I congratulate Abdullah Al-Askar for very articulate, thoughtful and analytically correct article which presents very true message of the QURAN.
This article answers many deragatory attacks on Islam by the anti-Islam forces and the forces who profess to be Muslims but are defaming Islam and Quran by their practices and millitant actions.
This article strengthens that the message of QURAN revealed 1400 years ago is very compatible for today and tommorrow when followed in its true spirit and not exploited for political,economic and teritorial gains by politicians,imperialists and totalitarian regimes.

Wow, the article was very insightful and helped me bring down many of my negative views about Islam. I will definetely be recommending those articles to friends and family members.

The issue of violence in Islam is of prime importance. Just as important, however, is the issue of the foundation of Islam and for that matter the foundations of all contemporay religions.

Here is a synopsis repeated many times but rarely addressed especially by Muslim commentators. Here is your chance once again. A realistic acceptance of the historical foundations of these religions would go a long way in eliminating the violence in each.

1. Abraham founder/father of three major religions was probably a mythical character. If he was real, he was at best a combination of at least three men. 1.5 million Conservative Jews and their rabbis have relegated Abraham to the myth pile along with most if not all the OT.

2. Jesus, the illiterate Jewish peasant/carpenter possibly suffering from hallucinations, has been characterized anywhere from the Messiah from Nazareth to a mythical character from mythical Nazareth. Analyses of his life by many contemporary NT scholars (e.g. Professors Crossan, Borg and Fredriksen, On Faith panelists)via the NT and related documents have concluded that only about 30% of Jesus' sayings and ways noted in the NT were authentic. The rest being embellishments (e.g. miracles)/hallucinations made/had by the NT authors to impress various Christian/Jewish/Pagan sects.

3. Mohammed, an illiterate, hallucinating Arab, also had embellishing/hallucinating scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the Koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.
This agenda continues as shown by the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers , the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers , the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani koranics, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases and the Filipino koranics.

4. Luther, Calvin, Smith, Henry VIII, Wesley et al, founders of Christian-based religions, also suffered from the belief in/hallucinations of "pretty wingy thingie" visits and "prophecies" for profits analogous to the myths of Catholicism (resurrections, apparitions, ascensions and immaculate conceptions).

5. Hinduism (from an online Hindu site) - "Hinduism cannot be described as an organized religion. It is not founded by any individual. Hinduism is God centred and therefore one can call Hinduism as founded by God, because the answer to the question ‘Who is behind the eternal principles and who makes them work?’ will have to be ‘Cosmic power, Divine power, God’"
The caste/laborer system and cow worship are problems when saying a fair and rational God founded Hinduism."

6. Buddhism- "Buddhism began in India about 500 years before the birth of Christ. The people living at that time had become disillusioned with certain beliefs of Hinduism including the caste system, which had grown extremely complex. The number of outcasts (those who did not belong to any particular caste) was continuing to grow."

"However, in Buddhism, like so many other religions, fanciful stories arose concerning events in the life of the founder, Siddhartha Gautama (fifth century B.C.):"

Archaeological discoveries have proved, beyond a doubt, his historical character, but apart from the legends we know very little about the circumstances of his life.

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/BUDDHISM/SIDD.HTM

Bottom line: There are many good ways of living but be aware of the hallucinations/embellishments and myths surrounding the founders of said rules of life.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Jesus for an analysis of Jesus' life to include his illiteracy.

This is eyewash for the ignorant. In the Quran Muhammad repeatedly stresses the absolutely necessity of fighting and conquering non-Muslims. Not oneself or one's soul, non-Muslims.

Unlike Jesus or Buddha, Muhammad led armies and conquered cities and countries. All his successors sought to do the same.

Muslims have historically considered Christians and Jews acceptable as subject people ("dhimmis") but others like Hindus and Buddhists unacceptable because they are polytheists and non-theists. They massacred literally millions of people in the course of their conquest of India. To this day the borders of Buddhism reflect the borders of the Mughal empire because the Muslims killed every Buddhist they could lay hands on, an estimated third of the population of India, more than were killed by the Nazis in Europe 500 years later.

In our own time, Indian resistance to the British conquerors of the Mughals took the form of Gandhian nonviolence among the Hindu founders of India. The Muslim form of resistance was the bombing of trains full of hundreds of passengers by the founders of Pakistan.

In Chechnya, Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq, Philippines, London, Madrid, Australia, Afghanistan, even in Paraguay, Islam is synonymous with violence.

To deny the plain language of the Quran and both earlier and modern history is to lie to us to our faces.

Koranic Verses in Referring to Judaism and Christianity

5:72 They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers.

5:73 They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.

5:74 Will they not rather turn unto Allah and seek forgiveness of Him ? For Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

5:75 The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how We make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!

9:5 Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

9:30 And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!

9:31 They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary, when they were bidden to worship only One God. There is no God save Him. Be He Glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!

9:32 Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah disdaineth (aught) save that He shall perfect His light, however much the disbelievers are averse.

9:33 He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse.

These Hadiths demonstrate that Islam is militant and not peaceful.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 196:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah 's Apostle said, " I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' and whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' his life and property will be saved by me except for Islamic law, and his accounts will be with Allah, (either to punish him or to forgive him.)"
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 179:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Turks; people with small eyes, red faces, and flat noses. Their faces will look like shields coated with leather. The Hour will not be established till you fight with people whose shoes are made of hair."
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:
Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' "
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html#004.052.260

I thank Abdullah al-Askar for the thoughtfulness and intellectual honesty and rigor that I find lacking in some of the replies to his commentary. As a member of a minority religion in the USA (I am a Buddhist), I sympathize with members of other minority religions in my country, especially Muslims. I am grateful to hear well-reasoned commentary about your religion and its teachings, by someone qualified to speak on such matters, instead of the usual propaganda presented in this country by politicians, media outlets, the woefully underinformed, and the hysterical.
I thank you especially for addressing the emotive, simplistic, and intellectually "vacuous" term "Islamofascism", which truly sickens and offends me, as it should anyone who despises propaganda.
It is sad that so many are in denial about the offenses committed historically (and in modern times) by all of the worlds religions-- Jesus may not have led armies, but his followers certainly did. These people must have missed the memo about a little thing called the Crusades, and lets not forget all those burnings at the stake). I think those people have missed the point of your commentary, which in no way denies that atrocities are committed under the guise of "Islamic" teaching. You have clearly rejected such atrocities, based on a reasoned interpretation of Islam's teachings. If I understand you correctly, it is the very fact that they fall outside the realm of those teachings that makes them "atrocities".
Some also seem to want to cherry pick what historical influences of Islam they will recognize. Early Islam was indeed socially progressive for its time. There are well-documented instances of Muslim conquerers showing extreme tolerance of the customs and religions of those they conquered (even allowing christians use of the same worship space in one instance of which I'm aware). They valued learning and established schools whose intellectual undertakings resulted in great advances for all of civilization, not just the Muslim world. I, for one, am grateful for the climate of curiosity and exploration created by Muslims at a time when Western/European society was deeply entrenched in its "dark age". Intellectual advancement was not the exclusive province of western "enlightenment era" thinkers, who came much later.
While, as a modern western woman, I know I could not live in the restrictive confines of a relationship where my decision-making was subordinate to my husband's, I can appreciate your explanations of questions of women's equality and rights, and their rationale, which in some circumstances (and in a historical context) certainly makes sense.
It is a sad fact that many people feel the need to hold on to ideas of an "Other", who must embody all of the characteristics we reject and deny in ourselves and our own traditions--this is true throughout humanity, across all cultures and religions (and among those who profess no religion). Those with such a need will reject any evidence that contradicts what they have chosen to believe. They will resist improvement in any form--in themselves or the "other".
But thanks for trying.

I hope more members of the Muslim community in the US and abroad will find ways to make the voices of reason heard more loudly amid the din of fear and ignorance. Please keep speaking up.
I also hope you will get the chance one day to engage with potential suicide bombers in the very dialogue you described. It sounds like an approach with a real chance of penetrating deep ignorance and pain.

Peace to you.

Commonly, Muslims distance themselves from extremist elements and have gone on to openly condemn them in the utmost of sincerity. However, they share a common thread with extremist Islam: a culture of intransigence and inflexibility. Muslims have established a need for myriad strict ritualism, even in day to day activity, in order to fulfill this spiritual dogmatism.

It is naïve to think that the proselytization of this highly deified and regimented lifestyle is in no way connected to the extremism from which it desperately seeks to distance itself. In order to bring an end to this unpleasant outcome, they need to seed a reasonable skepticism towards some of their beliefs.

Note that all the Prophets of great religions were agents of great change, and sought to bring an end to socially stagnant practices prevalent in their time, thus mandating the sacrifice of the old and retarding social modalities, in order for reformation. It is the demand of this kind of sacrifice which made them unpopular.

When the things are going badly, and have been doing so for a while, it is time to shed some of the mindless adherence to antiquated social practices, and stopping and asking “why?” becomes important indeed.

It is apparent that the commenting Muslims are not going to address the historic problems with their religion i.e. Mohammed, an illiterate, hallucinating Arab, had embellishing/hallucinating scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the Koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.

This agenda continues as shown by the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers , the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers , the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani koranics, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases and the Filipino koranics.

Apparently these commenting Muslims are also afraid of Islamic reprisals since they never give any suggestions for changes to the Koran. So let us start the process for them.

Part 1 of the "cleansing".

"The 77 Branches of Faith is a collection compiled by Imam Bayhaqi. In it, he explains the essential virtues that reflect true faith (iman) through related Qur’anic verses and Prophetic sayings." i.e. a nice summary of the Koran and Islamic beliefs.

"30 qualities are connected to the heart"
(five at a time)

"1. Belief in Allah"

No problem but "aka as God, Yahweh, Zeus, Jehovah, Mother Nature, etc." should be added.

"2. To believe that everything other than Allah was non-existent. Thereafter, Allah Most High created these things and subsequently they came into existence."

No problem but evolution and the Big Bang cannot be ignored and the "akas" for Allah should be included.

"3. To believe in the existence of angels."

A major item to delete. Angels/devils are the mythical creations of ancient civilizations, e.g. Hittites, to explain/define natural events, contacts with their gods, big birds, sudden winds, protectors during the dark nights, etc. No "pretty/ugly wingy thingies" ever visited or talked to Mohammed, Jesus, Mary or Joseph or Joe Smith. Today we would classify angels as fairies and "tinker bells". Modern devils are classified as the demons of the demented.

"4. To believe that all the heavenly books that were sent to the different prophets are true. However, apart from the Quran, all other books are not valid anymore."

Another major item to delete. There are no books written in Heaven just as there are no angels to write/publish/distribute them. The Koran, OT, NT etc. are simply books written by humans for humans.

Prophets were invented by ancient scribes typically to keep the uneducated masses in line. Today we call them fortune tellers.

Prophecies are also invalidated by the natural/God/Allah gifts of Free Will and Future.

"5. To believe that all the prophets are true. However, we are commanded to follow the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) alone."

Mohammed spent thirty days fasting in a cave before his first contact with Allah aka God etc. via a "pretty wingy thingy". Common sense demands a deletion of #5. #5 is also the major source of Islamic violence i.e. turning Mohammed's "fast, hunger-driven" hallucinations into horrible reality for unbelievers.

And I just love being in a country where I can list these important items for world peace without the fear of Islamic death squads.

All these are very interesting intellectual exercise, but the core point is the following:

If specific teachings of the Quran are found to be against modern science, are the faithful allowed to question the Quran? For example, where do Muslims stand on evolution?

It is entirely likely that much of the teachings of all ancient books (whatever be their roots) are becoming irrelevant, or even anachronisms (for example, polygamy).

Is islam going to renounce these openly or not? Or are supposed to wait for yet more revelations (for example, to the Mormon church it was revealed in 1979 that Blacks and Native Americans can lead prayers too!!)

It is not merely Islam - all religions have faced this key question: where do they stand on the enormous advances that have happened and will contine to happen in science? It's Islam's turn now. How they will deal with this question will decide how the Ummah will fare in the 21st century. If Islam does not adapt, it will die.

I have read Prof. Alaskar answers, I think his answers reflect all Muslims, they are correct and majority of Muslim, like myslef, believe what Prof.Alaskr said is represnting true Islam, Islam that we know. One thing, which I think misprint mistake. Prof.Alaskar said (Munafiqoon) or hypocrites, I think he meant ( Kafiroon)or ( Mirtadoon) unblievers. Because the first were not fought by Islamic government in the early Islamic era, during what is known, the wars of abostasy. I would like to thank Washington Post for giving a leading scholar, such as Prpf. Alaskar, a chance to educate us.

I have read Prof. Alaskar answers, I think his answers reflect all Muslims, they are correct and majority of Muslim, like myslef, believe what Prof.Alaskr said is represnting true Islam, Islam that we know. One thing, which I think misprint mistake. Prof.Alaskar said (Munafiqoon) or hypocrites, I think he meant ( Kafiroon)or ( Mirtadoon) unblievers. Because the first were not fought by Islamic government in the early Islamic era, during what is known, the wars of abostasy. I would like to thank Washington Post for giving a leading scholar, such as Prpf. Alaskar, a chance to educate us.

Religious faith is the deepest committment of a human being. One must commit everything to God to have a true relationship where faith is concerned - even one's life. Thus, anything short of this, is pretense and not true faith.

I can understand an individual being willing to die for one's faith on the preceding premise. I do not understand one willing to kill or take innocent lives for this reason. To do so, is no longer faith, but fleshly lust which is directly against the law of God. Vengeance belongs to God alone.

As a result, to die for true faith in God is martyrdom. To kill for one's faith, is taking God's solemn right into one's hand and, thus, usurping God's place much as fallen powers have done. Such actions will be punished eternally.

This is a very interesting and analytical interview that tackels critical issues in Islam. Prof. al-Askar is very well known in the Arab and Moslem worlds for his deep analysis and constructive arguments in clarifying ambigus issues and ideas specially for Westeren and non-Moslims thinkers. I really find this interview as a very informative and useful in simplifying very important aspects and concepts in Islam. Thank you Prof. al-Askar for teaching us about Jihad, apostasy and womens rights in Islam. Thanks to Washingtonpost for interviewing this pioneer scholar and thinker.

To MIKE,LR,AR:
" To kill for one's faith, is taking God's solemn right into one's hand and, thus usurping God's place" is refered to QURAN as "SHIRK" literally meaning action or belief to equate to GOD or GOD's powers and rights.
SHIRK is the essence of the message of QURAN.
To kill ( suicide bombing or even self-suicide ),planning and to think to kill is considered SHIRK.
According to QURAN,every deed can be forgiven except SHIRK which will be punished eternally.

jack kessler:
The Prophet (pbuh)was the tempoarl and the spiritual head of the first city/state in Medina which meant MOsque and State together;thus The Prophet,unlike Jesus and Budda,was not only the spititual head of the Muslim community but also the Chief in Command with the responsibility for the defense of that community-like Soloman who was for jews.
All the military activities of the Prophet were defensive in nature to protect the infant Muslim community:only 382 three hudred and eighty combatants died in these activities from both the muslims and the agressors.

Unlike Jesus(pbuh), The Prophet was a law giver,hence the Sahriah,like Moses,to whom the jewish law was revealed.

In short most of the violence took place either within or orginating from Christian world:the crusaders,colonialism, WW1 and WW2, the first nuclear war in history on Japaenes civilians, the forced conversion to christians of all of south America,the infamous inquisition,the holocaust of the jews,the genocide of Bosnian Muslims,the present holocaust and apartheid of millions of Palestinians.

If the Quran teaches/advocates to fight against those who are up to destroy the community(Muslims(and the religion (Islam), then a natural question arises: If this part is "cherry picked" then it is very easy/logial to fight Indian army in Kashmir( completely forgetitng the fact that it is the ISI of Pakistan that is waging a proxy war against India for the past 50 years), though while it was not possible to invoke this for the Bangaldeshi Muslims when they were attacked by the Pakistani Muslim soldiers in 1971 ( a bright example in the modern history where reliong and nationalism are completely juxtaposed to each other). Therefore: irrespective of how much is said/not said for or against Islam, I can only say that a complete elimintation of the faith from the bodypolitic is probabaly the best way to make this world devoid of terrorists and suicide bombers. Islam must understand that National/International issues must be answered by modern democratic and secular principles rather than by any spiritual faith. I think the Post should stop this nonsense altogether and instead open up a global forum on how we can stop terrorism, how we can make the US understand that fanatic capitlaism=fanatic Islam, how we can protect oursleves from the catastrophic changes in the weather system and many other vital issues that touch each and every human being on earth irrepsective of color, creed etc. Long live humanity and death to all religions ( except the part hold dear for individual salvation and to fight very private worries: fear of death, hunger, unemployment, disease, private losses of any kind etc).Thank you.

If the Quran teaches/advocates to fight against those who are up to destroy the community(Muslims)and the religion (Islam), then a natural question arises: If this part is "cherry picked" then it is very easy/logial to fight Indian army in Kashmir( completely forgetitng the fact that it is the ISI of Pakistan that is waging a proxy war against India for the past 50 years), though while it was not possible to invoke this for the Bangaldeshi Muslims when they were attacked by the Pakistani Muslim soldiers in 1971 ( a bright example in the modern history where religion and nationalism are completely juxtaposed to each other). Therefore: irrespective of how much is said/not said for or against Islam, I can only say that a complete elimintation of the faith from the bodypolitic is probabaly the best way to make this world devoid of terrorists and suicide bombers. Islam must understand that National/International issues must be answered by modern democratic and secular principles rather than by any spiritual faith. I think the Post should stop this nonsense altogether and instead open up a global forum on how we can stop terrorism, how we can make the US understand that fanatic capitalism=fanatic Islam, how we can protect oursleves from the catastrophic changes in the weather system and many other vital issues that touch each and every human being on earth irrepsective of color, creed etc. Long live humanity and death to all religions ( except the part hold dear for individual salvation and to fight very private worries: fear of death, hunger, unemployment, disease, private losses of any kind etc).Thank you.

If the Quran teaches/advocates to fight against those who are up to destroy the community(Muslims)and the religion (Islam), then a natural question arises: If this part is "cherry picked" then it is very easy/logial to fight Indian army in Kashmir( completely forgetitng the fact that it is the ISI of Pakistan that is waging a proxy war against India for the past 50 years), though while it was not possible to invoke this for the Bangaldeshi Muslims when they were attacked by the Pakistani Muslim soldiers in 1971 ( a bright example in the modern history where religion and nationalism are completely juxtaposed to each other). Therefore: irrespective of how much is said/not said for or against Islam, I can only say that a complete elimintation of the faith from the bodypolitic is probabaly the best way to make this world devoid of terrorists and suicide bombers. Islam must understand that National/International issues must be answered by modern democratic and secular principles rather than by any spiritual faith. I think the Post should stop this nonsense altogether and instead open up a global forum on how we can stop terrorism, how we can make the US understand that fanatic capitalism=fanatic Islam, how we can protect oursleves from the catastrophic changes in the weather system and many other vital issues that touch each and every human being on earth irrepsective of color, creed etc. Long live humanity and death to all religions ( except the part hold dear for individual salvation and to fight very private worries: fear of death, hunger, unemployment, disease, private losses of any kind etc).Thank you.

It's a great achievement for Islamic leaders and scholars as well as Newsweek and the Washington post to present this imperative opportunity for inter cultural and global philosophical dialogue. What's important is that by exchanging our ideas and comments regarding inter religious relations and world events that affect our views of each other as fellow human beings. Since the advent of humanity, We strove to make sense of the world we live in and the lives we've experienced. Worldwide curiosities to learn the true nature of life and our universe is an exceptionally rare virtue upon life on Earth. In other words, we're the only known species on the planet who've pursued to unravel these great mysteries and developed written philosophies based upon our understanding of the world around us.
One such philosophy that lasted throughout the ages of humanity is commonly known as religion and spirituality. Ever since our early belief in the Sky God and the God Mother from ancient Pagan times, we vigorously pursued to unravel the truth about our most profound questions. As any educated person would know that religion and their core beliefs or faith have evolved over time. Paganism, Monotheism and Polytheism have been influenced by humanity as these great philosophies have influenced our perceptions and decisions in life over the ages. Over time humanity has embraced diverse religious faiths and spiritual convictions that continue to influence our behavior in our times and most likely beyond.
What's vital for humanity's progress and even survival is to know the true nature of faith itself. To understand the true origins of faith. But most of all, is to accept the truth for whatever it may be. Each one of us will learn the absolute truth once we die. But until that time comes for anyone of us to depart this world, we really don't know the answer to God's existence nor do we have the absolute truth in regards to the true nature of God. Besides if we did possess the truth, there would've been only one religion on Earth with no diversification of any way, shape of form. There would only be one holy scripture written throughout human history.
Considering one's religious faith to be absolute, while considering others to be false would be ethnocentric at best. While collectively searching to unravel the mysteries on nature, life and the universe through sincere reasoning and serious research would be enlightening at its worst. Most importantly, we must accept the fact is that none of us have conclusive evidence to confirm our core beliefs and there's always an immanent change that our most cherished beliefs could be wrong. With such an open mind, we would be able to overcome any future discovery that would contradict our faith regarding the true nature of life, spirituality and divinity.
Humanity does have the ability to achieve such a social achievement. However, it's solely up to humanity and not any other entity or groups of entities to decide our destinies. Each one of us has a choice to make; either hopelessly engaging into meaningless inter cultural conflicts or combine our scientific and cultural gifts to thrive into an enlightened global civilization that could ultimately expand beyond our solar system. The choice is yours, and the time to make it is now!

It's a great achievement for Islamic leaders and scholars as well as Newsweek and the Washington post to present this imperative opportunity for inter cultural and global philosophical dialogue. What's important is that by exchanging our ideas and comments regarding inter religious relations and world events that affect our views of each other as fellow human beings. Since the advent of humanity, We strove to make sense of the world we live in and the lives we've experienced. Worldwide curiosities to learn the true nature of life and our universe is an exceptionally rare virtue upon life on Earth. In other words, we're the only known species on the planet who've pursued to unravel these great mysteries and developed written philosophies based upon our understanding of the world around us.
One such philosophy that lasted throughout the ages of humanity is commonly known as religion and spirituality. Ever since our early belief in the Sky God and the God Mother from ancient Pagan times, we vigorously pursued to unravel the truth about our most profound questions. As any educated person would know that religion and their core beliefs or faith have evolved over time. Paganism, Monotheism and Polytheism have been influenced by humanity as these great philosophies have influenced our perceptions and decisions in life over the ages. Over time humanity has embraced diverse religious faiths and spiritual convictions that continue to influence our behavior in our times and most likely beyond.
What's vital for humanity's progress and even survival is to know the true nature of faith itself. To understand the true origins of faith. But most of all, is to accept the truth for whatever it may be. Each one of us will learn the absolute truth once we die. But until that time comes for anyone of us to depart this world, we really don't know the answer to God's existence nor do we have the absolute truth in regards to the true nature of God. Besides if we did possess the truth, there would've been only one religion on Earth with no diversification of any way, shape of form. There would only be one holy scripture written throughout human history.
Considering one's religious faith to be absolute, while considering others to be false would be ethnocentric at best. While collectively searching to unravel the mysteries on nature, life and the universe through sincere reasoning and serious research would be enlightening at its worst. Most importantly, we must accept the fact is that none of us have conclusive evidence to confirm our core beliefs and there's always an immanent change that our most cherished beliefs could be wrong. With such an open mind, we would be able to overcome any future discovery that would contradict our faith regarding the true nature of life, spirituality and divinity.
Humanity does have the ability to achieve such a social achievement. However, it's solely up to humanity and not any other entity or groups of entities to decide our destinies. Each one of us has a choice to make; either hopelessly engaging into meaningless inter cultural conflicts or combine our scientific and cultural gifts to thrive into an enlightened global civilization that could ultimately expand beyond our solar system. The choice is yours, and the time to make it is now!

Is the Qur'an God's Word? Prove that it is. http://video.namb.net/More_Than_Dreams/More%20than%20Dreams_500k.wmv

Prof.Abdullah al askar's artiacle is the most eloquant by a Muslim I have ever seen. But what use if Muslims do not practise what he is preaching? Can somebody tell me which Muslim country or community which practices what he preaches? These are only confined to words. They have to prove it by turning the words into deeds. I think it is just an eye wash to save Islam.One does not need a god or a religion to live a peaceful and examplary life. Buddhism is an example.

we are all falling short of the glory devanam-

personally, i am practicing every day what he preaches-

also, we are witnessing in turkey the democratic elections which have elected a muslim president-
one who is trying to find a balance between secualrism and reliigon-

so, as you point out- ONE needs to be true to their philosophy-

as ONE- i can do my best- as ONE- so can you.

aurora-
actually the WP has opened such a blog- here is the link
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/

personally- i dont think extremism is limited at all to islam or capitialism-

communism, hinduism,christianity, judaism, secularism (in turkey for instance was militarily enforced) any ism you can think of has its haters and fundamentalists.

i call it the fundamentality.

these boards are here for us to learn from each other and find common grounds we can agree upon, with mutual respect and tolerance for beliefs that are different than ours.

there is no country in the world that is living up to its ideals- because countries are comprised of imperfect people-

all we can do is try to understand and support each other.

peace

Abduallah...The blessings of Jesus as the mercy of Allah upon you,your family,the whole Islamic world,as upon all nations peoples of all faiths beliefs,colour,God is Great <> Allah be praised. Abdullah, be it Christianity Islam etc etc etc. One can in different situations as circumstances, interpret as to suit needs,of time the place the situation,yet always reman human form is the key to paradise,the universe created that it sustain the human form,which being through brain as heart comes understanding as experience, opening door to paradise as heaven.(spiritual development) the ultimate aim of all humanity,unto the very ending of journey,completed,in spiritual enlightenment. The journey complex its division of humanity,yet as ocean be the source of the rivers, paradise as heaven being the source for all humanity,we be in truth as one divided as undivided, misperception in the material,betwixt nations be temporary as clouds hide the sun.When it comes Islamic nations feel safe that such present interpretation of not needed as defence then the walls of Israel shall fall,with the cry ALLAH BE PRAISED,yet as it must at present strength judged in military terms,for the Islamic world,not having military supremency it being faith the defence,which in truth greater by far than the nuclear bomb.There was concern a with elements, within Iranian Govt,that having an halfbaked attempt in having nuclear weapons,that they would trade faith for nuclear power.Such a folly would have brought them total destruction. Western nations have killed millions of ther own when under threat,if Iran became a nuclear threat then there be no doubt,Western Nations would have had wiped IRAN from the map.Some in the Iranian Govt played a very stupid game taunting Western Powers,a very stupid indeed.Be wise in knowing to remember true strength be on one's knees offering praise to Allah not playing games with the Devil or tempting the wrath of the dragon...Abduallah, one day all bow to the one God the human race be one family,there many miles as yet to travel,as many a tear of joy as sadness to fall,before we sup at the same table, yet it be humanity will triumph,how be it possible failing when blessed by Allah as praised by God.It be in time Islam must go through major changes,where individual freedom more prelavent,there be those whom,will always be in opposition to chainge the arguement that change may weaken,truth be that with more individual freedom,then such not weaken but then enable all reaching further heights as depths of understanding as in experience. Best Wishes ... ALLAH be Praised GOD is Great... .. .

All this rambling about Islam does NOTHING to stop radical Islam (terrorism in the name of Islam). Where is the action to put a stop to it??? Talk is cheap! Stop the bull talk and stop the killig now!!! We want to see action--not worthless talk! Your lack of action shows duplicity in the terrorist attacks!! You guys do the talk but not the walk!! Joseph Anthony

If all this you say is true, why are no other religions allowed in Saudi Arabia?? This does not sound like a religion of peace and tolerance!A religion of pieces and death!

If all this you say is true, why are no other religions allowed in Saudi Arabia?? This does not sound like a religion of peace and tolerance!A religion of pieces and death!

If all this you say is true, why are no other religions allowed in Saudi Arabia?? This does not sound like a religion of peace and tolerance!A religion of pieces and death!

It has been over 6 years since 9/11!! What were they waiting for??? Are they more concerned that Islam is being equated with terrorism?? It sounds like they are more concerned with public relations than stopping terrorism! They are duplicit with terrorism and radical Islam!!!

It has been over 6 years since 9/11!! What were they waiting for??? Are they more concerned that Islam is being equated with terrorism?? It sounds like they are more concerned with public relations than stopping terrorism! They are duplicit with terrorism and radical Islam!!!

It has been over 6 years since 9/11!! What were they waiting for??? Are they more concerned that Islam is being equated with terrorism?? It sounds like they are more concerned with public relations than stopping terrorism! They are duplicit with terrorism and radical Islam!!!

It has been over 6 years since 9/11!! What were they waiting for??? Are they more concerned that Islam is being equated with terrorism?? It sounds like they are more concerned with public relations than stopping terrorism! They are duplicit with terrorism and radical Islam!!!

It has been over 6 years since 9/11!! What were they waiting for??? Are they more concerned that Islam is being equated with terrorism?? It sounds like they are more concerned with public relations than stopping terrorism! They are duplicit with terrorism and radical Islam!!!

These answers of yours have certainly widened my understanding of Islam yet i feel that you must also educate you own land about the west. you answer problems of Islam which is good but i feel you should educate your people on us Christians as well. It would be very unfair if we respected your religion yet Muslims in the middle east are chanting for the death of our people and our religion its not to say we have never tried but their view of us are still very very narrow and only seen in their eyes as corrupt materialistic demons.

These answers of yours have certainly widened my understanding of Islam yet i feel that you must also educate you own land about the west. you answer problems of Islam which is good but i feel you should educate your people on us Christians as well. It would be very unfair if we respected your religion yet Muslims in the middle east are chanting for the death of our people and our religion its not to say we have never tried but their view of us are still very very narrow and only seen in their eyes as corrupt materialistic demons.

im not chanting for your death alronaka

and i dont view you as a materialistic demon

im willing to meet you more than halfway

and i respect christianity

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wrtl dqflghx bfolcsheg brkt sdngcu wzurglot oblex