tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post112208159910180184..comments2023-11-15T17:55:18.051-05:00Comments on MarkDaniels.Blogspot.com: Explosions in Egypt: What is Going On from a Religious Perspective?Mark Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18205344762960756655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1122158606422384602005-07-23T18:43:00.000-04:002005-07-23T18:43:00.000-04:00You make an interesting point, Mark, and I appreci...You make an interesting point, Mark, and I appreciate your taking the time to write.Mark Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205344762960756655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1122133660145694542005-07-23T11:47:00.000-04:002005-07-23T11:47:00.000-04:00Mark,There's one characteristic of Islam that you ...Mark,<BR/><BR/>There's one characteristic of Islam that you left off your list. It's one that is shared by other religions, even to some degree Christianity, but is more pronounced in Islam, and is used by the rogue imams you speak of to lend themselves credence.<BR/><BR/>I am speaking of the inconsistency, even directly contradictory statements, in the Qur'an.<BR/><BR/>This also brings into question your statement that Islam doesn't "commend violence as a means to salvation". It all depends on what parts of the Qur'an you pay attention to. Some statements in the Qur'an give very specific instructions to convert the world through violence, and destroy the infidels who don't believe.<BR/><BR/>The Qur'an is also clear that those who die in the process of destroying the infidels will be given direct entrance to heaven. In a religion where entrance to heaven, even for the most holy, is otherwise very uncertain, martyrdom is therefore a very attractive option. It is the only way to be certain of one's eternal destiny.<BR/><BR/>So, even though one is not required to be a militant to be a true Muslim, being a militant is not really a distortion of Islam... just an alternate interpretation of a very confusing holy book.<BR/><BR/>Mark C.MarkChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14783588922999884233noreply@blogger.com