Islam and radical Islam are a hot topic among media outlets and dinner tables, often being confused that they are either two different things or derivatives of early Christianity. The fact remains that Islam and radical Islam are one and the same and, though there may be some early similarities to the Old Testament, Islam and Christianity are as different as the clouds in the sky to a deep, barbed pit. Though I will not be covering every facet that exists between the Bible and the Qur’an, I will be covering the so-called “difference” between radical Islam and its “moderate” counterpart, abrogation and how it works within Islam, differences between Jesus and Muhammad as figure heads, and the ethical behavior between neighbors in relation to Islamic and Christian beliefs. “Radical” Islam is a relatively new term that mainstream media, and empathizers of the Muslim faith, have adopted to defend the ideals of Islam without calling it Islam. Radical, in this sense, would mean either extreme or differing from the majority of the Muslim population. However, if we take a look into the roots of Islam and the laws put in place by Muhammad hundreds of years ago, we notice that the “moderates” are the true anomaly, as detailed in the non-partisan work “Is the Quran Hate Propaganda” (TheReligionofPeace [TROP] 2002-2006). The Qur’an lists several books pertaining to the rules of government, military, and social laws of the Muslim people, however, it can be distilled down into three
Islam in two Americas is a delayed thesis argument about the state of Islāmic/American relations in the US, post 9-11. As a delayed thesis, the author, Ross Douthat, opens the debate with a brief explanation of the “two Americas” as he sees it. Within the current political climate that is America today, it would be hard to argue that this divide does not exist.
Islam, a religion of people submitting to one God, seeking peace and a way of life without sin, is always misunderstood throughout the world. What some consider act of bigotry, others believe it to be the lack of education and wrong portrayal of events in media; however, one cannot not justify the so little knowledge that America and Americans have about Islam and Muslims. Historically there are have been myths, many attacks on Islam and much confusion between Islam as a religion and Middle Easter culture that is always associated with it. This paper is meant to dispel, or rather educate about the big issues that plague people’s minds with false ideas and this will only be touching the surface.
The religion of Islam has become a controversial issue in today’s 21st century. In spite of excessively negative representations by Western propaganda, increasing numbers of the population are pursuing to learn more about the wonderful religion of Islam. More frequently than not, these people are becoming more pleasantly startled by the product of their exploration. In fact, increasing numbers of people are embracing Islam nowadays then they did prior to the horrific attacks on September 11th, 2001; which evoked much attention to misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. Yet, there does endure an abundant amount of misconception and misinterpretations about Islam, frequently invigorated by political policies which reckon their interest’s to patronage Islam 's enemies. Islam is a religion which elucidates the way of life and is the second largest religion after Christianity, with approximately one-fifth of the world 's population and is currently the fastest growing religion. Muslims are existent all around the world and come from diverse nationalities, cultures and races. However, Islam instills that all people are principally equal no matter the differences (colour, class, culture, etc.) as long as they are peaceful and law-abiding citizens. The behaviour of particular erroneous groups or individuals outside mainstream Islam cannot be accredited to Islamic beliefs and practices as correspondingly hostility in North Ireland or illegal mafia activities being attributed
As of today, Christianity and Islam are the world’s two largest and rapidly growing religions. They share an estimated 3.6 billion followers, more than half of the world’s population. Initially the two religions may seem to have nothing in common, but when you go beyond the surface and examine the rituals, beliefs, and founders, as well as the spread of both religions, they share many similarities. In many ways, there is irony in tension between Christianity and Islam, given the extremely similar history and nature of their religions. It is perhaps lost on many people who subscribe to these religions that there is no more truth to one than the other. But when observed from an objective viewpoint it is undeniable that both Christianity and Islam are remarkably similar in origin and ideology. In order to see and understand their similarities, it is important to look back to the birth and rise of both religions.
Following September 11, 2001, there seemed to be a sense of fear towards Arabs and Muslims in America. Since then, the tension between the United States and the Middle East has escalated. Based on the attention terrorist attacks receive, stereotypes tend to arise toward Muslims. Terrorists can be any ethnicity or religion, but typically jihadist terrorists’ gain the most attention in the media and the press. In America, Arabs, Muslims, and Jihadists tend to all get grouped together, even though they are not synonymous terms (Amble, 2012, pp. 340, 342). Not every Arab is a Muslim and not every Muslim is a terrorist. In fact, only a small portion of Muslims partake in terrorist activities and the Islam religion actually prohibits deliberate murder of unarmed individuals in battle and suicide (Pratt, 2013). If many stereotypes of Muslims seem to be incorrect, then it is crucial that Christians become educated on what Muslims actually believe. Critiques of the Islam faith that the Christian makes cannot be rooted in the actions of a few radicals. Just as certain people do evil things in the name of Christianity, without truly knowing Christ, I believe terrorists do the same. By targeting the aspects of violence in Islam I believe the Christian can close doors to witnessing. Instead, I think there are two core criticisms between the Islam religion and Christianity that can be analyzed to persuade a Muslim, law and logic. These two categories would allow us to meet with Muslims at
Throughout the depths of recorded history Muslims have constantly committed mass murders upon innocent people in the name of Islam. According to long established conventional Islamic views, Muhammad’s revelations start the Qur’an off in 610. Dating back to as early as 627, the Prophet Muhammad’s followers have been recorded of murdering large numbers of “non-believers” and even believers for that matter (Ye 'or, 1985). While researching wars declared in the name of Islam, the words “convert” or “die” (more often than not they surfaced together making the claim “convert or die”) surfaced exceedingly often. Despite the common belief imprinted into the minds of nearly every United States citizen/civilian whom attended or is attending public school with the U.S., oppressing a people based off of their religious beliefs has the ability to be beneficial to the world on a global scale. Muslims should not be allowed to act as political advocates considering Islam gives approval of segregation, provides obligations of the religions followers to commit senseless acts of violence, and because of the fact that Islam allows systematic lying as a religious policy. Throughout this research essay we will discuss facts in regards to traditional and modern Islamic ideology while deciding whether someone of such beliefs has a place in a position
Radical Muslims today take the events of Muhammad's life as literal examples of acceptable rule, and continue to practice such acts total control through violence to this very day. In the most extreme of cases, they are known to
The religion of Islam garners large amounts attention. Many believe it is a violent and backwards religion. Since 9/11, "Islamic reform" has become an all-purpose phrase: equally a western impulse to protect itself from Muslim violence and a humanist notion aimed at assisting voiceless Muslims (Eteraz1). Extreme displays of Islamic faith such as the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 have generated negative stereotypes about Islam as a religion. These stereotypes of violence and backwards thinking have been further perpetuated by even more recent examples of extremism by Muslim terrorists. Although most Muslims are peaceful and do not endorse the violence of their Muslim brethren, there are some who believe it is their
As of today, the world’s two largest religions Christianity and Islam share an estimated 3.6 billion members, more than half of the world’s population. On the surface, they appear to have almost nothing in common, however, as one goes beyond the surface and examines the other factors such as the rituals, beliefs, ethics, founders, and convictions, the two religions share many similarities. However, in order to truly see and understand these similarities and differences, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam.
Ever since September 11, 2001 Americans along with the majority of the world’s population have been skeptical of Muslims. It’s a sad reality but it’s hard for people to think of a Muslim without linking them directly to terrorism. But these assumptions aren’t totally out of the blue—the Muslim’s religion, Islam, teaches a low tolerance for other religions and the Islamic government has no separation of church and state, so it’s only normal to assume that their government shall have a low tolerance as well—some however, immediately translate this into terrorism. Through the Islamic government and religion, relations with foreign countries, and separation amongst themselves it can be concluded that Islamic Fundamentalism is clearly a threat
As part of the human experience, religion weaves itself through human organizations and institutions. An integral part of social order, governments are built on and around it. Systems of morality, and the very identify of entire societies all fall under the broad and sometimes ambiguous umbrella of religion. Historically, Christianity and Islam represent two religions that often entrench themselves in government, or take the place thereof. It is no accident that religions based on liberation find conquest so fitting to their rhetoric. Although Christianity and Islam preach peace, both have a propensity for violence, which stems from the value placed on doctrine, the concept of salvation, manifesting itself in the creation of state-like organizations.
Bedside’s what you hear on the news or the radio, do you really understand the ideologies of fundamentalist Islam? Maybe you've gone to church before, or maybe you have a friend that is a Christian, but do you really know what the Ten Commandments are? You may possibly have an educated answer to each of the questions I have asked. However, have you thought about what the world would be like today if Islamic extremists followed Christianity's most basic guidelines; the Ten Commandments? Have you wondered how different the United States of America would be if Christians were to adopt the violent "Jihadist" extremist beliefs such as those practiced by Islamic fundamentalist? In this paper the applications of the Christian Ten Commandments will be compared and contrasted to the Islamic fundamentalist beliefs characterized by "Jihad".
The objective of this work is to examine Islam, a highly controversial sensitive issue in today's world and specifically to examine the misconceptions, beliefs, and values of those of the Islamic faith. Most people think that the majority of Muslims live in the Middle East, while in reality there are more people of the Islamic faith living in Indonesia. Islam, just as Judaism and Christianity, is practiced in various cultures, serves to shape, and is shaped by those cultures. This study examines the perceptions of those of the three faiths in various countries and how they view one another and seek to answer how a level of threat is felt by those belonging to these three religious groups in various countries. Countries examined in this study include those of the United States, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. The depth of understanding or the teachings of Islam among the various religious groups in these various countries will also be examined in terms of how these understandings impact the ways that Muslims and non-Muslims interact and communicate with one another.
The Islam religion is largely misunderstood. People have misconceptions about the Islam religion, and its beliefs and rituals. Often, the media paints a dim view of Islam with inaccurate accounts and news stories. Non- Muslims view of Islam have been shaped by the constant media barrage of inaccurate news stories blaming all of Islam. When some Americans think of Muslims what comes to mind is the World Trade Center Attacks on September 11, 2001. Especially after the attacks many view all Muslims as “radicals” which refers to terrorism and Anti-Americanism. The Islam religion seems strange to most in the modern world. To Muslim’s, religion is always the foremost thought in their mind they do not make a division between secular and sacred. Islam means “surrender” to the will of God. It is a way of life that encourages one to give due attention to a relationship with God and His creation. In this paper, I intend to discuss the true beliefs of the Islamic Religion. I will also discuss women of Islam, Islam vs. Christianity, and Islam vs. Judaism.
It is the second largest religion in the world, and the fastest growing. Islam, which comes from the root “peace”, is now recognized by terror. “Inside Islam,” unveils the mystery of a terribly misunderstood faith. The movie goes back to the early roots of the Hebrew Bible and explains how the Five Pillars, Islam’s fundamental practices, assisted in the spreading of the religion to the rest of the world. Here we find out what the Qur’an, the holy texts, say about violence, suicide and war, and how extremists have assimilated these words. Along with these, specialists like Khaled Abou el Fadl, the author of “Speaking in God’s Name”, will dig deeper into the challenges that Islam is facing today, and how we play a role in them. This documentary is intended to transform the United States’ views on Islam and make them realise how similar the doctrine actually is to their preferable religion of Christianity.