Peaceful Islam?

Dear Victorious,

I don't understand the issues with Islam. They seem to talk out of both sides of their mouths. The so-called "extremists" kill people and blow themselves up to get virgins in heaven (or whatever). Then the others say that Islam is a peaceful religion. How can they both believe what they believe? Both sides can't be right!

Confused Observer

Dear Confused,

When you have a religion that isn't based on truth, oddly enough, both sides actually can be right. As Christians, we know that the Bible NEVER contradicts itself. It is God's Word, and it is impossible for God to contradict Himself. (It would violate His character and nature.) But for Islam, this isn't the case. The Qu'ran (which is the Muslim equivalent of The Bible) is actually a study in contradictions.

The Islamic holy book contains verses that clearly call Muslims to live peaceably with the rest of the world. It requires Muslims to give to charity and care for the poor. Family and piety are paramount in the Qu'ran. So anyone who wants to paint Islam as a peaceful religion can readily find verses from the Qu'ran to back up what they're saying.

And, of course, many of those folks live peaceably with the rest of the world. There are some wonderful Muslims in the world. They are good parents, good teachers, good doctors. They do good works. They are great thinkers. In fact, some of the best traits we see in society are found in Muslims. Quite frankly, I have long admired their faithfulness to their religion - and only wished that Christians would be as committed and dedicated to our religion!

On the flip side though, the Qu'ran also contains very clear statements that call Muslims to violence, hatred and aggression. Let's look at some examples:

"... fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them ..." (Surah 9:5)

"... strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,-" (Surah 9:73)

"O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you ... " (Surah 9:123)

"Fight those who believe not in Allah ... nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Truth (Islam), even if they are of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), until they pay ... with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." (Surah 9:29)

Allah is an enemy to unbelievers. - Sura 2:98

Slay them wherever ye find them and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. - Sura 2:191

Fight against them until idolatry is no more and Allah's religion reigns supreme. - Sura 2:193 and 8:39

Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you dislike it. - Sura 2:216

So you can see for yourself. Islam could be a peaceful religion. Certainly many of its followers see it that way. At the same time, it can be a religion of hatred, violence and evil aggression. Some of its followers see it that way. And they both are right.

So what do we do with this perverse dichotomy? For the Muslims who see Islam as a peaceful religion, we show them grace and be thankful for their point of view. For Muslims who see Islam as a call to war with every non-Muslim, we forgive them.

The thing about Christianity is that Jesus never told us to kill anyone --- for any reason. In fact, He told us to love our enemies. So the Muslims who see it as their moral duty to kill us, we must love them. In fact, our love for Muslims is where the dichotomy must end. It is the only hope for the reconciliation of the contradictions in Islam - they they would know Christians by our love.

To be sure, Muslims are even more uncomfortable with their conflicting values than we are. So let us show them love and hope --- and trust the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts to lead them to truth that never contradicts itself!