Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, members of Generation Z – historically religion-averse – are seeking a better understanding of Islam.
These young people are picking up copies of the Quran, reading them, and posting their thoughts:
On social media platforms like Discord and TikTok, hashtags like #quranbookclub and #readingquran have racked up millions of views.
According to polls, young people are widely sympathetic toward the Palestinian people and their plight. The surge in Quran readers appears to be motivated by the desire to understand more about the faith held dear by most Gazans.
Exploring Islam
There are scores of TikTok and Instagram videos featuring young people sharing passages from the Quran they found particularly beautiful or inspiring.
Some say they've found the text surprisingly progressive – often in stark contrast to their preconceived notions about Islam.
“The Quran is full of nature metaphors and encourages you to be an environmentalist,” explains Misha Euceph, host of the Quran Book Club series on Instagram. “The Quran also has this anti-consumerist attitude, the sense that we’re all stewards of the earth who shouldn’t establish an exploitative relationship with the world or fellow human beings.”
Others even report being so enthralled by the text that they've decided to convert.
Among this cohort is TikToker Megan B. Rice, who organized a “World Religion Book Club” for her followers that included the Quran.
“I wanted to talk about the faith of Palestinian people, how it’s so strong, and they still find room to make it a priority to thank God, even when they have everything taken away from them,” Rice explained.
After a month of religious study, she reportedly converted to Islam.
Seeing A Different Side
There’s a simple explanation why so many young people are finding wisdom in the Quran now, says Zareena Grewal, an associate professor of American studies at Yale.
“They are turning to the Quran to understand the incredible resilience, faith, moral strength and character they see in Muslim Palestinians.”
What started as a way for young people on social media to gain a better understanding of Islam has grown into an online movement seeking to shed light on a faith oft-maligned in the West.
Views Toward Women
Despite the palpable enthusiasm around the Quran and its teachings, some say that young people are overlooking certain problematic aspects – such as its attitudes towards women and LGBTQ+ people.
For example, critics point to specific passages of the holy text that they say demonstrate a belief that women should be subordinate to men.
Verse 4:34 says: “Men stand superior to women in that God hath preferred some of them over others, and in that they expend of their wealth; and the virtuous women, devoted, careful (in their husbands’) absence, as God has cared for them. But those whose perverseness ye fear, admonish them and remove them into bed-chambers and beat them; but if they submit to you, then do not seek a way against them; verily, God is high and great.”
In another instance, men are encouraged to "use" their wives as they would a plow. In Sura (Chapter) 2:223, the Quran says: "Your women are your fields, so go into your fields whichever way you like."
Critics say these teachings lead to disrespectful treatment of women in society – pointing to a Muslim student who went viral after refusing to shake hands with his female principal as one recent example.
Views Toward the LBGTQ+ Community
The trend's skeptics note that the Quran similarly has numerous verses that explicitly reject homosexuality, and that LGBTQ+ people are frequently persecuted in Islamic countries around the world, including Palestinian territories.
In October, for example, a gay Palestinian named Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh was found brutally murdered in the occupied West Bank, with reports indicating that he was targeted for his sexual orientation.
Those critical of the TikTok trend seize on this point, arguing that it's strange to see young people in the West – including members of the LGBTQ+ community – excited about the Quran when they may find themselves under real threat of violence if they were to be open about their identities in Muslim-majority countries.
Despite these objections, supporters of the trend say there is clear value in studying and understanding different faiths around the world.
After all, they contend, that the better we understand each other, the more likely we are to find common ground and forge a peaceful future.
What is your reaction? If you're not yet familiar with the holy book of Islam, are you curious to break open a copy?
95 comments
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He Who Breathes
The Koran, when read incorrectly is quite indecipherable - and like the bible, when quoted out of context, can mean anything you want it to.
But, when read chronologically, you will find that it shows that it is a religion of war and subjugation.
The only Muslims who are not calling for jihad, are the ones who do not really understand what is written in the Koran, and what the obligations of Islam are.
It is a dangerous dogma.
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Robert James Ruhnke
Pffftt. The Bible does and inspires the same behavior as the Quran. All three are Semitic in nature and origin. The difference? Christianity has been doing it longer.
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Russel A. Kester
Robert, you're what Islamists call a useful idiot, or you relish playing devil's advocate.
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Robert James Ruhnke
Wrong. Im not playing devil’s advocate. I’m being critical of your dogma. You’re just an idiot and a bigot. I’m on no one’s side.
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Russel A. Kester
Robert, you haven't stated any dogma to criticize. You said that all three semitic faiths inspire the same behavior and that "Christianity has been doing it longer." Judaism is older than Christianity by perhaps a couple thousand years. So that statement made by you is wrong. Clearly you are quite ignorant of all three faiths and don't literally don't know what you're talking about.
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Robert James Ruhnke
That’s because your ability to cipher English isn’t great. Plus misinterpretation is all you clearly know to how to do. Yes. For 2000 years, Christianity has been a global problem. A couple thousand years prior the Hebrews invading Canaan were the local problem. During Christianity’s supremacy they’ve done nothing but bully Jews till 1948. You dont get it because you’re using the Christian victim card whih hasn’t worked since the Roman’s stopped feeding Christian’s to the lions.
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Russel A. Kester
Robert, I'm glad to see that you're getting your timelines for the various Semitic faces a little better. Now remember in your post above you referenced the three submitted face that would include Islam. While Christianity can be rightfully blamed for some very bad bad behavior such as as you said bullying but also actually killing Jews, no one can outdo Muslims when it comes to killing Jews. So when you reference the three submitted faiths be sure that you do not discuss only the two that would support your narrative but include all three.
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Robert James Ruhnke
Russel. There you go again showing off your wild ignorance. Christians were murdering Jews 1400 years before Islam was a concept. Who the hell do you think was setting the Jew murdering precedent? Sure as **** wasn’t Celts. You guessed it, it’s was Christians. Plus you forget it was christians who gave us our current system of racism that’s in full swing still.
One final thing. I don’t trust Islam. I don’t trust Muslims. I am not proud of that distrust, but it’s there. I am also aware of the rivers of blood Muslims have spilt in history. I am very aware of their zealous imperial nature. Yet. Those rivers of blood, are nothing compared to the oceans of blood Christians have spilt in the name of their tortured God. I am aware of the murder and conquest of Canaan that Hebrews committed for their god as they tried to seize the land of milk and honey. It’s why im critical of all three abrahamic faiths.
All you’re doing is using Jews as a human shield against a group of people you’re not even vaguely familiar with. No better or different than many of the ignorant world weary Muslims who use Jews to try and strike at Christians. In other words. You have more in common with jihadists than I do. https://www.ushmm.org/research/about-the-mandel-center/initiatives/ethics-religion-holocaust/articles-and-resources/christian-persecution-of-jews-over-the-centuries/christian-persecution-of-jews-over-the-centuries
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-racism-was-first-officially-codified-in-15thcentury-spain
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Amber Fry
Doesn't it though? People do the same things hiding behind the biblical shield that you claim goes on with the Koran. The only difference is in this country religious bigotry is... or at least used to be controlled a bit better.
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Russel A. Kester
Amber, yes Islam really does call for war and the subjugation of others. In fact, that's what Islam means - to submit. There are many, many difference between Christianity and Islam. There are some amazing books that highlight these differences if you should ever care enough to pick one up and read it. I did. Several. And then I confirmed what the authors said about Islam with some Muslims I knew and they confirmed their accuracy. An honest Muslim will unabashedly tell you the truth, but most who interact with us in Western societies have been instructed to only talk about peace and to sound unthreatening even though the truth is quite different and they know it. Christianity on the other hand pretty much lays it all out there for one to see and respond accordingly.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
It might be a dangerous dogma, but TikTokers are liking it more than Christianity. Just look at how full of hate Christians are. Muslims aren’t like that.
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Russel A. Kester
Well that's a load of crap. TikTok's algorithms are set to play up any positive comments and suppress negative one so as to make it appear more popular or accepted than it is as part of China's strategy to use TikTok as a destabilizing influencer in Western societies. It also uses bots to make it seem like there are more positive comments than there are.
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Donald G Magel
I am just wondering. If Muslims are so loving and caring, why are the endangered Palestinians not being allowed to enter their countries. I am not citing Egypt only. No one seems to be reaching out to their brethren to save them from total destruction. Why is that? Are Palestinians so feared or hated?Could it be that the Gazans are offered up as cannon fodder for the total war on Jews?
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Wendi Elizabeth Akers
I'm broken hearted to read all the responses here. All of the attacks on each person's individual belief, on their country, on the religion, all the way down to their character. Those kind of attacks aren't found in any of our religions. What Have We Become? No matter what you believe, there's no such thing as context. Things are changing so rapidly, a word here, a spelling there a punctuation over there.. those things have great impact on the thing that we know as context. In the book that I read, the Bible, it says go not by your own knowledge/ understanding. That would correlate to education.. as I like to call it indoctrination and that's in any language. It seems there has been a great and mass effort to keep us from God. Please don't add to that. Blessings to all of you
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@ David Bower You do realize the Christian God and the Muslim God are on in the same. As is the Jewish God and Mormon God.
Why do you and so many other Christians spread hate and lies about Muslims and the Muslim religion? It’s no wonder people are flocking to TikTok to learn about the hateful lies Christians tell about the Muslim.
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Adam Kahn
Very good points, brother.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@ David Bower You do realize the Christian God and the Muslim God are on in the same. As is the Jewish God and Mormon God.
Why do you and so many other Christians spread hate and lies about Muslims and the Muslim religion? It’s no wonder people are flocking to TikTok to learn about the hateful lies Christians tell about the Muslim.
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ServantOfJudgement
If you're lgbtqia++ you should plan a nice vacation with your partner to the middle east in a Muslim country to find out more about how Christians are lying about the religion.
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Amber Fry
Oh please. If laws were different here in the states the same would be happening to the LGBTQ+ community and has.
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Adam Kahn
I'm sure it's absolutely safe for LGBTQIAP++ followers to visit a Muslim country, if those LGBTQP.....+++ followers aren't planning to openly demonstrate their favorite sexual perversions in a public place.
Even in the USA and in Europe it is possible to get arrested and sentenced for that, by the way.
The bottom line: people should be modest and everything will be good, in any country.
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Robert James Ruhnke
If it were up to you, SOJ, you’d have many of the laws they have, we have had in the past, quit pretending you’re trying to do anything positive for the LGBTQ+ community. When you’re just one state sanctioned kill away from being a sharia law adhering Muslim.
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ServantOfJudgement
Robert,
I've hired gay people before it was cool to hire gay people. In fact, the face my customers saw was a gay man's face. If I were the way you think I am I'd never have done that. Never.
I've got zero problems with a person choosing to love who they love. We all have that right.
You got me completely wrong.
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David Bower
The Quran is not from God almighty. It is from the pit of hell. I don't doubt many on tik tok have found satans book to be interesting. Repent all and call out upon the name of the Lord and be born again. For whoever doesn't have the Son, has not eternal life.
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James Riggle-Johnson
The Bible isn’t from God almighty either. It’s a book of stories written by men who pretend that God is speaking through them. Just like the men of today who claim to know what God is saying, they are only saying what they themselves want you to believe.
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Robert James Ruhnke
You’re a fool. The Quran is just the Bible in Arabic. Jesus is in it, he’s just a prophet, and not the main focus. The Bible, Quran, Torah, all of them are the same book from a different cultural perspective of those writing the book. They all promise paradise and the cost of committing acts of evil in the guise of holy war.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
@ David Bower You do realize the Christian God and the Muslim God are on in the same. As is the Jewish God and Mormon God.
Why do you and so many other Christians spread hate and lies. It’s no wonder people are flocking to TikTok to learn about the Muslim religion and the lies spread by Christians.
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Russel A. Kester
No Douglas Spindler, they're not the same God. Or more correctly their understandings of God are very different. The God of Judaism and Christianity are more similar to one another. You might want to brush up on your Jewish and Christian theology.
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Amber Fry
Actually yes, they are. The reason there are different religions is because they have different views of that same god, very much like a sibling would look at you differently than a parent, or a child, or a spouse. Same god, different perspective.
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Russel A. Kester
Amber, it's always a pleasure to exchange views with you. I mean that sincerely. I understand what you're saying and said something similar myself but I don't think they're quite the same. Let me try this (I haven't done this before so if I fail, well that's life): Thor is a god created by one society and Odin is a god created by a second society. Are Thor and Odin the same god with a different name or are they two different gods? I think they're two different gods because the thoughts that created our understanding of them are completely different. They are, in fact, not designating the same entity in our heads (thoughts). Likewise, because Islam and Christianity both speak of God but define and understand their ideas of God very differently they are not speaking of the same God because their referents are quite different. Therefore, they are talking about two different Gods. Neither view in anyway affects the reality of an existing God in itself, but both are referring to the God of their own creation in their minds whether such creations resemble an actual entity or not. Okay, a bit wordy and perhaps the thinking could be improved but I think that gets to my main thought if anyone but me could actually understand what I meant.
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Christy Wilkinson
I think its a good thing, but youth is often to hasty. It is good to study things but one must be careful in becoming part of the things one studies. For instance, I study grimoires. I definitely do not want to espouse the views expressed in some of those old writings! But, I am old and blessed with discernment. I have read the Quran. I have read the Bible. I am working on the Torah right now. So far, in comparing the Bible and the Quran: They both advocate the subjugation of women and certain others. My belief is this: How dare anyone presume to understand a God! Gods, by their very designation, may not be owned, nor understood by lesser beings, nor could they possibly be captured within the scribblings begat by the paws of mere humans. Killing in the name of Gods is a kind of blasphemy, unless the God one is killing for seems conveniently aligned with ones goals in attaining territory and power. Isn't that just terrifying? I will Never kill for a God. I will never bow for a mortal unless I am forced to the ground by the boot on my neck. One great equaliser is that those who kill for their gains will also die too, and their doings will eventually all wither.
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Adam Kahn
Very well said! Thank you!
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Douglas Person
The bible supports slavery, misogyny, the murdering of homosexuals, racism, and genocide. It does not encourage free thinking and being open-minded. I don't believe modern Christianity truly portrays the teachings of Jesus. He was a Jewish patriot and a political radical.
People need to concentrate on being their best selves and learn to live and let live. We all need to learn empathy, generosity, forgiveness, and just basic kindness. Personally, I have come to believe that Peter and Paul found a way to monetize Jesus by creating a cult. I can find nothing more revolting and contrary to the teachings of Jesus than the vast wealth of the catholic empire. I just watched a documentary about the Vatican. It boggles the mind to think of all the people of gave money hoping to make the world a better place and see it spent so lavishly on a palace. To me, it's almost comical to see the pope and the cardinals all playing dress-up and walking around with various, expensive icons as if this is what Jesus would have wanted. Jesus did not live in a palace or wear fancy clothes. He lived among the poor wearing simple robes with sandals on his feet. His life was completely the opposite of the leaders of the catholic church.
I think we all need to stop looking for directions on how to live from books written thousands of years ago. In our hearts, we KNOW how we should be. We know what it means to be kind and humble. We just don't want to be that way. Greed is the fundamental evil in the world today. Greed for wealth and greed for power. God gave us an entire planet to do what we will. So now we see how much we appreciate His gift. We could do so much better if we would stop choosing leaders by trusting their lies. If we truly love God as all religions teach, we would respect His gift and accept that we are ALL His children and stop finding ways to hate those who think, live, or look differently. We are all the same. We all find our own way to God. We need to stop using religious beliefs as a reason to hate. May God bliss you all
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William Waugh
Tik tok. is a chinese infiltration app.
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The fact that they're tik-tok users says all I need to know about them.
Hamas would behead their silly arses within 20 minutes of them getting off the plane in Gaza.
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Rodger Outlaw Fulfer
Religion is a lifestyle, not a trend I don't understand how creating a trend of reading the Quran.or serving satin, being Catholic or anything, or practicing witchcraft is a person's personal choice and lifestyle is not a trend to be taken lightly it's something you have to know how to use and to control and not to do it as a funny game.I'm not judging anyone for your calling or free will to serve whatever God you choose. And I'm not clumping together or comparing anyone's choice to freedom to to worship.
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Amber Fry
I don't judge trends to harshly. If you really take a minute to think about it people tend to be experiential. It's annoying to see people flit from one thing to another but trying things to decide if it's for them and gaining some understanding about it is just how some people learn. Read, experience, if it's fitting then great, if not then find something else to experience for a while.
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Adam Kahn
Islam is actually the BEST of three Abrahamic religions, Islam is the most pure and most welcoming religion.
You need to be a Jew to fully convert to Judaism (otherwise you would be just a shabbos-goy).
It's easier with Christianity, yet most Christians are still white people. There are strict rules and rituals regarding the conversion to Christianity, which are different from branch to branch.
Meanwhile, anyone can easily convert to Islam, it is much easier, and therefore there is no surprise that exactly Islam is the fastest growing religion in the World.
Critics of Islam are blaming this religion for "war and subjugation", for "jihad". Yet these (Christian and Jewish) critics of Islam intentionally ignore ... their own religious texts (of the Bible and of books of the Torah and the Talmud) that are full of gore and violence (re-read Leviticus).
The Bible demands child sacrifices in the name of the Christian God (Exodus 22:29, Exodus 13:12-16, 2 Kings 3:27, Genesis 22:1-2, Hebrews 11:17, Genesis 22:16, John 3:16, 1 Samuel 16:5, Ezekiel 39:17, et cetera).
Meanwhile, the books of the Talmud permit pedophilia (with girls before three year old -- in Sanhedrin 55b: 4, and with boys before nine year old - Sanhedrin 54b: 19-23), prohibit religious Jews from repenting their sins (Avodah Zarah 17a: 9-15), allows stealing from Gentiles (Avodah Zarah 70a:10) and even kill Gentiles (Sanhedrin 57a: 13-24), and then lie to Gentiles including also to lie in Courts of Law of Gentiles (Bava Kamma 113a: 21-23 and 113b: 1-12) --- only by the "reason" that "only the Jews are people, when all Gentiles ("Goyim") are not people but rather animals" (Bava Metzia 114b:2, Yevamot 61a:1-4, Keritot 6b:19-20, again Avodah Zarah 70a:10, and Niddah 45a:15-16). The Hebrew word "Goyim" literally translates as "animals" or even "cattle".
Alright, it's clear with the Jews (also it explains why Israel is now so viciously exterminating thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza), but what about Christian critics of Islam?
Well, Christians very rarely follow their own rules and even commandments. That's historical fact.
What Christianity (and the Torah) say about homosexuality (LGBTQP+)?
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22) "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality," (1 Corinthians 6:9) “A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)
Yet plenty of Christians welcome LGBTQP+. Many of the Russian Bolshevik Communist Jews were homosexuals and even pedophiles.
Yet you dare to judge others.
The Bible explicitly says: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned" (Luke 6:37, also in Matthew 7:1, James 5:9, Romans 14:13, James 4:12, 1 Corinthians 4:5, James 2:13, Romans 14:4, John 8:15).
In John 12:47 Jesus says: "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world."
Yet Christians often put themselves above Jesus and keep judging and blaming others, but (ignoring) themselves.
"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Mathew 7:5)
So, leave Islam alone.
After hundreds of years of history Islam is the only (Abrahamic) religion that could preserve its original purity. Inshallah!
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Amber Fry
Adam, homosexuality and pedophilia are both human things, not religious based things. Christianity has its fair share of both too. Your whole diatribe was a big judgement of others. Guess that makes you just as guilty of what you claim others are guilty of.
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ServantOfJudgement
So islam rejects homosexuality Adam?
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Adam Kahn
Yes, that's correct. Islam rejects homosexuality as a sin against God.
Actually, the Bible (and the Torah) both also reject homosexuality as a sin against God (G-d), but many Christians and some Jews apparently (and conveniently) forgot about that.
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Russel A. Kester
Your comment Adam was pure propaganda and rubbish. You complained of people only point out the bad parts of Islam and criticized them, but then did the very same thing yourself. Hypocritical. Christianity's "prophet" taught love and life while Islam's prophet taught hatred and death. Islam is a theocracy, but Christianity is not. Islam is incompatible with Western civilization, Christianity is very compatible. Anyone who studies them even a little sees and understands this. I hope you find your way away from Islam to a better religion and life.
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Adam Kahn
Actually, everything is already good and correct. Including my religion.
Some people here were criticizing Islam, while forgetting (ignoring) issues and problems of both Christianity and Judaism.
I just reminded about these problems, to simply even things out.
You called it "hypocricy", but I would rather correctly call it "balance".
So, don't gaslight here, please.
If you think that Mohammad "taught hatred and death" then you likely were never truly reading the Quran. Try it, if you are not affraid of truth, and if you are not affraid of YOURSELF, because you may naturally like Quran much more than most other things that you've read before.
The Quran is natural.
The Western civilization was strongly affiliated with the Church for many centuries, and it was exactly a form of theocracy. The Vatican was welcoming some kings and removing others, the Vatican was starting truces and big wars and deciding policies of nations, and also sending many people to be tortured and burned in fire just for them practicing real science (Giordano Bruno, as an example) or for having free thoughts, of simply for being too beautiful...
There were committed too many horrible crimes, bloody atrocities and pure nightmares in the name of the "love of Christ". History is full of examples. The Western civilization became victim of that.
You call it "compatibility". I call it "darkness".
... To be fair, in the past Islam also had similar problems that negatively and heavily affected many nations of Africa, and also there were (and still are to some extent) some similar problems in the Middle East... Neither religion is truly perfect, because every religion transmits firstly through its followers, through people, and as everywhere, there are bad and good people in every country and in any religion. There are some things to be fixed. there are some ways to grow and to become better, Inshallah.
So, let's not blame and let's not condemn one religion (Islam) while totally ignoring horrors of the other religion (Christianity). "Do not judge others and you won't be judged."
So, just to remind to you and to everybody that the Church actually did many evil things. Things started changing to better only when Western civilization began separating the State and the Church. Rapidly we witnessed a huge growth in science, education, free speech, and freedom of information.
Unfortunately, recently the separation of the Church turned into a massive rejection of the Church, especially by young people, in masses. There are different causes of that, including the Christian Church itself, that was preserving for too long its concrete dogmas and old rituals while totally ignoring own severe problems (i.e. pedophilia between priests). These problems were simply covered up and brushed under a carpet, rather than truly resolved and fixed. So, we should not be surprized why so many young people now reject Christianity and churches.
But people need FAITH.
People need FAITH to be strong during hard times, to know the difference between good and bad, to be kind to others, people need FAITH to live and to survive.
Will it be FAITH of Christianity, or of Islam - let people decide, for good.
I just simply want that this world will live in respect, prosperity and peace, Inshallah. All world religions had good and bad past. To fix that we need to accept that first. Without that - it will be over, and such over will be for good. Only true acceptance and strong will and action for good changes will make world religions into better ones that will fit with the light of the day of tomorrow.
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Daniel Ginther
You are dillusional
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Robert James Ruhnke
Hahahaha. Quran. Natural?! Lmfao No religion is naturakx People need hope and faith. They don’t need some old man dictating what that is. That’s the biggest problem with the Abrahamic religions. You always end up with some charismatic mouthpiece using religious texts to shield their true intentions of domination and control.
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Colleen McAllister
I do believe it is good to study other religions in order to understand their beliefs. But two things: 1.Know thine enemy. 2. To truly understand a religion you must spend time with its followers.
Converting to a religion after only a month of study is not a true conversion. To be dedicated to any belief tales a real dedication of time. Spend time not only reading the teachings. Spend time attending their services. Get to know the followers and really understand what they believe. Self study will not teach anyone what they need to know.
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xDOTxx
You say "Know Thine Enemy" and also that one must spend actual time with a people to understand them. Tell us a bit about how you feel confident that followers of Islam are your enemy? How much time have you spent living in their world? Because this is very contradictory sounding of you.
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Jimmy Moon
The quran is a book of Satan's lies. Nothing more.
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Adam Kahn
Do actually you know what the word "satan" means?
It is not a first name, nor surname. Simplier, it is not a "being" at all.
The English word "satan" is derived from Hebrew word "שָׂטָן" ("stn"), and it is not a somebody's name, but actually a description that means "an accuser", "adversary", "prosecutor", "rebel", "the one who accuses Jewish G-d in wrongdoing", which was derived from a verb meaning primarily "to obstruct, oppose."
That means, Jesus is "satan" in respect to Judaism and the Talmud.
Let's check it out in the Talmud.
"And the Master says: Jesus performed sorcery, incited Jews to engage in idolatry, and led Israel astray." (Sanhedrin 107b:14)
"For the Master said: Jesus the Nazarene performed sorcery, and he incited the masses, and subverted the masses, and caused the Jewish people to sin." (Sotah 47a:14)
"On Passover Eve they hung the corpse of Jesus the Nazarene after they killed him by way of stoning. And a crier went out before him for forty days, publicly proclaiming: Jesus the Nazarene is going out to be stoned because he practiced sorcery, incited people to idol worship, and led the Jewish people astray. Anyone who knows of a reason to acquit him should come forward and teach it on his behalf. And the court did not find a reason to acquit him, and so they stoned him and hung his corpse on Passover eve." (Sanhedrin 43a: 20-21)
I think you may behefit from learning more about the terminology, if you decided to use it, first.
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Theresa C. Marquess
To the youth who are studying the Quran and considering conversion, I would say, "Be careful what you wish/pray for. You may be very disolusioned if you get it."
Women have fought for equality in the workplace, for the right to vote, and also for equality in their own homes, to name just a few things. Consider that when you read the teachings of the Quran. Tread carefully...
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Adam Kahn
Actually, Theresa, a supposed "women inequality in Islam" is an old stereotype.
The Quran has its own chapter designated for women. Not the Bible nor the Torah neither books of the Talmud have that.
In addition, God (Allah) directly addresses women repeatedly throughout the Quran. Islam proclaims that all human beings, men and women, are born in a pure state. The goal of every Muslim is to preserve this purity by shunning evil tendencies and beautifying their inner being with virtuous traits.
“To whoever, male or female, does good deeds and has faith, We shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions.” (16:97)
I will highly recommend you (and others) to read that page to avoid blatant stereotypization, generalization and stigmatization, and to be knowledgeable instead. Be my guest, please: https://www.whyislam.org/statusofwomen/
Thank you for your attention, Theresa!
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Theresa C. Marquess
Let's not forget Sharia Law. You are making it sound like all sweetness and roses. It is not!
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xDOTxx
Yes, and there are of course no extreme examples of practitioners of the other sects of Abrahamic religion.... wait, no that's incorrect too. Be completely critical - look at your own country and religious establishments as well. Know that there are extreme examples of "Christianity" "Catholicism" and "Judaism" just as well as there are in "Islamic Faith". They are, after all - the same religion. Don't try to point fingers at extremist and make is sound as if your own side of the same faith is "all sweetness and roses". It is not!
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Theresa C. Marquess
xDOTxx, rethink my comment and your reply. Haven't you read the papers or watched the news during this last decade?
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Ahmed Abduljabar Al-Hujazi
I don't know who provided the translation for the quotes from Quran to this article, but they got it completely wrong. The first quote from Sura An-Nisa actually says: "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as God has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what God would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. God is Sublime, Great."
The second quote from Sura Al-Baqarah actually says: "Your wives are a fertile land for you, so go in to your fertile land when you like, and send (good) beforehand for yourselves. And keep your duty to Allah, and know that you will meet Him. And give good news to the believers."
The second one sounds rather enabling, but consider the part "...and send (good) beforehand for yourselves..." This can be interpreted as meaning that you should lay the groundwork for proper relations with ones wife, such as flowers, candy, loving feelings. Like much of Quran, it is open to interpretation.
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Daniel Ginther
The koran is a book of eternal death, burn it and get saved
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Lionheart
Sounds like a plan, Sir Daniel. Let’s burn all religious books, including the Bible, and let’s save our minds from really stupid indoctrination of mythical tales that some people like to think are true. 🤗
🦁❤️
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Larry Michael Damato
PERHAPS GOOD FOR ANOTHER CENTURY.... ANOTHER LAND....CERTAINLY NOT THE UNITED STATES....EQUALITY
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Russel A. Kester
Ahmed, from what I've heard from others on the passages you quoted, you did an excellent job 👍. You're demeanor was also very respectful and calm. You might be one of the few Muslims here that one could hold a thoughtful and productive conversation. Thank you for your clarifications.
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Daniel Ginther
You actually have to have a mental disorder if you read the koran and think its some sort of holy book, it is full of hate an d death.....It is from Satan and will keep you from blessings in this life and eternal life after your death.....Don't be fooled ! The Bible is God Breathed, it is a book of salvation, it is written for those who are " Born Again " if you are not born again ( Romans 10:9 ) than the book will be understandable and you will deem it a fairy tale.
I encourage you to hit the easy button and believe in God, believe he had a son Jesus Christ and that he died and rose from the dead, that's it, no more, believe and you will be saved, do it right now, say it out loud and you will be saved !!
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xDOTxx
Sir... are you referencing the King James bible? Written and edited centuries after the enclosed stories, by a monarch government with heavy editorial oversight? That's not a book of God anymore than it is a book of man. And like each of these books of men - about religion - it is influenced more by politics and culture of the time it was written than it was influenced by "the word of God". Yes, it is an "easy button" to blindly believe in the text of one culture and claim that all other interpretations of the same religion are "wrong" because they are not from your own.
They do say that ignorance is bliss - so go ahead and "hit the easy button". At least you'll be closed off enough to avoid questioning yourself, and can live in relative peace of mind. Of course - that "easy button" could bit hit with any book if you're dogmatic enough.
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Todd Leslie Miller
My concern here is about the Generation Zers converting to Islam merely to be in solidarity with suffering Palestinians. This is merely making Islam into the latest fad. Muslims expect that converts will embrace the faith for life. What happens when this whole Palestinian/Hamas thing blows over and Islam is no longer trendy? Then the kids will simply abandon it and look for the next fad as kids are wont to do. The problem is that doing that would be apostasy from Islam which many Muslims believe to be punishable by death. Are the young’uns ready to be hunted down and killed by a zealous member of a faith they only embraced for a while because it was the cool thing at the time?
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Harvey Marianne
I'm happy they do. I know people might be hateful when the subject of Islam rise. It's important to say that there is no ''Pope'' in Islam. So each person is by himself and are different from each others. Some are more liberals and some fuel wars. Almost the same in Christian world except for Catholicism that have a Pope to follow. But even there. There is good Pope that are liked and less interesting one too by the years. It is being human. Muslims are humans...
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Debra Benini
I am a Christian that lived in a Muslim society for 20 years. I can tell you that there is a big difference with what is taught in the Quran and cultural beliefs. The Quran does not say that women have to cover their face yet countries such as Saudi Arabia translate it to mean that. It specifically says in the Quran that nobody can force a woman to wear a hijab or any other Muslim style clothing but they do. That is totally cultural. The Quran also says that parents cannot force their daughters to marry who they chose for them. That is totally cultural. Women were given rights to work and own and inherit property in the Quran. The bible says the opposite and does not give women rights. It says in the Quran that women should be put on a pedestal and be worshipped by their husbands because they are mothers and wives and care for their families. I was told by a priest when I was young that it says in the bible that men have a right to beat their wives. I looked it up and it is true. It also says women should cover their hair in the bible. That is why the Amish wear head covering. Nobody seems to mind these things, but because it is not a Christian religion it is wrong and evil. This is ridiculous. I also believe a minister should know better than to put down others religions. I am Catholic and I know the pope doesn't do that. He works towards everyone loving and accepting one another. These are all misconceptions about Islam. Muslim people do not advocate for violence or force of any kind. They are very kind family oriented people who just want to live their lives peacefully as we do. There have been many Christians have killed Jews and Muslims throughout the ages because of their beliefs yet nobody comments on that. The latest mass killings of Muslims happened in Serbia by the Christian government. My brother was in the US military at that time and witnessed it. I believe that before anyone speaks they should have experienced what they are talking about or do not speak. It is better not to spread false rumors.
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Revd. R. Vincent
Very well put.
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Douglas Person
The pope lives in a garish palace paid for by the poor hoping to make the world a better place. How can anyone look at the Catholic leadership and not feel outrage at how money is spent? Image how many hungry children could be fed and clothed; how many poor could be made whole; how much less suffering there could be in the world if the Catholics actually used their wealth for the good of all mankind.
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James Edward Crowson
Nothing can be taken away or added to the Holy Bible; this passage is found in the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:14, " I know that everything that God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it is so people that will fear Him".
Therefore, only in the Holy Bible is where God Almighty says He created the world and also God Almighty says in the Ten Commandments, the First Commandment says " thou shall not have any other gods before me". Hence, by reading other religions is going against God Almighty.
Many young people are impatient and that leads to confusion. In the Holy Bible God Almighty says for us to be STILL, in other words.. be patient and follow only His son Jesus Christ and there people will find peace, comfort and strength. There is SWEETNESS and Love in God Almighty's passages.-
Amber Fry
Um... you haven't really studied the making of it, have you?There were whole commissions many times throughout history of things being added to, taken from and changed in the bible. The fact that it was constructed into a single volume is the biggest change in it of all as these different books were ones separate smaller bits. The most recent large editing was the King James version and no, it wasn't just to make easier for the masses to read. Check out the Codex Sinaiticus.
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Douglas Person
And then there are all the texts that didn't make it into the bible. Men (not women) chose what would go in. So these men chose what was supposed to be the holy scripture while ignoring all the other writings probably because they (men) wanted to ensure their domination. Why must we consider such an ancient book as providing a roadmap to our lives? Our understanding of the world is vastly different now than it was thousands of years ago.
Personally, I hope to see a woman become president in my lifetime. I hope to see far less spent on defense and far more spent on taking care of our citizens. Only a woman can make that change. I believe it is what Jesus would want.
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Amber Fry
Nope, it doesn't surprise me at all. In times of upheaval people turn to religious exploration. If they already have a religion they tend to feel failed by it and start looking around for another. With the war going on and being quite public it doesn't surprise me that religions of that area would be on the radar.
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Dawne Michelle Olson
From what I have read, the subjugation of women, warring, death to adulterous and homosexual individuals are written in both the ancient texts of the Quran and Torah. The Abrahamic God was a God of law and judgment and death for "sins". In the world today I often hear hatred from both Christians and Islamic adherents. I hear some same Quran is a book of lies and some saying the Islamic religion is peaceful and welcoming. In either religion -- Islam or Christianity - if the fruit of those belief systems is not love, then it is not God. If your faith doesn't result in actions that put the well being of others (even your enemies) before your own then it is not a real faith. We can read the ancient texts and continue to act out the holy judgements, meting out death and war on those we deem unholy (or that we believe God has not chosen). OR we can choose to be vessels of light and love. In my faith, Jesus the Messiah, the son of God, took all of the blame and punishment for sin. He only asked that we accept that gift and then go into the world spreading the incredibly good news that we are free from any guilt, condemnation and death. Many religions do not believe Jesus was who He claimed to be. But believing in Him is the choice I make so that I can spread light, love and grace. Whatever faith you adhere to, if it does not ask you to let go of judging, if it excludes other races and beliefs, if it promotes hatred and warring it is not from God. God is love. Religion should not be confused with faith in God. All religion can be weaponized and the people and nations who do so are the most religious and the least godly.
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Brien
Big surprise, more weak minded fools getting brainwashed. That can't possibly happen, right? ALL of you zealots that are arguing "my fictional beliefs are better than yours" are simply continuing the brainwashed hatred and fear that your beliefs are based on. That is a FACT, something you may not be used to. A couple of thousand years of murder in the name of "insert fictional deity's name here". As long as you continue to support "insert your beliefs here" than hate and war will always be supported. Now I am supposed to care what a bunch of no backbone tiktokers want to believe in? They are easily brainwashed by any trends that come along. They are of no concern, but you dedicated zealots are. You wave your beliefs like a flag of justice, justifying your hate because hate is all you have. You support hate, you support murder. Your so proud of it that you argue for it. Happy holidays to all of you hate mongers.
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Douglas Person
Excellent Brien. Right on.
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Paul Edward Nunis
Except of course, Islam doesn't allow people to just 'self-convert' after a cursory reading of one text.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
One is not converted by Holy Books (Thomas Jefferson Bibles, Korans, Trump Bibles, or the like) one has to be sick enough for them.
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ServantOfJudgement
Actually the Holy Bible converted me live. I read that you have to believe it's true in order to comprehend it. Before I began my study of it I chose to believe it was God speaking to me through the document. Sure enough, years of studying it brought me to the realization it had converted me. I'm christian now! YAY!
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Larry Michael Damato
NOT AT ALL CURIOUS ABOUT ISLAM....KNOW AND WITNESSED ENOUGH TO REALIZE HOW BACKWARDS IT IS AND WHAT HATRED THEY SOW TO THEIR OWN...ANY RELIGION THAT ISN'T INCLUSIVE HAS NO PLACE IN SOCIETY....ESPECIALLY THE UNITED STATES....INCLUSIVENESS SHOULD BE THE LAW OF SOCIETY TODAY.... FIGHT HATE....DON'T HURT ANYONE OR YOURSELF......AND GET ON WITH LOVE.... ALL OF THIS STUPIDITY CAN CAUSE A PERSON TO BECOME INTOLERANT...
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xDOTxx
You're right - I suppose neither then does Christianity or Judaism belong in the United States... Or I guess any organized religion by that line of thought. As none are "exclusively inclusive".
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David Sanchez jr 2
There will always be faith because their is a god. Kids just dont know theyre circumstances; and whether or not they should stand by right or wrong. His majesty and his little brothers standards.
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David Sanchez jr 2
There will always be faith because their is a god. Kids just dont know theyre circumstances; and whether or not they should stand by right or wrong. His majesty and his little brothers standards.
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Carl Lee MacRae
I believe that the way forward for all humanity is through enlightenment. All religions have pros and cons for us. The path to God is through understanding our differences, and common beliefs. We have turned our backs on Gods love when we resort to name calling and dehumanizing each other. God comes to everyone in a way they understand as an individual living in their environment. Squabbles over who the messanger of that love is counter productive. They say that Satan's greatest deception is convincing people he doesn't exist. I say that his greatest deception is convincing people that they are smarter than he is.
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Lionheart
It’s not possible to prove something that appears to be mythical doesn’t exist. We can’t prove fairies, or Santa Claus don’t exist. If they do exist it’s up to them, even your god, to prove they are real. In the meantime I guess we have to assume they don’t.
🦁❤️
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Evone Payton Banks (Minister non denominational)
When I was taught about Al Islam it was about love and respect and loving your wife.. so much has been added and taking away from... It leaves room for open thought of thoughts who adopted the way verses the ones born in the countries where the book originated. Trust they have different views. But in times of trouble what touched me and my heart was that they pray... Together.
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Revd. R. Vincent
It is my view that neither the Bible nor any other religious text is fit for purpose in the 21st Century. They were written and compiled in very different times with very different values and understanding. We can all agree that there are many good teachings within those texts, as well as some things that just don't fit within a modern society. We have to remember that, throughout history, religion was often used as a means to control the masses.
It is also prudent to note here that the Gospels within the Bible were written within a generation or 2 of the time of Christ, so mainly come from first or second-hand accounts. The Quran, however, was written many generations after the time of Mohammed. That is not to say that much within those texts hasn't been altered over the years to suit a particular narrative. Followers of each religion often, I fear, interpret its particular text to push their particular agenda. This is particularly apparent within the many branches of Christianity.
I do not reject any person's belief or doctrine, even if I disagree with their particular theology. I am concerned that there are those who follow a particularly hateful version of Islam that would seek to overturn our Western values. Any hateful act done in the name of a particular religion cannot be construed as reflective of that religion overall, however. One cannot tar everyone with the same brush, so to speak. No one should use religion to justify hate, vitriol, barbarism, and murder. I do believe that all faiths, primarily, are religions of peace, even though they are misinterpreted at times.
We, here, are all Ministers and representatives of our particular brand or branch of our faiths and, frankly, I am dismayed at some of the comments that I have read. We should all be above such vitriol. We may all fundamentally disagree with certain aspects of another's faith but aren't we being just a bit conceited to think that ours is the only true path to God?
Our only mission should be to serve the wider community, whoever they are, whatever they believe, and whatever their particular sexual orientation with love, compassion, and understanding. We shall not judge nor condemn others. We should only preach if invited to do so. This is what I truly believe and a code that I live by.
It's time for all faiths to come together to teach love, peace, and understanding to the younger generations. We need to set the example.
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Merlin
According to the Tora, it started with Abraham's son Ishmael and his mother Hagar and Sarah's jealousy. Slavery help created this issue.
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Thomas Brent Oldoski
Reading these comments, one thing stands out for me. People really do need to proofread their writing, and edit their comments for content clarity.
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Paul Andrew Breda
I have made a conscious decision to follow the spirit of the Bible, not the literal, contradictory word. Christians should not be judged by the literal word of the Bible, so in fairness neither should Muslims be judged by the Q'uran. Having said that, if all I knew about Islam were what's in the Q'uran, no way could I follow - too harsh, judgmental and violent.
This sounds like a fad for kids to get attention.
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Harvey Marianne
I'm suddenly sad to see all bad comment under this post. I'm happy about the young trying to learn. Even not converting there will be less hate.
Uninformed and misinformed idiots that are jumping on a trendy bandwagon who would not last 24 hours in a Muslim society before they were beaten, killed or had a nervous breakdown.
@ Rev. MichaelRS Why do you spread hate and misinformation about Muslims and the Muslim religion. That’s not very Christian of you. But then you are a Christian, and this is what Christians do.
There's a saying: "No one ever hears about the plane that landed safely." No one looks at the peaceful and productive lives and actions of the other 1 billion Muslims around the world, only concentrating on the impactful actions of a relatively few Muslims. You quote numbers like 9 million or 80% of people in Gaza. Where are you getting these numbers? Have you polled 100% of the people in Gaza to know that 80% support Hamas? Have you, or any authoritative organization done a complete enough study to say that there are more than 9 million, if that many, Islamic extremists? The first Jews encountered by Muslims in Medina in the first years of Islam were protected, and never forced to convert. In fact a tribe of Muslims in the area of Medina fought bandits to maintain the property they were protecting at the request of the local Jews. I have no information on later Caliphates, hundred of years later. As far as the violence in the West regarding the latest madness in Israel, keep in mind that both Palestinians and Jews are being attacked, and not necessarily by members of the opposing groups. Tell me, should we call Joseph Czuba a Christian extremist for fatally stabbing a 6 year old Muslim boy? In fact, can you tell me any time that a Christian or Jew who committed an act of violence was ever called a Christian extremist or Jewish extremist or terrorist? As a final note I will say that the violence committed by Hamas is totally wrong and has no place in Islam. The taking of hostages and violence done against them, and in particular to women is completely contrary to the word of Quran and Islam, as I interpret the word.
Im not spreading a bit of hate or misinformation. One just has to look at the first 30-year history of Islam to understand what it's all about.
And the way they treat Christians and Jews is not a recent phenomenon. Everyone thinks it is the Nazis that started the Jews wearing the yellow Star of David. No, it was the various Muslim caliphates of the time.
And never mind how they treat Christians and Jews just look at that how the Sunni and Shia treat each other.
Although to be fair that is little different than Protestants and Catholics back in the day.
And lastly you don't see a lot of Jews or Christians flying planes into buildings or engaging in the beyond horrific activity, especially when it comes to the abuse of women Hamas did on October 7th.
Even if one argues that the VAST majority of of the 1.8 billion Muslims in the world are peaceful and it's only 1/2% that are violent islamist, that's still 9 million people around the world that are violent islamist.
But considering that there are whole countries, like Afghanistan and Iran that are Islamic theocracies and considering all the Islamic rebels in various countries (from the Philippines to Indonesia to the Middle East to Africa) we know that the number of violent Islamic extremists is a LOT more than 9 million.
And if that's not enough you just have to look at the current demonstrations in the west for the Palestinians in Gaza (which are really demonstrations in support of Hamas because we know that 80% of the people in Gaza support Hamas) and see all the violence including vandalism and assault on people that disagree with them, as well as the harassment of Jewish students on campuses, to confirm the violent nature of individuals involved in that movement and Islam.
These young people are following blindly the liberal professors and main stream media. They dont dig up the stories from the past on the gays taught to fly in Iran from the highest buildings. They ignore the fact females are lowest of the low in their dealings. While only 10% of Muslims are "Radical", that is still 3-5 million out there killing in the name of religion. Well said sir and keep up the good works.
Well said MichaelRS.
Pfffft. Hyperbole is just bearing false witness with a couple extra steps. Reading something doesn’t mean you have to believe it.
You obviously know nothing about Muslim society beyond the right wing rubbish you are served. I lived in a Muslim society and found that it was the opposite of how it is portrayed in the west