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« sbay wrote on Thursday, Sep 02 at 11:45 AM »
The only reason why Islam is similar to Christianity and Judaism, is because Mohammed claimed to be the the last Messiah. He wrote the Qur'an and copied the stories of the Torah in order to gain followers and become the most powerful religion in the world.

You ask, "How are Muslims any different?"

60% of the Qur'an is about "Jihad". Holy war against the non-believer. Do you think that terrorists wake up one morning and say, "hey you know what, I feel like killing some people." No, they are trained and taught the Qur'an. They wage "jihad" because according the the Qur'an it is the ONLY direct way to heaven, where they will receive 16 virgins. (Is God a pimp?)

You won't find any of this in your high school reference books, neither did I. If you can actually have someone translate the Qur'an for you, you could see for yourself. The Qur'an states that it is written in plain Arabic (Surah ash-Shura: 192-195) so anyone can read for themselves.

A useful website is www.islamrevealed.com. Here you can find direct quotes from the Qur'an and an explanation of Mohammad's and his life.

Just because Muslims are overall good people, doesn't make Islam an acceptable religion. Only ten generations ago, their ancestors were killed and they were forced to convert to Islam. After that, they were known as Muslims, otherwise they would risk death. After countless rebelions, Islam persists because it always offers the most viscous killers heaven.

Islam is a completely intolerant political ideology. Islam requires that Christains and Jews pay taxes. Islam has governing laws called Shariah. The first day of the Islamic calendar is the day Mohammad conquered Arabia.

Christains fought Christains in order to take power away from the Catholic church, they fought to reform and change Christianity, they created a New Testament. Where is Islam's reform? Where is Islam's freedom?

Here are some other misguided people writing about how Islam and Christianity are similar. Read the comments:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/08/fear_of_islam_violates_our_traditions.html

Here is a truly corageous writer:

http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=4599
« myb0002 wrote on Wednesday, Sep 01 at 04:30 PM »
I agree with AZP0027, your article is offensive to all Muslims, but I guess that was the whole point of writing it. I also agree that you need to do some research before making strong statement of the “philosophical basis for the Muslim faith is that ALL infidels must be killed.” kind! The Philosophical bases of Islam are Monotheism, and the responsibility bestowed upon mankind to develop and sustain the universe.

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into Nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (Not that ye may despise (Each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most Righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things).” Al-Ĥujurāt (13).

This is a verse from the Qur’an, which I bet you have never read, but still allow yourself to make false statements about its content. I can also guess that you don’t know any Muslims, as a Muslim myself, I would never tell anybody that an infidel is any one who is not Muslim, Instead I would refer to the Qur’an and share with them this verse from Al-Baquarre (62)

“Those who believe (in the Qur-ān), And those who follow the Jewish (scriptures),

And the Christians and the Sabians, - Any who believe in God And the Last Day, And work righteousness, Shall have their reward With their Lord: on them Shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

In all religions there are fanatics whose actions can distort that religion’s image. As educated people and students of a research university we have the responsibility of setting a good example by applying rational thinking that is based on accurate data collection (from multiple sources) and analysis.