Want a Million Bucks ?

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Odds are there's no 'holy war' in Qur'an

By JEFF STRICKLER, Star Tribune

Want $1 million? All you have to do is find a reference in the Qur'an to "holy war."

The offer is being made by Jamal Badawi, professor emeritus of management and religious studies at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His only requirement is that the reference be in the original Arabic, not an English translation of the holy Islamic text.

Is that $1 million Canadian or American? "It doesn't matter," Badawi said. "It can be a million Canadian, a million U.S. or even a million euro [which would be worth almost $1.5 million]. I don't have that much money, anyway. I've been making the offer ever since 2001. I've never had a taker, and I never will."

Badawi was in the Twin Cities a week ago as part of a continuing effort to combat negative stereotypes about Muslims and violence, especially terrorism. He said that one of the biggest misconceptions he encounters is that the Qur'an promotes war, especially against those of different faiths.

"There is nothing in the Qur'an that says you should fight someone because they are of a different religion," he said. "Just the opposite is true. In its writings on other faith communities, it encourages dealing with them with kindness and justice."

The only time war is mentioned is in passages saying that believers can defend themselves from attack or oppression. Asked if a Muslim who sees the West as a threat could interpret that as an endorsement of a preemptive attack, Badawi said, "Humans have an inexhaustible ability to justify the wrong they're doing. It's no different than a Christian who is opposed to abortion using that as justification for bombing an abortion clinic. He's not indicative of Christians as a whole. He's a religious extremist, and the same term applies to anyone who plants a bomb in the name of their god. ... The ends do not justify the means in Islamic philosophy."

Badawi also mentioned the news media's misappropriation of the term "jihad," often using it as a label for Muslim aggression.

"It means to exert maximum effort, to strive to the utmost of your ability," he said. "It is not a synonym for war."

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/16116652.html

[Y's_habibitk 2]

"There is nothing in the Qur'an that says you should fight someone because they are of a different religion," he said. "Just the opposite is true. In its writings on other faith communities, it encourages dealing with them with kindness and justice."

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Is there anything in there about suicide bombers? Killing innocent children? Oh wait, maybe its ok because they do cover "martyrs", right? Yeah, whatever.

[SqdnGuns 21]

Then why don't more Muslims SPEAK UP!!

The silence is practically a sign of approval.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Then why don't more Muslims SPEAK UP!!

The silence is practically a sign of approval.

They do. You're just not LISTENING.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Is there anything in there about suicide bombers? Killing innocent children? Oh wait, maybe its ok because they do cover "martyrs", right? Yeah, whatever.

What are you babbling about ? Can't you read ?

[Jason-Sasha 1]

They all seem to publicly condemn the actions of Muslim terrorists, yet those same terrorists are screaming the fact that they are doing what they're doing in the name of their Allah. Please...

[simple_male 1]

Then why don't more Muslims SPEAK UP!!

The silence is practically a sign of approval.

Of course, Muslims do. For example, please read the following link from Council On American-Islamic Relations, a leading Islamic group in USA, website:

http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspx

By the way, the word "jihad" does not mean "holy war." It means "Internal Struggle," a person's struggle within his/her soul.

Edited March 5, 2008 by simple_male

[SqdnGuns 21]

Then why don't more Muslims SPEAK UP!!

The silence is practically a sign of approval.

Of course, Muslims do.

The ones that can make a change don't..................I hear empty rhetoric and see none setting the example.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

They all seem to publicly condemn the actions of Muslim terrorists, yet those same terrorists are screaming the fact that they are doing what they're doing in the name of their Allah. Please...

Which part of this did you not understand:

"There is nothing in the Qur'an that says you should fight someone because they are of a different religion," he said. "Just the opposite is true. In its writings on other faith communities, it encourages dealing with them with kindness and justice."

The only time war is mentioned is in passages saying that believers can defend themselves from attack or oppression. Asked if a Muslim who sees the West as a threat could interpret that as an endorsement of a preemptive attack, Badawi said, "Humans have an inexhaustible ability to justify the wrong they're doing. It's no different than a Christian who is opposed to abortion using that as justification for bombing an abortion clinic. He's not indicative of Christians as a whole. He's a religious extremist, and the same term applies to anyone who plants a bomb in the name of their god. ... The ends do not justify the means in Islamic philosophy."

[simple_male 1]

Then why don't more Muslims SPEAK UP!!

The silence is practically a sign of approval.

Of course, Muslims do.

The ones that can make a change don't..................I hear empty rhetoric and see none setting the example.

Please read my edited post. I gave some condemnation examples by CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations). But the link is here again:

http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspx

[Alex+R 0]

LOL, Jeff Strickler used to be a movie critic for the Star-Tribune. He got reorganized to sh!tty religion writer in an attempt to make him quit I suppose.

[Peikko 1,575]

You'll need a Venn Diagram to explain this to some people. There is a low tolerance for comprehending these kind of "if they are in group a, it doesn't necessarily follow that they are also in group b, although there are people who are in both group a and group b and those who are in neither group" concepts

[Y's_habibitk 2]

They all seem to publicly condemn the actions of Muslim terrorists, yet those same terrorists are screaming the fact that they are doing what they're doing in the name of their Allah. Please...

May I play devils advocate.. as I love this role

Arent there MANY christians,catholics and such that kill.bomb ect abortion clinics? They do it in the name of GOD right?.. so does that mean that I, being christian, support that? Do they represent the whole faith? oh ya, its IGNORANCE and fear that breeds terror and hate.

and you say that "they" publicly condemn the actions.. but "the same terrorists" so, these are one in the same group? am i understanding this correctly?

P.S-there are also mentally ill people who say "god told them to do it"

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Is there anything in there about suicide bombers? Killing innocent children? Oh wait, maybe its ok because they do cover "martyrs", right? Yeah, whatever.

What are you babbling about ? Can't you read ?

Oh that's right. they're killing for peace. I have read the bible. And believe it or not I have read the Quran. I spent a year studying different religions and comparing views. And believe me one year was enough. I don't agree with any brainwashing in any form. Don't really care in which language its printed. If the Quran really preaches peace, then please explain the millions of senseless murders for Allah. It may not directly say "Holy War", nor does it say anything about living the way extremists have. They've interpretted the Quran in a way that suits them. But the facts are there. Muslims have gotten a really bad rep thanks to these extremists. They created "Holy War". Why wont decent Muslims who practice peaceful living and tollerance stand up and fight these extremists?? They watch as the massacres happen. as the wars continue. Do you know how many wars have been fought for "God"? Oh my God is better than yours. No mine is better. You must live like we do. No, you must live like we do. This is my holy land. No, its mine. Get a f*^% grip! We're all human. here's your banana.