posted August 04, 2006 09:59 PM              

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Taking our religion back one Muslim at a time

We believe in the re-interpretation of Islam for the 21st century where terrorism is not justified under any circumstances.
We believe in the separation of religion and state.

We believe that democracy is the best form of government.

We believe in the promotion of secularism in all forms of political activity.

We believe that equality for women is an inalienable right.

We believe that religion is a personal relationship between the individual and his or her God and is not to be forced on anyone.

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Free Muslims Call for Dismantling of Hezbollah not Destruction of Lebanon
The Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism calls on the United States government to take an active role in limiting the fighting in Lebanon to Hezbollah and for Arab governments to demand that Hezbollah be dismantled.

Several days ago the Hezbollah militia attacked the Israeli military and kidnapped two soldiers hoping they can exchange the soldiers for Hezbollah hostages imprisoned in Israel. Israel responded by attacking Lebanon’s infrastructure. Israel has destroyed oil depots, bridges, seaports, electric transformers, air port and otherwise did enormous damage to Lebanon in the hope that the destruction of Lebanon would persuade the Lebanese government to dismantle Hezbollah and replace the militia with Lebanese soldiers.

The Free Muslims have been calling for the dismantling of Hezbollah for the last three years. We recognize that Hezbollah’s loyalty is to Iran and not Lebanon. This is why Israel’s attack on Lebanon’s infrastructure rather than just Hezbollah is shortsighted, immoral and counterproductive. Israel’s fight is with Hezbollah and not Lebanon nor the Lebanese government which has no control over Hezbollah.

The irony is that Israel itself recognizes that Lebanon is too weak to control Hezbollah but nevertheless holds Lebanon liable. If Israel wants to dismantle or destroy Hezbollah Israel has to do it itself by attacking the militia directly.

Lebanon is headed by a pro-western, pro-American government that would love for Hezbollah to disappear. The goal of the United States and Israel should be to strengthen the Lebanese government not weaken it. If Israel focuses its attack against Hezbollah the Lebanese government will be in a better position to dismantle Hezbollah and control the border with Israel. If Israel continues to attack non-Hezbollah infrastructure more and more Lebanese, including the Christians, Sunnis Muslims and Druze may unite behind Hezbollah.

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posted August 04, 2006 10:26 PM              

Everybody deserves freedom. Anyone who says otherwise is lieing....

Because they're afraid, or they're brainwashed.

posted August 04, 2006 11:14 PM              

But it has to be interpreted within context of the social condition of time it was written.

posted August 07, 2006 09:03 PM              

It's also good to be critical of some practices that are used under the banner of Islam. But I noticed they're not looking at some of the wider issues that must to be taken into context.

Mostly agree with this...but there are Lebanonese that support Hezbollah...they have seats in the govt...Why's that?

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The Free Muslims have been calling for the dismantling of Hezbollah for the last three years. We recognize that Hezbollah’s loyalty is to Iran and not Lebanon. This is why Israel’s attack on Lebanon’s infrastructure rather than just Hezbollah is shortsighted, immoral and counterproductive. Israel’s fight is with Hezbollah and not Lebanon nor the Lebanese government which has no control over Hezbollah.

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If Israel continues to attack non-Hezbollah infrastructure more and more Lebanese, including the Christians, Sunnis Muslims and Druze may unite behind Hezbollah.

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posted August 09, 2006 11:06 AM              

Israel is between a rock and a hard place, and nobody seems to be able to offer any alternate strategies. But the strategy they are following, indeed leads to more support for Hezbollah, as average Lebanese cry out for vengence against the death & destruction the IDF is raining down on their country.

Yet, Israel feels they have no other options. They are certain that if they "stand down", they're just going to end up in Hezbollah's cross hairs again, when they least expect it.

posted August 09, 2006 11:49 AM              

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Mohammed preached love and service to others, as did Jesus. But, Mohammed's love and service was confined to fellow believers. Anyone can love their kinship. That's easy and natural. Jesus preaches universal love. Loving when it isn't easy.

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True but Mohammed's teachings, like Jesus', became a movement and branched out to form the basis for a new religion. Both religions are over 2000 years strong today. Islam I think, is older than Christianity.

In their time when they taught both Jesus and Mohammed were small fish in a big pond but theirs words and teachings have spanned the globe and today Islam and Christianity have the largest following of any religion in the world.

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Jesus preaches universal love. Loving when it isn't easy.

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Yes he did but not all of us Christians practice in our every day lives Jesus' teachings just as some Muslims don't live their every day lives following the teachings of Mohammed.

What Jesus and Mohammed taught is one thing, what we do with their teachings is another matter entirely. Just as Jesus' message has been distorted and used for evil agendas by some so has Mohammed's message. And it is easier for their followers to know what they taught than it is to apply those teachings to our everyday lives and follow them.

Especially that teaching of Jesus' regarding loving your enemies and doing good to those that do evil to you. Loving when it isn't easy. I don't see a whole lot of that practiced anywhere in the world. And I find it nearly impossible to follow myself. I'm sure that as he said it, Jesus knew we would find it impossible but he threw it out there anyway.

Regarding Hezbollah, it is my understanding from all I have read, that Hezbollah was formed after the first invasion and occupation of Lebanon by Israel. They formed to oust Israel from Lebanon and to protect Lebanon from Israel occupation. They are definitely a Lebanon based group. Not an Iranian based group. They are, however, highly supported by Iran. Which is why I have stated, along with many political analysists, that Israel's invasion of Lebanon was not due to the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers but with the intention of taking out as many Hezbollah as possible to pave the way for the U.S. invasion of Iran. Because the Hezbollah is who is going to aid Iran in any invasion.

posted August 09, 2006 01:13 PM            

No no Islam is 7th or 8th century and hence more younger than christianity.

I believe that the problem with most Muslims is that they are still frozen themselves in that era (8th century) than evolving.

posted August 09, 2006 01:49 PM              

Here read this:

HOW WAS THE QURAN WRITTEN?

Let me examine this whole proposition, Christianity or Islam, from a different perspective. Examine the Quran. Numerous passages of the so called inspired Quran originally appeared in the Old Testament, more than 1000 years, yes 1000 years, before the prophet of Arabia, Muhammad, was born.

Muhammad clearly depended upon some of the Holy Bible teachings for his "revelations." Here are a few examples: "the night of Power is better than a thousand months," Surat al Sadr 97:3. Now compare this with Psalm 84:10, "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand." Then, in Surat al Fathah 1:6, we find, "Show me your straight path." The same as "Teach me your way O Lord and lead me in the straight path," found in Psalm 27:11. Let me give a third illustration, in Psalm 37:29, "The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell in it forever" which compares with Surat al Anbrya 21:105, "My righteous slaves shall inherit the land and dwell there forever."

May I advert yet again the Quran which mentions Jesus 97 times but let me add it also mentions the New Testament characters such as Zechariah and John the Baptist, and the disciples of Jesus. This shows that Muhammad was versed in the New Testament. His familiarity causing him to adopt many passages from the Bible and insert them into the Quran.

Remember Jesus died in 30 A.D. The New Testament was written in Greek around the First Century and Muhammad was not born until 560 A.D. The question I pose is this: Was Muhammad receiving a revelation or was he taking from what he read? Was he utilizing knowledge and transposing them into the Quran?

posted August 11, 2006 12:40 AM              

Islam basically began in 610 AD after the first revelation was sent down to Muhammad.(pbuh)

About The Qur'an
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ISLAM/QURAN.HTM
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/compilationbrief.html

posted August 11, 2006 07:17 PM              

Does anyone care to address where the "my God will beat up your God mentality" comes from?

posted August 12, 2006 12:11 PM              

But, religion has an added dimension to it that is hard wired to irrationality. It requires faith, and one takes a leap of faith when one devotes theirself to any given religion. I suppose once they've made that leap, some may feel threatened by knowing that the rest of the population doesn't unnanimously agree that theirs was the right choice.

It's like saying, that by the very fact that your faith is different from mine, you are saying that my faith is erroneous. Some take that very personally, and so may insist that all others are erroneous, and in addition, may assert that all others are destined for a fate of unthinkable suffering, unless they agree that my faith is the only correct faith. In other words, an attempt to terrify people into agreeing with my faith, and then I won't have to encounter as much challenge to my own faith, if I can terrify most of the people into accepting mine over all others.

I think it comes from an underlieing insecurity about one's faith, that brings out an acute defensive reaction, because faith is so personal, and close to our ego's.

posted August 13, 2006 06:07 AM              

carma-b- You are SO right on the mark!