NC,

What am I to make of the violent passages in the Koran that people keep quoting?

I find the same passages in my copy of the Koran, why is that?

Same to you, NC.

And to the rest of you misery-guts mob, may the New Year bring you all the sh!t, doom and disaster you wish for. It's the only way you'll ever be happy!

Luciferase,
"the violent messages in your holy books"

Violent, in comparison to what? Utopia?

Scriptures aim to guide us through this life on this earth. which has to face the realities of crime and punishment. Humans are no Angels; their nature is a combination of good and bad. That is why, there is no country without; law enforcement, jails, correction centers and penitentiaries. Some countries have execution chairs too. Exploitation and interstate wars are reality of our earthly life.

Now the valid objection would be, if you were to say that Islam is violent in relation to other religions. Or Quran preaches more violence than Bible, Torah or Bhagwat-Geeta etc. I am conscious that these are the books that most of us have not read and may never be able to. The way forward, in this situation would be, reference to a reliable source of Comparative Study of Religions. Karen Armstrong is one such source of reliability, proven by the publication of a number of scholarly works on the subject.

Or is it that we base our allegation on the beheadings, carnage or hostage takings etc and believe the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, when we put them on the pedestal of interpretation of Quran for us? Are we in safe hands for gaining knowledge from thugs? Or should we listen to saner voices, such as; "So why the suicide bombing, the hijacking and the massacre of innocent civilians? Far from being endorsed by the Koran, this killing violates some of its most sacred precepts." (Karen Armstrong, The True Peaceful Face of Islam, Time)

I notice, that some on this thread are not great fans of this author. I had indicated an other; Muhammad Asad, a former Jew and had given his webpage address in my previous post. If not him even, then it should be some others verifiable source of Comparative Study of Religions, that you deem credible after due consideration. Please do not let these criminals, interpret our religions for us.

Without, such a researched and knowledge based approach, objection of violence in Quran, stands in thin air.

Thank you NC for highlighting the need of "TURNING TO BIOGRAPHIES ABOUT MUHAMMAD BASED ON MODERN HISTORICAL AND ANALYTIC METHODS.” and thank you for adding to my knowledge.

The most respected pioneer of Modern Methods of Analytical Study of History is Ibn Khaldun. His monumental work Al-Muqadimmah,has been judged as the outstanding achievement of humanity, by the most authentic voice in study of history; Toynbee.

Ibn Khaldun has a chapter on analytical methodology for study of history and illustrates one of the techniques of the methodology, by citing an example. He mentions a well reputed historian, who while describing a battle, states that hundreds of thousands of people died in that battle. Ibn Khaldun further states that the battle ground exists in its original form, even to the present times, as do many other battle fields. Any one can go and measure it. He says that the battle field can not, in actual fact, accommodate more than a few thousand people from both sides,......combined.

Just accepting any thing that we hear or read, without subjecting it to the test of reason is very rash, and passing it on as truth, without first verifying, is like pedaling lies, not in keeping with the image of ourselves, we appear to be projecting to others; of we being educated, sane people.

Son of Adam,

I studied Comparative Religion at both Sydney University and at The University of New England and came away convinced that Muhammad was nought but a rather brilliant tribal leader who copied what he wanted from Judaism and from Christianity.
I formed the opinion, based on my studies, that he was a superb example of an opportunist.

My studies of the Qur'an shewed me that Islam has the potential to be a very violent religo/political movement; it is not simply a religion.
This potential has been demonstrated from the days of Muhammad till the present time and whilst none can see the future, it's a fair assumption that the violence will continue.

Muslims have no real choice, it's conform or die for them.

Is Mise,
Thank you for addressing me as Son of Adam, as that is what I am....and am conscious that I am talking to an other son or daughter of the same father.

Good to know that you have studied Comparative Religions.
Is that reason enough for me to accept your opinion? Or you have to substantiate it?

I did not see any substantiation.

You have the right to your opinion, even though you form it through study, intuition or plain prejudice, but if you want me to accept it, I'll need reason, evidence and conclusive proof.

Take care, Happy New Year.