Why I believe Islam is NOT the religion of peace....

This posting is a follow up to a debate with Fafnir's Hangnail over the issue of religious satire and the effect of offending religious groups. As stated previously in my debate with him, what is really the issue here is freedom of expression versus censorship and the defense of our way of life as American citizens and the western culture in general.

My references to the Koran..or Qu'ran are from:

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah and Guidance
http://quran.al-islam.com/

Anyone who really believes that the religion of Islam is no worse than Christianity or Judaism needs to pick up a Koran and do a little reading.
I have issued this challenge before and i will do so again. If ANYONE can find any passages, verses or books in either the Bible or the Torah...I will concede this point, until then I stand by what I say.
Islam is only peaceful when the world becomes Islam.
Don't spin this wrong either. This is not about people brought up as Muslims that pay it lip service like so many so-called "Christians" or "Jews". This is about the religion itself. There are alot of good people that live in Muslim countries and alot of good "Muslims" as well. This is not meant to be a reflection on ordinary folks...this is a commentary and a criticism of the fundamental beliefs of the Islamic Faith.

I am going to post some of the verses from the Koran below and the reference for your perusal.

Administrating by the Non-Muslims

Al-anfal n.8 v.73-75

[73] The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: unless ye do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief.
[74] Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah, as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid, these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous.
[75] And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company, they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah. Verily Allah is well-acquainted with all things.

An-Nissa 4 v. 95,96

95] Not equal are those Believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) hath Allah promised good: but those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.
[96] Ranks specially bestowed by Him and Forgiveness and Mercy, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

An-Nissa 4 v. 100,101

[100] He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah, finds in the earth many a refuge, wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and His Messenger, his reward becomes due and sure with Allah: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[101] When ye travel through the earth, there is no blame on you if ye shorten your prayers, for fear the Unbelievers may attack you: for the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies.


An-Nissa n.4 v. 141,142

141] (These are) the ones who wait and watch about you: if ye do gain a victory from Allah, they say: "Were we not with you?" But if the Unbelievers gain a success, they say (to them): "Did we not gain an advantage over you, and did we not guard you from the Believers?" But Allah will judge betwixt you on the Day of Judgment. And never will Allah grant to the Unbelievers a way (to triumph) over the Believers.
[142] The Hypocrites, they think they are over-reaching Allah but He will over-reach them: when they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance;

An-Nissa n.4 v. 144-146

144] O ye who believe! take not for friends Unbelievers rather than Believers: do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?
[145] The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire; no helper wilt thou find for them.
[146] Except for those who repent, mend (their life), hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion as in Allah's sight; if so they will be (numbered) with the Believers. And soon will Allah grant to the Believers a reward of immense value.

On the Jihad....

Al- Anfal 8 v. 60-62

[60] Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the Cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.
[61] But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things).
[62] Should they intend to deceive thee, verily Allah sufficeth thee: He it is that hath strengthened thee with His aid and with (the company of) the Believers;

At-Touba 9 v. 41

[41] Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the Cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew.

Al-Hajj 22 v. 58-60
[58] Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, and are then slain or die, on them will Allah bestow verily a goodly Provision: truly Allah is He Who bestows the best Provision.
[59] Verily He will admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased: for Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.
[60] That (is so). And if one has retaliated to no greater extent than the injury he received, and is again set upon inordinately, Allah will help him: for Allah is One that blots out (sins) and forgives (again and again).

Al I Imran 3 v. 142

[142] Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and remained steadfast?
[143] Ye did indeed wish for Death before ye met Him: now ye have seen Him with your own eyes, (and ye flinch!)
[144] Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.

Concerning the "molesting" of the prophet (Mohammed)

At-touba 9 v. 12-14

[12] But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith, fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.
[13] Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe!
[14] Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,
At-touba 9 v. 60-61
[60] Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
[61] Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, "He is (all) ear." Say, "He listens to what is best for you: he believes in Allah, has faith in the Believers and is a Mercy to those of you who believe." But those who molest the Prophet will have a grievous penalty

And...from the Hadith. This is from the prophet Mohammed and not the Koran...so essentially the words of the prophet not Allah.

From the Hadith

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Allah has undertaken to look after the affairs of one who goes out to fight in His way believing in Him and affirming the truth of His Messengers. He is committed to His care that He will either admit him to Paradise or bring him back to his home from where he set out with a reward or (his share of) booty. By the Being in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, if a person gets wounded in the way of Allah, he will come on the Day of Judgment with his wound in the same condition as it was when it was first inflicted; its color being the color of blood but its smell will be the smell of musk. By the Being in Whose Hand is Muhammad's life, if it were not to be too hard upon the Muslims, I would not lag behind any expedition which is going to fight in the cause of Allah. But I do not have abundant means to provide them (the Mujahids) with riding beasts, nor have they (i.e. all of them) abundant means (to provide themselves with all the means of Jihad) so that they could be left behind. By the Being in Whose Hand is Muhammad's life, I love to fight in the way of Allah and be killed, to fight and again be killed and to fight again and be killed.
Hadith number in Sahih Muslim [Arabic only]: 3484

So. I am going to leave it up to you to make your own decision. It seems pretty straightforward to me...but maybe I'm way offbase here. It seems a divine mandate to make the world submit to Allah...(Read: become Muslim) or face the Army of Allah...or the Mujahideen. And...until the world is Islam, that is what they will endeavor to do..with and by whatever means necessary.

Yes, Atrocities have been committed in the name of religion for thousands of years. But Christianity has risen above it. The Jews have been persecuted for their entire existence and don't really care about converting anyone at the end of a gunbarrel or the tip of a spear/sword/knife. It is the followers of Islam that are MANDATED, in their Holy book of wisdom to do so. Refute it if you wish. But please do us all a favor and back up your opinion with facts, otherwise it won't be taken seriously and won't even pass the moderation phase.

So this post was a result of a debate about the "Modoggie" illustrations done by the Artist Lars Vilks. The ire from Fafnir's Hangnail surrounded my apparent glee at maybe doing my own illustrations of "Modaggies". The point being that it was interpreted that I was considering this "because I could". And that I was simply being and asshole "because I could".
Fafnir actually was only trying to make me think harder about what I was proposing and was playing "devil's advocate" (Pun intended). Exactly the sort of discourse and debate I encourage.

But, for the record, why shouldn't "because I can" be a good enough reason. If I feel strongly enough about it or even if i don't, it is my right as a US citizen to draw a picture of whatever i want and to also say whatever I want. I am not so shallow as to draw an offensive picture just because I can however. If I do draw some Modoggie cartoons, and post them it will be because I am flipping the proverbial "bird" at the religious authority of Islam...and yes, there most certainly is one. In fact there are several Muslim countries whose Authority is more like tyranny and the average working family must live by a ridiculously outdated standard of living. I for one will not stand by and watch them infiltrate our culture and twist us into an Islamic society by being complacent or totally disregarding situational awareness until it's too late. they can commit horrible atrocities and crimes against humanity and that's ok cause "Allah mandates it be so" yet an artist can't draw a cartoon satirizing the Prophet? I cannot and will not submit. PERIOD. And if that makes me an Asshole, well then By GOD I'll be one. And yes, I am happy to call myself the INFIDEL THEY LOVE TO HATE!

I am an American.
I am also a former soldier and I made an oath to support and defend our constitution from ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.

I take my oath extremely seriously.

For one, I am not Iroquois.
Nor am I Irish.
Nor am I Scottish.
Nor am I Welsh.
Nor am I Swiss.
Nor am I French.
Nor am I German.

I am all of these things but most of all...

I am an American.

To be an American does not constitute being White, Black, Red, yellow or Purple.
To be an American is to embrace a way of life that upholds the rights and freedoms of all people who wish to live free.
To live under the tyrannical yoke of a theocracy or a dictatorship is not freedom.
And I will not abide by that for any reason.

I have chosen to make a stand against ANY threat to my country and my way of life. The most important document to me is the Constitution. Period.

Look to your religious texts for wisdom...

I do on occasion as well, but I look to the Constitution of the United States for my my guidebook on the right way to live. FREE. Period.

God Bless the USA and our soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen who sacrifice so much to defend her.
On that, I will end this post. Feel free to comment. I look forward to seeing what you all have to say about that.