Comment by Rev Andy Kelso on the series on Islam The intention of this series is to examine Islam in the light of current events. It calls itself pre-eminent over all religions, with the Koran as God's pure and complete word, and Mohammed as God's last and greatest prophet. Is this true?
In order to find out the answers we need to look at the history of Islam and its founder Mohammed and we need to see if the Koran preaches peace as Muslims state. Are radical Muslims a splinter group or are they fulfilling the Koran's teaching?
The aim is to understand Muslims in order that we can have a heart of love towards them and engage in dialogue. I hope you will come to this series with an open mind.
Notes to accompany "Understanding Islam part 2"
Islam will be the most widely practised religion in Britain by 2020. By 2013 the Muslim population will be between 5 and 6 million - 10% of the population. British society will be irreversibly changed because most Muslims have no desire to integrate. They want to take over. In 1945 there was only one mosque in Britain. By 1990 there were over 2000 and growing. In Kenya the aim is to build one mosque for every 10 kilometres. Muslims are winning 50 million people a year to their faith. It's time to wake up!
Mohammad and the Koran's War Verses Mohammad finally managed to purge the Jews from Medina. He himself was present at the beheadings of hundreds of Jews. In Medina alone he undertook nearly forty raids. These events form the context of 109 war verses in the Koran and the hatred towards Jews and Christians.
Muslim moderates insist the Koran is a book of peace. Untrue! Muslim aggression towards non-Muslims is authorised in dozens of verses in the Koran. If you refuse to acknowledge Mohammad as a prophet and the Koran as inspired by God then you're an infidel.
The Koran and Hadiths divide mankind into 2 camps: The House of Islam and the House of War. Anyone who is not a Muslim is assumed to be rejecting Islam. This equals attacking Islam, Mohammad and Allah. This makes a person an enemy. War to decimate infidel populations by genocide or enslavement is condoned.
"Strike off their heads. Strike off their fingertips because they defied God and His Apostle" Koran 8: 12-13.
Here is Mohammad's recurring cry:
"Make war on the infidels until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme." Koran 8:40.
"Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you." Koran 9: 123.
"Fighting is obligatory for you."Koran 2: 216.
Muslim doctrine allows God to affirm something and then change it into something else. Supposedly Mohammad said there should be no compulsion to become a Muslim. Then look at this verse:
"When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters, wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they convert allow them to go their way."Koran 9: 5.
Look at this verse to Jews and Christians:
"You to whom the Scriptures were given. Believe in that which we have revealed, confirming your own Scriptures, before we obliterate your faces and turn them backward or lay our curse on you." Koran 4: 47.
The Koran claims it's God's purpose to: "seek out the enemy relentlessly." Koran 4: 104. The Koran is a threat to world peace.
Fact! One fifth of the Koran is incomprehensible. Every fifth sentence doesn't make sense.
Fact! Over forty million Muslim youth are memorising the Koran and the Hadiths in religious schools. Their teachers reinforce the militant war verses, keep them away from the opposite sex and give assurances of paradise for martyrs. Hatred for Jews and Christians is deeply instilled.
We are told not to criticise Mohammad or the Koran, but the world has a right to examine what claims to be the truth.
Polygamy What rules did Mohammad give about captive women?
"Marry other women: two, three, or four of them." Koran 4: 3.
Not long before Mohammad went to Medina an admirer offered his 6-year-old daughter in marriage. He accepted. Muslim tradition claims he did not consummate the marriage until she was 9. How could any prophet of God do such a thing?
Allah supposedly made his multiple women lawful for him.
"Prophet! We have made lawful for you the wives to whom you have granted dowries and the slave girls whom God has given you as booty. You may take to your bed any of them you please." Koran 33: 50-5.
The Koran even endorses prostitution.
"Do not force your slave girls into prostitution in order that you may enrich yourselves if they wish to preserve their chastity. If anyone compels them God will be forgiving and merciful." Koran 24: 33.
Mohammad was committing his god to absolve Muslims who forced slave girls into prostitution.
The spirit behind Islam is a bloodthirsty spirit that encourages war and destruction. It's a spirit of revenge and retaliation. Its purpose is to create hate and fear and confusion.
Spirit of Fear Fear is the stronghold of any false religion. Look at Communism. This controlled multitudes by the power of fear. Islam holds people in this stronghold of fear. From the time when Mohammad fled to Medina in 622 AD right up to the present day, terror and fear have been the strategy of Islam.
Hebrews 2: 15 states that through fear of death people are subjected to bondage. By creating terror and death Islam has been able to control and bind over one billion people.
Next week: Islam versus the Truth of Jesus Christ. Confusion and Contradictions in the Koran.
Sources: The Bible The Koran Inside Islam: Reza F. Safa Secrets of the Koran: Don Richardson North American Mission Board Convention: Phil Roberts Encyclopaedia of Religion, A comprehensive commentary on the Koran: E.M. Wherry