Separation of Church and state
Islam was designed and built as a system of governance. (In addition to being a ‘religion’.) Islam was around long before the modern national government evolved and became common. In most of the Middle East, Islam has been the ‘law of the land' since the 8th century, yet modern governments were only established in the 20th century. As a result, loyalty to Islamic laws and culture is far more established than any government that has been put in place since. This is slowly changing, but the loyalty to the ‘Nation of Islam’ is still widespread. We still hear major Islamic leadership refer to the "Nation of Islam" and the "Sovereignty of the Islamic Nation" and declaring war upon the ‘occupiers of Muslim ‘Land’. The modern world has no place for a ‘religion’ that can declare war. The modern world cannot accept ANY ‘religion’ that can field it’s own armies to protect it’s own ‘land’ or ‘waters’ from ‘occupation’. Historically, national sovereignty issues of this type have required open warfare to resolve. These are not issues that people change their minds over easily, nor quickly. (If at all.) This is why war is required to settle the issue.
Islam has no separation of church and state. This concept is being fought violently and in an organized manner. The Islamic ‘army’ (Islamic terrorist groups) is fighting for the implementation of Islamic governance and ideology. Just look at how the terrorist groups get along with the ‘parent’ government of the area where they operate. Even they don’t get along very well because of the conflict over the national sovereignty issues that separation of church and state resolves. Historically, this is a very common reason for wars being fought.
In Iraq recently, an election was held. One person who was interviewed had said that his imam had told them to go vote, so he went. If the Imam had said to not vote, he would not have gone. The Imam has greater power than the government. An example: The Catholic Church is against abortion. However, the Church as NO power to overrule the law of the United States. As long as Catholics obey the law of the U.S., they can obtain abortions. All the church can do is attempt to persuade Catholics (And all others) to NOT obtain an abortion. We need to respect religious leaders, but Islamic leaders have far more power than the modern world can accept. Imams can enforce Islamic ‘law’. Imams can field their own armies. This must end, TODAY. People do not give up that kind of power by choice. Once again, historically it has been shown that it will take warfare to resolve. Reason number seven in my list of why Islam causes wars is the lack of separation of church and state.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Islam causes war: Reason number 6
"In Muslim tradition, the world is divided into two houses, the house of Islam and the house of war." (B.Lewis)
Not a great deal to comment on here. I would like to point out how this ‘tradition’ demonstrates Islamic attitudes and foreign policy.
At least part of the reason why Islam is so hostile is because so many of the ‘laws’ that dictate foreign policy allow for this attitude as they specify when truces are to be made and when war can commence. In general terms, wars are to be fought when Islam can win. And when Islam is at a disadvantage or losing, truces can and should be implemented. Note how truces are specified, and not peace. Peace can only be accomplished when Islam is dominant and the area in question is within the ‘house of peace’ or under Islamic control. In other words, continuous warfare until no other places exist outside of the ‘house of ‘peace’. If this does not supply a full amount of excuses to start wars, I do not know what else will.
Not a great deal to comment on here. I would like to point out how this ‘tradition’ demonstrates Islamic attitudes and foreign policy.
At least part of the reason why Islam is so hostile is because so many of the ‘laws’ that dictate foreign policy allow for this attitude as they specify when truces are to be made and when war can commence. In general terms, wars are to be fought when Islam can win. And when Islam is at a disadvantage or losing, truces can and should be implemented. Note how truces are specified, and not peace. Peace can only be accomplished when Islam is dominant and the area in question is within the ‘house of peace’ or under Islamic control. In other words, continuous warfare until no other places exist outside of the ‘house of ‘peace’. If this does not supply a full amount of excuses to start wars, I do not know what else will.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Islam causes war: Reason # 5
Stoning people to death
I mention this as a cause of war because of the violent resistance that is being seen when attempting to get rid of this ‘law’. Riots occurred in Nigeria in 2006 because the court refused to have a woman who was convicted of adultery stoned to death. Nigeria is about 50% Muslim and 40% Christian. (10% ‘other’) This ‘law’ is an important one because similar problems have been seen in other parts of the world where attempts to ignore this same punishment have triggered responses similar to what Nigeria witnessed. I guess if you can’t throw rocks at someone, then it is OK to throw rocks at something else. After all, that aggressive urge has to be fulfilled somehow.
This Medieval concept must end. The rocks must be small enough not to kill with one or two blows and large enough to not qualify as pebbles. It is bad enough to still have laws that allow for people to be flogged, but this ‘law’ is about as ‘cruel and unusual’ punishment as you can get. Yet a great risk is run when attempting to get rid of it, or ignoring it. This is another demonstration of how Islam has yet to evolve with modern ideas of human thought and dignity. Resistance to this evolution is being fought with violence. It is almost impossible to stop violence without resorting to violence, particularly concerning issues like this. This can be another cause of war.
I mention this as a cause of war because of the violent resistance that is being seen when attempting to get rid of this ‘law’. Riots occurred in Nigeria in 2006 because the court refused to have a woman who was convicted of adultery stoned to death. Nigeria is about 50% Muslim and 40% Christian. (10% ‘other’) This ‘law’ is an important one because similar problems have been seen in other parts of the world where attempts to ignore this same punishment have triggered responses similar to what Nigeria witnessed. I guess if you can’t throw rocks at someone, then it is OK to throw rocks at something else. After all, that aggressive urge has to be fulfilled somehow.
This Medieval concept must end. The rocks must be small enough not to kill with one or two blows and large enough to not qualify as pebbles. It is bad enough to still have laws that allow for people to be flogged, but this ‘law’ is about as ‘cruel and unusual’ punishment as you can get. Yet a great risk is run when attempting to get rid of it, or ignoring it. This is another demonstration of how Islam has yet to evolve with modern ideas of human thought and dignity. Resistance to this evolution is being fought with violence. It is almost impossible to stop violence without resorting to violence, particularly concerning issues like this. This can be another cause of war.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Islam causes wars: Reason number 4
Jihad
Many Muslims believe that Jihad is an internal struggle. This is supposedly the ‘greater Jihad’. However, historically this has not been the case. "Jihad has been most commonly interpreted as ARMED struggle for the advancement or defense of Muslim power." (B. Lewis)
The Koran mentions Jihad in the context of ‘internal’ struggle in about 5% to 10% of the references concerning Jihad. The other 90% concern armed Jihad and warfare. In addition, the reward for Jihad is booty in this world and paradise in the next. Booty was generally how armies were paid until the rise of the nation-state and professional armies. Jihad may have been intended to be an internal struggle, but it is also a foreign policy. This can and has caused wars.
Waging of war is the responsibility of governments, not ‘religion’. Again, wars are fought over issues like this one. The ‘terrorist’ organizations of today are in fact the Islamic ‘army’ in action. They are already at war against us. (The U.S. and Israel are the biggest targets) In fact, the Nation of Islam is at war against ALL modern government. Better healthcare and better economic opportunities are not going to defeat this ‘army’, nor will they win the war.
Many Muslims believe that Jihad is an internal struggle. This is supposedly the ‘greater Jihad’. However, historically this has not been the case. "Jihad has been most commonly interpreted as ARMED struggle for the advancement or defense of Muslim power." (B. Lewis)
The Koran mentions Jihad in the context of ‘internal’ struggle in about 5% to 10% of the references concerning Jihad. The other 90% concern armed Jihad and warfare. In addition, the reward for Jihad is booty in this world and paradise in the next. Booty was generally how armies were paid until the rise of the nation-state and professional armies. Jihad may have been intended to be an internal struggle, but it is also a foreign policy. This can and has caused wars.
Waging of war is the responsibility of governments, not ‘religion’. Again, wars are fought over issues like this one. The ‘terrorist’ organizations of today are in fact the Islamic ‘army’ in action. They are already at war against us. (The U.S. and Israel are the biggest targets) In fact, the Nation of Islam is at war against ALL modern government. Better healthcare and better economic opportunities are not going to defeat this ‘army’, nor will they win the war.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Islam causes wars: Reason 3
The penalty for leaving Islam is death.
This ‘Law’ has been (And is still) enforced for 1400 years. Part of the problem here is that in many cases, individuals enforce the law. This is in conflict with the idea of governmental enforcement of the laws. Even when governments enact this ‘law’, this reinforces the idea that once something is Muslim, it cannot revert back to anything else. This can be (And frequently is) applied to ‘waters’ and ‘occupation’ of land as well. This concept goes past national boundaries. As a result, this is a nationalistic issue that modern nations have and will go to war over. In addition, this penalty is a major structural problem for Islam.
This ‘law’ is the primary factor in the reason why Sunni and Shiite have not been able to resolve their differences since 690 AD. (Islam was founded in 610 AD) Because the two sides differ in the line of succession of the leadership of Islam, (A major, fundamental difference) each side sees the other as having left Islam. In many of the cases where we hear of ‘sectarian’ violence, this is the basic cause. Historically, when ‘outsiders’ or infidels are involved, Sunni and Shiite will band together to defeat the common enemy before attempting to deal with the other, which is an internal problem.
Execution of people is the sole responsibility of a modern national government, not a ‘religion’. Once again, Islam is in direct conflict with modern governance. Historically, the causes of many wars are of this type. People and nations will fight violently to resolve these types of issues.
This ‘Law’ has been (And is still) enforced for 1400 years. Part of the problem here is that in many cases, individuals enforce the law. This is in conflict with the idea of governmental enforcement of the laws. Even when governments enact this ‘law’, this reinforces the idea that once something is Muslim, it cannot revert back to anything else. This can be (And frequently is) applied to ‘waters’ and ‘occupation’ of land as well. This concept goes past national boundaries. As a result, this is a nationalistic issue that modern nations have and will go to war over. In addition, this penalty is a major structural problem for Islam.
This ‘law’ is the primary factor in the reason why Sunni and Shiite have not been able to resolve their differences since 690 AD. (Islam was founded in 610 AD) Because the two sides differ in the line of succession of the leadership of Islam, (A major, fundamental difference) each side sees the other as having left Islam. In many of the cases where we hear of ‘sectarian’ violence, this is the basic cause. Historically, when ‘outsiders’ or infidels are involved, Sunni and Shiite will band together to defeat the common enemy before attempting to deal with the other, which is an internal problem.
Execution of people is the sole responsibility of a modern national government, not a ‘religion’. Once again, Islam is in direct conflict with modern governance. Historically, the causes of many wars are of this type. People and nations will fight violently to resolve these types of issues.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Islam causes wars: Reason number 2
Tribute
I place this issue at #2 in my list of reasons that Islam causes wars because this issue HAS triggered a war between the United States and Islam in the past. In 1804, a number of U.S. ships (Including a warship) were seized in the Mediterranean because the U.S. government refused to continue to pay ‘Tribute’. The battle cry in the US was "Millions for defense, not a penny for Tribute!". What was this all about?
For us, the issue was freedom of the seas. For Muslims, the lands surrounding the Mediterranean were ‘Muslim lands’. Most, if not all of the land that touched the Mediterranean were either controlled by Islamic authorities or else had been in the past. This made the Mediterranean an inland sea controlled by Islam, or Muslim ‘waters’. It was a stretch to charge Tribute for ships passing through these waters because the Koran speaks of land, not waters. Nor does the Koran speak of ‘passing through’. However, the nationalistic nature of Islam encourages this belief. A brief word about Tribute.
Tribute or the ‘poll tax’ is the payments of non-Muslims to Islamic authorities. (Not government, but religious authorities) Payment of this ‘tax’ exempts the payer from military service.
Taxation and conscription are two functions of the modern national government. This issue is another where Islam is in conflict with the modern nation-state. Islam was designed as a system of governance long before the modern nation-state had evolved. Even if the laws of that government allow for this, it is a fact that the origin of this ‘law’ is the Koran. This is another example of nationalism taking a back seat to the ‘Nation of Islam’.
Want to start a war? This issue has and will continue to do so.
I place this issue at #2 in my list of reasons that Islam causes wars because this issue HAS triggered a war between the United States and Islam in the past. In 1804, a number of U.S. ships (Including a warship) were seized in the Mediterranean because the U.S. government refused to continue to pay ‘Tribute’. The battle cry in the US was "Millions for defense, not a penny for Tribute!". What was this all about?
For us, the issue was freedom of the seas. For Muslims, the lands surrounding the Mediterranean were ‘Muslim lands’. Most, if not all of the land that touched the Mediterranean were either controlled by Islamic authorities or else had been in the past. This made the Mediterranean an inland sea controlled by Islam, or Muslim ‘waters’. It was a stretch to charge Tribute for ships passing through these waters because the Koran speaks of land, not waters. Nor does the Koran speak of ‘passing through’. However, the nationalistic nature of Islam encourages this belief. A brief word about Tribute.
Tribute or the ‘poll tax’ is the payments of non-Muslims to Islamic authorities. (Not government, but religious authorities) Payment of this ‘tax’ exempts the payer from military service.
Taxation and conscription are two functions of the modern national government. This issue is another where Islam is in conflict with the modern nation-state. Islam was designed as a system of governance long before the modern nation-state had evolved. Even if the laws of that government allow for this, it is a fact that the origin of this ‘law’ is the Koran. This is another example of nationalism taking a back seat to the ‘Nation of Islam’.
Want to start a war? This issue has and will continue to do so.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Islam causes war (Reason #1)
Kill the ‘occupiers’ of Muslim land.
An example: The Catholic Church owns the land that a church in Chicago has been built on. If any group of armed people took it over; Catholics from Illinois, Mississippi, Brazil or Canada do NOT go in and take them out. The U.S. government sends in the army, or National Guard or SWAT team or whatever. Islam has a long history of this type of action. As has been seen so often today, Islam still retains a sizable number of followers who believe that Islam overrides the modern national government. If the means for open warfare is not available, irregular warfare is the natural result. It is only the next step to become what we consider to be a ‘terrorist’.
A religion like Islam does not have ‘land’ nor ‘waters’ to defend. The following statement was declared by Imams that met in Istanbul in March 2008 is a classic example: "The obligation of the Islamic Nation [is] to regard the sending of foreign warships into Muslim waters, claiming to control the borders and prevent the smuggling of arms to Gaza, as a declaration of war, a new occupation, sinful aggression, and a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Nation. This must be rejected and fought by all means and ways."
Please note the use of the terms "Islamic Nation and "Muslim waters" and "Sovereignty of the nation". These concepts are common throughout the Islamic world and contribute greatly to the warfare that is common where Islam is in contact with the nation-states of the world.
As can be seen, this concept is one of the basic causes of the continuing Arab-Israeli conflict. All of Israel is sitting on ‘occupied’ land. Two additional parts of this issue I would like to discuss.
1) Once land becomes Islamic controlled, it can never revert back to anything else because it is considered to be ‘occupied’. (This is tied in with reason #3, the penalty for leaving Islam is death)
2) This would be comparable to Native Americans launching attacks upon the rest of the population because all of the land that the United States sits on would be considered ‘occupied’.
This is only one the major issues present within Islam that invites open warfare.
An example: The Catholic Church owns the land that a church in Chicago has been built on. If any group of armed people took it over; Catholics from Illinois, Mississippi, Brazil or Canada do NOT go in and take them out. The U.S. government sends in the army, or National Guard or SWAT team or whatever. Islam has a long history of this type of action. As has been seen so often today, Islam still retains a sizable number of followers who believe that Islam overrides the modern national government. If the means for open warfare is not available, irregular warfare is the natural result. It is only the next step to become what we consider to be a ‘terrorist’.
A religion like Islam does not have ‘land’ nor ‘waters’ to defend. The following statement was declared by Imams that met in Istanbul in March 2008 is a classic example: "The obligation of the Islamic Nation [is] to regard the sending of foreign warships into Muslim waters, claiming to control the borders and prevent the smuggling of arms to Gaza, as a declaration of war, a new occupation, sinful aggression, and a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Nation. This must be rejected and fought by all means and ways."
Please note the use of the terms "Islamic Nation and "Muslim waters" and "Sovereignty of the nation". These concepts are common throughout the Islamic world and contribute greatly to the warfare that is common where Islam is in contact with the nation-states of the world.
As can be seen, this concept is one of the basic causes of the continuing Arab-Israeli conflict. All of Israel is sitting on ‘occupied’ land. Two additional parts of this issue I would like to discuss.
1) Once land becomes Islamic controlled, it can never revert back to anything else because it is considered to be ‘occupied’. (This is tied in with reason #3, the penalty for leaving Islam is death)
2) This would be comparable to Native Americans launching attacks upon the rest of the population because all of the land that the United States sits on would be considered ‘occupied’.
This is only one the major issues present within Islam that invites open warfare.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
