Before continuing this topic, I must note that I am not a specialist on the area of islam, quran, the arab world, or related topics. I am, however, from a personal opinion interested in the islam, as it is only logical to be interested in a religion that has been entering the western world with a, to some, alarming rate.

First of all, terminology. Christianity refers to it being the teaching of Christ. Judaism refers to the area of Judaea, a region in Palestina/Israel. Islam means submission. Though there has been some confusion on this word, some believing it means peace, this is a falsehood. The word Salam means peace, and though they are derived from the same stem, this does not make the word submission an any less valid translation.

Does this mean anything? Well, it means that islam values 'submission' and service of their God, Allah (the arab world for God). Now, it is notable, however, that their submission is somewhat different than christians. Christians live by the ten commandments, mostly, putting most value in loving God, each other, and in tolerance. This is not true for Islam. Islam has an entire system of law.

What system of Law? The Sharia. This is an enormous list of rules a muslim must follow to lead a succesful life. Basically, where christians and jews have individual interpretations to how they worship God, islam has given it's followers the Sharia, where even the smallest rules are described.

These rules are derived from the Quran and the Ahadith. Now, before I continue, this means that all of those people saying "Well, that isn't in the Quran, so muslims don't have to do this!" are wrong, and misleading. The Ahadith, which are valued on credibility form an integral part of the sharia, along with the Quran, their holy scripture. Now, the Ahadith are basically tales about muhammed and include important lessons on how to live for a muslim. Basically, everone wants to live like Muhammed. And yet, they don't, because they don't worship him, but they worship Allah. Simply said, Mohammed is Allah's perfect servant (and a massmurdering pedophile) and muslims should strive to be a perfect servant.

When one bases a law upon two scriptures full of violence, it's hard to create something without violence, and the sharia forms no exclusion from this. The stoning of women is not unknown, neither is bloody decapitation. Yours truly, an atheist, would not survive long in a society dominated by the islam, a scary thought, yours truly believes.

Back to the point, however, we have a religion that has hatred in its scriptures, and that has, in its many centuries of existence caused only war and discord. Only years after the prophet died, the religion splintered and internal conflict emerged.

Now, humanism breeds on a few basic things. Respect for human life, tolerance and freedom. The Islam respects human life. That is, muslim life. Other religions are inferior, and for followers to survive they must state that the islam is a superior religion, The islam tolerates only its own absolute will. The Satanic verses, a very islamic work, was banned because it did not adhere to the exact believes of the current authority. Artistic expression is not allowed, neither is discussion of the past when it criticises the goodness of Islam. Islam and freedom are in no way related. They are opponents and can not exist together.

Please note that it is possible for a muslim to be moderate, but that islam at its core is not moderate. It is a religion of war, of massacres and of death. Christians in the western world WANT humanism. Ask a muslim in the western world whether he would prefer the sharia to western law. Expect a scary answer.

Discuss.

Mr U

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Why is this thread in news and politics? (Btw I love Salman Rushdies "Satanic Verses. But he's done better books)

Because of the political nature of Islam. Because the major influences of the islam we are seeing right now are only related to politics.

Besides, Islam has no culture, so that section wouldn't fit. It has no true identity. Christianity has created the cross-symbolism, and has allowed for art to be expressed within this. Islam does not.

Mr U

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I know next to nothing about Islam, but I've got a little comment about this bit:

Jewish individual interpretations - these are a very new phenomenon. The reason many Jews have individual interpretations is the same reason for why Muslims have individual interpretations - they live in a very secular society.
While there isn't a complete concensus on what the rules are for the observant Jew, there are very specific ideas about it. Basically, what I'm saying is that observant Jews can't individually decide what their obligations are. We have very specific rules too.

I'm also wondering where you got the pedophile bit from.

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Come on. I agree on the politic thing (religion + politics. Worst mix possible). But no culture? You're going too far there... it's perhaps been some time since they had that head start on medicine, hygiene and so on, but still...

What do you mean too far? I will admit that there is some culture in the region, but those are remnants of an arab age, not of the islam.

Mr U

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You know very well that you can't separate the two, no more than you can separate Islam from politic. It's all one big messy expanding heap...much like compost on steroids wanting to take over the world. I'm not talking about the people. I'm talking about "Islam". It's to intolerance what a fart is to a black hole. And culture... what about music? There still is new music created in islamic governed countries, no? Culture pops up wherever people live whatever their religion.

I know that the Palestinians have a habit of making music clips about their "martyrs".... does that count?

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Can't be worse than "It's a small world"...

Islam is referred to as the 'religion of peace' by those who practice it. And I would believe them too, it's just that when I start to, I flip on the news and see another of the so-called peaceful Islamists has blown himself up in a crowded area.

I think what HU is saying is Islam has no true sense of culture like other religions etc have. what little culture they have is more or less divided up between different sections of Islam, or followers. have ever you want to say it. i believe thier culture would more or less depend on thier beliefs, dress, morals and history then on anything as we know it like music, art etc. some cultures are more deeply sustained by what separates them in the simple means rather then what defines them by sight.

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Hey Come On , U Have Answer in The First Of UR Topic (I must note that I am not a specialist on the area of islam, quran, the arab world, or related topics.)
that's ur Knowledge about Islam , Do U Think Islam A Faith of War ?!!!
I Don't Think So , Coz I'm Muslim , and Have No Bad Feeling 2 Other People
and also we Live With Christians in our country ( i'm Egyptian ) in Egypt
we live Together in Love & Peace , and at last
who make WW1 + WW2 did muslims make That Hell on Earth !!!!!! I Wonder
Who Create The Crusade Invasions on Muslim Countries in the Past ?!
Answer Is The Christian Europe Invade Muslim World , That is The True
& I Need Every One Read Quran Before He Talks wRONG About Islam (The Final Message To All Mankind )

Thank U All ....