Peace by with you all, As a muslim, I would like to simply clarify some terminology often used in mainstream media today. It is difficult to go through one's daily routine without hearing words like "fundamentalist" or "extremist." Let me explain the terminology and why its misplaced. First of all, what is an extremist? Someone who takes it too far or something radically different. However, notice that to be extreme you have to be on a scale or a spectrum. For instance, can a democrat really be a democrat if he has a total republican platform? Really, No. Can he still be called a democrat inappropriately. Very much, yes. This is the problem in the world today. The term muslim is given out to easily to people. Let me clarify, the killing of civilians is a grave sin in Islam and completely forbidden under all circumstances. This is so basic from an Islamic framework. Let me give you just one verse from the Noble Quran: If you kill one person it's. as if you kill all humanity This is rather clear. Thus, anyone who is participating in these in activities, such as 911 and mumbai are not muslims. Thus, the term extremist dosen't apply because they are not on the Islamic spectrum. Also, what is a fundamentalist? A fundamentalist is a person who goes to the fundamentals of their faith and practices is. Well... isn't that every muslim. YES. In fact, the problem is that the people who claim to do this end up not going to the fundamentals but something else. A rather strange word the media pulls on you. It makes you THIS is the fundamentals of Islam! I am sure there are countless other such phrases that the media pulls out through subliminal messaging but I just wanted to let everyone know the problem with this terminology. I hope that one day we can all stop using this hate inciting language and come together towards mutual compassion and understanding of one another. Peace and guidance to all
Are Hamas and Hezbiollah members, both groups that have and continue to try and kill people, Muslims? I too would like to believe that they are not, that they do not represent Islam. What is confusing is how they wrap themselves in Islam. Should I believe them that they represent Islam? Do you consider members of Hamas to be Muslim?
Technically, though, they are Muslims, because they practice Islam, which is why we call the extremists in order to differentiate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one for generalizing, and am all about not strictly calling them Muslims, because that's almost like slander to the rest of Muslims, who don't do suicide bombings and all that crap. Yet, you can't say groups like Hammas aren't Islamic.
The handy thing about religion is it offers so many different things that people can use it to justify practically any world view they choose. People end up not following the teachings of their "prophets" and instead "pick 'n mix" different things that they can use to justify their preconceived opinions. In the quran there are more than enough verses that could be used to justify barbarism, Should the reader so wish to find them. So to the OP. The fact that you read the quran and got messages of peace from it says more about you than it does about your religion.
because ppl are eating that and its easy to brainwash them saying argh, we blew up a few hundred ppl, dropped a few bombs, but these ppl blow up their kids blah blah and so on, and that justifies it. No one will ask his opinion, so its pointless, the main stream media, which is shown to millions do consider them muslims.
It's not a matter of opinion, they ARE muslims. They are also extremists, and are in the minority when it comes to their religion. Just because they don't follow their reiligion like the majority of Muslims are doesn't make them any less Muslim. It's like saying Greek Orthodox people aren't Christian, just because they don't practice the religion the same way other Christians do.
So, with the same success I can name some pedophile from Austria or US a Christian, right? Or some person who came into church and started shooting everyone then killed himself, can I call him a Chrisitian just because he doesnt practice it? Wow, I thought if I dont pray and dont do ANY religious things and dont believe in existense of god Im an atheist. Considering that my parents are from muslim background, althought they dont do anything either to be a true muslim, would you say Im a Muslim? I think you would. Just like saying that a person who just killed a dozen of kids is a muslim. If its clearly says in Islam to not kill, how can they be Islamists?
Sure if they are Christians. There are bad people of every race, religion, nationality. Just being a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew or a Buddhist or a Hindu or an Atheist, does not mean one is perfect or does not commit misdeeds against others or society. One's goodness or badness is a personal quality. It is not determined by membership in some group. Of course they are still Muslim, if they were Muslims before they killed. Are they bad Muslims, yes. Same would be true with members of any religion. It is absurd to say that the instant anyone does something that is against their religion, they are not longer of that religion. That makes for nice excuses but lacks logic. Can a Muslim drink an alcoholic drink? Of course they can. It might make them a poorly practicing Muslim, but they are still Muslim. According to your logic, the second they drink they would cease to be Muslim?
Okay, last example: Some person who came into church and started shooting everyone then killed himself, can I call him a Chrisitian just because he doesnt practice it? Still Christian? I guess its the personal opinion, I dont call them muslims. (thats why I dont beieve in any of these religious cr*p, its all pathetic) By the way, Ill bring two different examples of how it is in south russia. In my republic, there are many shops, etc that sell alcohol. In neighbouring republic, which is 1 hour drive away from me, muslim too, they blow up shops if they find out that it sells alcohol. Now, who is the muslim here?
They are all Muslims as long as the practice the faith. Catholics curse all the time, yet they're still Catholics, just ones that don't practice their faith too well. Basically, it all boils down to what they call themselves. Classifying someone based on their religion is pointless. It's just unfortunate that the terrorists right now all happen to claim to be Muslim. It downgrades many uneducated peoples' view of anyone of that religion.