The recent bombing of the train in Spain by Al Qaeda has prompted me to ask this question. I understand that 200 individuals were murdered. Some of the suspects were shown reading verses of the Koran prior to the attack. I understand in past attacks by radical Islamic fundamentalist, a similar practice has also been done.

I believe that the radical Islamic fundamentalists are not representative of Islam. If that is true, then some high ranking Islamic clerics should publicly denounce the murder that Al Qaeda is conduction. Furthermore, the Islamic clerics should publicly rebuke and ask them to stop in the name of the principles taught in the Koran.

I have read several "Sura" in the Koran which call for war to spread Islam. I have also read where people who refused to accept Islam should be considered enemies of Islam and killed. Has anyone heard any Islamic cleric speak against this violence or call for stopping this violence by these radical Islamic groups? I don't think I will ever hear the Islamic clerics speak against these radical Islamic groups because they are considered as crusaders for the religion. To speak out against them would be heretical.

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2004

Answers

Loser.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2004

No religion should be judged by what its members do or how they behave. For you will nopt get a true picture; only what those you know or have heard about. Every religion must be judged by what its founder taught. Take Christianity for example. You cannot judge Chrisitanity by what the "Christians" you kbow or have contact with say or do. Christianity must be judged by what Jesus, the Christ taught. So too, with Islam. Study hard.

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2004

Good Point Pastor Paris

I too have been interested in the differences as has been in Christianity. I too will study hard. I have not heard of any clerics speaking out accept for the period right after September 11th 2001.

Blessings

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

“Among most Westerners, the term "Jihad" ("struggle" in Arabic) often brings up images of Muslim terrorists killing people who disagree with them. Jihad is an emotionally charged word that is heralded by the Western news media in descriptions of Middle East activities. People need not wait long to hear the term used during nightly news and see the affects of present day Islamic struggles in vivid pictures of destruction beamed to our televisions. But is this a fair assessment of the Muslim community as a whole? Jihad has been interpreted by Muslims in different ways. The Muslim sect of the Kharijites has elevated Jihad to one of the Five Pillars of Islam -- making it Six Pillars. This kind of belief is seen in the extremist Muslim groups we call terrorists. They use the concept of Jihad as a justification for killing anyone who isn't a Muslim. However, most Muslims disagree with this extremist position of some Muslims and advocate peace. These Muslims view Jihad as a spiritual struggle against evil in a metaphorical sense. For the most part, there is the Greater and Lesser Jihad. The Greater Jihad is the internal spiritual struggle of the Muslim toward submission to Allah. The Lesser Jihad is Holy War against non-Muslims based on principle of belief. It is this latter that has caused the most concern among Westerners. Is that concern warranted? Many think so.Islamic scholar Jamal Badawi, chairman of the Islamic Information Foundation in Halifax, insists that a jihad is `permitted only in self-defense or against tyranny and oppression--not as a tool to promote Islam.'' But, experts added, the ancient Islamic empires were built as much by force as by persuasion. Islam's founder, Mohammed, frequently used force, or the threat of it, to unify the nomadic tribes of the Arabian peninsula. The caliphs, who succeeded Mohammed as leaders of the Arab world, successfully took up arms against the Christian Byzantine Empire in Egypt and the Holy Land. By the end of the ninth century, Arabian armies had extended Islamic power from Spain to the borders of India.2 Anyone who has studied Islamic history must surely notice how frequently the Muslims were involved in battle after battle. Within 200 years after its inception, Islam had spread through a huge geographical area and many converts were made by the sword. What does the Qur'an say about Jihad? The Qur'an is the single most important authority in all of Islam. It is the scripture given from Allah through the angel Gabriel. Does the Qur'an teach Jihad? Absolutely yes. As you will see in the following quotes from the Qur'an, Holy War is definitely taught and encouraged. 1. "Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure," (Surah 61:4). 2. "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits...191And slay them wherever ye catch them. and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution is worse than slaughter; But fight them not at the sacred Mosque unless they (first) fight you there; But if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. 192 But if they cease, Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 193And fight them on until there is no more persecution. And the religion becomes Allah's. But if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (The Koran Surah 2:190-193). 3. "O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things," (Surah 9:38-39). 4. See also Surah 4:74-76; 61:10-12. What does the Hadith say about Jihad? The Hadith are the recorded sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad. It is second in authority only to the Qur'an and is often used to clarify things not specified in the Qur'an. What did Muhammad say about Jihad as recorded in the Hadith? 5. "The Prophet said, "The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers, then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have loved to be martyred in Allah's cause and then made alive, and then martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause."Volume 1, Book 2, Number 35, Narrated Abu Huraira 6. "Allah's Apostle said, "A pious slave gets a double reward." Abu Huraira added: By Him in Whose Hands my soul is but for Jihad (i.e. holy battles), Hajj, and my duty to serve my mother, I would have loved to die as a slave. Volume 3, Book 46, Number 724: Narrated Abu Huraira 7. "Allah's Apostle said, "Allah guarantees (the person who carries out Jihad in His Cause and nothing compelled him to go out but Jihad in His Cause and the belief in His Word) that He will either admit him into Paradise (Martyrdom) or return him with reward or booty he has earned to his residence from where he went out." Volume 9, Book 93, Number 555: Narrated Abu Huraira. Obviously Muhammad taught that Holy War was an acceptable and good thing to do. To clarify, he even stated that if a Muslim were to die in battle, fighting for the cause of Allah, that he would be guaranteed to go to Paradise. Why is understanding the Islamic position of Jihad important? Simple. People act according to their beliefs. If a large group of people believes that war against "unbelievers" is a holy thing, that it is a thing sanctioned from God, then those who are not Muslims should be concerned. Of course, at this point, most Muslims might accuse me of being sensationalistic and pointing to only a few extremists and out-of-context verses to make Islam look bad. First, let me say that by far the majority of Muslims I have encountered here in the United States have been polite and peace loving. Second, in other parts of the world, Jihad is taken to extremes not simply by terrorists, but by Islamic led governments. Anyone can make any group look bad through selective quotes. Each religious group has elements of its history it wish it could ignore. The Muslims could cite the Crusades or the Inquisition as examples of "Christian behavior." In response, the Crusades, right or wrong, were a retaliation against the Islamic Jihad that was sweeping through Europe. The Inquisition, on the other hand, is a perfect example of what happens when a religious group (the Roman Catholic Church) gets in power and tries to root out heretics and blasphemers. Islam is no different. The Islamic run country of Pakistan (No. 9 above) has anti blasphemy laws where the punishment for speaking blasphemy against Muhammad and the Qur'an is death. Islamic run Sudan has already killed, and still is killing, millions of people, mainly Christians, in its own country in addition to making many of them slaves. (No. 12 above). It is these kinds of facts that cannot be ignored and should not be ignored. Muslim and Christian alike should be very concerned. I do not know if other Muslim countries are condemning the actions of these Islamic nations that so easily violate human rights. I do not know if Muslims outside of those countries are even aware of the problems going on within their theologically diverse ranks of other nations. But, when a Holy Book like the Qur'an advocates Holy War, when the very sayings and deeds of their beloved Prophet Muhammad advocate Jihad, and when we see some Islamic nations killing non Muslims -- because they are not Muslims, how can we not be worried about what they would do if they had control of the world....as is their goal. Here in the States, Muslims enjoy freedom of religion and expression. Such freedoms for Christians are basically non existent in many Islamic nations. Is that right?”

Information from Matthew J. Slick, CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY www.carm.org (good website)

Fedrick Allen Wilson

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

Jazzman -

As you know the paradox of Islam is that the actions of some of its incorrigble followers desecrate the true meaning of Islam (i.e. peace). The reluctance of influential Islamic clerics to speak swiftly, clearly and enforce harsh sanctions against those who aim at wanton destruction of alternative lifestyles and non-Islamic societies makes these leaders complicit in the chaos and killings we are witnessing. Whenever theocracies repress civil rights, persecution and suffering are inevitable. QED

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

I agree that the clerics should speak out but that would mean death for most of them. It is very difficult to enforce sanctions against someone ready and wiling to use whatever means to exercise his will upon another.

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

I would like to clear something up. Islam does not mean peace. Islam means complete SUBMISSION to Allah. Islam is not about peace, anyone who has seriously studied islam will concur.

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2004

Islam, Judaism and Christianty all appear to worship the same god. All three religions are very protective of their particular view of the diety. All 3 religions evolved and continue to evolve in times of deep division and world crisis. Each of the 3 religions damns adherents of the other 2 to hell and cites those other believers as repressors. Each of the 3 religions, however, makes it clear that picking up a weapon over a difference of belief is not appropriate. The general view is that the 'God of choice' will provide the answer (hell) to disbelievers. The Koran, in particular, has severe strictures about one Islamic sect betraying another. The penalties of such betrayal are self-protection, as well as 'God' condemning transgressors to hell. I wonder why the religious right in all 3 religions has not spoken out for peace and tolerance. The Catholic, Baptist, Jewish and Islamic clergy has been almost invisible. Does the cloak of invisibility also hide the wish that the 3 numerically great religions 'fight it out'? Or does invisibility reflect despair?

Islamic clerics are not alone in their irrespsonsible intaction. President Bush is not alone in his irresponsible calls to action. Bush share much with Mullahs that preach violence and hatred. Look at his handling of the marriage for gays. As if that is an issue worthy of the attention of our great nation in a time of crises.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2004

Ask a Muslim if Allah is the same God that you believe in. The answer will be no if you are a Christian who believes in the Trinity, or the divine sonship of Christ.

Islamic apologists rarely know the first thing about Islam and usually predicate their erroneous justifications with the worn "Islam means Peace" cliche.

Open up a Qu'ran first and head off those misguided beliefs before you comment.

GSBullock

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Is man free to choose Christ or Allah? Further, are we not free agents; able to choose the path that we walk? If God does not force us to follow him why do some want to compel others to believe like themselves?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Rev. Paris,

No is the answer. Man does not choose God, God chooses man.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Well Rev. Al, Why don't you answer your own question? Why do people of the various religions believe that they are the correct followers of God and everyone else is lost? Muslims want to convert you just as you want to convert non-christians. I believe it is a tenant of your faith to be a fisher of men, is it not?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Allah is the Arabic form of the Aramaic Allaha, meaning God.

I believe is derived from El Yah (God Yah, short for Yahweh) In Arabic al- is a very common prefix.

Muslims are no different from the Jews in stating that infidels ( gentiles) can be killed.

So Allah is Yahweh, who the Jewish people call Adonay in reverence.

Thus, Muslims believe in the eternal God. It is in the way they perceive him where the problem about killing others lies.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2004

Nice try but your wrong. Allah actually comes from the pagan moon god (hence the crescent moon) al-ilah. Evidence gathered from both North and South Arabia demonstrate that Moon-god worship was clearly active even in Muhammad's day and was still the dominant cult. According to numerous inscriptions, while the name of the Moon-god was Sin, his title was al-ilah, i.e. "the deity," meaning that he was the chief or high god among the gods. As Coon pointed out, "The god Il or Ilah was originally a phase of the Moon God." The Moon-god was called al-ilah, i.e. the god, which was shortened to Allah in pre-Islamic times. The Muslim's claim that Allah is the God of the Bible and that Islam arose from the religion of the prophets and apostles is refuted by solid, overwhelming archeological evidence. Islam is nothing more than a revival of the ancient Moon-god cult. It has taken the symbols, the rites, the ceremonies, and even the name of its god from the ancient pagan religion of the Moon-god. As such, it is sheer idolatry and must be rejected by all those who follow the Torah and Gospel. moongod.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2004

Crawford,

Swing and a miss....Youhave just entered into the Linguistic Twilight Zone.

There is a long-standing discussion between scholars who believe that "Allah" is a contraction of the word "il-Allah", which happened to be the Moon God (AKA Astoreth/Ashera/Baal/Beelzebub/Satan), and those who believe it stands for "God".

Obviously, the Muslim community would have a lot to lose if they are serving a God that is actually Satan. But the other side would need to rethink its theologies if "Allah" is in fact the One and Only Living God.

As to Jews killing those who do not believe, again I point out that if you are talking about Old Testament killings, those people (the fill-in-the-blank-ites) were not human. If you are speaking of the Modern Era, the Jews for the most part are acting in Self-Defense.

What would you do if 99.84% of the countries surrounding you were bent on your destruction?

No, the number is not an exaggeration. On one of my next posts, I will share some intersting facts about Israel with all of you, including the Balfour Declaration and the Six Day War. Stay Tuned.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2004

Crawford, try this link for one of the oldest names of God. It sometimes appears as El, Yah, or EL YAH.

Yah

Don't forget Crawford that Abraham originally worshipped God as El.

He probably was associated at first with the moon. His chaldean (Babylonian name I think was Sin).

Yet, Abraham, his grandson Jacob,....his descendant Moses,...they had dreams or revelations of El. To Moses was the first we are told he said his name was Yahweh in Exodus.

The Arabs of the Arabian peninsula, especially Muhammad got their name for God from the Syrian church. His wife was a Syrian Christian. They used Aramaic. In Aramaic God is called Allaha.

Jews even today since the days of Ezra (420 BC) don't call God Yahweh by his name but Adonay(Lord), Ha Shem(The Name), even Elohim plural of Eloah(God).

So Muslims truly worship the God of the Jews under the name Allaha.

The Christian Yahwist The Man Of Yahweh

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2004

Elpido, You make a reasonable point, but it cannot be stated as a concrete fact that the Islamic origin of "Allah" is the same as Allaha. Which I believe in aramaic is Allahu. The conflict appears to be significant as the possible pagan origins of Allah cannot be dismissed in light of research which certainly supports this concept. When one looks at the rites of the pilgrimage to Mecca and notes the various paganite rituals that are involved, it is difficult to completely dismiss the possibility that Mohamed borrowed heavly from the pagans (which were active in Southern Arabia during that time) and could further bolster the theologists that claim that the God of Islam is indeed "El-illah" one of the phases of the moon considered a God.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2004

Tritium,

What we know about Muhammad is that he was an orphan by age 9. He was raised by his uncle.

He also spent time with the Bedouin in the desert.We don't know if he could write or read. Muslims think h didn't. Later in his 20s he married his boss, a Christian woman.His first wife , a Christian knew how to read. She was a woman of means.

So how could Muhammad know about the New Testament and the Hebrew Scriptures The Tenach(Torah, Prophets and other Writings)?

Someone head to tell him: The Christians.

Muhammad kept the Kabbah worship in Mecca to centralize his new religion once he realized Christians and Jews would not accept his prophethood.

Jinn belief and Kabbah worship is as pagan as Muhammad I think went.

I don't know of any writing at this time that preserved God's name as as El Illah, a Moon God.

Here is a site where I have been a regular member. There are Protestants, Catholics, ....Atheists,...and Yahwists like me there.

My African American female boss when I lived in Compton was from the A.M.E Church. She used to bring me literature about her Church.

Oldest Name for God

Here I link to a site where remains of God's name, Yahweh have been found in the Sinai peninsula. It appears as El...El Yah,...

I am not in contact with the creator of that site.

The Christian Yahwist.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2004

Here is the site:

Yah

What do you think?

The Christian Yahwist

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2004