Keep drinking the Kool-Aid, LEGO.

>>Islam is the only religion which I know in which their God and His prophet actively promote hostility and war between believers and non believers<<

On the other hand, of course, Christians have constantly and consistently promoted love and peace to all men, believers and non-believers alike.

Is that what you are suggesting?

One of my cousins served a few years in Northern Ireland, and tells some interesting tales of the love and compassion with which two versions of Christianity shot off each others' kneecaps.

It is also true, of course, that Sunni and Shia do not exactly cohabit in permanent amity, despite their apparent adherence to the same religion. But all that proves is that there is no difference, religious-tolerance-wise, between the two sets of "believers".

The reality is of course that human beings have great powers of imagination. Confronted with the conundrum of life, it is easy to see how the concept of an abstract parent, complete with both love and punishment, took root.

But it has always been limited to the extent of our imaginings. Consider for a moment the image that Northern Europeans gave their concept of Jesus. For hundreds of years, they pictured him as a blond and bearded Aryan. The fact that it is far more likely that he was a dark-haired, dark-complexioned Semite didn't enter the equation.

Our values are the values of our society. The ones that prevent us from regressing into kill-or-be-killed tribes of hunters. It's called "civilization", and is a condition that grows at different speeds and in different timeframes, dependent - largely - upon geography.

Pericles,

Interesting point about the limits of the human imagination.

I have a picture of an engraving of someones's idea of UFO's that was executed before flying machines were invented - and there, sailing through the skies are "galleons" - the only vast distance travelling vessels of the time.

"Aussie, Christian or universal values?"

Just what are the true universal values? Survival and propagation? (Everything else is surely subservient.) Food, shelter, security, a mate, weapons/implements, stories, entertainment, means to identify friend and enemy, knowledge. On top of this we layer excess - material accumulation - to attract a "better" mate, to increase our "tribe", to increase comfort, knowledge, entertainment .....

In the world today are hunter/gatherers, jungle people, subsistence farmers, .....all the way up to Donald Trump.

Religion, and universal values? Pre-internet communication? (First and continued "best seller", the Bible.) What has exemplified the grand cultures of the past? Greek, Roman, Islamic. Surely it is communication and knowledge. Conquest? To extend the image of "self"? More of and for "us".

"Values" and "Religion" depends on where you sit in the pyramid.

Religious belief has been an excuse for discrimination, domination, slavery, ... Doctrine and propaganda have been used similarly - Nazism, Communism, ..... Such continue today, in our "civilised" society.

The thirst for communication and knowledge continues, expanded in TV, video, internet, "live" news, "games". But, for all this, "Man" proves himself still to be driven by "base" instincts. Conquest, extension of "self".

Religion as a communication for the common good has improved civilisation, but has also been "abused" for non-religious purposes. We must all see past "belief systems" in the search for truth and humanity. Love thy brother, but allow him freedom.

To Pericles

No, I am suggesting that if Christians are being hostile to people of other faiths, and if they are making war upon them because they are of a different faith, then they are not following the teachings of their prophet, Jesus Christ. On the other hand, if Muslims are hostile towards people of other faiths, and are making war upon them because they are of a different faith, they are faithfully following the teachings of both their God and His prophet.

8:39: “And fight them until there is no more disbelief in Islam and the religion will all be for Allâh Alone...”

9:123: “O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are close to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allâh is with those who are the pious.”

Koran 8:12
Remember Thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the believers, I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips of them."

Koran 9:5

"Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolators wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful."

Koran 9:73

Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their Home: an evil fate.

Koran 4:144

Believers, do not choose the unbelievers rather than the faithful as your friends. Would you give Allah a clear proof against yourselves ?

Koran 5:51

Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. Allah does not guide the wrong-doers.

Koran 98:1-8

The unbelievers among the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures.

LEGO,

Your last post was quite enlightening, and very sad. I have no response, except to say I can only hope that sanity and reason may reach beyond the depths of such dark provocations.

Yeah yeah, LEGO, I've heard it all before.

>>...if Christians are being hostile to people of other faiths... they are not following the teachings of their prophet, Jesus Christ... if Muslims are hostile towards people of other faiths... they are faithfully following the teachings of both their God and His prophet.<<

All so very familiar.

It is the standard mantra of the "Christians" who have taken it upon themselves to hate Muslims, and use a few carefully selected snippets as justification for their hatred. I hear it so often, I wonder whether they actually teach it at Sunday School these days.

What escapes their notice, every time, is the paradox involved.

"Christians" who hate the way you do - as well as those who make war, shoot each other in the kneecaps etc. - are by your definition, not Christian.

"Muslims", who choose to live their lives peaceably and in harmony with their fellow human beings, are by your definition not Muslims.

That leaves us with a tiny, almost infinitesimal, number of each category in the world.

Which, when you think about it, makes the whole religion vs religion palaver all rather stupid, doesn't it?

You really should take a long hard look at your values, LEGO. And I mean that most sincerely - hatred has a way of showing itself in ones facial features after a while, and you don't want to become ugly, do you.

Or uglier, whichever applies.