Religion

[sxround]

I have a question that I would like answered. Please be aware that I am a tolerant, open minded woman who firmly believes in live and let live, and that there is good and bad wherever you go regardless of skin colour, race, creed, or religion.
However since the atrocities if the last three weeks, one phrase I keep hearing is that that Islam is a religion of peace. I am so confused by this to the point of being upset. If Islam is peaceful, why do countries that have Islamic laws show very little tolerance for diversity in their countries, and behead people for being homosexual, or stone women to death for not obeying their husbands wishes? I would love a balanced, moderate, and intelligent answer if possible. Thanks. x

There's another thread on AIBU that may answer your question more in depth.

Thanks - How do I find this?

Sorry, that sounds quite abrupt . I don't know if I can link it without it being TAAT. It's on the first page of AIBU and quite obvious in title.

The other thread isn't really addressing your specific question.
Some countries aspire to take citizens back to the Middle Ages - where anything remotely enlightened is considered the work of Satan. Equality of genders, freedom of thought and basic civil liberties are stamped on to ensure undereducated men keep control. There is of course more to it than that - but basically citing their controls and vicious punishments as justified in the name of 'religious truth' is enough to scare any thinking educated opposition away. It happens in the name of Islam - it has happened in the name of Christianity too - and in the name of other belief systems.

So if we take Saudi Arabia then as an example that enjoys all the trappings of the 21st century in the form of technology, medicine, education and global travel, intolerance of other religions, public executions, and persecution of people for being gay etc all under the banner of islamic law basically means that Islam is anything but a religion of peace.

People and countries who do those things are corrupting the true nature of the religion, twisting it for their own benefit as people and countries have done for countless thousands of years.

Over the past few centuries, there's been quite a pronounced liberal movement within Christianity (by no means representative of all of it, but substantial nonetheless) that has sought intellectually to reconcile Christianity with a modern, scientific, pluralist world - look at the Church of England for instance.

Islam hasn't really done this. There's never been an Islamic Reformation as such, and so the religion is intellectually stuck in the Middle Ages.

OP Saudi is the way it is, because the royal family follow the Wahhabism sect of Islam, which is a sect very like what Tapandgo wrote about.

Don't forget the historical atrocities inflicted on people around the world by e.g Catholic conquistadors, and Christianity is promoted as a peaceful religion. Slave owners in the USA used passages in the bible to suit themselves, too! Paganism was virtually wiped out in the UK and people who didn't convert were burned as witches.

People can and will twist religious doctrine to suit an agenda. Your last comment comes across as verging on inflamatory.

Loup has it Islam preaches peace how people interpret that however is a different matter ,in regards to the atrocities the people commitng have brain washed into believing its in the name of religion when it is anything but.

Both the Bible and the Koran are as barbaric as each other. I think the difference is that the west went through an enlightenment that sidelined religious morality and evolved into a more non-violent society. The Middle East still has to rise up and fight its way to a more secular reality. I think the reason that hasn't happened yet is oil = money = power.

If the west were to be less energy reliant on oil it would speed the process up.

The word itself means peace, Muslims greet each other with a message of peace.
The Qu'ran states two things are punishable, murder and 'spreading mischief' ...in different countries, scholars interpret mischief in different ways. They try piecing together other passages of the Qu'ran to back up what they want these laws to be. Is homosexuality spreading mischief? Adultery?
In another thread the poster talked about taken ' Muslim men can strike a woman'...that was if she had committed adultery, been given warnings and further explained. If DH played away, he'd have no warning!
Islam is a complete way of life. Basically, live in peace, be nice to everyone, treat everyone equally and be concerned with your business/family/improvement. Christians and Jews are mentioned in the Quran as believers, if they live good lives, being true then they too will benefit in the afterlife.
Countries are influenced by leaders/politics and a whole myriad of reasons...female oppression, controlling crime rates, they make their own rules and ascribe them to Islam.
Islam encourages defending your homeland and living by the rules of your homeland.
Just like IS and other terrorist groups (IRA) many of these punishments are carried out for political reasons etc,but when you have a majority religion, it's the easiest way to control everyone. The opiate of the masses!

It isn't a religion of peace, OP. Just look at their book.

The book you refer to is the Quran I assume?
Islamic law forbids warfare..."their book" states
6:151 Quran- " and do not kill a soul that God has made sacrosanct...whoso kills a soul,it shall be as he killed all mankind"
'Their book' also forbids terrorism, states no compulsion to be forced into religion, living by the law of the land in which you reside.

Am I right in assuming you have read the Quran? WhatToDoAboutThis2017 You seem knowledgeable with your views of Islam and the Quran, having deduced from extensive research I guess the meaning of and context within which each chapter of the Quran was revealed, to conclude that it does not promote peace?

Yes, I have read it. That's how I know it doesn't promote peace in the slightest.

Like I said, you have read the Quran, considering context and are able to form your opinion.
For me the above quotation from the Quran does promote peace, by instructing not to kill, to instil their severity of the action of killing. Many other chapters and verses are dedicated to promoting love and peace between husband and wife, between our neighbours, loved ones,people of the nation in which we reside, the entire Muslim 'Ummah' and beyond...each person you meet...That to me promotes a peaceful way, of living.

The problem isn't religion. Well it is, but the problem is having no separation between Church and State. No religious leader should have any political power. The Popes were fucking awful, the Catholic Church was bloody dreadful in Ireland and still is about abortion, India can be a clusterfuck.

No religion in any sort of power.

No religion in any sort of power

Definitely this! Never the two should meet.

I suggest you read and digest my post again.
It is hollow accusations such as this that create and spread fear that prevent mature and considered debate from taking place that will hopefully lead to a solution of the worlds problems. Show some respect. Please.

The word itself doesn't mean peace, it means submission.

sorry - this was a response for mingefog.

The main issues i have with ALL religion bar bhuddidmnis this....
Never mind the sodding afterlife... what about this life, here, now?
I dont even want an afterlife... i wont care as i will be dead!
Bhuddism is the only religion imo that tries to annhilate the fear of death by living in the moment.
Many other religions try to control by making people too afraid to live NOW!
Im not bhuddist btw!

Bhuddism even.... aggrr typos!

Excellent point Magnificent7. I could not have put it better myself. Such a shame we cannot all enjoy the beauty of the world we have now, rather than arguing over whose imaginary friend is the best.

OP don't tell me to be the one to show respect when once again, Islam is having to be defended to someone on the internet who, for whatever reasons, has not made use of the many, many potential resources at their disposal. There are so many places you can read about this, and so many people that you could talk to and ask these questions of without making statements like your last one, which IS potentially inflammatory. Implying I am immature for pointing this out does not lessen the implicit message.