The
last time I wrote about this I received a death threat, My
response is to not publish my location till I've left. Anyway,
I've lived longer than the average bear already--Ill take my chances
and tell you what I think. I begin with my best condensate of
their views.
Islam
There is
only one God, call him Allah.
He
creates as an act of mercy,
Sustains
and guides and will someday judge
Every
Jack, Jill, Suzy and Percy.
Humans
are made to worship Allah,
To rule
over nature and construct
A social
order of justice and truth,
merciful
and not corrupt.
Evil in
the world begins with Satan,
An enemy
angel who tempts us all
To be
proud, selfish and petty,
Eat pork
and drink alcohol.
God
wants us to rise above this evil,
Build
character in our lives,
Obey his
laws, benefit humanity,
Have no
more than 4 wives.
He asks
five things: Profess the faith,
Pray
five times daily, give alms,
Once in
a lifetime visit Mecca,
Fast
during Ramadan.
This
message was given verbatim to Mohammed,
Written
in the Koran book.
He’s
the final prophet God will send,
No need
to further look.
History
will end on judgement day
When
Allah will choose where we dwell–
The
righteous will live forever in heaven,
The
wicked are sent to hell.
RANDY
PHILOSOPHIZES: In the snake pit that religion is---Islam is
the Cobra--and it seeks to eat all the other snakes-- a dreadful religion with a dreadful history. It has
morphed itself into the number one problem in the world.
It's
doctrins are no more or less unbelievable and unverifiable that those
discussed so far and it brainwashes its children like christians do--
but it has added a prison wall of a doctrine that makes escape from
it so dangerous that few try. That is the doctrine that whoever
renounces the faith must be killed. It has thus immunized
itself against critical self examination and reform.
The
Indoctrination and fear inherent in Islam has a billion people in its
grip behaving like mindless automatons guided by stupid and savage
leaders.
We
delude ourselves to think we can live in peace with them. They are
beyond reasoning. Hunnington (The Clash of Civilizations)makes the
case clear. (also recommended: Sam Harris--THE END OF
FAITH)
The only
cure for this fanaticism is a shattering defeat. That's what it took to
disabuse the Japanese of their divine emperor/destiny delusion.
I would love a rational debate, but fear that is not possible. When I read what you write, I can't disagree, therefore a debate is not possible. Love that you can make it rhyme. So you are preaching to the choir, but keep it up.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Randy, that in the course of criticizing various major religions you did not make an exception for the one that alone among today’s religions, includes in its ranks a significant element, (not loudly or often rebuked by its majority) that bullies and menaces, or worse, those who dare behave or speak in ways that offend its notions of the holy.
ReplyDeleteAnd it has seemed to me that religions and the cultures that subscribe to it function in a pattern of reciprocal determinism. That is, the religion influences the people, but the people also influence the religion. And so it is that every major religion has had its relatively more intolerant ages (or legends and scriptural teachings) as well as its relatively more tolerant ages. Thus, in any given era, any living faith as it is practiced is a mixed reflection of the underlying religion and the nation(s) practicing it. A good and kind people can practice religion in a good and kind way, though their ancient scriptures might say some very harsh things—and a harsh and crude people can practice religion in an oppressive and repulsive way, though their scriptures may speak only butterflies and lambs.
In our age, only the willfully blind or the hopelessly avoidant cannot see that Islam has become more virulent and murderous and intolerant—with it religious wars and terrorism touching huge swathes of the planet—just as its monotheistic relatives, Christianity and Judaism, have, by and large, become so accepting and tolerant as to almost lose their identities.
That other religions, in their actions or teachings, have been horrific at some points in history, is absolutely true. But no religion comes close to Islam’s horrors and oppression and violence in our time—the only time in which we can act, and the most pressing time about which to speak up.
Keep up your courageous creativity,
Michael in OK
When I think of religion, especially the Abrahamic religions, I think of Russell's teapot.
ReplyDelete"Many orthodox people speak as though it were the business of sceptics to disprove received dogmas rather than of dogmatists to prove them. This is, of course, a mistake. If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time."
I'm fairly sure most Muslims try to live their lives to reaffirm "Islam is the religion of peace," but when a substantial percentage of Muslims [depending on what country they are in] approve of the 9/11 attack and other acts of terrorism it is difficult to appreciate their beliefs in any way. The result is that it is reasonable to believe this is a contemptible religion, a bastardization of Judaism, written by and for Arabs, that brings out the worst of tribalism just as Christianity did a thousand years ago and still occasionally lapses into.
Anyone interested in discussing religion may do so at this site, a forum that enforces civil discussion. http://debatingchristianity.com My only personal, face to face discussion with a Muslim was one where my Egyptian acquaintance quickly got livid at the idea of democracy rather than theocracy. He considered the democratic approach "insane."
Even tho' he was a professional and a guest in this country, his palpable anger that gave every appearance of threatening violence. Discussion of any kind seemed ill advised.
Just curious to know if you have received death threats from any other religion besides the Muslim one?
ReplyDeleteNo---Christianity has somewhat moderated itself--and many of them sincerely want to be good people===they simply are victims of indoctrination--and too lazy or inept to seriously look into the matter. Same holds true for all the religions. Cultures are like giant ocean liners in their momentum--difficult to stop or turn. It is happening however--thanks to the internet. I'm guessing Muslims will become tolerant of other religions in about a hundred years. Tolerance, however, is not enough. Billions are still squandering their life energies supporting myths. Embracing the mystery of life and responding creatively is (I think) the better--more satisfying way to go.
ReplyDeletewill you do one about the religion of climate change?
ReplyDeleteRandy, Good to know you're still as full of shit as ever. Exactly how many Muslim friends do you have? How about this, this might be easier - How many Muslims do you know? Cheers, Gracie
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of the half dozen black churches where fires were set, recently? Was this racism or was this religious bigotry? Bushman
ReplyDeleteI have friends of different faiths. The faith of each, has no bearing on our friendship, some are Muslim. I can only hope this is true, as I have no faith. Randy, I can only hope, you continue to expose the fallacy of religion as you have, in prose. Religion is the expression of uncertainty........Black churches where fires were set.......Ignorance, bigotry, and ignorance again........I am of white northern European decent, I see skin color as NO deciding factor. Culture and rearing,... ....YES. There have been more people killed on this planet, IN THE NAME OF GOD, than for any other reason.
ReplyDelete