borboski said:
Hmm. It doesn't fill me full of confidence that "you discussed it on another thread and decided that most apostates are not to be killed, only some that meet certain criteria".
Then perhaps
reading through the thread to its conclusion could be more enlightening. Most people read the first post (mine

) and are automatically interested in the thread. But if you want a quick summary, here's the deal. Apostates do not and never did get killed for simply changing their religion or adopting a new belief. This is a personal choice, and if a religion other than Islam is what cooks your noodle, then that's your choice to make. The Qur'an explicitly states in many places that nobody can choose your religion for you, and that there is no compulsion in religion, but warns those who turn away from the truth of a punishment in the hereafter.
The times that apostates ARE threatened with execution is when they publically announce their conversion and go on to say how Islam is such a bad religion, or when they leave the Islamic community and join opposing forces (at times of war). For reasons behind these rulings, see the thread.
borboski said:
But to address the point of antisemiticism (and I don't think you need the "-"), it's absolutely my understanding that Islam and antisemiticism are linked, so I'd be very hopeful to find out I was wrong. One of the things I will do is read the Koran at some point.
That would be a good start. It's anti-semitism by the way. And yes, it easy to pick up that feeling, but it's not against Jews in general, just those who are currently causing opression and injustice, namely those in control of the Israel situation, or those who support it. A lot of Jews I know are embarrassed by Israel and their government and stand side by side with Muslims in many positive events and demonstrations. How can we hate someone like that?
borboski said:
And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath: We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected.
I don't see what's wrong with this verse. A portion of the Jews at that time transgressed after receiving multiple signs from Allah, and He punished them by turning them to pigs and monkeys. This doesn't talk about today's Jews or Jews in general in the slightest.
It's actually quite interesting, when you think about it. If you look at the anatomies of both pigs and monkeys, you'll find that they greatly resemble those of humans, both internally and externally...well maybe more internally for pigs. Pig hearts are sometimes even used for transplants into humans. Things like this just make you go "Wow, look at the power of Allah."
borboski said:
The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement.
Well if you're not a big fan of capital punishment, chances are you're not going to like that very much. Nevertheless, God says that those who wage war against you or
create mischief in tha land (murder, rape, theft, molestation, etc, etc) that they should suffer the punishment for those crimes, which are execution or decapitation depending on the crime. I don't see anything wrong with a criminal paying for his crime, and I personally don't have anything against
proper and just Islamic capital punishment.
borboski said:
And to those who were Jews We made unlawful every animal having claws, and of oxen and sheep We made unlawful to them the fat of both, except such as was on their backs or the entrails or what was mixed with bones: this was a punishment We gave them on account of their rebellion, and We are surely Truthful.
Allah forbid a group of Jews living thousands of years ago from eating certain types of meat becaused they rebelled against Him. I don't see the problem.
borboski said:
What are the hadiths? Are these not taken so seriously? They appear to include statements like:
"A Jew will not be found alone with a Muslim without plotting to kill him."
"The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. 'O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.'"
Hadiths are sayings of the prophet Mohammed (pbuh), and while a lot of them are authentic, some aren't. The ones you refer to describe some of the events that will happen just before the Day of Judgement, when it is prophecized that some Jews will join the Antichrist in the battle against the believers.
It sure helps understanding these quotes when you have more Islamic knowledge.
borboski said:
Plus you know Hirsi Ali is a woman, right, I assume that was just a typo?
Uh...yeah I fixed that, hehe.
borboski said:
She came across very well on an interview I heard - very articulate, reflective and reasonable.
Well going by what I read in the first post and by what
Jazzy said, I can't say I'm very encouraged. Perhaps those with limited knowledge of Islam see her that way, but those who know better see her differently.
snakelegs said:
the main thing i am curious about what do the muslim members think of making a distinction between "traditional islam" and its "radical form - islamism."
do you think it is a completely false distinction?
Hmm...this one is tricky. I can't say I really understand the term "Islamism". Is it like Islamic nationalism? All I can tell you is that we as Muslims need to work hard to incorporate the laws and teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah into the 21st century. A re-interpretation of the Qur'an in modern context could help, but it needs to be very well supervised and organised. Islam is not something traditional, but practical, and it needs to be treated as such. I don't know what "radical Islam" is supposed to be, but all I know is that there is a "right Islam" and a "wrong Islam", and each is made clear in the heart of a pure Muslim. How does killing an innocent civilian feel in the heart of any person, a Muslim or a non-Muslim? That's a start...