Where we got off the tract here is in treating Islam as just a Religion.
It is a very harsh authoritarian political philosophy which is inseparable from the religious aspects. They will cut your head off in Persia and many other places for saying religion should not control the Government. Jefferson's Wall of Separation between Church and State is foreign to them. They would cut his head off if they could.
Muhammad used to conquer towns and give the conquered the chance to join or die. That wasn't Religion....is was a Draft into an Army of brigands. Nothing has changed.
This radical Political Philosophy has left Arabia, Persia, North Africa stuck in the 9th century...they are Barbarians...as Europe is learning...and they must be kept out of this country until they Reform themselves, and join Modernity.
Should take about 300 years. Its just a Temporary Ban.
Yes and no
MACAULAY
Just like with Christianity, there is the individual practice and the charity
which is separate from groups that POLITICIZE their faith and integrate it with politics and govt.
With Islam it is even more pronounced when radical groups mix religious authority with military action and govt
to "call for justice taken into their own hands".
Most Christians and Muslims are taught to obey govt and civil authority and that citizens have NO such authority to do what govt is supposed to do.
But the Militant types and cults that will arm themselves and take up authority of govt are DIFFERENT.
Another difference is that the Christians will CHECK EACH OTHER against such abuses.
by directly following the Bible that calls them to rebuke each other from trespasses and transgressions. (See Matthew 18:15-20 where most Christians I know follow part or all of that process of rebuke/redressing grievances.)
Christian Constitutionalists will especially claim equal authority as govt to CHECK GOVT against abuses, which other groups are not as educated and empowered to do collectively, so we don't see or hear them as much as we do the Christian and Constitutionalists on the right exerting this authority by Christian and Constitutional principles they embody by conscience and invoke directly.
The Muslims have this indirectly because they are ALSO CALLED to follow the Bible.
So they are technically under the same scriptural authority to
1. respect civil authority and human institutions as part of the law
2. respect due process and the same Biblical instructions Christians are given to rebuke and redress grievances.
Not all Christians are taught to follow the process of rebuke using the Bible.
And with Muslims even fewer are being taught. The Muslims I know who follow
this do so as "righteous secular gentiles" who do so by instinct or conscience
as these are Natural laws. The concept of Due Process is part of natural laws,
and some people are aware and follow this, but others have to be taught to respect it.
The problem with Jihadists, terrorists, and cultists who wreak judgment and punishment,
acting as "judge jury and executioner"is that that DON'T FOLLOW DUE PROCESS of laws.
This process is proclaimed under Constitutional laws based on natural laws (which the Muslims
are taught from their own lineage if they are taught this at all).
And it is included in the Bible (again Matthew 18:15-20) to address people individually,
bringing the charge or accusation against them, and establishing the TRUTH among witnesses
in order to RECONCILE and restore neighborly relations in the spirit of truth justice and peace.
You will find obedient Jews Christians and Muslims who naturally respect and obey both
Scriptural and Civil Authority. The rest have to be taught. The Christians and Constitutionalists
are the most vocal and visible in trying to teach and preach these principles.
but the Muslims are also supposed to be under these same authorities, because both the
Bible and the natural laws made statutory in our Constitution are given by God and are thus
included in what both Christians and Muslims are supposed to follow.
If this isn't being taught or enforced consistently, that's where the problem is.
