Islam Under Scrutiny by Ex-Muslims

On Religion and Humanity

On the inauguration of Bengali blog Agni Setu (Fire Bridge), I have these few words to say:

With the progress of world civilisation, one particular aspect is gradually becoming transparent. This aspect is Humanism. There are differences on the appropriate definition humanity; each community attempts to define human and humanity from its own perspective.

Irrespective of nationality, religion, race, and gender, prior to beginning of middle age, much effort has been expended to define accurately human, humanity, and humanism. So far, due to the inclement influence of various societal forces, it had not been possible to arrive at a unanimous decision on these issues. Then, in 1948, after the founding of the United Nations, the definition of the Universal Human Rights was formulated. The most important facet of this concept was that under no circumstances the humanity is to be belittled. At all times, humanity must be the supreme consideration. Contrast this with the Islamic definition of humanity; you will easily grasp the difference once you read it.

The influence of religion is the major reason why in the past humans could not collectively hold the sanctity of humanity. Religion had divided the humanity into sects and sub sects. Because of this, humans could not develop the proper mentality and intelligence. According to statistics, the highest number of people killed was the victims of religious persecution. Religion has acted as a catalyst to perpetrate the pogrom. Religion, one way or the other, has consistently supported genocides, and in many cases, had encouraged the perpetration of genocide.

It is widely believed that the invention of steam engine by James Watt is the beginning of the progress of modern science. The next two hundred years witnessed much advancement in the development of scientific theories and technology. Thanks to the advancement of science and technology, the advantages and the knowledge we possess today could not had been achieved even with thousands of years of religious preaching. We can cite a simple example: in Islam, the Qur’an is considered the repository of all knowledge, and Muhammad the most learned person of all time. Funnily, in the Qur’an, neither do we find the mention of existence of oil under the earth, nor that Muhammad could lift even a single drop of oil from under his feet. To light his house he had to resort to lamps powered by camel fat.

It is not the religion but the contribution of science that today we enjoy—the benefits of computer, internet, mobile phone…and so on. Refrigerators and air-conditioning have brought comfort and ease in our lives. In contrast, poor Muhammad had to live under the hot, burning sun of the desert Arabia. He could never dream of air-conditioning. At night, in the extreme cold of the desert, he could not use the heater. Is it not quite an irony that he could split the moon, but could not light an electric lamp? Riding the Duldul horse, he could travel the entire universe, but he could not even mention to his companions the ideas of journeying aboard a balloon—not to talk about the helicopters. He could conduct wars only by riding a horse. We might accept his feat had he been able to move around riding jinns and hours in the presence of his comrades. Forget about a motor vehicle such as a Jeep, he could not even invent a bicycle. During sickness, he and his companions had to resort to voodoo medicine. He did not even know the concept of tablet medicines. We can cite many such examples of limitations of religions and the religious leaders. Without doubt, we can surmise that religion has miserably failed to render any good to humanity. Despite such failure, there is no shortage of grandiloquence and verbiage in support of religion.

The truth is that the tyranny of religion will continue so long as the rulers restrict the population from access to accurate knowledge. These rulers know rather well that with the support of religion they can achieve what they seek. Some people assert that it is not the fault of religion, but the abuse and misuse of religion that has created such a situation. But they never question: why a religion must allow it to be misused? Is religion a suitable weapon to kill people?

My objection is precisely here. Superstition, spirit, soul, hereafter are not the problems. Belief in these ideas is laughable, puerile and funny. During childhood, to develop intelligence and imagination, there might be the necessity of fairytales. During the early development of society, such myths and fantasies were necessary. Moreover, knowledge during that period was very limited. Even if the bones of a dinosaur were discovered, it would have been quite natural that they could not be traced to be the bones of a dinosaur. People of that period would have termed those bones as the bones of a monster or an ogre. Nevertheless, with the progress of knowledge, today we have the answers to those perplexing questions. Even those questions for which we do not have the answers, we might have the answers during the next one to hundred years. The pace of the development of scientific knowledge has surpassed all our imagination. It is certain that the progress of scientific knowledge will further accelerate in the coming years. Science will make our life easier, comfortable and hassle free.

In no stages in the human history, religion had made life interesting and livable, even to the slightest extent. Religion could not fulfill our lives with peace and happiness. Instead, religion has always used rebuff and threat to subjugate people. On the pretext of believers and unbelievers, religion has divided mankind.

Readers of history will certainly remember the horrific communal genocide that engulfed the subcontinent during the flagging days of the British Empire. The trains from Punjab were filled with corpses. This was a period of wanton killing. Many of us may recall the dreadful communal riot of Calcutta. We still have the memories of the Gujarat massacre and the slaughter of minorities in Bangladesh. We may even remember the period of ‘Crusade’ that lasted for several centuries.

A question naturally arises: who are responsible for such pogroms? How could a thoughtful person forget the immortal love story of Buta Singh? Who has created this communal disunity? Is it religion or the ruler? Does not one religion indoctrinate a person to hate another religion? Is not religion responsible for inventing such obscene, dirty, and despicable words as: Kafir (unbelievers), Mushriq (polytheists), and disbelievers?

The reality depicted above is the reason this Agni Setu (Fire Bridge) blog has been created. Through discussion, we attempt to clarify such perennial questions as: what is religion? what is its true picture? What is reality? What is imagination? What is human? Are we humans or are we religious robots? What is humanity? What is the standard of humanity? We shall have appropriate definition of humanity; there will be love for humanity. We will glorify humanity; we will uproot the concept of hatred.

We realise that above the dark, religion infested, slimy society, there exists a peaceful, warm, tranquil and prosperous society that is enlightened and happy. To get to that society we need a bridge. To remove darkness we need flame of fire. To purify we also need fire. To arrive at the dream world of the other side there is no substitute for the bridge. I invite you to journey to that beautiful land. Do not fear, for, the touch of flame will purify us. The fire will turn to ashes our ignorance, prejudice, malice, and hatred.

Let this effulgence of the society enlighten you. Let all our religious doom and gloom be exorcised from our mind. Let us be free from religious slavery. Let us learn to respect and honour, not to hate, because of religious differences.

Keep well. Let true peace be with you.

 

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Name: very good article...i always wondered...why the prophets never invented machine gun, anti biotics etc ?
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 00:27:11 -0700

Comment

very good article, i always wondered, why porphets who can director to the creator of universe cud not get plans to make anti biotics, medicines, vitamin tables, etc...leave that alone why no mention of dinosaurus, dna, egg in woman budy etc...why always threats and sex filled awards ? truly religion is a curse and truth will liberate us.


Name: if jinn is fire being can it generate green energy ie without polluting the earth ?
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 00:28:34 -0700

Comment

i always wonder, if jinn is a fire being can it be harnessed to drive turbine, or generate electricity ? why they cud not do it for 1400 yrs and even now cant do it?


Name: To Agni Setu
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 01:43:30 -0700

Comment

I totally disagree with you. Islam gave religion a bad impression. Science does not teach you how to LOVE your fellow human being. Science does not answer the question of the PURPOSE of human life. Most of man's great scientific discoveries were inspired by nature. Take for example the airplane. Before man understood the principles of aerodynamics birds have been flying with great ease, agility, speed and grace. The Unseen Great Designer or what we call God that designed the birds perfectly understood aerodynamics and incorporated them in the design of the bird. The design of the fish is the envy of the submarine designer overcoming the greater drag brought about by the heavier density of the sea. Even the navigation accuracy of the birds is still a mystery to scientist today, for birds are able to cross continents in migration and return their nest. Your 1.5 kg 100-billion neuron brain is the only organ that investigate itself. It is the organ that designed that marvels of science we take for granted today. Designers of robotics today study the behavior and navigational skill of insects. Before man existed nuclear energy is already fueling the stars and our own star, the sun. Before man invented radar, bats have been flying in total darkness using echo-location, the principle of radar. Man's fastest production car was no match to the cheetah in a 100-meter race. We can go on and on marveling at the beauty and wonders of nature. Without LOVE man will destroy HIMSELF with his inventions. Just name it, self-propelled grenade, automatic weapons, cluster bombs, and the ultimate weapon of mass destruction, the H-bomb all PRODUCTS of Science. Our Unseen Creator had endowed man with the gift of FREEWILL. Man can choose to do good or evil. All of man's suffering is the result of man's own doing. Man choose the path of DISOBEDIENCE to God's spiritual laws, as a consequence DEATH, DECAY, DISEASE follows, for any violation of any law whether man-made or of God carry with it a penalty. Islam did a good job of separating man from the true GOD.


Name: Me
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 01:55:20 -0700

Comment

Good article. When it comes to unbelievers Islam is the worst.


Name: Dont throw out the baby with the bath water
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 02:38:50 -0700

Comment

Just because there is one murderous religion called islam does not mean all religions have to be discredited. There are religions which appeal to the humanity in people. Christianity, Buddhism etc do exactly this and so does Hinduisms core teaching. To do away with religion is to lobotomise humanity spiritually. Not a good idea. What takes its place? Theories on racial superiority like Nazism, communist principles etc. All these have already been discredited.


Name: vbv
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 03:26:04 -0700

Comment

The author should not generalise. Budhism, Jainism never committed genocide to further itself. The worst record of genocide has been perpetrated by Islam and also Christianity till the 19th century. Genocide and pogroms continue in Islam ,while Christianity has come of age till the American evangelists have started it again albiet for commercial interests , like in Iraq. It is past SEVEN years and "democracy" and peace and sanity is nowhere in sight in Iraq. As a matter of fact it has worsened with American invasion. After all Bush is a 'born again' Christian with evangelical trash in his head has warped humanity. He see only oil interests in iraq ,not the suffering people there. The actual perpetrators of Terror, Islamic Terror, are in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - both have destroyed beyond redemption Afghanistan with their CIA trained 'mujahideens' and Pak-trained Talibans. American policies have compromised peace, progress and sanity in Europe. Why is the radical islam islam growing strong in Europe? It is not because of multiculturalism, but rabid Christian Theology of US and rabid Islamic Theology of the Arabs and the vested interests of Pakistan taking its toll not only on Europe but spreading globally! So the main culprits are fundamentalist chritians and radical muslims - no other religion is involved in proselytisation to gather superior numbers to spread oppression and bigotry than the Christians and the Muslims!


Name: J
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 04:20:22 -0700

Comment

All the best!


Name: mirza
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 04:51:27 -0700

Comment

welcome in the real world.


Name: Good and bad Religions
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 05:31:50 -0700

Comment

I would not agree that all Religions are bad by definition. While Islam teaches violence in many aspects, Buddhism and Christianity are very peaceful at heart. Without peace, a civilisation is impossible. That´s why the christian societies and many buddhist societies (Japan, S-Korea, Taiwan) made much progress, while muslim countries did not. Traditions are also necessary in order to establish stability. It is the same thing with any medicine. If you take too much of it, it may very well become poisonous.


Name: al
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 06:06:58 -0700

Comment

Amen.


Name: Wagamama
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 06:15:59 -0700

Comment

I accept certain sections of the article that show the backwardness and stupidity of Muhammed. However, in the name of development the author has conveniently forgotten the following facts. Can he answer them. 1) He talks about oils and automobiles: Has he ever wondered how much pollution it is causing to the environment? What is the current level of C02 in the atmosphere? Are we then progressing or was it better off riding horses and carts? 2) Use of refrigerators: Has he ever imagined the amount of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) released into the atmosphere which is becoming pain the head for all concerned environmentalists? 3) We have maintained excellent slaughter houses by inventing new tools to kill the animals. What about the greenhouse gas emissions caused by this? It stands next to the pollution caused by the automobile industry. How many are ready to forsake non-vegetarian diet and opt for healthy vegetarian/vegan diet to save the environment? There are already ads on TV channels (eg SBS) to opt for vegetarian food. 4) Hey what about the toxic gases and pollutants released by the industries. Is that not causing global warming? Dear author, if you believe we have progressed enough, what steps are you recommending to prevent the disasters caused by these factors? Haven't we multiplied problems in the name of development? How do we counter these problems along with the dracula called Islam? I hope the moderator appreciates the facts provided above


Name: I can no longer accept religion
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 06:33:15 -0700

Comment

I can no longer accept religion because of this cult. I can no longer believe in a male deity because of this cult. True, other prominent religions, in the PAST, were just as bad but with one major difference: they have evolved past the hatred, past the violence, past the intolerance. And this article, very well written, helps to prove this point. 


Name: Yes it is time to research on social science and religion.
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 09:05:15 -0700

Comment

Yes it is time to research on social science and religion. Science research can bring comfort but not peace. I personally believe there should be scientific analysis to social studies and social orientation to science. People think logically and research in science but when it comes to social studies they remain silent and irrational by tagging we should not interfere in faith systems and religious prophets are superior .This blind indifference itself was responsible to great violence and tragedies.


Name: scrutator
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 09:59:37 -0700

Comment

On Religion and Humanity It is true since the Middle Ages and uptil today, all religions except Islam have steadily moved forward, evolving and enhancing humanism in the process. For example, in Christianity while unbelievers were burnt at the stake and the Spaniards unleashed unimaginable cruelty towards the Maya civilisation (in south America) which actually wiped it off, such retrograde action is unheard of in modern times, certainly since the second world war. In fact, almost as 'penance' for its past unfair treatment, Christian societies in UK, USA, Western Europe, Australia etc. respect and encourage 'multiculturalism' today, giving all other religious denominations as well as groups (for example, homosexuals and Gypsies) opportunities to advance. Ironically, this 'atonement' by Christian societies have emboldened Islamists to keep on making aggressive and relentless inroads into liberal-democratic setups, which may yet prove to be the West's undoing. Similarly, Hindu society has also moved on, in India as well as in the West. If the Christians now ignore the more unpleasant and pernicious parts of the Old Testament, the Hindus too have make progressive changes to many of its features, such as equal inheritance rights for women (inc. married ones), equal marriage, divorce and maintenance rights for men and women and (legistlative) prohibition of untouchability, etc. In fact, discrimination against scheduled castes and tribes in India is now a criminal offence. The adoption of progressive measures have been helped by the fact that in all religions (the above two plus Judaism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.) save Islam, the secular and temporal aspects are kept separate. Islam seems to remain in a time wrap, still conducting itself by rules drawn up by desert Bedouins in the seventh century. Today's Jihadis slaughter innocent people in the same merciless way as Mohammed massacred the Jews and the pre-islamic Arabs of Mecca, amongst countless others (remember the videod beheading of 15 innocent Hindu Nepali workers in Iraq, not so long ago ?). Mohammed's practices are still copied in toto. When 52 years old, he married a 6 year old, consummating the marriage when his bride was 9, hence some of today's muslims emulate him ! He destroyed non-muslim places of worship, so muslims do the same to this day. And, laughable nonsensical rules about muslim males being able to enjoy limitless sex with slaves and 'their right hand possessions' are still in force within the Sharia Law ! Today's 'momins' (religious muslims) have substituted any non-muslim woman for 'slaves' ! Also hilarious are such comments in the Quran which have a stone saying to a muslim 'a Jew is hiding behind me, come and kill him ' ! The list goes on and on ....... While most communities in the world have suffered, it is the muslims themselves who have suffered the most. Worse than men are the muslim women, who are supposed to gladly suffer discrimination as Allah's wishes ! Vis a vis muslim men, muslim women are discriminated in 6 clear areas: (1) Man can have upto 4 wives, a woman cannot have multiplte husbands. (2) Men can divorce their wives by uttering the word 'talaq' thrice without giving any reason, a woman cannot divorce her husband on her own, no matter how deceitful, lecherous and unfaithful he is ! (The only recourse she has is the long-winded and cumbersome process of 'Khula' divorce, for which she may apply in a Sharia court; even if she wins, she loses her 'mehr' amount, as well as custody of the children. (3) Men may have Christian/Jewish spouses, women are not allowed to have such spouses. (4) The Quran gives the right to a man of beating his wife if he suspects 'rebellion', a wife has no such right, no matter how deserving the husband is of a good thrashing ! (5) In Sharia Law, a man's witness is equal to that of two women ... a clear inequality (6) From a deceased parents' property, the Sharia stipulates a brother will inherit twice what his sister will inherit. There are many other instances of violation of women's rights (such as wearing the burqa, be ever ready for sex at her husband's demand, etc.), yet muslim women and (esp. white) female converts are supposed to forever applaud, admire and praise the noble Allah for the righteous way in which He has drawn up the rules !! Because 'not one word of the Quran' can be altered or modernised, such inequities have to remain till Islam exists. However much they attempt to cover up for the Quran's defiencies (by a play on words and by pointing out to defeciencies in other religions), muslim men and women will have to endure inequities and inhumane edicts and suffer the consequences of diminished progress silently. Humanism, inc. women's rights, will never improve in muslim societies till, as the Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen says, 'the Quran undergoes wholesale revision'; or till Islam is finally abolished.


Name: Life without Religion?
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 10:34:15 -0700

Comment

It is almost unthinkable. Remember the Soviet Union, where Lenin was being worshipped like a god, or football fanatics worshipping ManU, Ajax Amsterdam or Bayern Muenchen. Teenagers are worshipping Britney Spears and Nirvana, while Muslims are worshipping the Kaaba and the so-called Holy Stone. There is little difference between all this worshipping, however, the ideology is very different. Islam is, much like Fascism, Communism and other totalitaristic systems, intolerant and violent in many aspects. Husbands are ordered to beat their wives, Believers are allowed to oppress nonbelievers, and the Imam is allowed to oppress anybody in the name of Allah. In my view, the religious elements of islam are very, very superficial, only parroting of a very few and simple slogans, ever and ever again, but in contrast to other religions, there is no deeper background behind that. There is really a difference between the holy scriptures of other religions and the quran, which is really a wrecked book. And the true and only meaning of islam is submission or, in other words, oppression!


Name: To vbv - kevin
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 10:57:53 -0700

Comment

Your comment regarding Christian Genocide is totally unfounded. Genocide can never be called christian because christianity would never approve of it. If you can give any quote from the christian gospels and the words of Christ ( on whose teaching christianity is based ) justifying any type of violence please put it forward. Or else stop tarnishing somebody else's faith. If you are talking of the nazi holocaust of the jews it was not based on christian teaching. It was due to people turning their backs on christian principles. All you have to do is just tell me how such actions are based on christian teaching and I will publicly abandon christianity. I have challenged other christian haters on this web site with absolutely no response. Want to pick up the gauntlet?


Name: Bob Marly
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 14:19:52 -0700

Comment

"None but ourselves can free our minds" redemption song


Name: vbv
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 19:37:02 -0700

Comment

What about genocide of the original inhabitants of North America, especially the USA? How about the aborigines in Australia? or the natives of Central and south America who have all been converted to Christianity by force and their original faith now almost forgotten! Jesus may have preached peace and love thy neighbour , but rabid christian zealots ,especially the evangelists and the so-called born agains like Bush have vitiated the atmosphere in todays world. I am not comparing or putting christianity and islam on the same footing: Islam is barbaric Arab idealogy which wants to establish Arab supremacy and hegemony with its history of violent pogroms. Christianity can also become intolerant and violent if born agains and evangelical ( money spinning and amoral) christians are allowed to grow. I personally respect Jesus like I respect Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King or any of those civilised spiritual and peace loving men and women ,certainly not Imams, Mullahs, rabid evangelical pastors ,fraudulent Gurus, etc. Christianity doesn't preach violence but certain christians (like some of those in the USA) are as intolerant and violent like the islamists. In the middle ages in Europe Christianity was unequivocally violent.


Name: human55
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 20:05:57 -0700

Comment

Although I am not a Christian, I agree with the comments of Kevin. We need to distinguish between the original teaching of the religion and the behaviour of its followers. The problem with Islam is that the original teaching itself is largely the root cause of violent behaviour, which is not the case with other religions. Having said that, there is a tendency in Christianity to convert the whole world. This must be stopped, as it become a point of strife. The reason for this tendency is the premise that Christianity is the only possible route to salvation. This is an unhealthy premise, must be abandoned by christianity. Let us have room for the possibility that there may be several paths leading to salvation.


Name: Sean (USA)
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 22:03:20 -0700

Comment

I have often wondered what my response should be to an individual (such as this author) who uses the "collective guilt" label to condemn all religions based on cruel religions (Islam), and the "occasional" past tyranny of others (Christianity). I am still trying to find an intelligent response to this misleading conclusion. It is difficult to find because many un-Christian like behavior HAS BEEN COMMITTED in the name of Christianity. No one can intelligently argue against what I just said. But as a Christian I can state with absolute certainty that crimes committed in the name of Christ are not what Jesus believed, taught, and eventually died for. Pop open the bible (the New Testament) and try to find justification for any crime committed IN THE NAME OF CHRISTIANITY! No one can. It's not there, after all, Jesus said love thy enemy, do good to those who persecute you. Islam on the other hand revels in hate, oppression and supremacy. I would ask the author to try to make a greater distinction between religions, but I understand his overall attack on all religions, but it is misguided. Any good idea can be perverted to serve the needs of the power hungry and morally corrupt...this explains why the invention called Islam came into being.


Name: RELIGION DOES NOT TEACH LOVE,THIS IS A NON RELIGIOUS NATURAL INSTINCT !!!!
Date: Wednesday October 01, 2008
Time: 23:42:24 -0700

Comment

LOVE IS NOT A RELIGIOUS THING ITS JUST A NATURAL INSTINCT. LOOK AT THE LIONESS SHE LOVE AND PROTECT HER CUBS BUT KILL THE DEER. SAME WAY GORILLA, CHIMP, BONOBO, ETC DIFFERENT PRIMATES EXHIBIT LOVE, AFFECTION ETC.SAME WAY SPIRITUALITY,HUMILITY, ETC ALL POSITIVE TRAITS R NOT FROM ANY RELIGION ITS BEEN EXISTING BEFORE ANY RELIGION FORMED. YES WE SHUD WORSHIP GOD,BUT THIS GOD IS MOTHER NATURE WHO EVOLED MAN FROM 1 CELLED ORGANISMS, AND WHO IS INVISIBLE AND ALSO VISIBLE.WE THINK THAT SOME GOD IS INVISIBLE, BUT THRUTH IS THAT WE R CHILDREN OF NATURE WHO IS INVISIBLE AND ALSO VISIBLE. THE ONLY TRUTH THAT EXISTS THE ONLY GOD THAT EXISTS IS NATURE. WHAT SEEMS SUPERNATURAL, IS BCOZ WE DONT UNDERSTAND IT,BUT ONCE WE DO, WE REALISE ITS NATURAL, LIKE THE SUN SHINING DUE TO FUSION, OR BIRD FLIGHT, OR EVEN THE SUNRISE ETC WAS CONSIDERED A MIRACLE, BUT NOW ITS PROVEN IS ALL BASED ON NATURAL PRINCIPALS. SO WORSHIP TRUTH = MOTHER NATURE PARAMPRAKRUTI. TRUTH IS RELEAVLED TO US ALL NOW. NATURE IS SUPREME AND ALSO OUR CREATOR AND EVOLVER...... RELIGION AND SCIENCE IS JUAT A TOOL TO SEARCH AND KNOW TRUTH, NITHER RELIGION NOR SCIENCE IS SUPREME, ONLY NATURE IS TRUTH AND NATURE IS SUPREME.

Editor: Folks, I urge not to write postings in all caps. It's very torturous to eyes and uncomely. All-cap posts will be deleted in future.


Name: Hinduism acting like Islam!
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 00:17:01 -0700

Comment

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Amnesty International has urged India to act on its words and end what it said were ongoing attacks by hardline Hindu nationalists against the country's minority Christian community.


Name: You are wrong mr. Agni
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 02:37:01 -0700

Comment

It is wrong that Mohammed invented nothing. He invented the way that would make men mad generations to generations. Yes he invented jinns. Yes he invented virgins etc. He invented the way that could stop the man from thinking. He invented the way to make men a beast generation to generations... What should I say further...


Name: why islam cant change ever.....the reason is the reward in imaginary jannat
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 03:06:59 -0700

Comment

i am indian ex-muslim thaks to ffi and i-w. i think the only reason islam cant change is: judaism and christianity which have been genocidal changed bcoz the reward for them in imaginary heaven were not enuf. but for the average muslim the reward of jihad in imaginary jannat is just too much: juicy fruti,river of wine, milk, etc...and to top it all ie the cherry on top of the cream....72 virgins for eternal perpetual sex in imaginary jannat. this is the biggest lure, u remove it and islam collapses in no time.


Name: good one,i like it
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 05:51:00 -0700

Comment

really thought provoking article, pls keep up the good work.


Name: To vbv
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 08:06:02 -0700

Comment

When Europeans came to the Americas and Australia they brought with them the rule of LAW and ORDER as well as the fruits of their civilization i.e. science, technology, music and arts. They regard the natives as uncivilized and thus took the burden to civilize them. Today the descendants of the natives of these lands enjoy the protection of the rule of law and order the colonizing Europeans had established.


Name: দৌবারিক
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 10:09:03 -0700

Comment

ধর্মের অতলান্ত গুহা থেকে একটি মানুষ মুক্তি পাক। জ্ঞানাগ্নিতে পুড়ে নরকের জ্বালা সব ছার হয়ে যাক। যেন একটি মানুষ—একটি মানুষ শেষ মুক্তি পাক। (in Bengali)

No more non-English posting - Editor.


Name: To vbv - kevin
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 12:15:47 -0700

Comment

My friend Vbv i understand your anger about past crimes committed against people in various parts of the world by christians. However as you yourself have said, this conduct does not have the sanction of Christ and christianity. Christianity itself was born in circumstances which would have wiped out any other movement. The superpower of that time, the Roman Empire did everything in its power to kill the religion in its infancy. The awesome power of the roman empire could not do it. In fact it kept growing till the Roman emperors themselves realised that their political survival itself would be jeopardised if they did not support the new religion. This was because eventually people from all walks of life began to convert to christianity. Even people at the top echelons of the roman ruling elite. This should tell you two things. The strenghth of the commitment of the early christians who would rather face death than give up on their faith. The second is the zeal and fervor with which the new religion was spread in spite of the cruel and violent persecution of christians. Christianity did not have either political or military power at that time and yet it not only survived but grew rapidly. Christianity owes its success to two things. The deep faith of committed followers and its missionary zeal. I am aware that christians later when they had power did misuse that power to convert indigenous people ( like the conquistadores in south amearica) though to what extent is still the subject of debate and I have not researched this subject thoroughly. This has understandably created ill will among the followers of other religions. Coupled with that is the natural resistance to any idea or religion which is new and upsets the balance of the established order. However i would be a liar and a hypocrite if i did not admit that one of the guiding principles of christianity is to spread the message of Jesus Christ, ( and not convert people to christianity per se ) namely that he was a sent by God to liberate people spiritualy and physically from all types of bondage and that he gave up his life and was resurrected by the power of God so that humanity would once again find favor with God. luke 4:18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."[e] Evangelical christians lay great emphasis on spreading the message of Christ and this has predictably brought them into conflict with other non christian religious denominations. However they have not used force to convert people to christianity. It is essentially a battle for the hearts and minds of people and if people do not accept the christian message then it is their choice. Nothing prevents other religions from conducting their own campaigns to spread their own faith or to keep the followers of their faith in their own fold. But to accuse christians falsely of forcibly conversion in India is condemnable. No such events are taking place. I have received literature from followers of the Iskcon movement and it has made me appreciate certain aspects of Hindu philosophy and spirituality. Whether i want to leave christianity and embrace Hinduism is a matter of personal choice. I dont hate hindus and hinduism because i was handed religious pamphlets by Hindus. If a society is confident of its ideas and ideals (spiritual, cultural, etc) it will not react with violence or put barriers on fundamental human right of freedom of expression. It is only those who are insecure about their own belief systems react with hatred and violence when confronted with a different belief system. All one has to do is reject or accept according to ones choice. All constitutions in democratic countries allow freedom of worship and to follow any creed of ones choice. It is only Islam which prevents its adherents ( followers) from leaving islam and accepting another religion. This is unequivocally evil because it robs the individual of the right to choose the path to his/her own destiny/salvation/happiness. I wish you well.


Name: RE: Hinduism acting like Islam!
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 18:25:43 -0700

Comment

I REQUEST THE MODERATOR TO PUBLISH THIS BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY PUBLISHED THE ONE WITH THE TITLE "Hinduism acting like Islam". This is just a response to the post. Friend, first of all Christian evangelists should stop calling Hindus as heathens, pagans, fit for hell-fire, and stop publishing horrible articles on Hindu Gods and in general Hinduism. They say "Jesus is the only way for salvation; no one comes to God except through him, and rest will perish in eternal hell". They do a door-to-door businessman-like job n propagate Hindus worship devils. Tomorrow, if Hindus do the same stuff with Xnity, what would do expect them to do? At my town we experienced the same thing. We asked them to manage their own business and not interfere with us. When they started distributing pamplets badmouthing Hinduism (that too near our temples), we felt enough is enough and chased them away. English-media in India is controlled by political goons. You try to get news from local newspapers. The Europeans pre-christian civilizations were wiped out by Xnity. They did the same in South America, and other parts of the world. Unfortunately, none of the vanished civilizations can make complaints about it now but we read it only in history. Muslims have done the same thing. Now tell us how many civilizations has Hinduism destroyed? One last advice: PLEASE PLEASE stop saying "If you don't believe in the Son of God or the Last Prophet of Allah, you will END UP in ETERNAL HELL." I REQUEST THE MODERATOR TO PUBLISH THIS BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY PUBLISHED THE ONE WITH THE TITLE "Hinduism acting like Islam". This is just a response to the post.


Name: Re: human55
Date: Thursday October 02, 2008
Time: 18:31:48 -0700

Comment

Good reply. I shall say what the root problem with Xnity is. They believe in one Gospel which goes like this "I am the way, I am the truth; none comes to Father except through Me". Based on this sermon, they believe that all forms of belief are imaginary or heathen. So by converting pagans they are doing some kind of service to humanity. Therefore, even if it is through force or deception, it doesn't matter. Didn't they call all European pre-christian religions as "Paganism" their followers as "Heathens", fit for eternal hell? Dear Moderator, it is hard to swallow for Xians on the forum. I appreciate if the message goes through becoz it brings out the truth.


 
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