IMPERIALIST ISLAM

Of the three major Western religions, Christianity and Islam have been advocates of proselytism and expansionism. A few hundred years ago, Christopher Columbus, the conquistadores, and all those who came behind transformed the new world and established Christianity. From the point of view of the natives, “progress” brought with it a very high price. That was then, however. Today, missionaries do not use physical violence to try to convert others to the Christian religion. They may pursue the goals of evangelism actively and determinedly, but they do not use physical force. It is psychology in dealing with people and preaching to them that becomes the main weapon. They also distribute free bibles and do charitable works to gain the trust of strangers.

With Islam, it is a different story. From militant Muslims and leaders such as Iran’s Mahmud Ahmadinejad we hear statements that clearly indicate a desire to dominate the rest of the world. With arrogance unsurpassed, they glorify the culture that sprung from Muhammad’s words in the Koran, and vilify the ways of life of the Western world. What makes them think Muhammad was God’s prophet? The unfair treatment of women in Islamic laws and customs is enough to guarantee Muhammad did not have a direct line to God. Either Gabriel is a misogynist and not one of God’s angels, or he was not near the scene when Muhammad thought himself the vessel of revelations from God.

After Muhammad’s death, Muslims went on a rampage invading North Africa, Europe, Persia, Afghanistan, India, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Muslims invaded and occupied India for over seven hundred years, until the British displaced them. During that time of Muslim subjugation, Islam was able to convert about a quarter of the Indian population. I am sure there was no coercion involved, just plenty of religious indoctrination. The friction between Muslims and Hindus became such that it brought about the partitioning of the country in 1947. Pakistan became an Islamic state, while India chose secularism.

Just think about those seven centuries of Muslim occupation in India, when somebody complains about the few years American troops have been in Iraq. In addition to which, we are not even there to stay permanently. We would gladly leave, if only the Islamic terrorists renounced their jihads—agendas of war and hate. We would gladly leave, if the warring factions of followers of the Koran ceased hostilities. We would gladly leave, if Shiites and Sunnis began acting like true children of Allah—good and peaceful human beings.

On Earth and in the universe, there is only room for one empire: the united kingdom of those rational and conscientious beings who are willing to cooperate with one another to make life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness a reality.

Recommended reading: Ercian Testament - Part Three, chapter 27, "Proligion Revisited."