One of the worlds most popular religions is Islam. Founded by Muhammad around 620 A.D., Islam contains ideas, rules and concepts different than most. These concepts include the hajj, the Hegira and jihad.
Jihad is literally defined as "struggle in the way of God". This word can sometimes be translated as "holy war". This principle basically says that Muslims are to fight against all people who use idolatry and do not worship Allah. Daniel Pipes wrote an article on jihad for New York Post saying, "It means the legal, compulsory, communal effort to expand the territories ruled by Muslims at the expense of territories ruled by non-Muslims." (source)
The jihad grew out of the Arabic tradition of tribal rampages. Islamic followers would raid certain regions and countries in the name of Allah. These raids went on for over 100 years. It was finally stopped n Tours, France. They would raid these regions attempting convert anyone from another religion to convert to the Islamic religion.
Most Muslims believe that jihad is an everlasting war. They believe that it never ends. They may not be physically fighting for their religion, but they in a religious war to convert other religions to worshiping Allah. The jihad will continue until the end of existence, they believe.
Islam, being the number one religion in the world, is mainly this widespread because of jihad. They forced their ways and converted thousands upon thousands of people to the way of Allah. The jihad is not over, and I personally believe that as time goes on, the Islamic will only get pushed even more and become more widespread through the world.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Just War Theory
"True religion looks upon peaceful wars that are waged,
not for the motives of anggrandisement, or cruelty,
but with the object of securing peace, punishing those who do evil,
and supporting the good." Saint Augustine. (source)
not for the motives of anggrandisement, or cruelty,
but with the object of securing peace, punishing those who do evil,
and supporting the good." Saint Augustine. (source)
Saint Augustine, referred to as the theologian of war, really pushed the Just War theory in his time. The principle of Just War basically deals with justifying why we fight wars and the way we fight, or should fight, them.
Saint Augustine was given a false title. In reality, he should be called the theologian of peace. He was not unfamiliar with violence, but he mourned the cruelty of war. He wrote letters against such cruelty. He hoped that this principle of justice would be adopted. One time, he even wrote, "it is better to kill war with words than human beings with swords." (source)
This theory basically says that war is fair and just when executed with right intentions, a just cause, and based on the military of both. All of these requirements are listed in the Jus ad bellum of the Just War theory. Once a war has begun, this theory also outlines how it shoud play out. These requirements are stated in what is called the Jus in bello. Last is the end of the war. There must a be a just cause to why the war is ending and good intentions in ending the war are required. Even truth and reconciliation can play a role in the end of the war. The full list is called the Jus post bellum.
Just War is pretty much the keeping of peace through controlled and fair fighting. Without a principle like this, wars would have destroyed us a long time ago. Civilizations would have been crushed. Without Just War, our world would be chaos.
Saint Augustine was given a false title. In reality, he should be called the theologian of peace. He was not unfamiliar with violence, but he mourned the cruelty of war. He wrote letters against such cruelty. He hoped that this principle of justice would be adopted. One time, he even wrote, "it is better to kill war with words than human beings with swords." (source)
This theory basically says that war is fair and just when executed with right intentions, a just cause, and based on the military of both. All of these requirements are listed in the Jus ad bellum of the Just War theory. Once a war has begun, this theory also outlines how it shoud play out. These requirements are stated in what is called the Jus in bello. Last is the end of the war. There must a be a just cause to why the war is ending and good intentions in ending the war are required. Even truth and reconciliation can play a role in the end of the war. The full list is called the Jus post bellum.
Just War is pretty much the keeping of peace through controlled and fair fighting. Without a principle like this, wars would have destroyed us a long time ago. Civilizations would have been crushed. Without Just War, our world would be chaos.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Current Events blog-Islam Day (Hawaii)
On the islands of Hawaii, the Hawaiian legislature decided to declare September 24th of every year, Islam Day. Despite being a small slam to other religions, is this a clear breech of the First Constitutional Amendment? Or just appreciation for a favored religion?
Islam Day clearly is appreciation for a certain religion. What's wrong with that? To answer that question, it's wrong because they do not have a "Christianity Day", a "Buddhist Day", or a "Zoroastrianism Day." If they are going to tolerate this religion, they need to tolerate all of the others. They take Christianity out of schools and give the Muslim religion it's own holiday?
This also goes against the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This Amendment reads;
Islam Day clearly is appreciation for a certain religion. What's wrong with that? To answer that question, it's wrong because they do not have a "Christianity Day", a "Buddhist Day", or a "Zoroastrianism Day." If they are going to tolerate this religion, they need to tolerate all of the others. They take Christianity out of schools and give the Muslim religion it's own holiday?
This also goes against the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This Amendment reads;
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Notice the first fragment. Islam Day is a clear establishment of a religion. Yes, appreciation surely is okay but this move seems to be the establishment of a certain religion in the Hawaiian government and among it's civilization.
I certainly can appreciate that they have respect for this religion. Even if I personally believe that it is false, I will respect it and it's followers. Yet, this is crossing a line. If you are going to respect one, you should respect all. Religious tolerance is not religious favoritism.
Not only is this one person's opinion but it's fact. The First Amendment clearly states that their can be no establishment of a certain religion among a state. Yet, this favoritism seems to be that way. Just as we have days for our leaders, Hawaii now has a day for it's religion. This may not be true, but it certainly has come across that way.
I certainly can appreciate that they have respect for this religion. Even if I personally believe that it is false, I will respect it and it's followers. Yet, this is crossing a line. If you are going to respect one, you should respect all. Religious tolerance is not religious favoritism.
Not only is this one person's opinion but it's fact. The First Amendment clearly states that their can be no establishment of a certain religion among a state. Yet, this favoritism seems to be that way. Just as we have days for our leaders, Hawaii now has a day for it's religion. This may not be true, but it certainly has come across that way.
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