Laws of Islam?

[jamsmom]

MSNBC just said that some Iraqi official today announced that all POWs will be treated by the laws of Islam before any other laws. What was meant by that?

 

[nativetxn]

I'm very afraid to know. Since they believe that all infidels must die

 

[SuiteDisney]

I think that means they're going to do whatever they damn well please.

 

[nativetxn]

This wasn't all that comforting. I did a search and found this site
http://www.kashmirherald.com/featuredarticle/islamandprisonersofwar.html

It says:

The article under reference is titled "A Guide to the Perplexed Regarding the Permissibility of Killing Prisoners," which appeared in the column "Jihad News from the Land of the Caucasus". In this the author suggests that the Islamic religious scholars present five different alternatives, drawn from the various interpretations of the Koran:

1) A polytheist prisoner must be killed. No amnesty may be granted to him, nor can he be ransomed.
<b>2) All infidel polytheists and the People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians) are to be killed. They may not be granted amnesty, nor can they be ransomed.</b>
3) Amnesty and ransom are the only two ways to deal with prisoners.
4) Amnesty and ransom are possible only after the killing of a large number of prisoners.
5) The Imam, or someone acting on his behalf, can choose between killing, amnesty, ransom or enslaving the prisoner.

 

[Keli]

The laws of islam certainly don't sound very comforting for our POWs. We will get them back. I believe that we will use all our resources to ensure that we do.

 

[Buckalew]

And that is religion? That is so, so scary and sad. I pray for those POWs. I can't even start to imagine how afraid they must be.

 

[jamsmom]

They can not get by with that. The International Red Cross will make sure that our POWs are okay.

 

[JohnTBap]

Originally posted by Buckalew
And that is religion?

Yes, it is.

I don't understand how people can see beauty in it.

I just don't.

 

[dandave]

Any religion can have its share of fanatics. Parts of the Old Testament are very disturbing, as well.
But that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Buckalew]

Well, I know there are some disturbing things found in the OT but it sure is far from this belief. Hard to believe it is supposed to be the same God. They seem nothing alike to me. Actually, I love studying the OT. But, yes, we'll keep this thread on topic.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................Jamsmom, don't hold your breath. Red Cross only works in civil countries. In a country that says lets kill our own people, as has been proven time after time to do that means Red Cross won't work.

 

[WDWfan uk]

A brutal regime such as this will often hide behind and misuse a religion to manipulate opinion and justify their actions.

This regime paraded and brutally tortured British pilots in the previous Gulf war. It was extremely disturbing to see them on TV in this way and once more my stomach churned and heart went out to see those poor frightened American captives suffering the same fate.

At no time did their treatment have anything to do with any religion - principles of a regime like this and the principles of any religion are strangers. As a Muslim said to me after the atrocities of September 11th - they don't belong to any religion I belong to, know or recognise.

Those British pilots are thankfully alive and well and I hope with all my heart that these captives are rescued.

 

[Mowgli]

Thanks WDWfan for providing a more balanced perspective on this discussion.
It is an unfortunate fact that most moderate Muslims do not debate these misconceptions about Islam and some that do, do not necessarily get the coverage or column inches that the more radical interpreters get.
At the end of the day, people can interpret any religion to suit their own purposes (look at what happened in the name of religion during the Tudor reign or in mainland Europe during the Middle ages). There definately is a difference between Islam and the practice of Islam. In a number of countries, Islam is being used as the means to exercise control & power over its people. That is unfortunate as Islam is actually a benign & peaceful religion - where the taking of a single like is akin to the taking the life of all mankind!
It is worth remembering that there are different points of view in the current Iraq conflict, the US & British governments consider it a battle of liberation and a mission to destroy Saddam's weapons of mass destruction - while a number of Iraqis consider it an invasion and an attack on their sovereignity and way of life!

 

[Buckalew]

I just hear a tidbit on FOX news saying that SH isn't even a Muslim! I didn't know that. Something about that he denounced God but uses it to twist it around & keep his people down and do evil. Very interesting. And no harm meant to Muslims...I just made that statement because I know these are evil deeds in the name of religion. To me it is like, "Hello, can't you followers figure this out? God, the creator, isn't evil like this and despises these evil acts. So, apology to any Muslims I may have offended with my statement/question.

 

[caitycaity]

every religion has it's share of whackos who pervert what the religion is about. take a look at the spanish inquisition for starters...