The difference between Muslims and Christians

Dear Editor,

Re: Who is more dangerous? Christians or Muslims?

This is a true account. The year was 1995, in Melbourne Australia, I had an encounter with several Muslims brethren, I was also invited inside a Mosque, didn’t have to wash my feet because I did not have intercourse the night before, I was told.

I was permitted to enter and joined in an intellectual discussion with the brothers upstairs, also was offered food.

The hospitality shared was a rewarding experience for me. 

However, the Muslims I met and spoke with outside the Mosque had another side to tell. Still in Melbourne, I spoke with a few brothers who shared with me that their belief was absolute, nothing should defy the Quran and if god would ask them to shoot anyone at a shopping centre they would do it without hesitation because it was the will of god and the world was wicked and it deserved punishment.

I was also told if a Muslim would to convert to another religion, they would be executed together with the people who converted them.

Now, this was 1995 before words like terrorism swept across the globe gave form to what it is today. The thought process has been nursing and nourished in the minds of many for years.

These thoughts grew up and have transformed into devastating realities and any person with a sound mind could see how it gets ugly because if you ask me humanity is at stake if a belief that can violate your freedom to think independently and taken your ability to choose away from you may reflect differently if your eyes where opened.

Things will be dictated to you, you will cease to exist. And if you cease to exist in this life, you will cease to exist anywhere else even the next life when and where ever that may be. 

These are some verses from the Quran. You can see anyone could easily interpret these verses differently. You can tell by just looking at how many Christian sects were born from a one set of scripture, the Holy Bible.

A group of Islamic extremists can easily be persuaded by a set of verses, claimed to gain virgins in heaven, can be called to arms to fight to serve an independent selfish objective. Whose selfish objectives, it can be anyone’s, not just Muslims, it could be some rich scumbag who lives somewhere playing games with people’s lives. But you can tell how some dedicated people would fight blind for their religion. Perhaps, that is why it is dangerous. 

“O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of satan. He is an outright enemy to you.” (Holy Quran: 2, 208)

“God does not love corruption”. (Surat al-Baqara, 205)

Quran (2:191-193) - “And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] 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.)” (Translation is from the Noble Quran) The verse prior to this (190) refers to “fighting for the cause of Allah those who fight you” leading some to claim that the entire passage refers to a defensive war in which Muslims are defending their homes and families.

The historical context of this passage is not defensive warfare, however, since Muhammad and his Muslims had just relocated to Medina and were not under attack by their Meccan adversaries. In fact, the verses urge offensive warfare, in that Muslims are to drive Meccans out of their own city (which they later did).

Verse 190 thus means to fight those who offer resistance to Allah’s rule (ie. Muslim conquest). The use of the word “persecution” by some Muslim translators is disingenuous - the actual Arabic words for persecution (idtihad) - and oppression (a variation of “z-l-m”) do not appear in the verse. The word used instead, “fitna”, can mean disbelief, or the disorder that results from unbelief or temptation.

This is certainly what is meant in this context since the violence is explicitly commissioned “until religion is for Allah” - ie. unbelievers desist in their unbelief. 

Christianity, even though sometimes have different interpretation of scripture and teachings are all together in the use of the New testament not solely on the Old Testament because there is a lot of killing in the Old Testament.

But the New Testament is where Jesus teaches about the two great commandments in heaven where every law should lie; one is Love God and the other is Love thy neighbour as thyself. When your belief is founded on LOVE and FORGIVENESS and FAITH, you have tolerance in your heart. 

Muslim people are just like us, different in fundamental beliefs that govern all that we do but just the same people with the probably same aspiration and goal for a better future of their children. 

Samoans did not need to bible to teach them of Alofa, Faaaloalo, ma le usitai that was why it was so easy for us to accept the teachings of the bible. Perhaps our people were blessed. What is missing in a life of any Muslim is our faasamoa and a copy of the New Testament where LOVE, understanding and forgiveness are the core values and beliefs. 

Muslims believe Jesus as a prophet but do not heed His teachings perhaps it is time for our Muslim brothers to teach Christ-like Love together with their faith they should prosper in their land. 

 

T. Ale Mativa 

Samoa Observer

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