somewhat. In our own country, the Puritans didn’t exactly practice the religious freedom they fled England to obtain. Mormons have a particularly bloody early beginning, but have moved beyond that. Even the Westboro Baptist Church crowd, as reprehensible as they are, don’t behead people they dislike (which seems to be most everybody outside the Westboro Baptist Church.)
Point being, Christianity, and practically all the world’s major religions, have moved on.
No so with Islam, still living with 7th century values. Islam seeks to not only impose religion on the rest of us, but an entirely different legal system–Sharia–as well.
Other religions are capable of assimilation, becoming part of their host countries, and living under the law of the land. Judaism, once known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses, has moved beyond that and is a productive force wherever practiced.
All religions and faiths have their precepts, rules and laws that they want their followers to live by. They don’t coerce those outside of their faith to live by their rules. No so with Islam and Sharia. The very desire to implement Sharia, even by so-called moderate Muslims, is proof Islam cannot assimilate, will never reciprocate.
Islam is a cancer–and you cannot fight cancer with aspirin and a band aid.
Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets…(7:16) By their fruit, you will recognize them.”
Image: http://thetension.blogspot.com/2006_03_05_archive.html
John DeGroff is the original bass player for the Christian rock band Petra. He currently plays for the band GHF which is comprised of other original members from Petra. DeGroff has extensive experience as a freelance music journalist and newspaper reporter as well as an on-line music reviewer. He is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and lives in Warsaw, Indiana where he is employed as a care giver for mentally challenged adults.
