Is This Islam?

I hate to compare the magnitude of what you have mention about the Catholics' child molestation which is actually quite isolated. However, it is interesting to note that the Catholics are actually resolving the issue to prevent another such demeaning and devastating incident of this nature from repeating itself. Now, compare it to the harboring, support and sympathizing of the radicals, extremists and fundamentalists to commit heinous acts of terrorism on the innocent and uninvolved parties even one of their own. I am sure you can see the stark difference. If religion is about bringing about peace within the believers, then it sad to see that Islam has not been able to bring about that effectively. Muslims need to be reminded that in this pluralism society nobody can change anybody regardless of the relationships they have had but they (Muslims) can change themselves. The real issue is not so much on what others do to Muslims but how the Muslims react (or overreact) to external circumstances. I am sure you will agree with that if our inner sense of well being is dependent on how others treat us then we will remain miserable and angry much of the time. What others do to me is their issue. How I respond is always my issue, my responsibility and my choice. Furthermore, when they overreact to external circumstances then it will always be our problem. Most of the time, we overreact when we have hurtful issues from the past we have never resolved. And, when that happens ancient buried damaging feelings get triggered. Petra King in her book Your Life Matters wrote: "Peace becomes possible when we stop blaming anything or anyone for how we feel and take responsibility for our own perceptions. If we pursue happiness in the way our culture suggests that we reach for it outside of ourselves and remain dependent on circumstances that will remain forever beyond our control. But, if we anchor our self in our consciousness, rather than in the outer trappings or events of our life, peace becomes possible." I feel that Muslims, Christians and other religions as well, not only need to resolve the hurts and angry feelings from the past but also, surrender circumstances beyond their control to their God they believe in and trust God to bring good out of the situation. I suppose this is the better choice we can each make and live by to achieve peace.

There is no "free will" in islam.

Thank you once again. If you look at the history of all such audios and videos you will find this one element very common. The authenticity of almost all such audio and videos could never been proved. If you like to believe these are true, it is your choice and definitely reflects your biased approach. When you are being 'JUDGeMeNTAL' of my religion just by looking at a suspected video, you should expect me to 'JUDGe' your approach as well.

artemeis, please ask yourself this very simple question. Why in this age of internet and other means of communications, would somebody make an audio message for their followers and post it on some website? What is the point? If I am at war I will try to camouflage instead of making myself public.

Old habits die hard. Check again yourself. The time line they are referring to is not as if the video is historical and unrelated to the attacks. As usual, you are again JUDGeMeNTAL that I have hate and am crazy. So much for your mentality-00? Tsk! Tsk!

Considering what had just happened around the world, against the American's anti-Islam movie, I have to wonder how these radicals, fundamentalists or extremists like al-Qaida here, could still be alive and much more able to use Islam to encourage violence and terrorism. I cannot help but criticize the disparity and double standards treating such extreme factions in their circle against the non-Muslims like the Americans.

you misunderstand about Moslem and Islam read carefully from the holy book i think Islam never want to kill anybody like you said.. if there are terorist (in USA label) and they are moslem, it`s coincidence i think..but don`t generalize that all moslem are terorrist..It`s hurt for us..

I am sure he has a bigger goal to achieve inside his head, he want to turn all muslims into his holy warriors so that he can command a large battlion of army and become their chosen commander in chief. He sure know how to play his holy war game well if not perfect and manipulate his muslim followers as well as Osama.

adhyz82: With all due respect, that's false. People read the Quran and still interpret it differently amongst Muslim sects. Just as Christians interpret their Bible differently. And so on and so on. So what one reads, or I read, or Lampar reads, might be completely different than what you read. People have always interpreted scripture differently than others. If everyone interpreted it the same way, my good friend in Pakistan, Kira, wouldn't be living in a guarded community with military patrol simply because of the Ahmadi Muslim label.

it didn`t reflect Islam overall if the people want to know the real meaning of jihad, please read in the Holy Al Quran..

Let me ask about your comment on Americans occupying Afghanistan, I do not think America had ever conquer and occupy Afghanistan? I stand to be corrected, but I believe it is a fact that the Americans liberated Afghanistan when they wage war against the Taliban and drove them out of the country. So, the Jihad are you talking about here is justifying that the Taliban's act of terrorism on the liberators is justifiable. Is that what you are trying to say?

artemeis, let i ask you first?? who gives order to USA comes to Afganishtan or Pakistan?? it`s the independent country and USA are the country.. USA is not UN..

Please check around and do your homework before you ask me for the answers to your questions. Are you so naive as to think that America without any consensus could actually go into ANY country even for the matter of humanitarian assistance which by the way encompasses liberation by the use of military forces. I say stop reading articles from extremists sympathizers and come up with purported theories of your own.

There is no doubt in my mind that Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to his laws. However like yourself, the Muslims do not go for the absolute meaning when it really is about peace loving and racial tolerance. Yet, it is disturbing that as much as it would like to be perceived to be one that is favorably mentioned, I believed we have seen just how much it could be equally abused by the extremists within their circle. Comparing the outbreaks to the Christians just begs to differ in magnitude and severity.