Figure 1.--.

There are extremly intollerant passages. One passage reads, "If anyone seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him." [3:85] Later passages command that Muslims not take unbelievers to be their friends. And there are passages which call for the slaughter of all non-believers until the earth is conquered for Islam. Muslim spokesmen attempt to emphasize the Kornic passages promoting toleration. One Muslim in Britain community leader following the aborted airplane attacks insists, "The reason young people are attracted to extremists is because they are ignorant of what the Qur'an really says." The problem with Islam, however, is that there are not only intolerant passages, but actually vicious passages in the Koran. And Islamic fundamentalists actually often do know the Koran very well. One observer points out, "The Qur'an really does say Muslims are to fight jihad until unbelief is destroyed, it really does say they should not make friends with unbelievers, it really does describe the Jews as the sons of apes and pigs. And to this day, mainstream Islam has not developed a form of exegesis that allows verses like these to be rejected as unsuited to the modern world. These are precisely the verses, backed up by Prophetic Traditions, which radicals use to lure young Muslims into terrorism. Until moderate Muslims can find a way past this problem, the radicals will continue to be able to use the divine word as justification for their hatred of the Western way of life." [MacEoin] Individuals interested in this subject should read the Koran themselves to learn what is actually set down there. One assessment reports that the Koran contains 5 commands to kill and 12 commands to fight (literally in Arabic "try to kill"). These and other passages need to be assessed. Far to many in the West want to just ignore the vilonent passages as literary lyperbole. We might agree except that some Muslims consider the passages to be the word of God instructing them to commit violence. This does not only show a oenchant for violence in the Koran, but also intolerance because the targets of the violence are commonly those of other faiths.

Violence

One assessment reports that the Koran contains 5 commands to kill and 12 commands to fight (literally in Arabic "try to kill"). These and other passages need to be assessed. Far to many in the West want to just ignore the vilonent passages as literary lyperbole. We might agree except that some Muslims consider the passages to be the word of God instructing them to commit violence and there are inumerable instances of violence to demostrate how persuasive these verses are. This does not only show a oenchant for violence in the Koran, but also intolerance because the targets of the violence are commonly those of other faiths.

Jews

We have begun this process. We have in particular looked for passages about Jews. What we found was numerous passages that are not only disturbing, but offensive to modern people who believe in religious toleration. The Islamic contempt and hatred toward Jews clearly has been an aspect of Muslim life from the very onset. And gives lie to the all too commonly expressed view that violence in the Middle East is the result of the creation of Israel.

Christians

References to Christians are only mildly less offensive. A number of passages refer to both Chrisdtians and Jews.

Notable Intolerant Passages

We do not want to repear the many intolerant passages reffering to Jews, Christians and viloence note above. But some intolerant pasages from the Koran should be noted and discussed here. The two most notable verses are "the sword verse" (9:5) and "the verse of tribute" (9:29). There are other important verses which need to be considered.to coinsider.

Discussion

Our desire here is rsather than write a lengthy discussiion piece citing the work of noted is to go right to the ultimate source innIslam--the Koran amd read what it says. Here we emhasis thast our Muslim readers are invited to contact us if they believe we ha\ve misquoyed the Koran or if oiur interpretation is flawed.

Sources

MacEoin, Denis. Letter to John Reid, Home Secretary, August 14, 2006.

Created: 2:44 AM 9/29/2006
Last updated: 4:05 AM 7/26/2009