Since the invasion of Iraq I have found myself defending Islam on many occasions. Not that Islam needs defending from a NY born Hindu - but just out of decency of knowing that America is not at war (as it legitimizes) "against terrorism propagated by Islam" - rather it is once again on its imperial rampage: Manifest Destiny.
As such, I have often had "Bush bashing" sessions with my Muslim friends and shared in their frustrations - for I too am a child of the colonized and enslaved and within whom the blood of the raped flows. While finding camaraderie with the oppressed: I too often forget that those I find a parallel with may still adhere to the ideology of the oppressor - but have simply been defeated. Its as if a thief was 'out-thieved.'
Thus the conflict ensuing between the Muslims and Christians puts people like myself in a weird position. Hence if one claims to be of either religion, there is an implied acceptance of that religion's doctrines - of which both are imperialistic and condone violence - thus how can we sympathize with either side? They both produce nations of indoctrinated peoples who find wars, primarily based in ideology, justifiable. Thus as these two religions continue to wreak havoc on one another, the Christians have established a stronger footing which has ultimately created a huge oppressed class of Muslims. Thus should we not sympathize with the currently oppressed? Should we not try to remedy this; for it embodies human suffering? Or rather should we stand aside and applaud the oppressor who has been subduing a potential threat and keeping it at a bay?
Qur'an:
[5:33]
"Those who make war with Allah and his messenger will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. That is how they will be treated in this world, and in the next they will have an awful doom."
Qur'an:
[5:86]
"But those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are owners of hell- fire."
Qur'an:
[9:29]
"You shall fight back against those who do not believe in GOD, nor in the Last Day, nor do they prohibit what GOD and His messenger have prohibited, nor do they abide by the religion of truth - among those who received the scripture - until they pay the due tax, willingly or unwillingly."
Qur'an:
[47:4]
“So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates"
Bible (KJV):
Mathew 28:19:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Luke 19:27
"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."
Numbers 31:15-19
"And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive? ... Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves."
Deuteronomy 20:13-16
“And when the Lord thy God hath delivered [a city] into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones . . . shalt thou take unto thyself . . . But of the cities of these people, which the Lord thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth”
Presently, there are 1.6 billion Muslims and 2.1 billion Christians in this world - 54% of the world's population. Of which, the Muslims have suffered their due defeat on the battle field. After centuries of domination, they have now come to suffer the same pains they inflicted on those they conquered. So before we align due to similarity in circumstance - one must understand that we are both here from very different reasons. Further one must note - that once this body is rejuvenated and should it maintain a non-secular route: it will again wreck havoc on the world. On the other hand, we have the victorious Christians who have essentially used the world as their own backyard. Within which the U.S. is 75% Christian and has a track record that is less than fabulous: with nearly wiping out the indigenous of this land; slavery; witch hunts; colonialism; imperialism; white supremacy; neo-liberalization and now their recent war on terror and against immigrants.
Thus we must not get caught in the cross fire between the Christians and Muslims - rather we should focus on the greater good and try to divert their energy towards the same. One should employ power politics and employ methods to call upon the masses religious morality/ accountability in composing both domestic and foreign policies fostering Universal Peace. Public advocacy which manipulates that which the wealthy oppressors have held a monopoly over. And all the while trying to create a harmonious society conducive to peace - continue fostering Education; Education; and Education for the masses.
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