“Islam is a complete way of life. It teaches us what to do when attacked. If a robber entered your home, what would you do? Would you not defend yourself?”
A “way of life” is a good thing, Emad, for all people who believe violence should be avoided.
In that house you mention, what if a dictator had taken your family hostage? Thrown one in the basement, gassed another? Attacked a neighboring family? Invited some other criminals to stay in your home a few nights, and possibly threatened another resident down the street who was already upset over an attack from another dirtbag?
This “robber” warns the dictator to get out of your house. When he doesn’t, the “robber” enters the home and removes the dictator. The “robber” accidently damages some furniture, roughs up a family member that is mistakenly identified as one of the dictator’s gang members. One of the “robbers” actually does steal an item.
In the view of some, the “robber”, while meaning well but not perfect, would not be a thief as you allege but a “liberator” in this case. (PS – that liberator better get the heck out of your house real soon, though.)
“debating politics really gets us no where”
I agree. But then right after stating that, you go into the house robber analogy. Let’s get back into the original subject – fatwa. I just find it real disturbing that there are people who kill themselves and innocents, claiming God told them to do it.
The U.S. may be wrong, but it’s government is not quoting Scripture to justify its actions.
But that is the fundamental problem, the fundamental difference between the Muslim culture and the U.S. As you said, Islam is a way of life; Arab government and religion are so intertwined that there is no distinction – a theocracy. In the U.S., while religion certainly has it’s influences, we strive to make it an individual choice – a way of life for each individual.
Jim
Add: Thanks to the poster that provided the link
fatwa.com. It had Muslim theology that was reassuring to me. I just hope the people who expressed those views can exert some control over violent fundamentalists.
