We Should Be Tolerant Of Religion Because It's Religion; Nope, No Reasoning Here

Bush right to promote tolerance - Opinion

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"Wednesday, President George W. Bush finally confronted the Christian right by denouncing anti-Islamic statements made by leaders such as Pat Robertson. While it is good the president is publicly denouncing the remarks, he should have spoken up sooner."

-I wonder if by "denouncing" the Islamic faith they mean citing actual quotes from the koran that advocate different types of evil. In America were are allowed to say whatever we want; offensive or not. If everyone agreed on every issue there would be no reason for the 1st Amendment to exist at all.

"Slay them wherever you find them...Idolatry is worse than carnage...Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme." (Surah 2:190-)

"Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you dislike it." (Surah 2:216)

"If you should die or be slain in the cause of God, His forgiveness and His mercy would surely be better than all the riches..." (Surah 3:156-)

"Forbidden to you are...married women, except those you own as slaves." (Surah 4:20-, 24-)

"Seek out your enemies relentlessly." (Surah 4:103-)

"Try as you may, you cannot treat all your wives impartially." (Surah 4:126-)

"Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends." (Surah 5:51)

"Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme." (Surah 8:36-)

"...make war on the leaders of unbelief...Make war on them: God will chastise them at your hands and humble them. He will grant you victory over them..." (Surah 9:12-)

"If you do not fight, He will punish you sternly, and replace you by other men." (Surah 9:37-)

"Prophet make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home." (Surah 9:73)

"Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them." (Surah 9:121-)

-...need I say more? I don't think I should have to, but I will just to clarify my viewpoints even more. The worst part of this whole ordeal is that there are literally dozens of these detestable statements all throughout the "holy" koran. No one is ever be tolerant (except for people who defended Tookie Williams and the like) of individuals that act this way, so why should it be shone in such a postive light when it's full of negative, evil idiocy? This reminds me of a time a couple of months ago when I was talking to a girl on the second floor of Cooper Hall. She said "Religion is always good", so I of course, being the natural investigator that I am, had to ask her how. After presenting similar examples to the ones I have listed above, she had no rebuttal. I brought that point to this because religion isn't always good. Afterall, I could always make a religion about worshipping unicorns and tooth-fairies, right? :) To assume that something "religious" is morally superior to anything and is above the judgement of any individual just because it's considered "religious" is inane.

"Since Sept. 11, Muslims have faced public attacks on their religion by members of the Christian right. Most notable were the remarks made by Jerry Falwell in October. Falwell made the comment that Muhammad, the most respected prophet of Islam, was a terrorist. The comments enraged Muslims and even sparked a riot in India that left five people dead and at least 50 injured. He eventually issued an apology, but by then damage had already been done."

-I'm not even sure who Jerry Falwell is, but just when I thought he hit the nail on the head, he apologized. The "prophet" Muhammad was a terrorist. You can virtually open up to any page of the "holy" koran and notice unjustified violence being advocated to anyone who will lend a listening ear.

"There are at least one billion Muslims in the world, and understanding them is important. President Bush has started Americans down a good path by noting that the "vast majority of American citizens respect the Islamic people and the Muslim faith." Bush is correct about that, and while his message may be late, it is not so late that people cannot re-address how they interact or view Islam and Muslims in general."

-"There are at least one billion Muslims in the world, and understanding them is important." Tell me why. I don't tolerate murderers or rapists in a social setting, but in a religious arrangement the "holy" koran cites both of those traits (among many other negative characteristics) as both acceptable and mandatory for their followers. Should we be tolerant of the worst serial-killer in American history, Gary Ridgway? Should we be tolerant to his views and moral code? Should we be tolerant of him killing 48 innocent women?

"The holiday season is already in full swing, and it is a good time for reflection on all the world's religions and a time to celebrate peace and good cheer."

-This religion doesn't focus on peace at all.

Im not a huge fan of putting images up on my blog, but I couldn't resist this one:


-Just in case it's too small to see, on the bottom of the left page of the koran, it asks the question of: "What Does Your Religion Mean For You?"

The Conclusion:

-This form of religion doesn't revolve around peace, regardless of whatever you hear. If you were to actually pick apart the "holy" koran, you would slowly begin to notice this unavoidable fact. I cannot have "tolerance" for a belief system that engages in stoning an innocent woman to death and the like (WARNING! Be careful; this video is extremely graphic, if you have a weak stomach I wouldn't advise that you watch it). These things need to be known. Oh and by the way, if you were offended that I put the word holy in quotation marks regarding the koran, I'm glad.*

*For the English to Arabic translation of this sentence: وبالمناسبه ، لو كان المتضرر ان اطرح كلمه "مقدسه" علامات الاقتباس حول القران ، وانا سعيد.