Is Islam a Totalitarian Ideology?

[Kaylee]

Actually, there is. There are cases where religious-oriented "charities" will bring food and medical aid to groups of those suffering after a major tragedy...

...Just to turn away if the individuals don't renounce their previous religion and take on the new religion.

Sounds pretty much like the Inquisition to me. "Renounce your own faith, or we'll let you starve!"

One important and very large difference -- an Inquisition causes the tragedy. In the case you mention, the religious charities are taking advantage of, but not causing, the tragedy.

 

[Lonewulf]

One important and very large difference -- an Inquisition causes the tragedy. In the case you mention, the religious charities are taking advantage of, but not causing, the tragedy.

I consider a man that leaves another man to die while having the capabilities to help that man to be just as guilty of murder as if he had walked up and slit the man's throat.

I dunno, maybe it's the idealist in me, but waving food in starving people's face and saying, "Neener neener neener!" isn't really becoming of any human being, especially one that claims to worship a loving God.

 

[Kaylee]

I dunno, maybe it's the idealist in me, but waving food in starving people's face and saying, "Neener neener neener!" isn't really becoming of any human being, especially one that claims to worship a loving God.

I agree its cruel but still not as cruel as causing the shortage of food directly.

I consider a man that leaves another man to die while having the capabilities to help that man to be just as guilty of murder as if he had walked up and slit the man's throat.

There are different degrees of evil.

 

[Elind]

And this makes them different from the Catholic church, Protestant churches, or almost any other religious institution... how?

No argument with that, except that I invoke the principle of tradition allowing for certain status. Scientology, along with Mormonism for example, are just latter day cults with no advantage of the fog of time and reading between the lines to protect them.

 

[Elind]

Here's what the Quran says about government:

18:26 Say: Allah is Best Aware how long they tarried. His is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth. How clear of sight is He and keen of hearing! They have no protecting friend beside Him, and He maketh none to share in His government.

Sounds to me like Allah has decreed that Islamic countries must be theocracies.

Allah has decreed that all humans must be ruled by Allah. Nitpicking as to what is an Islamic country is pointless. Of course there will be a real fight between Allah and Jesus one day when the latter comes back to do the same.

 

[Elind]

Sounds pretty much like the Inquisition to me. "Renounce your own faith, or we'll let you starve!"

Sticking it to Mother Theresa again are we?

 

[Lonewulf]

I agree its cruel but still not as cruel as causing the shortage of food directly.

I disagree.

By offering food and then retracting it if person X does not agree to some arbitrary demand, knowingly let people starve as you do... that is the same as starving them. You had the food, you were about to deliver it, then you retract it because they don't convert? How is this different?

There are different degrees of evil.

Okay, so let's slap numbers on these guys.

Genocidal people: 10 Evil
...
People that starve people: 8 Evil
People that willingly let people starve while pretending to offer food: 8 Evil.

Hmmm, I guess I don't agree.

I guess "evil" is in the eye of the beholder.

Sticking it to Mother Theresa again are we?

Well, I wasn't actually thinking about her when I said it. There are cases where religious-based charity groups do this, and it's not just Mother Theresa.

Still, from everything I've heard of her, "Ghoul of Calcutta" is appropriate.