4 ms·

I'm not sure historical context helps you cast those quotes in a "peaceful" light. Islam's early spread essentially was at the edge of a sword and conquest. I

I'm not sure historical context helps you cast those quotes in a "peaceful" light. Islam's early spread essentially was at the edge of a sword and conquest. I'm sincerely interested to hear the context I'm missing.

jbm 16y ago
You cannot possibly expect an honest reply if you go in with an attitude that reeks of prejudice. Islam's early spread included conquest, and also included very real economic aspects that were appreciated by its adherents. The religions in the middle east at the time were extremely taxing; one of the reasons there is no priesthood in Islam is the sheer amount that would be paid in tithes to the pre-Islamic religions in the area. Furthermore, as context, many of these verses are in a historic situation where Muslims were betrayed by an entire group and were on the verge of annihilation. Please don't pretend that violence is abhorrent in that situation. Regardless of what group you belong to (or don't), the fact is that every group in that situation lashes out; whether it is burning and leveling large parts of the South or expelling / killing a group of people who had betrayed a nation. This clearly is not meant to be the behavior in an era where there is peace between various groups. If what you say is true, you need to account for why there were any Christians or Jews or Hindus for that matter left alive in territories conquered by Muslims. I don't doubt that there were atrocities and acts of malice / evil inflicted by conquerers, but the unfortunate truth is that it is a common part of war; then and now. I won't be bringing up the topic again, I don't think it is worth it and I doubt you are honestly interested in the issue. Still, it's sad that you choose to demonize 1/6th of the population of the world. Best of luck to you if that's how you choose to live your life.

jbm 16y ago

You cannot possibly expect an honest reply if you go in with an attitude that reeks of prejudice. Islam's early spread included conquest, and also included very real economic aspects that were appreciated by its adherents. The religions in the middle east at the time were extremely taxing; one of the reasons there is no priesthood in Islam is the sheer amount that would be paid in tithes to the pre-Islamic religions in the area. Furthermore, as context, many of these verses are in a historic situation where Muslims were betrayed by an entire group and were on the verge of annihilation. Please don't pretend that violence is abhorrent in that situation. Regardless of what group you belong to (or don't), the fact is that every group in that situation lashes out; whether it is burning and leveling large parts of the South or expelling / killing a group of people who had betrayed a nation. This clearly is not meant to be the behavior in an era where there is peace between various groups. If what you say is true, you need to account for why there were any Christians or Jews or Hindus for that matter left alive in territories conquered by Muslims. I don't doubt that there were atrocities and acts of malice / evil inflicted by conquerers, but the unfortunate truth is that it is a common part of war; then and now. I won't be bringing up the topic again, I don't think it is worth it and I doubt you are honestly interested in the issue. Still, it's sad that you choose to demonize 1/6th of the population of the world. Best of luck to you if that's how you choose to live your life.