I'm reading the Qur'an now. My impression is that the document is not what Muslims say it is.
For example, Mohammad states that non-believers ought to be killed outright. This is not indicative of a religion of peace.
In another surah (chapter) the prophet states that non-believes ought to be treated well. Conclusion - that the book is inconsistent, yet Muslims are fond of saying that the Qur'an is very consistent.
Additionally, Islam is the only religion on the planet with a doctrine to justify LYING.
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"Believers when in a weakened stage in a non-Muslim country should forgive and be patient with People of the Book when they insult Allah and his prophet by any means. Believers should lie to People of the Book to protect their lives and their religion.
- Ibn Taymiyah "THE SWORD ON THE NECK OF THE ACCUSER OF MUHAMMAD"
Anyone who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters unbelief, except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in faith - but such as open their breast to unbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful penalty.
- Qur'an Surah 16:106
"Know this that lying is not sin by itself, but if it brings harm to you it could be ugly. However, you can lie if that will keep you from evil or if it will result in prosperity."
- Imam Al-Ghazali (Muslim theologian and philosopher)
"The principle of sanctioning lying for the cause of Islam bears grave implications in matters relating to the spread of the religion of Islam in the West. Muslim activists employ deceptive tactics in their attempts to polish Islam's image and make it more attractive to prospective converts."
- Abdullan Al-Araby (Muslim theologian, philosopher and leader)
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Any person with a modicum of logic in their brains would soon discover that Islam is a very confusing religion and that it's adherents are not encouraged to seek truth on their own. They rely heavily upon interpretations and fatwahs hand down to them from their intellectual betters. Christianity, on the other hand, requires its believers to seek the truth for themselves.
Politically, the notion that each Christian can seek and find truth for themselves has led to the democratic form of government where each person has a vote on government policy. In Islam, no such thing is allowed hence the rise of despotism and repression in government. To say that Americans want to establish democracy in the middle east is an exercise in futility. It has never worked and it never will BECAUSE of the religious foundation of Islam.
Finally I wish to establish my complaint that reading the Qur'an is like reading a phone book. It's very dry and very uninspiring (unless you seek justification for violent mischief).
but that's just me, hollering from the choir loft...