Defending Islam - What does that mean?

[momoney555]

When the Boston bombing suspect was finally questioned, he stated that the reason he and his brother planted the bombs that killed and maimed Americans, some of them being innocent children, was because "They were defending Islam".  Isn't America a country that allows Muslims and Christians and every other faith to freely practice their individual beliefs.  So why defend it in America by killing Americans?

[BlackSheepNY]

When the Boston bombing suspect was finally questioned, he stated that the reason he and his brother planted the bombs that killed and maimed Americans, some of them being innocent children, was because "They were defending Islam".  Isn't America a country that allows Muslims and Christians and every other faith to freely practice their individual beliefs.  So why defend it in America by killing Americans?

It's an excuse that every radical muslim uses.  Islam is not a religion at all, but an ideology, whose main purpose is to intimidate others of any religion into seeing things their way.  Their wish is to dominate and spread sharia law world-wide.  They want no other religions to exist BUT islam (and again, it's NOT a religion).  They claim it's a "religion of peace" but, "peace" is the LAST thing on their minds.  YOU are the "infidel" and infidels neither follow islam nor believe in allah - for this they want you dead.  That's peaceful, isn't it?  NOT!

[Falconer02]

It's an excuse that every radical muslim uses.  Islam is not a religion at all, but an ideology, whose main purpose is to intimidate others of any religion into seeing things their way.  Their wish is to dominate and spread sharia law world-wide.  They want no other religions to exist BUT islam (and again, it's NOT a religion).  They claim it's a "religion of peace" but, "peace" is the LAST thing on their minds.  YOU are the "infidel" and infidels neither follow islam nor believe in allah - for this they want you dead.  That's peaceful, isn't it?  NOT!

Though there is truth in this, most muslims I've met do not fit this stereotype. A lot of muslims in the US take the 'catholic mentality' and just believe what suits them. If you bring up these points to them, it's really no different then when you tell a christian that their god condones slavery-- nobody wants to confirm it (or they'll try to move around that aspect) so it's just socially awkward for them.

The best thing to do is just realize there are people in the world that want you dead. Most of these places are 3rd world, have no internet (or block it), and/or are theocracies. Crap is going to happen because of their behavior and there's not much you can do about it but attempt to spread relevant information to other parts of the world.

[bobes915]

Falconer - I think an important word there is "radical."  I would agree with some of what you are saying.  It has also been my experience that Muslims that I know do not believe this, but I would argue that most Muslims living in North America are not radical Muslims.  My personal opinion on this is that we have postmodernism to thank for that. 

Also, out of curiosity, can you please explain your reasoning for claiming that the Bible (or God of the Bible) condones slavery?

To answer the original question, I would say that in my study of Islam, I do and don't understand what the bomber is saying.  I think most Islamic clerics would say that part of the telos or goal of Islam is to create a worldwide Caliphate - that is that Sharia Law becomes the law of the land everywhere.  This then will create a kind of worldwide utopia.   So with this in mind, you could say that while the US does allow Muslims to freely practice their religion, the US does not allow their free practice of their religion to trump the US legal system (for the most part) or infringe on the rights of other Americans.  Therefore, some radical Muslims would see the US government and most western governments as in opposition to Islam since it does not uphold Sharia Law, and certainly does not for everyone.       

With regards to the Koran, my understanding is that most Muslims believe in the doctrine of abrogation.  That is what comes later in the Koran trumps what came earlier on in the Koran.  So the more peaceful early verses in the Koran are trumped by the more militant sounding commands to use any means necessary to promote Islam.  If you are not a religious person or even a person for whom your religion shapes your worldview, it's difficult to understand how deeply beliefs like this can impact the way you live your life and what you hold to be important. 

I still don't know if all that helps explain why the bomber would see himself as "defending Islam", but maybe it helps to understand a little better how his beliefs may have shaped his thinking and actions.   

[Falconer02]

alconer - I think an important word there is "radical."  I would agree with some of what you are saying.  It has also been my experience that Muslims that I know do not believe this, but I would argue that most Muslims living in North America are not radical Muslims.  My personal opinion on this is that we have postmodernism to thank for that.  

I completely agree.

Also, out of curiosity, can you please explain your reasoning for claiming that the Bible (or God of the Bible) condones slavery?

There are numerous passages explaining how to buy and treat one's slaves (similar to buying livestock), and because the writers were this god's chosen people, it's easy to conclude he condones such behavior as it is written and still exists in the book the god supposedly sends messages through. I've heard all the excuses of "There wasn't any different way to do things back then" (which arguably proves they believe in a malevolent deity), or "slavery was different back then! They were treated much different than the later slave trades in history!", but such claims crumble when you read whoppers like this-

"When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished.  If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property." Exodus 21:20-2

[diala84]

Many people twist words to shift the blame. When terrorists attack to defend Islam they are merely using it as a way to separate themselves from guilt for what they have done. Really there should be no excuse to kill innocent people who have done no wrong. People from many different religions have slain in the name of a higher power at one time or another and it isn't right for anyone to do these acts. I wish we lived in a world were we could reach mutual respect and appreciation for the diverse beliefs and customs of all people rather than force certain ideals on others. We still have a long ways to go.

[shelly927]

you know i blame all this on the u.s, for there greed and letting everybody in this country, am not saying to be unfair but, there are homeless people in need and they can't get any help but, the u.s is suppling others with billions

[msmoneybags48]

The United States is a great melting pot of opportunities and allow anyone to enter our states to do good in their lives.  They are met with opposition, and things like the maiming and killing at the Boston Marathon can be laid at the door of the United States for allowing them to leave their country and live here.  This was a premeditated act; they set out to kill more people and would have if they were not stopped.  I was listening to "CBS This Morning" yesterday and the newscaster said that the father wants to come to the United States to pick up his son's body, but he is suddenly too sick to do so.  The mother is afraid to come to the United States for fear she will be arrested.  If that is not a pure case of radicalism, there isn't any.

[healthfreedom]

It is really too bad that we have come to a place in this country where we defend killers who wish to destroy Jews, Christians and anyone whom they deem to be heretics. Islam is a religion of hate and violence.