Submitted by Tim Cresswell(United States), Jan 1, 2008 at 16:48
For a 15 year old girl, you are (were) quite literate and aware. Also, I must compliment you on your English. While your English isn't perfect, you are a clear thinker in that you addressed all of my points and you DO seem to embrace the truth. My compliments. You are well on the way to wisdom. The only thing that can stop you is if you close your mind. As a female in the Muslim world, to keep an open mind may not be an option for you. I hope I am wrong.
The Quran may have its complexities and it may be that analysis can reveal new concepts in the Qu'ran. I am familiar with the H'dith where Quranic analysis is quite extensive. But please understand, I do not presume to understand fully the religion of a culture foreign to me. Much of my understanding leans heavily on the lifelong study of Quran Scholars. These are ex-Muslims including an ex-Pakistani Judge and several other life long but now "ex" Muslims. These people explain the subtle differences between propounded myths of Islam (Islam means "peace" vs Islam means "pacification").
But I do not rely entirely on the opinion of others. I am as the Bereans in the Book of Acts of the New Testament (Bible) where I receive the Scriptures with all readiness of mind but search the Scriptures daily to prove it so. Thus I have obtained copies of two separate translations from E.H. Palmer 1880 and J.M. Rodwell 1861 (Sura organization restored), both of which have withstood the test of time and completely confirm each the other. .
I have sought the opinions of prominent Muslims such as Professor Ebrahim Moosa, President of Muslim studies at Duke University about how I could be misunderstanding the direct commandments to violence against all nonMuslims for all time (See SURA 17:60 or 17th book line 60 English Translation). His response was that it was "not his area of specialty" and referred me to Michael Cook at Princeton and Walid Saleh at the University of Toronto who, in turn failed to respond at all. I directly contacted Abdulahi Sufi who wrote a letter: "Pope's comments on Islam don't foster understanding" dated 10/5/06 which was posted on the front page of the Michigan State University official newspaper The State News (circulation 50,000+). His response was "I am not a scholar of the bible nor Islam, but a student, therefore dismiss me and my opinion letter and find a scholar who can challenge to your caliber. "
Again, a total nonresponse. His duplicitous humility is grounded in the Islamic "Doctrine of Deception". I attended a presentation of a local Imam who was extolling the similarities between Islam and Christianity. I personally directed his attention to specific SURAs in the Quran. He acted like he'd never heard of them. Again, he completely failed to respond to my question: "How am I misunderstanding these direct commands to violence?"
As I look at the entire history of Islam I see violence. Fearing that I may be misunderstanding what I observe, I consult the Quran itself. There I find that those perpetrating violence are doing exactly what the Quran commands them to do. Sura 17:60 says: "There is no city which we will not destroy before the day of Resurrection, or chastise it with a grievous chastisement. This is written in the Book." Can this be misunderstood? SURA 47:4 "And when ye meet those who misbelieve-then striking off heads until ye have massacred them, and bind fast the bonds!" Is this not a direct command to violence? What symbolism or context can reportray these passages as "peaceful"? While I observe violence of Muslims against nonMuslims and even so against other Muslims who "misbelieve", when I look to the Quran, it is clear why Islam is a violent religion designed to destroy all of mankind.
As a Christian I see Muhammad as one of the false prophets Jesus warned of. He said they would come as wolves disguised as sheep. His disciples asked Jesus how we should know them when they come, and he said "You will know them by their fruits". Muhammad was a false prophet whose fruits are death, war, torture, conquest, destruction, and murder. Yes it has many other aspects but it has those horrifying aspects. It is a religion that INTENDS to be a terrorist organization. Islam IS a terror organization - in theory (Quran) and in practice (history).
I would invite you to consider the great Muslim paradox concerning Jesus: Islam reveres Jesus as a "great Teacher". But Jesus said that he was the Son of God who sits at the right hand of God and that no one comes unto God except through him. Jesus was either a liar (and thus not a great teacher) a lunatic (and thus not a great teacher) or He is who He said He is. If He is who He said He is, then Muhammad CANNOT be a prophet for Jesus himself said that all of the law and the prophets ended with John the Baptist. Muhammad came 630 years after John the Baptist. Was Jesus simply wrong? If so, then He can't be a great teacher. Thus Muhammad was wrong in saying that Jesus was a great teacher. If Muhammad was wrong could he possibly be a prophet? Prophets who were wrong were to be stoned to death without delay because of the damage they do. Look at the damage Muhammad has done to the world for generation upon generation.
After considering the above paradox keep the following in mind should you live to see the end times which I believe are very near. Ezekiel 38 and 39 of the Old Testament of the Bible talks of how Israel will be surrounded by its enemies and will be attacked by Magog of the North and his allies. Magog is Russia according to Herodotus of Harlicarnassus, known as "Father of History" who wrote much about the descendants of Magog by their Greek name, the Scythians, in the 5th century B.C. The prophecy of Ezekiel unfolds before our very eyes as we see Russia ally itself with Iran (Persia), Syria, and Lybia and other Muslim states who desperately hate Israel and seek its destruction from earth and to erase it from history. Prophecy fulfilled is the strongest evidence of devine origin. Miracles can be performed through unusual technologies but foretelling the future is no parlor trick. Ezekiel is happening before our very eyes. You need only follow the news.
If you see truth in what I say and need help getting out of a land where truth brings a death sentence, I will come and get you out of there and bring you to the United States where you are free to grow your open mind.
May you be blessed with God's Holy Blessing.
Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Comments are screened for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited, before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but not hostile, libelous, or otherwise objectionable statements. Original writing only, please.
