Convictions III.

This is coolbert:

[for those of you that are interested, the photo accompanying this blog entry is of the flag of Saudi Arabia. "green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber"]

Here are extracts from a very recent article that seems to suggest that FORCED CONVERSION is not exactly against the teachings of Islam.

[thanks here to the JihadWatch web site for the tip!!]

"there shall be no compulsion in religion" - - Muhammad.

Is this so? Islam does not tolerate compulsion regarding their religion. Forcible conversions are invalid?

"It is self-evident that some Koranic verses encourage violence."

"On the other hand, it is equally clear that there are peaceful verses as well, including the famous "no compulsion in religion" (2:256)."

"Resolving apparently contradictory messages presents one of the central interpretative challenges of the Koran."

"Nevertheless, a consensus developed very early in the history of Islam about this problem. This method relies on a theory of stages in the development of Mohammed's prophetic career. It also appeals to a doctrine known as abrogation, which states that verses revealed later can cancel out or qualify verses revealed earlier."

"So at first 'the fighting' was forbidden, then it was permitted and after that it was made obligatory"

"At the beginning, in Mohammed's Meccan period, when he was weaker and his followers few, passages of the Koran encouraged peaceful relations and avoidance of conflict"

"Later, after persecution and emigration to Medina in the first year of the Islamic calendar, authority was given to engage in warfare for defensive purposes only"

"further revelations expanded the licence for waging war, until in Sura 9, regarded as one of the last chapters to be revealed, it is concluded that war against non-Muslims could be waged more or less at any time and in any place to extend the dominance of Islam."

Muhammad made his pronouncement of "no compulsion" in the early stage of his career. Later Koranic pronouncements seem to contradict the original and early statements of Muhammad. Abrogation becomes critical here. Later statements invalidate the earlier ones!!??

So!!?? Is the use of forced conversions legal under Islamic law. As what happened to the two journalists??

"There is no consensus that the earlier, more peaceful verses of the Koran take priority over the later, more violent ones."

Like I said, the jury is still out.

But, in the minds of some, the verdict has already been reached, of this I am sure. If I was one of those two journalists, I would be watching my backs, changing my name, keeping low profile.

coolbert.