Category: World Affairs Views: 4757
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Persistent Double Standard
My article about the "Sharia Within" was published in a Virginia newspaper. Yet, I am always mystified by the response of some - but no doubt on the minds of many - who object to what I write about Sharia and Islam in general. This response is typical:
| Shariah law is not the equal of Christian morals but is the exact opposite. Christians believe in loving your neighbor whatever his belief, color, or status.
Jesus said, in effect, if they don't accept you, shake the dust off your feet and move on. Shariah law says, in effect, if they don't accept you, punish them, tax them, isolate them, or kill them. In the op-ed, Muhammad reads a bedtime story to his 4-year-old daughter. How idyllic. What the writer didn't say is that if his 4-year-old daughter grows up to be a young lady and has an affair with some man before marriage, then he would be justified in killing her to protect the family honor. Shariah law. If Muhammad's son, whom he was playing catch with, grows up and leaves the Muslim faith to become a Christian, then he should also be killed. Shariah law again. If anyone prints anything bad or critical of the Quran or Mohammad, even in a cartoon, he should be killed. Shariah law again. In the U.S., it is permissible to burn or deface any book, Bible, flag, or any other religious or patriotic article. But don't touch the Quran (Shariah law). If you do, you might get killed. The Muslim religion with its Shariah law is like a giant worldwide protection racket. Comply with its rules, or you could get killed. A Quran was burned by a Florida pastor a short time ago. Riots followed in a foreign country, and eight people were killed. The only way to confront this worldwide protection racket called Islam is by direct confrontation. Wake up, Americans. |
Now the first sentence of his response is not true. In fact, the people at Loonwatch had a great article about the Ten Commandments and their proscribed punishments. Yet, beyond that small issue, the objections this reader had to my article really had nothing to do with Islam itself, but rather the misapplication of Islam by some of its adherents.
For instance: "In the op-ed, Muhammad reads a bedtime story to his 4-year-old daughter. How idyllic. What the writer didn't say is that if his 4-year-old daughter grows up to be a young lady and has an affair with some man before marriage, then he would be justified in killing her to protect the family honor. Shariah law."
Wrong. There is absolutely no justification for so-called "honor killings" in Islam. This is a barbaric cultural practice that is clothed with Islam by those who commit it. I have written extensively about this here and here. I have also condemned all violence against the innocent, without qualification or equivocation, all in the name of Islam.
The writer says: "If Muhammad's son, whom he was playing catch with, grows up and leaves the Muslim faith to become a Christian, then he should also be killed. Shariah law again."
Wrong. There is nothing in Islam that says people who leave the faith are killed. I have also written about this as well. There is total freedom of conscience and religion in Islam, and I uphold this principle as well.
The writer says: "If anyone prints anything bad or critical of the Quran or Mohammad, even in a cartoon, he should be killed. Shariah law again."
Wrong. Those are the words and actions of ignorant Muslims who think they "defend" the Prophet or Islam with their barbarity but actually defame them both. The Prophet was constantly mocked and attacked, even by his own family, and he never called for violent retribution in response.
When it comes to Islam, whenever a Muslim does something criminal and says, "Islam says I should do so," so many just accept it and project that criminality onto the entire faith. It is exactly akin to calling Catholicism a "pedophile religion" because of the actions of Catholic priests who have molested children. I would never do so, because I know the actions of those few priests do not speak for the entire faith or its adherents. I went to Marquette University, and I worked with and learned under a number of priests. They were nothing but upright, wonderful people. I know that the actions of a few rogue priests is not the truth about Catholicism or all Catholic priests.
Would that the same standard be applied to Islam.
Hesham A. Hassaballa is a physician and writer based in Chicago. You can visit his blog at www.drhassaballa.com.
Category: World Affairs
Views: 4757
Views: 4757
Older Comments:
DAWOOD FROM USA said:
The problem of these ignorant responses to Islam is twofold. The first is that we Muslims are failing to educate our non-muslim brethren about Islam and secondly, we do not forcefully denounce the devilish behaviors of our fellow 'muslims' when they commit their crimes.
2011-05-18
ALIYU FROM NIGERIA said:
Assalamu alaikh. Good JOB brother, jazaakallahu kair for the wonderful article
2011-05-16
ALIYU FROM NIGERIA said:
Assalamu alaikh. Good JOB brother, jazaakallahu kair for the wonderful article
2011-05-16
