Luke 19 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. Koran 64 But if you pardon and exonerate and forgive, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Nonsense and absurdity is never carried out so completely and cheerfully than with religious belief and conviction. "If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." - Voltaire
Stu, A man had three sons whom he loved and raised to work in the family business. But the middle-born son from an early age began to nurture hatred in his heart for his brothers, especially the eldest. One day, after a quarrel in the field, he angrily struck and maimed his older brother. Deeply wounded in his heart by what had taken place, but resolved to reform his middle-born, the father nevertheless reached out to him saying, "My son, why would you do such a thing? Have I not loved and provided for you? Is this how you repay me?" The son would not look his father in the eyes. "You do not deserve this, but I forgive you. Now go and sin no more". But the son rejected his Father's kindness and forgiveness, haughtily saying in his heart: "Who is he to question me? He (older brother) got what he deserved!" It was not long before he got into another fight with the business workers. When the father heard of this, he sent his youngest son as a mediator to settle the dispute. When the youngest arrived, his brother shouted angrily "Who are you to judge me in this matter?" and in a fit of rage assaulted and killed him. Fearing that he had made a mistake by sending his youngest, the father rushed to town to turn him back. But it was too late, upon seeing his youngest lying on the ground, he fell to his knees and cried out. He then called the police, fearing for the lives of his employees. When they arrived they got into a standoff with the angry son and shot him dead. So it will be with anyone who rejects the grace and mercy of God in Christ, only to rebel and continue in their wicked ways. Judgment is His and His only. As for the followers of Christ, they have no other mandate than to love their enemies. If the Koran teaches to pardon and exonerate and forgive, why then does it prescribe death or 100 lashes for the adulterer? In sharp contrast, Jesus forgives the adulterer, and then tells her to go and sin no more, teaching His followers to do the same. Further, Christ taught His followers to love their enemies and do good to them. This is significantly beyond forgiveness. Does the Koran teach to do likewise? "If we truly believe in Christ, we shall love our neighbor" - M1
If the Bible teaches to pardon and exonerate and forgive, why then does it prescribe death to those who don't buy into it's commands? Matthew 23: Jesus Condemns Hypocrites! Of course the Koran teaches likewise. The real question I think is Mav, how come you seem to have decided people need questionable holy texts of one kind or another to tell them how to behave rather than to do good purely for its own sake? True goodness does not need a promise of a heaven or a threat of hell to see the merit in its deed.
Islam doesn't belong in a civilized country -Correction: EXTREME Islam doesn't belong in a civilized country. And EXTREME kind of ANY religion, behaviour, thoughts, attitudes, mentality, beliefs does NOT belong in a civilized country. The way to eradicate extremism is to Respect and embrace what is different from you.
If the Koran says to love our enemies, why then does it prescribe death or 100 lashes for the adulterer who is barely an enemy? It doesn't, see post #36. The Bible doesn't say stone the adulterer or give them 100 lashes (as the Koran does) but instead Christ fulfills the law, meaning He brings it to maturity and completes it where it was lacking. He teaches that love of God and neighbor is the highest commandment. His new commandment is that we would love one another as He loved us. That is why the New Covenant is superior to the old one. Regarding judgment, it is the just punishment of the wicked who refuse the grace, mercy and love of God and persist in their hatred and harm of others. See the parable in #42.
Why different cultures/environments/situations can be so critical/important in the growth of different religions? Especially when different cultures mean for different group of people living in very different places, of which one could have abundant resources for daily life, whereas another could have minimal resources for daily life, just like living in desserts with very limited drinking water and food supply. Kindness will always remain a possibility when resources are abundant. Ascendancy could be the effective survival principle when resources are scarce. Particularly in a situation involving two people/friends/relatives one of whom has to die, due to whatever reasons including insufficient food/water to live until next supply arriving. Hence the philosophy/theology for two very diverse cultures can be very different. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but just different, very different. None should claim a better one than others, except helping each other for updating their theology/phylosophy for modernisation purpose! LOL
Based on the above conviction of yours, I sincerely think you are a very blessed believer in your preferred religion. With an open mind to accept/include the beauty of other religions, you would, I firmly believe, become a much more blessed one beyond your current status. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesuism