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Well said!

Reader comment on item: Do Radical Islamists Run the Middle East?
in response to reader comment: How True!

Submitted by Dr RJP (United States), Sep 18, 2006 at 18:21

Here's the major sticking point as I see it:

If Islam is so great as a religion and a way of life, then there should be no threats and force imposed upon people to choose it, and to stay in it.

Judaism encourages introspection and questioning, and anyone who strays from the faith is still considered to be a Jew (as opposed to being an apostate) and is always welcomed back (rather than threatened by death to come back). The great prophet Micah said that non-Jews should be free to follow the ways of their own god just as Jews should be free to follow the God of israel. This way of thinking has no parallel in Christianity or in Islam. In Christianity, all those who do not accept Jesus as Christ and the Son of God are doomed to Hell. In Islam, non-believers are also subject to Hell, either as a Hell on Earth or a worse one in the world to come.

Jews are commanded to be a light unto the world by living a righteous life. Christians are also commanded to live a righteous life and to be a light unto the world, but their light is shone into the face of non-believers like a spotlight. In other words, Christians are commanded to preach the Gospel to everyone, to actively proselytize their religion.

Jews do not proselytize their religion, nor do they begrudge others who believes in another religion or no religion at all. "Live and let live" is the essence of Judaism. "Welcome the stranger into your midst and treat them as if they were one of your own" When it comes to treating strangers and non-believers, Islam is the polar opposite of Judaism in this respect. It is as if they took the Ten Commandments and reversed everything in it.

When Islam is viewed in this light, how can anyone say that "It is equivalent to Judaism, let alone superior?" How can they not see why Judaism, first, and Chistianity, second, represent a threat to radical Islam?

The goal of Judaism is to bring out the best in people, and not to feed on their resentment and hatred of others. In order for a person to convert to Judaism, they have to be turned down twice to make sure that the person is serious about their choice. The conversion process also takes dedication to study and time...up to two years.

Those who become Jews do so freely and without any kind of coercion. No threats of damnation. No threats of torture or death. No threats of being treated as a second-class citizen, or worse. No promises of eternal life. No promises of heavenly rewards. No promises of earthly rewards.

A person chooses to become a Jew and to follow its commandments out of love.

Remember the old song, "Where is the love?" That could be the theme song of radical Islam.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (43) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Islamic leaders protest and claim that Islam is peaceful. [43 words]Adam EylatSep 30, 2006 16:3258368
World War III: The New Enemy [2800 words]Bob JackSep 26, 2006 01:3957575
1an objective view you present, Mr. Jack [131 words]jennifer solisSep 22, 2007 17:4657575
Musharraf suave and the importance of 9/11 [182 words]Vishnu GuptaSep 23, 2006 02:1557128
Just wait and we will wait with you, Islam wil dominate, we are integrated [313 words]berzad disalariSep 22, 2006 15:3157029
That's not saying much, Mr. Disalari [115 words]jennifer solisSep 25, 2007 14:5057029
Can't We All Just Get Along [126 words]BlackspeareSep 19, 2006 20:5856565
Desperately seeking Pogo [74 words]JaladhiSep 19, 2006 15:3456502
Read Ayn Rand [57 words]AshleyOct 5, 2006 18:5956502
Well said TTS [129 words]PDMSep 17, 2006 18:1556290
In order to be "Morally supeior," you fist have to have morals! [436 words]Dr RJPSep 17, 2006 11:2856243
How True! [151 words]J.S.Sep 18, 2006 16:3256243
Well said! [486 words]Dr RJPSep 18, 2006 18:2156243
Yes, the polar opposites... [123 words]J.S.Sep 20, 2006 11:1956243
Difference between Jewish Martyr and Islamic Martyr [340 words]Dr RJPSep 21, 2006 09:1756243
Yes, true martyrdom... [30 words]J.S.Sep 21, 2006 17:0156243
Sauce for the goose..... [140 words]PatSep 16, 2006 10:0756156
enemy alien organization [209 words]skydiverSep 16, 2006 03:5756128
It would never, ever happen in today's world (that is, intern Muslims) [224 words]J.S.Sep 16, 2006 23:1056128
in my opinion [215 words]skydiverSep 16, 2006 03:5056126
morbid euphoria [352 words]Charles FortnerSep 15, 2006 17:2156081
Charles Fortner, Deceptive comments [328 words]InfidelSep 29, 2006 14:3556081
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Bernard Lewis's comments.. [264 words]J.S.Sep 15, 2006 15:2956064
Islamism and Islam [42 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
VinodguptSep 15, 2006 12:3156043
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Beck wrong about Germany and Syria/Iran [122 words]
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They Hanged 27 at Abu Ghraib a few days ago (EOM) [10 words]alanSep 15, 2006 09:1556018
about moderate muslims [105 words]G.VishvasSep 15, 2006 06:2256007
No in-betweens! [482 words]MosheSep 15, 2006 05:3056006
RADICAL ISLAM WILL RUN ALL OF THE WORLD,NOT ONLY MID-EAST.PERIOD. [261 words]TTSSep 15, 2006 01:3855997
I concur [32 words]Abdul RahmanSep 18, 2006 13:3755997
Political correctness or reality [494 words]Walter S. GeeSep 9, 2007 16:2855997
Laws of Nature [436 words]Abdul RahmanSep 15, 2006 00:4355992
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I concur, Vinodgupt [6 words]abdul rahmanSep 19, 2006 12:2255992
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to Abdul Rahman [63 words]Anubhav SinghOct 6, 2006 02:4855992
Glenn Beck for President of the U.S.A. [181 words]TimothySep 14, 2006 22:5055985
Beck tells it like it is [18 words]JohnMar 3, 2007 19:4255985
GB for Pres [48 words]vickiJul 11, 2009 16:0855985

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