Is Islam a Religion of Peace?

[dixon76710]

that's not really it at all. while you and blastula are wrangling with what kind of "peace," and dixon et al are struggling with what a religion is, ... no, it's really about who or which Muslims. and what is Islam. that is the question, stated quite clearly, right at the top. read it.

Pretty much irrelevant what you think. According to Muslims-

The Qur'an is one leg of two which form the basis of Islam. The second leg is the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas).
USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts

Islamic Beliefs:
...
3. I believe in the Koran as the word of God and sacred scripture mediated through the Angel Gabriel to Mohammed.
Studies

"I bear witness that there is no God but the Almighty God and that Mohammad is a messenger of God."

When a person states that he believes in the truthfulness of Mohammad, he actually states that he believes in all what Mohammad introduced and in all his teachings. This includes all the Qur'anic teachings, all the deeds and all the sayings of Mohammad, whether in the matter of belief or in the area of practice.
How does one become Muslim is there a baptism or similar ceremony? - Yahoo!Xtra Answers

feel free to present anything other than your personal opinions on the topic.

 

[MSgt]

I don't think reform will come from the West with regards to Islam. It 's the same thing for the catholic church. Do you really expect to see an American pope? It's not going to happen. Islam must reform from within itself. They are more xenophobic than anyone. Any reform will come from the ME.

Ahhh, but look at your words. Christian reform didn't come from Rome. It came from without in the surrounding areas where people had more freedom. Islam will be the same way. It will not come from Saudi Arabia and or the immediate surrounding areas.

Christianiy rebelled against itself over the belief that Latin was the spoken word of God and that the center of Christianity was Rome. Islam's spoken word is Arabic and the center is Mecca. Change will not come from Mecca. Mecca will always be Mecca just as Rome is always Rome. The modernist movement will come from without - not within.

There didn't have to be a Protestant Pope for Christianity to break from the mainstream. That was the whole argument of the movement. Islam's "reform" will not seek to establish another Arab tribe.

Ever notice who the loudest modernists are? They are the most abused - the women. Ever notice where most Islamic modernist reside? Outside the Arab tribe and far from the Middle East where such opinionated callings are free from persecution and discipline. For Islam to reform from the location of Mecca or the surrounding areas, we would need to see the Arab tribe surrender control. The Catholic church didn't do it and neither will the Arab establishment.

 

[MSgt]

The gates of ijtihad have been closed for a long time.

That's what I meant. It was banned a long time ago.