Islam is a religion of terror

Islam is a religion of terror Firstly, I want to retract my comments about Donald being a coward, and apologise for them. He accepted this debate within 10 minutes (maybe even 5, I wasn’t watching that closely). I also thank him for accepting, and promise no more animosity, from my end, in this debate. The quran is the holy book of Islam 1. It is generally accepted that the quran is the book Muslims should be following. If it wasn’t, then why would the book exist in the first place? If it was there to be followed at a whim, rather than seriously followed, then wouldn’t it be redundant? Besides, how would anyone know how to distinguish between Muslims and non-Muslims if the Muslims weren’t following anything? 2. Allah, the god of Islam, commands the following of his word: "O Messenger! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Sustainer; and if you do it not, then you have not delivered His message, and Allah will protect you from the people; surely Allah will not guide the unbelieving people" (5:67). Can someone be Muslims without following the word of Allah? I don’t think so, do you? Since someone cannot be a Muslim without following the word of Allah, and his commands are laid out in the quran, it therefore follows that the quran is to be read and followed by Muslims. Allah speaks again on following the quran: "And We have revealed the Book [quran] to you which has the clear explanation of everything and a guidance and mercy and good news for those who submit." (16:89) Muslims are to follow the quran, as ordered by Allah. A1: Violence is commanded in the quran The Quran contains in excess of 100 ayahs (verses) that command Muslims to war with nonbelievers. Allah also expresses threats of violence towards non-believers. I mean, the quran even uses the word ‘terror’, in regards to fighting the infidels. I’m not going to list them all here, but I’ll sure list quite a few [2]: - "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief] is worse than killing... but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)" Quran (2:191-193) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things." Quran (2:244) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not." Quran (2:216) - "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help." Quran (3:56) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority". Quran (3:151) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward." Quran (4:74) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…" Quran (4:76) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks." Quran (4:89) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-" Quran (4:95) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them" No reasonable person would interpret this to mean a spiritual struggle.” Quran (8:12) A2: Allah does not prevent terrorism inspired by the quran I don’t think I need to go into detail to prove that Muslims commit terrorism (think 9/11, for a start). Allah, being omnipotent as he is ("Allah is capable to do anything"[35: 1]), has failed to prevent terrorism inspired by the quran on two accounts: He does not prevent terrorist attacks, thereby it is safe to assume that Allah is okay with this. Thus, it can be concluded that since Allah is okay with terrorism in the name of Islam, Islam is a religion of terrorism. If, somehow, the quran has been interpreted incorrectly, that Islam does not call Muslims to war, or that by “terror”, the quran means something completely else (which I won’t concede, but I’ll humour this idea for this point only), why then did Allah allow for such a vague holy book? Again, did he want the possibility of terrorism? Is an omnipotent being incapable of inspiring books to his will? Did he not think that by “terror, fight, kill…”, that people might take this literally? A3: Allah’s commands might frighten even Muslims Would not being called to war be scary? From my previous arguments, it’s clear that Allah wants his believers to go to war with everyone, to fight to the death, to kill in some instances. Would this not be scary to believe in? Think about it: right now, imagine that an omnipotent being is angry at you for not fighting the infidels. When you walk past infidels on the street, and you’re not converting them, your god, Allah, is angry with you. This is a god that can do anything, remember. Isn’t that scary? Does that not terrify you? Isn’t Islam bringing, in some instances, terror to even its believers? Take this, from the quran, for example: “Husbands should take full care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money. Righteous wives are devout and guard what God would have them guard in the husbands’ absence. If you fear high-handedness from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God], then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. If they obey you, you have no right to act against them. God is most high and great.” Quran (4:34) Would not women be scared to be hit? Wouldn’t it be somewhat terrifying to think that your husband could beat you? This is found within the quran, therefore it is part of being a follower of Islam. Conclusion (thus far) I think I’ve outlined 3 reasons why Islam is a religion of terror. The call to bring terror and violence (which is terrifying, I think) is repeated many times in the quran, Allah is not actively preventing terrorism done in the name of Islam, and being a Muslim can be terrifying. I’ll expand and clarify my points should my opponent address them. References/Sources [1] http://freequranonline.org... [2] http://www.thereligionofpeace.com... [3] http://www.onislam.net...