Submitted by Moll (Canada), Dec 30, 2004 at 18:05
According to Al Azhar University islamic theologians, and according to the writings in the Koran, the first half of its writings, when Muhammad was interested in converting the Jews to become his followers, were compassionate, kind, and intended to convert the Jew with reasoned words. When Muhammed realized that he could not win converts that way, he espoused violence (Surah 4:89, Quran). In islamic theology the newer writings take precedence over the earlier writings, the latter writings became the credo of the jihadists.
There are three types of Muslims -- the secular muslims; the traditional muslims and the fundamentalist muslims. The"secular" muslim believes in the "nice" parts of Islam, but they reject the call to jihad; they observe the cultural trappings of the message, but only practice the parts they agree with. These muslims can be very dedicated to their system of thought.
The "traditional" muslim falls into one of two types: 1) a muslim who studies Islam, knows it and practices it, but does not agree with the concept of jihad as a physical struggle, but in a Sufist way, a spiritual struggle. 2) The other is a muslim who knows that jihad is fighting non-muslims, but doesn't not take action for a variety of reasons: he doesn't have the ability to do it by himself, or they are concerned about what would happen to their lives, families and children if they join the jihad struggle, or they want to live a nice life on earth instead of dying.
The "fundamentalist" muslim is one who perpetrates terrorism. These muslims sometimes have the long beards and head coverings. Their goal is to practice Islam as Muhammad did. Though we call them radicals, they are practicing "true" Islam.
There are therefore no moderate muslims. There are no fence sitters -- you are either with the fundamentalists, or you are an "infidel" and a jihad terrorist target.
Respectfully, Moll
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