Islam ?

I have always heard "Islam is a peace loving religion" yada yada yada...

But then I also know some of the verses and things Quran state can be quite aggressive against other religions. Things are "People who don't follow Allah or Mohammad shall be treated in Hell" Or restrictions of how one can't marry non Islamic beings or one shouldn't worship Idols makes the religion sound very narrow minded and not as tolerant. Sometimes I feel some of the extreme interpretations of such restrictions or statements by the terrorists is causing such friction and violence around the world.

Yes, the topic can be sensitive. So please discuss it with an open mind and practically without going for each other's throats. Personally, I am not fond of religion in the first place for it creates division, but I can't overlook the fact that it does guide us to be good humans.

P.S: If I am wrong, do correct me. But I do know quite some about Islam and not a novice here.
P.S.S: And yes I know Islam doesn't teach killing etc etc. But I am just trying to debate how Islam can be quite "other religions-phobic " with such statements and harsh boundaries.

Very good topic, TM. I myself am a Muslim, although I'm not a very well-versed one. Looking forward to the hopefully 'peaceful' discussion/debate.

One thing I would like to mention about Islam (it applies to most other religions too) is that religion it self and all it's scriptures, i.e. The Quran, The Holy Bible should not be taken literally and read out of context.
When that is done, it creates (and promotes) unnecessary wars and violence.

I know about the verses you are talking about, TM. I won't put forward my own personal opinion regarding those verses. Personally speaking, I am quite tolerant towards folks that practice religions other than Islam.

Although I'm quite intolerant to preachers of any kind. And that opens up another sensitive topic for discussion. 😆

Originally posted by: Feiry.Fawkes

I have always heard "Islam is a peace loving religion" yada yada yada...

But then I also know some of the verses and things Quran state can be quite aggressive against other religions. Things are "People who don't follow Allah or Mohammad shall be treated in Hell" Or restrictions of how one can't marry non Islamic beings or one shouldn't worship Idols makes the religion sound very narrow minded and not as tolerant. Sometimes I feel some of the extreme interpretations of such restrictions or statements by the terrorists is causing such friction and violence around the world.

Yes, the topic can be sensitive. So please discuss it with an open mind and practically without going for each other's throats. Personally, I am not fond of religion in the first place for it creates division, but I can't overlook the fact that it does guide us to be good humans.

P.S: If I am wrong, do correct me. But I do know quite some about Islam and not a novice here.
P.S.S: And yes I know Islam doesn't teach killing etc etc. But I am just trying to debate how Islam can be quite "other religions-phobic " with such statements and harsh boundaries.

By killing those terrosits who are forcing an, killing and making other people like hell these terrosits are insulting islam by their deeds .

Hey im very ignorant about the quran or bible of islam but one thing that was always a sensitive topic in my family was islam...whatever they would do they would literally be bashed and condemned by the members of my family.
And basically the fact that terrorists claim attacking humans in name of allah can quickly create a bomb at home!
My dad forbiddens me from having muslims friends and sometimes muslims act so mannerlessly.They tend to act as superior as you or will look down on you.They arent saints but will always try to lower your positions!
And so,having been implanted all this in my brain by my whole family,i too started feeling agony for them.Trying to ignore them as possible! But unfortunately...fate is unpredictable and i met a friend.A girl.I don't know how but the fact that she's muslim never bothered me.We chat everyday and laugh and make fun of each other and though the topic of terrorists arised soon between us,it didn't affect us.Rather after this we strengthened our bonds and i just decided to keep it secret from my dad that my bestie was a muslim!
But one day the matter bursted out and i found myself stuck between my frind and my parents..they were literally going mad and my bestie was aware about the thoughts of my parents but she just didn't ponder over the matter and her character immediately reassured me...be it as a friend..as a daughter or a member of the society..because muslim,chinese or african...her only company gives me so much pleasure that religion doesnt matter. I seriously never liked those muslims who more than worshipping god were venerating their religion! And my friend knew what to say at what time! I gradually gave a try to know more about how she does namaj or how to be veiled and for me it no more was a tabu discussion...i can ask her any question on her religion without feeling weird...

I think its the society and people's mind that restrict us from crossing certain boundaries! And im glad i crossed it...of course there's still the cheap people but in all religions there are mean humans...not because one says its forbidden or bad that we should follow the trend!

Thanks for creating this topic TM , it made me return to this place against my best efforts 😆 .. as a Hindu , i have had similar doubts regarding Islam and while i was active in this forum, i did raise a similar doubt & a fellow muslim Member ".Chiqueta." was patient enough to clear out my queries , the following is my previous conversation regarding the same, i am posting it here becoz i think its very relevant to the topic -

^^ Specifics are always dodged and different statements are quoted. So yeh, her post doesn't really clear my queries. And I guess they never will. I mean no one is going to come out and say "Hell yeh you all are going to Hell for not following Allah" 😆

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Nothing against Muslims especially those who are quite open and tolerant to other religions, just have issues with Quran and it's certain statements (and of course anything nonsensical by other religious books) which are at times blindly followed by idiots.

End of the day, I follow a God loving equation than God fearing + using "our precious (=brain)", gifted so lovingly to us for a reason 😆

Originally posted by: anael24

I think its the society and people's mind that restrict us from crossing certain boundaries! And im glad i crossed it...of course there's still the cheap people but in all religions there are mean humans...not because one says its forbidden or bad that we should follow the trend!

I myself have many Muslim friends for years, so that boundary has been crossed years back 😆 Well, that wasn't what I was asking. My questions were more specific to Quran and what it states. But, thanks anyways for sharing your story, glad you have crossed the boundary AND you're welcome for given an opportunity to rant 😆

Yes, idol worshiping is condemned in Quran, but it is not just idol worshiping like we mostly think it may just mean. Even following religious leaders are condemned and called as Idol and their followers taking them as idols or gods in stories mentioned in Quran because in many such stories leaders used to tell the followers something else over God's laws. Traditions and following forefathers are also mentioned many times in Quran.

problem is religions are too ambiguous. for example quran says you should never kill innocent people. but some people don't know how to interpret what innocent means. so they end up killing anyone who they don't find innocent in their own mind! since religions were formed a long time ago, the manner of writing wasn't the most refined, so there is huge amounts of ambiguity. combined with the fact that muslims are the MOST religious people. there is huge scope for violent fanaticism where the religion is not only misinterpreted but also being carried out by mad groups in their misinterpreted forms!

here in bhagvad gita there is ambiguous terms like "evil" but hindus are not very religious (eg, myself) so they won't read too deep into it. Also if you see the quality of education in india versus some islamic countries, ours is relatively better for what it's worth. That's why even the upper class muslims are really nice here. but for lower middle class and lower class muslims, there is always a risk of them not understanding their holy book properly.