Is anyone here a Muslim?

[BrendaQG]

I bear witness that there is no god but god (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of God.

How do you do that, exactly?

By knowing (not simply beliving) that there could only be one creator. One creator of all living and supernatural beings. Or else the creator could have been created and that would not make sense. To a muslim god is the one and only supernatural being with any control over life, death, and the circumstances we find ourselves in. As such god is the only living thing worthy of worship or reverence in the universe. God set up the universe and as such is the root cause of every natural process in it.

Basically muslims figure from logic that there can not be any other diety.

There are other natural and supernatural beings we belive in. There are angels. Then there are the jiin (in english Geanie's. The scientist in me think that this last group was how those people understood what we would now call Aliens. Don't laugh read the story of Joshua and the wheel in the Christian bible.)

Further more it is part of muslim belife that all revealed religions came from the same god. They were set to the people by prophets chosen from among each culture. The only thing that makes Muhammad special is that the Quran was written down as it was revelaed. Compiled shortly after he died and prophecy ended and has been in the same form ever since. Muhammads one and only miracle is getting that message to his people intact.

You asked a really complicated question there.

[vegasboy]

Not trying to pile on, but I think an important distinction should be made. It's often said that all religious extremists are bad, and have difficulty respecting the rule of law where it comes into conflict with the religious doctrine. However, as far as I know, and I could be wrong, the only theocratic countries in the world that serve up draconian punishments for insulting their deities or prophets are Islamic.

That's not to say that all Muslims think it's fitting for non-Muslims to suffer a brutal physical punishment for insulting Mohammed, or that there aren't violent Christians or Jews. However, this primitive tendency to undermine the free speech rights of non-believers isn't embodied in law except in places instituting Sharia law.

Another distinction should be made. Of course there are moderate countries in the Middle East with a Muslim majority that aren't theocratic. Not all of these countries criminalize homosexuality, though some also don't criminalize honor killings committed against homosexuals. Would be nice to see the Middle East embrace secularism, though it's not looking like a likely prospect.

And it goes without saying, in spite of this I respect the rights of Muslims to practice their religion. Though I don't think the Ayatollah of Iran has the right to issue a fatwa beyond the borders of his country. As for those fatwas issued within the borders, have mercy for the non-believers.

[jimbobw2]

That 40% number is also a number you pulled out of somewhere dark. completely ridiculous.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../nsharia19.xml

Do your homework. Then get back to me....OK

[tollroad]

Indonesia, where Bee is from, tends toward moderate Islam.

What is the meaning of "moderate Islam"? It is as meaningless as "mild Islam", but if I have to choose, I'll pick the milder form.

[Coroner]

Indonesia, where Bee is from, tends toward moderate Islam.

What is the meaning of "moderate Islam"? It is as meaningless as "mild Islam", but if I have to choose, I'll pick the milder form.

Ever heard of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Albania? 43% of Bosnia´s population are Bosniaks who are muslims. Well, not all of them since 10-12 % of them are atheists. Bosniaks and Albanians are the only white muslims in the world because the Bosniaks are Slavs and are relatives of the Croats, Czech, Russians, Polish and other Slavic ethnic groups.
The Islam in Bosnia was always very open and liberal. Call it European if you wish. 90% of Bosnian Muslims didn´t pray or go to the mosque and their women were never covered. They look like any other European or Western nation. Of course there are women there that cover themselves but it´s everyone´s free right to do that or not. Bosniaks are heavy drinkers (typically Slavic) and many of them eat pork. Simply, they don´t care and live free. But, it´s just the Bosnians and Albanians.

[vegasboy]

Coroner,
would you say these are Muslims who aren't as observant, or there's actually a distinct, and milder form of Islam that they're practicing? I would guess the former, but I don't actually know so it's not a rhetorical question.

[yodajazz]

...
Further more it is part of muslim belief that all revealed religions came from the same god. They were set to the people by prophets chosen from among each culture...

I think this is a very important distinction for people to understand.
Muslims recognize their God as the same God as Christians Jews and other religious philosphies. They recognized the validity of other prophets. They see Jesus as a prophet, which is their highest designation, so they are not against Jesus as some people believe.

My point is that there is a lot of room for dialogue between people making war Christians, Muslims and Jews. This dialogue can help bring about a policy shift within religions to treat people with respect and more humanely. No bomb has the power to bring about this change.

I regards to the treatment of Gays and transgender people, I'm sure that there are many passages in the Koran that promote that advocate treating people with kindness, mercy, etc. So it comes down to promoting which religious principles are more important to promoting peace and understanding in today's world. Setting an example is the next most important thing to do. Attacking a Muslim nation under false pretenses is the exact opposite of promoting peace and understanding. And what example does that set?

[CaliGuy]

You like Muslim D*ck, don't you Vegas Boy?

[CaliGuy]

No family to spend time with over the holidays Nicole? Good use of your time to be on a porn site all day. What it must like to be you? hahahhahah

[vegasboy]

You like Muslim D*ck, don't you Vegas Boy?

This has got to be a joke. Perhaps you like the irony of a battle royale between vegasboy and caliguy. But keep it in one thread. This has turned into a somewhat serious thread.