Christian Violence in History<>
<>The horrible truth is that, numerically and statistically speaking, Christian Civilization is the bloodiest and most violent of all civilizations in all of history, and is responsible for hundreds of millions of deaths. Even so, Muslims will never associate this violence and blood bath with the teachings of Jesus (peace be on him).
| Saint Augustine’s cognite intrare (“lead them in”—i.e. “force them to convert”). In fact the Qur’an says the exact opposite: There is no compulsion in religion ( 2:256 ). Augustine’s frightening idea that all must be compelled to “conform” to the “true Christian faith” has unleashed centuries of unparalleled bloodshed. Indeed, Christians have suffered more under the rule of Christian civilization than under pre- Christian Roman rule or any other rule in history. | Millions were tortured and slaughtered in the name of Christianity during the periods of the Arian, Donatist and Albigensian heresies |
| The Crusades | The European armies were saying, as they slaughtered both Christian and Muslim Arabs: “Kill them all, God will know his own.” |
| Europe's Reformation and Counter Reformation Era | Two thirds of the Christian population of Europe was slaughtered by Christians |
| The African slave trade | Claimed the lives of 10 million |
| The Colonial Conquests | Estimates for the number of Native Americans slaughtered by the Europeans in North, Central and South America run as high as 20 million within three generations. |
| The 20 th century's Western Civilization took warfare to new extremes | A conservative estimate puts the total number of brutal deaths in the 20 th century at more than 250 million. Of these, Muslims are responsible for less than 10 million deaths. Christians, or those coming from Christian backgrounds account for more than 200 million of these! The greatest death totals come from World War I (about 20 million, at least 90 % of which were inflicted by “Christians”) and World War II ( 90 million, at least 50% of which were inflicted by “Christians,” the majority of the rest occurring in the Far East). Given this grim history, it appears that we Europeans must all come to grips with the fact that Islamic civilization has actually been incomparably less brutal than Christian civilization. Did the Holocaust of over 6 million Jews occur out of the background of a Muslim Civilization? |
| In the 20th century alone
| Western and/or Christian powers have been responsible for at least twenty times more deaths than have Muslim powers. In this most brutal of centuries, we created incomparably more civilian casualties than have Muslims in the whole of Islamic history. |
| In the 20th century, Rawanda, 1994 | Witness the slaughter of 900,000 Rwandans in 1994 in a population that was over 90 % Christian |
| 1992-1995 Bosnia | The genocide of over 300,000 Muslims and systematic rape of over 100,000 Muslim women by Christian Serbs |
| Western popular culture | It should also be mentioned that although Islam has the concept of legitimate war in self-defense (as does Christianity, and even Buddhism), nowhere in Islamic culture (or in other cultures that survive today) is there latent the idealization, and perhaps idolization, of violence that exists in Western Culture. Westerners think of themselves as peaceful, but in fact the gentleness and sublimity of the New Testament, and the peace-loving nature of the principles of democracy, are scarcely reflected in Western popular culture. Rather, the entire inclination of popular culture— Hollywood movies, Western television, video games, popular music and sports entertainment—is to glorify and inculcate violence. Accordingly, the relative rates of murder (especially random and serial murder) are higher in the Western World (particularly in the U.S., but even in Europe, taken as a whole) than they are in the Islamic world in counties that are not suffering civil wars, and this true despite the much greater wealth of the West. |
| Reference: http://www.islamicamagazine.com/content/view/159/59/ | |
Asalam aleykum all,
This is a great work you are doing for Islam.Infact to say the truth, I am so impressed with your Dawah.Jazakallah Kheiran.
Needless to say, Much emphasis is put to discredit Islam nowadays..Be it Bush, Pope, Journalist who claim much freedom and the world over..
Why do you think this is happening?
Islam is taking over all beliefs, Christianity/Judaism, Hinduism/budhhism, all small traditional beliefs and the whole world is at war..
Why, coz Islam is against all idolatarians in the name of Budhha, In the name of Jesus and others..Islam is against all bad things happening in the world..Drinking, Gambling, Prostitution, adultery, Homosexuality, lesbianism, interest(Read Capitalism),War and all other corruptions..
Allah(God) is against all Fawahish(Corruptions) happening in the world and that is why the world is now worried...baying for Islam's Neck.
Posted by
The Rendezvous |
4:08 AM
Wa'laykum salam wr wb,
These western governments are trying to control the world with their man-made laws and what's stopping them from doing so and misleading many men and women is Islam reason being that the Ultimate Truth of Islam stands on solid ground and its unshakable belief and teachings is above reproach and of the fact of how Islam is a COMPLETE way of life and not something you leave at home when you go out, go to work, school..etc like how the westerners think. Due to this, Christians or any anti-Islam organisation/governments can't criticize its doctrines directly, but instead make up things about Islam and/or Muslims that aren't true so that people who are searching for the truth, lose the desire to look at Islam. And truth ALWAYS stands out clear from falsehood!
Allah (SWT) says, (interpretation of the meaning),
"Nay, We fling (send down) the truth (this Qur'an) against falsehood (disbelief), so it destroys it, and behold, it (falsehood) is vanished. And woe to you for that (lie) which you ascribe (unto Him)" [Qur'an 21:18]
May Allah (SWT) guide the non-Muslims and the Muslims to that which pleases Him (SWT)..Ameen
Jazakallah khair, we have checked your blog and masha'Allah, the first couple of articles we have read were quite informative! Are you somali by any chance?
Posted by
Admin |
6:46 AM
This is extremely silly.....you of all people should know that it is ridicolous to judge a religion by its followers. The truth is, Christianity, Islam, or any religion is the single true faith by it's own merits and it should be judged by its merits and NOT its followers. This may sound like a silly statement itself, but think about it deeply. Men are messed up people who will never completely be perfect, only God (or you would say Allah), thus it is ridicolous to think that man is a good representation of the one true faith. Too often, in every religion, someone hijacks the basic teachings of it and adds or distorts their own elements to it (thus creating their own and an entirely different "religion"). You cannot judge Christianity because of the Crusades and neither can I judge Islam by the terrible things they did in response to the Crusades. If I am to determine whether or not Islam is the truth, it will be by the Qu`ran.
When you delve into silly writing like this, you are only stating that it is alright for people to judge and reject Islam because of the violence that it also has in it's history.
Posted by
Anonymous |
2:20 AM
Peace Sillypickle,
Firstly, as we have stated in our post, we (Muslims) are not associating this violence and blood bath with the teachings of Jesus Christ (peace be on him). And therefore, are not judging Christianity based on the actions of it's followers. If you were to read and go over our articles, you would have realised this!
Secondly, you claim that Islam has a history of violence. This is truly false. Islam is not a religion of violence for it's against the killings of innocent souls!
Allah declares in the Holy Qur'an:
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to defend themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory - (they are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right - (for no cause) except that they say, 'Our Lord is Allah'..." (22:39-40)
Allah, The Almighty, permits fighting to defend the religion of Islam and the Muslims. This permission includes fighting in self-defense and for the protection of family and property. The early Muslims fought many battles against their enemies under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or his representatives. For example, when the pagans of Quraysh (An Arab tribe) brought armies against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Muslims fought to defend their faith and community.
The Qur'an adds:
"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors. ...And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against transgressors." (2:190, 193)
How can defending yourself, family, property and religion be considered as "violence"?
We recommend you to read this article: http://www.load-islam.com/artical_det.php?artical_id=534§ion=wel_islam&subsection=Misconceptions (please copy and paste!)
We did not post this article to attack the Christian faith but rather to get those who come here using terms such as "terrorists" and "extremists" to atleast look back at their own history.
Posted by
Admin |
8:24 AM
But your post begs the question, what makes "Christian civilization" Christian? I should probably state, I completely reject the idea that the United States, or any of the other western states of the world, are "Christian nations." Logically, by labelling the West (or at least I presume you are speaking of the West) as "Christian Civilization" you are suggesting that it is a "Christian Civilization" because it supposedly follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. This is my contention. I don't even appreciate the labelling of the Western world as "Christian" because it falls so short of the teachings of Jesus Christ. One of the statements you made in the original post that Western culture glorifies and inculcate (not sure what this word means if I am to be honest as I'm not familiar with it, even though I'm a native English speaker). This is true and I find it disturbing.
My other contention is that this post acts as sort of an "us compared to them," thus "we the Muslim nations are far more righteous than those of the Christian civilization." Now what would hope to be argued by saying that? Simply, I believe it to be "we are better than them because they are a violent people with a very violent history." This is what I am reacting against if you consider my two contentions. When the two come together, it becomes a criticism akin to "we, Muslims, are far better, thus correct in our beliefs, rather than the Christians since they are a people of a violent history."
To respond to one of your questions, defending yourself, family, property and religion is "violence," however, it seems fair to say that it is fair and justified, yet where the Qu'ran provides justification of self-defence, Jesus Christ instructs us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42). In many aspects, this seems entirely unfair, but Jesus Christ did not come to the world to make life easy for any of his followers. Many people reject a religion because they view it as too hard to follow and would rather alter the teachings of someone, like Jesus Christ, to suit their own preferences.
On another note, I don't believe Islam is a religion of violence, but in the same way that you claim that "Christians" have a history of violence, "Muslims" also have a history of violence in their past, thus neither are righteous in that matter. Now, I would be quick to say that those "Christians" who committed the atrocities that they did in the Crusades were not followers of Christ. And I should expect you to state that those "Muslims" who violently conquested Spain and North Africa in the name of Islam were not true followers of the Prophet Muhammed. Many "Christians" might defend the Crusades as nothing more than a response to Islamic expansion and aggression against "Christian lands," this may be true, but I don't think it is entirely relevent to this discussion. The other reason why people seem to have this idea that Islam is a "religion of violence" is the century-long sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi'as. I realize that there was violence between separate Christian denominations, but the difference would be that they are no longer violent, yet in Iraq, the violence continues between Shi'as and Sunnis. Furthermore, the Wars of Apostasy (also known as the Ridda Wars) don't help the image, neither do the Fitnas. I don't mention this to say "Islam is a religion of violence," because of what I know of the Qu'ran, it doesn't seem to suggest as such, rather my contention is that you accuse the "Christian civilization," and indirectly the Christian faith by association, of the same accusation that is made about Islam. In simplistic terms, I am stating that it is a waste of time, and as I said earlier, silly, to make a post about the violence of "Christian civilzation" (and indirectly of Christianity). However, I do take to heart your statement about that it is to challenge those who use terms such as "terrorists" and "extremists," yet, maybe since I am not thoroughly familiar with your website/blog, it was not entirely clear to me that this was your intention of the post.
I understand what you said was the intention of this post, but it is not outside of you or I to say we are doing one thing, when in reality we are doing something entirely different.
In closing, thank you for taking the time to respond to me. Your patience and politeness has been noticed and appreciated. Next year, I will be starting my study of the Arabic language, so I hope that I will be able to read the Qu'ran myself as I've heard that it is best to rest it in the original Arabic as the translations are somewhat lacking? In any event, I shall check out the link you have provided.
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:34 AM
Peace Sillypickle,
If you dislike the usage of the word "Christian civilization" towards the western countries (be it America, Australia, Europe..etc) then that's your problem and we respect that but the fact is a country that is ruled or governed by the law or teachings of those who run it would be considered a state of that particular belief/faith even though those who are following this particular belief do not really practice it's teachings. For example, a lot of people would consider Saudi Arabia to be a "Muslim state" even though those who govern it really do not follow the Islamic law (Shari'ah).
The word inculcate means to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions, hence frequently teaching kids (or teenagers) violence through Hollywood movies, Western television, video games, popular music and sports entertainment.
We have already explained the reason for our post and no, it's not an "us (Muslims) compared to them (Christians)" sort of a thing.
Islam is known for it's history of tolerance. Even Western scholars have repudiated the myth of Muslims coercing others to convert. The great historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote:
"History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated."[Islam At Crossroads, London, 1923, page 8]
Muslims ruled Spain for roughly 800 years. During this time, and up until they were finally forced out, the non-Muslims there were alive and flourishing. Additionally, Christian and Jewish minorities have survived in the Muslim lands of the Middle East for centuries. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and/or Jewish populations.
There is no such thing as "denominations" in Islam. Islam is one. The one and only religion that Allah, the Most Gracious, accepts is Islam. This religion has one path, one direction and is based on one methodology—that which the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) followed along with his comrades. This religion which Allah has chosen for mankind is not subdivided into different sects nor does it divert into different paths. However, a number of people have gone astray and corrupted the religion, forming many different groups that bear no relation to Islam, examples of which are Al-Baatiniya,, Al-Qadyaninya, and the Bahaa’iya, among which Allah the Most Exalted and Glorious has warned us in the Holy Qur’an:
" And verily this (i.e. Allah’s commandments mentioned in the previous two verses 151 and 152) is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al- Muttaqoon ( the pious-see V2:2) " Verse # 153, Surat Al An’aam.
These fights that occur between shi'ahs and Sunnis, it's between them and God Almighty. Their actions cannot be associated with Islam.
We would like to congratulate you on your up coming study of the Arabic language. Insha'Allah (God Willing) we wish you all the best and pray that Allah, The Almighty, Most Merciful guides you to the straight path and shows you the beauty of Al-Islam. The translation of the Holy Qur'an is not equal to the words of Allah, The Almight, Most Merciful, but in the meantime, we do encourage you to read the english translation of it. We have provided one on our blog here, if you go through our posts, you will find it.
Peace!
Posted by
Admin |
11:17 AM
"Islam is known for it's history of tolerance. "
Towards the dhimmi? Correct? Doesn't appear the case when I pick up a newspaper and read about another of your followers blowing themselves up.
I don't read about Buddhists, Confuscionits, Shintoists, Christians, or Hindus blowing themselves up, just Muslims.
Posted by
Anonymous |
2:14 PM
Peace anonymous,
Firstly, if a Muslim blows himself up, what does that got to do with Islam? For indeed Islam forbids the killings of innocents WITHOUT a JUST cause!
Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning), "Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand retaliation or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped (by the Law)." [Al Isra:33]
Based on this verse, it is Islamically unlawful to murder anyone who is innocent of certain crimes. It is well to remember at this point the distinction made above between Qur'an and Sunnah, and the Muslims: only the Qur'an and Sunnah are guaranteed to be in accordance with what the Creator desires, whereas the Muslims may possibly deviate. Hence, if any Muslim kills an innocent person, that Muslim has committed a grave sin, and certainly the action cannot be claimed to have been done "in the name of Islam."
A reason why most non-Muslims believe Islam allows or tolerates the killings of innocents is that the Creator has imposed `jihad' on us. Jihad is an Arabic word meaning struggle, but in the context of many verses in the Quran, it carries the meaning of military struggle, or war. Allah gradually introduced the obligation of military struggle to the Muslim community at the time of the Messenger . The first verse ever revealed in that connection is as follows (interpretation of the meaning), "Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is well able to assist them." (Al-Hajj 39)
This verse lays down the precondition for all wars in Islam: there must exist certain oppressive conditions on the people. The Creator unequivocally orders us to fight oppression and persecution, even at the expense of bloodshed as the following verse shows (translation), "And fight in the cause of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque (in Makkah) until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the reward of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors." (Al-Baqarah 190-192)
In order to understand this even better, we recommend you to read the biography of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). Here is a link to the book--> http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=23
Posted by
Admin |
4:30 PM