The bible is an amended book

Having read your post and absorbed your "qualifications," I'm surprised you would make this claim. There are many verses in the quran that not only encourage, but command muslims to kill non-muslims. Typically one might suggest 9:5 as the "be all, end all" verse.

We do not live in Old Testament times. I can't recall the last time I picked up a paper with the headline of "Christian killed today for working." Did God tell *everyone* to put to death anyone that does? No. I find it quite common for those attempting to draw upon some moral equivalence between the quran and Bible, almost always resort to the Old Testament. Never the New Testament. I can't imagine why!

I refer you to:

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=110161

And it only became worse through the years.

A very different perspective of history, to be sure. Perhaps you are not familiar with how islam started out. It was some 400 years of attacks on Christians, before they finally fought back.

I agree.

Thank you for your service.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not a Muslim, or have anything against them or any other Religion, I just like to look at issues from all sides...

That's a good point you bring up about the number of references to the Old Testament... It could be because the Gospels of the N.T. are mostly stories, less controversial material?

Anyhow, your response about the Bible and 'putting everyone to death' is kind of point I was trying to make by stating that Islam was born during a very hostile and uncertain time. The same way that Christians don't kill others for working sundays, most Muslims (that I've encountered at least) feel the same way about the "kill non-believes" part of the scripture...

Honestly, I believe if everyone kept their religion to themselves, and looked at others more as "people" instead of "religious followers", this whole world would be a lot better off... Not quite "carebears world", but definitely better....

 

I just found and read 9:5 ... Interesting that it never struck that cord with me before... I'd like to do more research on it before claiming to understand it... But here's my take anyways...

The final editions of the qu'ran were put together under Umar and Uthman's rule in the 7th century, leading me to believe the pagan reference was due to the then-current pagan/islamic battles... The reference to "Forbidden/Sacred months" could mean the battle for Mecca...? I'm wondering if that part of scripture was their equivalent of how to treat people charged with "war crimes" after the war was over...?

Just a thought... Good discussion, I enjoy thinking...

 

Brother, 4:89 refers to hypocrites, not non-Muslims. Because there were hypocrites working as spies in the Muslim community at that time.

And 9:5 refers to fighting the pagans of Mecca because they violated the peace treaty which they signed with the Muslims in Madinah. And 9:4 refers that it should be peace if they do not violate the peace treaty. And even in war, it is ordered in 9:6 that if anyone wants peace, peace should be given and he should be escorted to a place of security so that he can hear the word of God. Look at the context:

[9:4] If the idol worshipers sign a peace treaty with you, and do not violate it, nor band together with others against you, you shall fulfill your treaty with them until the expiration date. GOD loves the righteous.

[9:5] Once the Sacred Months are past, (and they refuse to make peace) you may kill the idol worshipers when you encounter them, punish them, and resist every move they make. If they repent and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), you shall let them go. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[9:6] If one of the idol worshipers sought safe passage with you, you shall grant him safe passage, so that he can hear the word of GOD, then send him back to his place of security. That is because they are people who do not know.

And Umar and Uthman did not edit the Quran. They just compiled the chapters (Surahs) in a specific order as told by the Prophet (PBUH).