The Qur'an openly preaches violence and hatred against non-believers.

Thank you for the quick response. -- Content -- Rebuttals: • 1. Previous Round o 5:12-13 o 5:14 o 5:64 o 8:12 o 8:15-16 o 9:5 o 98:6 • 2. Current Round[*] o Increase in Disease? o Verses Preaching Hatred Toward Jews? o Middle Easterners View Jews 'Unfavourably' o Wars in the Name of Islam o Modern Scholars and Offensive War o Terrorism - Misinterpretation or Bad Mental State? o Friendship o Mecca and Medina for Muslims Only o Houses of Worship in Islamic Countries -- Rebuttals -- • 1. Previous Round o 5:12-13 Let me first make it clear that if I say that I am against evil Americans, then it does not mean that I am against all Americans. Now, these verses, namely 12-13, speak about Children of Israel breaching a covenant. God, then, hardened their hearts. This can mean that they felt a terrible agony, or anything similar, due to their bad deeds. However, I think everybody should lead the last sentence of verse 13: [Qur'an 5:13] "But because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard; they change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the message that was sent them, nor wilt thou cease to find them- barring a few - ever bent on (new) deceits: but forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds): for Allah loveth those who are kind." This is not "anti-Semitism." This is punishment for people who did bad deeds. Even if you are a Muslim, you can get punished for bad deeds. o 5:14 The verse right after speaks about God implementing hatred between Christians until the Day of Judgement, as a result of their forgetfulness of a message that was revealed unto them. They started becoming idolaters, worshiping statues, and called a man the son of God, and God Himself. This is something God deals with Himself. The verse does not say that Muslims should hate Christians. It says that they themselves will look badly at each other, as history shows. They became split, their beliefs were fully corrupt due to different versions of scriptures, and so forth. Many of them hate each other for that. But there is no command on "hatred against Christians," as my opponent stated. o 5:64 [Qur'an 5:63] "Why do not the rabbis and the doctors of Law forbid them from their (habit of) uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works." In this verse, it is asked why the rabbis and priests do not forbid their followers from uttering disrespectful words. A few years ago, the current Pope of Vatican uttered falsehood against the beloved Prophet, asking to show what he brought that was new and good, and not evil. He was challenged for some dialogues on this, but refused. Such people have hatred in their hearts, and they utter falsehood against God and His Messenger. [Qur'an 5:64] "The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief." As seen, when Jews speak disrespectfully about Allah, He responds by by saying that even among themselves, there is hatred. Allah helps Muslims in a way that instead of letting the entire world turn against them, namely Muslims against Christians, Jews, etc., Allah weakens them by leeting there be enemies from within their own groups. As seen in the last sentence, many Jews etc. strive to do mischief on earth and wage war, and God does not love those who do such things, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. This is, again, not anti-Semitic or hatred against non-Muslims, but a clear message to mankind about evil deeds and punishment for that. o 8:12 Let me first say that the Qur'an has verses that were revealed in a historical event, and they only speak about those events. [Qur'an 8:12] "Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): 'I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.'" My opponent said, "Cut the fingers and behead the non-believers." I must say that this is absolutely not true. These verses speak about Battle of Badr. As can be seen, it was a battle. Why did the Qur'an tell to smite the necks of the non-Muslims, during battle? Firstly, it is a normal command that a general would also give. Second, can anyone name a tank that existed back then, or a bombing plane? Should the Qur'an have said to bomb them? "Fire?" No. Why not? Because back then, 14 centuries ago, swords were used. And what was the most effective way of dealing with enemies? It was by cutting the necks, which would result in instant death. Today, it looks "barbaric." But, watch any war movie, and see if it is - at minimum - just as barbaric when a general says, "Fire with tanks" and we see some humans being blown up. Is it not the same? Yes, it is. The only reason why "smiting necks" was a command then was against non-believers in Battle of Badr, not a normal day when going to cinema, and because it was a normal and effective fighting method. o 8:15-16 My opponent claimed that these verses say "do not surrender to the disbelievers." I fully agree with her. Defeatism was never Islamic, nor will it ever be. Muslims were oppressed during the revelation of the Qur'an, and what good would there be had they given up in battles? If a commander tells his soldier to turn back, it is fine. However, no soldier must show cowardice and flee from battle and forsake the other soldiers. But defeatism, this concept is not Islamic. o 9:5 As I said above, many verses of the Qur'an speak of historical events. Chapter 9 starts by speaking of a treaty between Muslims and Pagans.[1] due to character limits, I will explain shortly. If you read the first verses, you will see that they speak about a treaty between Muslims and Pagans. Instead of the Pagans accepting this with the Muslims, an agreement of peace, they did not. This was a declaration of war. So, verse five says to fight them. If France declares war on Germany today, should Germany not prepare for war? Yes. Similarly, that was the case with Muslims and Pagans in this event. Now, let us look at the next verse. [Qur'an 9:5] "If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge." The Qur'an promotes love and kinship even during such bad times. It told Muslims to provide safety for any Pagan who wished to be in peace. If every Pagan was to be slain, why would this verse be there, right after verse five? And the Qur'an speaks about those Pagans who refused to accept peace. [Qur'an 9:10] "n a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds." And once more, crystal clear, fighting against aggressors. [Qur'an 9:13] "Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe!" o 98:6 I got limited character space, and will comment on this verse in the next round. -- References -- [1]The Qur'an, Chapter 9, http://www.usc.edu... [*] To be continued in next round. I ask my opponent to allow me some room for full rebuttals. I thank her in advance.