Then explain this. Do Muslim nations forbid Christian Evangelization? Do Muslim nations destroy Churches and other religious icons? Isn’t it true that Christians worship in hiding in many Islamic countries?
Some do, and many don’t. I lived in Malaysia for a few years, and in Kuala Lumpur it’s easier to find a Church than it is a mosque.
What “some nations” do does not mean it is Islamically acceptable.
Does the Quran say that Muslims who convert to Christianity must be put to death?
No, the Qur’an does not say this. It does, however, say:
But if they dispute with you, say: I have submitted myself entirely to Allah and (so) every one who follows me; and say to those who have been given the Book and the unlearned people: Do you submit yourselves? So if they submit then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn back, then upon you is only the delivery of the message and Allah sees the servants (Al-Imran v 20).
Say: O followers of the Book! come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.(al-Imran v 64)
… And whoever turns back upon his heels!s, he will by no means do harm to Allah in the least and Allah will reward the grateful. (Al-Imran 144)
And whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah’s and certainly We enjoined those who were given the Book before you and (We enjoin) you too that you should be careful of (your duty to) Allah; and if you disbelieve, then surely whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah’s and Allah is Self-sufficient, Praise-worthy. (al-nis’a 131)
And obey Allah and obey the messenger and be cautious; but if you turn back, then know that only a clear deliverance of the message is (incumbent) on Our messenger. (al-ma’idah 93)
And if their aversion is grievous unto thee, then, if thou canst, seek a way down into the earth or a ladder unto the sky that thou mayst bring unto them a portent (to convince them all)! - If Allah willed, He could have brought them all together to the guidance - So be not thou among the foolish ones. (Al-an’am 35)
Proofs have come unto you from your Lord, so whoso seeth, it is for his own good, and whoso is blind is blind to his own hurt. And I am not a keeper over you. (Al-an’am 104)
And whoever disbelieves, let not his disbelief grieve you; to Us is their return, then will We inform them of what they did surely Allah is the Knower of what is in the breasts. (Luqman 24)
Unto you your religion and unto me my religion (al-kafirun 7)
And many, many more I could quote… so exactly where is the “convert or die” message in these verses? Or are you simply content to quote over verses out of context to fool yourself into thinking it is the case.
Classical scholars aside. What do the Ayatollas and leaders at the Mosque level teach?
Saying “classical scholars aside” is sort of like saying, “Islam aside, …”. Again, if hatred is being preached in some mosques, then this does not justify anything Islamically. I don’t disagree with you that there are incorrect interpretations of Islam floating about… the question is, which one are
you willing to believe? If you take the literal puritanical interpretation of the extremists, then what is the difference between you and them?
The fact is, the Qu’ran contradicts itself on that point. The result is that MUSLIMS get confused. Some Muslims, like Osama, believe in the killing of unbelievers if they don’t convert.
Really… Osama said that did he? You must be reading a different transcript than I have. In the one I have he mentions how Christians have been living side-by-side with Muslims for centuries.
That’s if you believe the video really is OBL, of course.
And I’m just describing the Muslims in free countries. Muslim nations systematically oppress, compulse and persecute all other religions. Even other sects of Islam.
Nobody will deny here that there are problems in the Muslim world at the moment. However, think about it - God in the Qur’an clearly mentions that oppressors are doomed, so obviously, anyone oppressing a group of people is not following what God intends for us.
