Jesus Had No Jihad

I have observed through the 40 years that I have been intimately involved with Islam that about every daily activity is mentioned in the Koran. Much of the imperatives harken to Bedouin  practices indigenous to the desert nomads of Arabia, some refer to Jewish practices and some from Christian. Much is made of practices that are considered halal (forbidden) and the punishments for infractions. The miserable status of women is boldly upheld with women considered nothing more than property. Overall the Koran is a book that is “in the world” rather than in the realm of the spirit.

Jesus was a Jew, and much of his background refers to his Jewish heritage. His salient message was quite revolutionary for the day. At a time when all communities that expected to survive  had walls to defend against attack. Armies and gangs roamed the land and it was common for a community to be eradicated, the population killed or sold into slavery. “Might Makes Right” was the guiding principle of the age. Jesus brought a truly revolutionary message in his “New Covenant” with the world;  to love your enemies, to turn the cheek when struck, rather than lash out, to forgive the transgressions of others and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Spiritual messages,  truly  revolutionary ideas..

Mohammed’s message sounds like marching orders from a commanding general; who to kill, who to shame, who to dominate and make their inferior status felt by humiliating treatment etc…Mohammed kept rape slaves, took part in mass executions (beheadings), of helpless prisoners, raided caravans for loot and advised all Muslims to kill Jews because they were Jewish.

a mATTER OF sPIRITUALITY

christian-convert-mona-walter“Turn the other cheek…Let him who is without sin cast the first stone….Render unto Caesar that which is Caesars…As you do to the least of these, so you do unto me…..” Said Jesus. 

All spiritual truth is simple…but hard to live by.   Sprituality has more to do with a reformation of the internal, than with micromanaging specific activities of daily life. Violence to non-believers, the division of war booty (Mohammad got 2 /5  tribute from all spoils), number of times one prays etc, etc. are not spiritual truths. Such statements are instructions (requirements if you will)

9:5. “Then when the Sacred Months (the 1st, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikun {unbelievers} wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat {the Islamic ritual prayers}), and give Zakat {alms}, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Said Mohammad.