Response to “Are Mormons Closer to Muslims or Christians?”

[Ddawg]

'Honor' murderer boasts of triple killing"
By Reza Sayah, CNN
Mon, August 20, 2012

Kot Chutta, Pakistan (CNN) -- From behind the steel bars of his jail cell, Muhammad Ismail described with uncanny ease how he shot and killed his wife, his mother-in-law, and sister-in-law.

"The first shot hit the side of her body," Ismail said. "I left her there and went next door and killed my wife's mother and sister. I made sure they were all dead. Then I locked the door and left the house."

Without any apparent regret, Ismail said he would do it again.

"I am proud of what I did. That's why I turned myself over to the police."
Ismail's confession to the triple-murder that took place last February in a village in central Pakistan is a rare and chilling first-hand account of a so-called "honor" killing -- the murder of women who are usually accused of dishonoring their families by being unfaithful or disobedient.

Ismail accused his wife of eight months of repeatedly flirting with other men and spending long hours away from home.
"My wife never made me happy," said the 20-year-old who played drums in a traditional Pakistani wedding band before his arrest. "She was like a prostitute. She never took care of me."

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported 943 women were "killed in the name of honor" in Pakistan last year, an increase of more than 100 from 2010."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/asi ... ?hpt=hp_c1

[BroncoBot]

Please numerically quantify what you mean by "a very small minority." Because the kind of numbers that appear to me are nothing close to a minority. Better yet let's break it down into 4 categories understanding that this is not so scientific as it is to get a better understanding of what we are talking about.
(1) Muslims that intend to oppress, kill or commit immoral acts in the name of their god. Want Sharia law enforced all over the world.
(2) Those that do not intend to personally commit such acts but tolerate or condone them because of religious belief. Support Sharia Law.
(3) Those that do not condone such acts but do not speak out against them or do not fight against them out of fear or apathy. Tolerate Sharia law.
(4) Those that would be considered American patriots or the equivalent ready to stand up to terrorism, condemn and fight against "radical Islam" like Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Iran (both political and spiritual leaders), and other Islamic groups that promote violence in the name of religion. This group also recognizes the right of Israel and America to exist and condemns the speech of those calling for the end of Israel. This group also speaks out against the adoption of Sharia law by American and European courts.

Every Muslim must fit in one of these categories. What percentage would you give each category?

First of all, you didn't answer any of my questions. But I'll go ahead and answer yours.

Group 1) I would suspect is 0.5-1% worldwide. This is the group that needs to be eliminated and I'm fine with finding and eliminating these turds.

Group 2-4) I don't really care about. I believe in their rights to participate and live their religion as they see fit, and if it's not infringing on the rights of others, let them worship how, where, or what they may. And I don't really care what other countries are doing. If Muslims in some middle eastern country come to america with the intent to do harm, I'll do whatever I can to stop such actions and will condone action including violent means if necessary. But if they are in their own countries (see Syria right now) I'm not a fan of a government police getting involved, especially because I believe it breeds more Group 1 type people and a perpetual hatred cycle (much like the hate cycle between Israel and Palenstine) begins with both sides committing atrocities against the other.

Bottom line. Anyone, domestic or foreign, who comes to my country and begins trying to take away freedoms and that's when I'll worry about it. Until them, I'm content to let foreign government handle these issues.

Now, you've attempted to change the subject. Please answer my questions or I'm done with this conversation.

[BroncoBot]

'Honor' murderer boasts of triple killing"
By Reza Sayah, CNN
Mon, August 20, 2012

Kot Chutta, Pakistan (CNN) -- From behind the steel bars of his jail cell, Muhammad Ismail described with uncanny ease how he shot and killed his wife, his mother-in-law, and sister-in-law.

"The first shot hit the side of her body," Ismail said. "I left her there and went next door and killed my wife's mother and sister. I made sure they were all dead. Then I locked the door and left the house."

Without any apparent regret, Ismail said he would do it again.

"I am proud of what I did. That's why I turned myself over to the police."
Ismail's confession to the triple-murder that took place last February in a village in central Pakistan is a rare and chilling first-hand account of a so-called "honor" killing -- the murder of women who are usually accused of dishonoring their families by being unfaithful or disobedient.

Ismail accused his wife of eight months of repeatedly flirting with other men and spending long hours away from home.
"My wife never made me happy," said the 20-year-old who played drums in a traditional Pakistani wedding band before his arrest. "She was like a prostitute. She never took care of me."

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported 943 women were "killed in the name of honor" in Pakistan last year, an increase of more than 100 from 2010."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/asi ... ?hpt=hp_c1

Interesting. This sounds like another fringe radical, not the norm. I base that on the fact that he was ARRESTED for doing this in a majority Islamic country. If this was so tolerated in Islam, why is it against the law in Pakistan?

This sounds like another idiot who believes his religion gives him the right to unrighteous dominion, much like some of the Dan Jones/David Koresh types out there but simply on a smaller scale. Can't infer much about the religion of Islam from such an article. Just like you can't infer much about "Mormonism" from the Mountain Meadow Massacre. It would be similar to deciding what Christianity was all about by studying the KKK.

[Ddawg]

'Honor' murderer boasts of triple killing"
By Reza Sayah, CNN
Mon, August 20, 2012

Kot Chutta, Pakistan (CNN) -- From behind the steel bars of his jail cell, Muhammad Ismail described with uncanny ease how he shot and killed his wife, his mother-in-law, and sister-in-law.

"The first shot hit the side of her body," Ismail said. "I left her there and went next door and killed my wife's mother and sister. I made sure they were all dead. Then I locked the door and left the house."

Without any apparent regret, Ismail said he would do it again.

"I am proud of what I did. That's why I turned myself over to the police."
Ismail's confession to the triple-murder that took place last February in a village in central Pakistan is a rare and chilling first-hand account of a so-called "honor" killing -- the murder of women who are usually accused of dishonoring their families by being unfaithful or disobedient.

Ismail accused his wife of eight months of repeatedly flirting with other men and spending long hours away from home.
"My wife never made me happy," said the 20-year-old who played drums in a traditional Pakistani wedding band before his arrest. "She was like a prostitute. She never took care of me."

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported 943 women were "killed in the name of honor" in Pakistan last year, an increase of more than 100 from 2010."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/asi ... index.html?

hpt=hp_c1

Interesting. This sounds like another fringe radical, not the norm. I base that on the fact that he was ARRESTED for doing this in a majority Islamic country. If this was so tolerated in Islam, why is it against the law in Pakistan?

You can believe it's a fringe element - and you would be wrong. I read a study, where Muslims were interviewed and asked their opinion of "Honor Killing." A full 10% supported it - if the honor of a family was insulted. That's not fringe. That is a deep cultural phenomenon.

"A July 2008 Turkish study by a team from Dicle University on honor killings in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, the predominantly Kurdish area of Turkey, has so far shown that little if any social stigma is attached to honor killing. It also comments that the practice is not related to a feudal societal structure, "there are also perpetrators who are well-educated university graduates. Of all those surveyed, 60 percent are either high school or university graduates or at the very least, literate."

hpt=hp_c1[/quote]
This sounds like another idiot who believes his religion gives him the right to unrighteous dominion, much like some of the Dan Jones/David Koresh types out there but simply on a smaller scale. Can't infer much about the religion of Islam from such an article. Just like you can't infer much about "Mormonism" from the Mountain Meadow Massacre. It would be similar to deciding what Christianity was all about by studying the KKK.
[/quote]

Yes he is an idiot. Yes he is exercising unrighteous dominion. That's where your argument falls apart.

Dan Jones and David Koresh are recognized by the societies they live in a Kooks. Honor killers are not. They are respected by their community.

Infer? What am I inferring? I am inferring nothing. I am pointing out factual behavior. That in the Islamic culture, "Honor Killing" is not unusual, happens all the time. It is not restricted to the Middle East. It occurs everywhere the Muslim faith exists. In Europe, African Continent, Britain, and the USA.

The Mountain Meadow Massacre was a 1 time event - it is not repeated thousands of times every year, globally, wherever the LDS faith exists. However, any where followers of Islam exist - "Honor Killings" occur. In Pakistan alone, 943 "Honor Killings" occurred in 2011.

So - try to excuse away. And try to say I am a hater. On both counts you are wrong. My point is, Islam and Mormonism are not alike - not at all. They both pray, they both believe in a God. They believe God speaks to messengers called prophets. But, so what. The points of similarity are minimal, superficial, and apply to many, many faiths world wide.

[tww]

Please numerically quantify what you mean by "a very small minority." Because the kind of numbers that appear to me are nothing close to a minority. Better yet let's break it down into 4 categories understanding that this is not so scientific as it is to get a better understanding of what we are talking about.
(1) Muslims that intend to oppress, kill or commit immoral acts in the name of their god. Want Sharia law enforced all over the world.
(2) Those that do not intend to personally commit such acts but tolerate or condone them because of religious belief. Support Sharia Law.
(3) Those that do not condone such acts but do not speak out against them or do not fight against them out of fear or apathy. Tolerate Sharia law.
(4) Those that would be considered American patriots or the equivalent ready to stand up to terrorism, condemn and fight against "radical Islam" like Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Iran (both political and spiritual leaders), and other Islamic groups that promote violence in the name of religion. This group also recognizes the right of Israel and America to exist and condemns the speech of those calling for the end of Israel. This group also speaks out against the adoption of Sharia law by American and European courts.

Every Muslim must fit in one of these categories. What percentage would you give each category?

First of all, you didn't answer any of my questions. But I'll go ahead and answer yours.

Group 1) I would suspect is 0.5-1% worldwide. This is the group that needs to be eliminated and I'm fine with finding and eliminating these turds.

Group 2-4) I don't really care about. I believe in their rights to participate and live their religion as they see fit, and if it's not infringing on the rights of others, let them worship how, where, or what they may. And I don't really care what other countries are doing. If Muslims in some middle eastern country come to america with the intent to do harm, I'll do whatever I can to stop such actions and will condone action including violent means if necessary. But if they are in their own countries (see Syria right now) I'm not a fan of a government police getting involved, especially because I believe it breeds more Group 1 type people and a perpetual hatred cycle (much like the hate cycle between Israel and Palenstine) begins with both sides committing atrocities against the other.

Bottom line. Anyone, domestic or foreign, who comes to my country and begins trying to take away freedoms and that's when I'll worry about it. Until them, I'm content to let foreign government handle these issues.

Now, you've attempted to change the subject. Please answer my questions or I'm done with this conversation.

I have attempted to change the subject? Really? I was asking for a clarification on your assertion. A central point of our discussion. You claim that the radicals are a minority. I do not believe that is true. The only way to proceed was to determine what you mean by "a very small minority."

Your questions are in fact irrelevant to the discussion of wether Islam is an oppressive and violent religion. You are following a tired liberal method of throwing emotional water on the subject when your assertions do not hold up to srutiny when facts are brought into the conversation. But to satisfy your question, no I do not believe all other religions are evil.

Back to the central point of wether it is a majority of Islam that is oppressive and has evil intentions or wether it is a minority:

You did not answer the question as to what percentage accounted for each category. The reason you did not was because using actual numbers destroys your assertion.

Category 1 is the people actually caught or are known to have committed crimes. This is the most visual group but they are really not the ones that provide a conclusion for us to determine the mindset of the whole. You claim that at most they 1% but if we take any account of crimes committed with a very logical understanding that most of these crimes do not happen with a single person but require a support group of people that are not caught, the number jumps significantly. I would give a conservative guess at something closer to 10%. But I will qualify that as well that the 10% is under today's political climate that is something of a tender box and if the tender is ignited it will cause the 10% to jump to numbers that are significantly higher.

Category 2 is the first group you declined to quantify. I believe this is by far the largest category of all. By your comment I gather that you believe so as well because it is the category that provides the make up of the Middle East. My guess is that this category is approximately 75% of Islam. This groups wants Sharia law everywhere and though they may not be willing to risk their lives to advance their cause they are willing to, at the very least, tolerate the violence of others because it takes them where they want to go. Though we may not be able to prosecute these individuals, it is their beliefs that fuel the fire and the blood is as much on their hands as it is on those that do murdering personally. When the president of of Iran or the clerics say that they want Israel wiped out, they are speaking to this the largest group.

Category 3 is a much smaller group and may reflect closer to what we see in an American Muslim. This group speaks peaceably but do to fear or apathy they do nothing to turn the tide of evil acts committed by members of their religion. So though to a lessor extent the blood is on their hands as well. I approximate this group at about 14%.

Category 4 is by far the smallest group. These are the true brave freedom fighters of Islam. No one can know for sure how large this group is but I will generously give it 1%. These are not anyone we would meet or converse with. They are the ones that risk their lives as spies or perform similarly important duties as they work to prevent Sharia law and the violent take over of the world by Islam.

Conclusion: 10% are doing the will of 85%. 14% are willing to compromise and live peaceable lives but no one knows what they will do if the heat gets turned up. They are certainly not willing to turn against the other 85%. So 85% supporting Sharia law and the destruction of Israel and 14% willing to go along for the ride. There is only one conclusion to be made. Islam moves in an evil direction as long as its policies go unchecked.

Note to Broncobot: If you keep trying to pull in other religions to this discussion it will only serve to show that you are not willing to address the facts about Islam. So be flippant if you want but if you have a meaningful point in defense of Islam, make it.

[hawkwing]

I'm not jumping into the discussion of whether or not Islam is evil, but it should be noted that even in extremely pacifist Canada the very very small minority of Muslims who come out against terrorism, jihad, and in support of Israel face severe repercussions and death threats.

[tww]

'Honor' murderer boasts of triple killing"
By Reza Sayah, CNN
Mon, August 20, 2012

Kot Chutta, Pakistan (CNN) -- From behind the steel bars of his jail cell, Muhammad Ismail described with uncanny ease how he shot and killed his wife, his mother-in-law, and sister-in-law.

"The first shot hit the side of her body," Ismail said. "I left her there and went next door and killed my wife's mother and sister. I made sure they were all dead. Then I locked the door and left the house."

Without any apparent regret, Ismail said he would do it again.

"I am proud of what I did. That's why I turned myself over to the police."
Ismail's confession to the triple-murder that took place last February in a village in central Pakistan is a rare and chilling first-hand account of a so-called "honor" killing -- the murder of women who are usually accused of dishonoring their families by being unfaithful or disobedient.

Ismail accused his wife of eight months of repeatedly flirting with other men and spending long hours away from home.
"My wife never made me happy," said the 20-year-old who played drums in a traditional Pakistani wedding band before his arrest. "She was like a prostitute. She never took care of me."

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported 943 women were "killed in the name of honor" in Pakistan last year, an increase of more than 100 from 2010."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/asi ... ?hpt=hp_c1

Interesting. This sounds like another fringe radical, not the norm. I base that on the fact that he was ARRESTED for doing this in a majority Islamic country. If this was so tolerated in Islam, why is it against the law in Pakistan?

This sounds like another idiot who believes his religion gives him the right to unrighteous dominion, much like some of the Dan Jones/David Koresh types out there but simply on a smaller scale. Can't infer much about the religion of Islam from such an article. Just like you can't infer much about "Mormonism" from the Mountain Meadow Massacre. It would be similar to deciding what Christianity was all about by studying the KKK.

Where is the logic and common sense in this thought process? "Just another fringe radical." Do you repeat this statement 30 times each week?

Does a single incident from a hundred years ago equal millions of incidents over the same period of time? Of course not, that is not sound logic. That is the very application of swallowing camels and straining at gnats. You can't go into a court of law and argue that your client is not guilty of murder because other people have committed murder also. And you cannot argue that a kid that steals a candy bar is just as much of a criminal as a bank robber.

I know you do not even believe what you are saying. If you did then you could prove it by taking your best Muslim friends and going to Tehran to preach freedom of religion but you won't do it because we all know what would happen. On the other hand, you could go to Temple Square and burn a Book of Mormon and you might get a ticket at the very worst. So please stop trying to make silly comparisons.

[Ddawg]

I'm not jumping into the discussion of whether or not Islam is evil, but it should be noted that even in extremely pacifist Canada the very very small minority of Muslims who come out against terrorism, jihad, and in support of Israel face severe repercussions and death threats.

+1. Bingo! I am not, nor have I stated that Islam is evil. You decide that one - based on facts. However, I have taken a stand, and do state, that the LDS faith, or Mormonism and Islam are not closer than Mormonism is to Christianity - no way.

Of all the Terrorism that is occurring around the world - and right here at home (9-11, the shootings at Fort Hood, etc.). Note - those Terrorist events have never been condemned by any major Islamic leader. Never. Isn't that alarming?

And, the topic of Honor Killings which I injected - those have never been condemned by Islamic leaders. And, they happen about 1,000x a year, in 1 single Islamic country (Pakistan). Worldwide, they probably occur over 2,000x a year - and that is probably a very conservative figure. Think about that. That's over 2,000 innocent women and girls that are being brutally murdered because of some superficial B.S. "Because there honor was offended. It can literally be, I didn't like her talking to "that" person. Bam! Stabbed to death. Done.

Another news item that I read about was an Islamic woman being raped. She went to the authorities, accused her rapist, and it went to court. Per Sharia Law, there must be 3 or 4 witnesses to prove the crime of rape occurred. The female victim could not produce that number of witnesses. So - guess what the Islamic court verdict was? The female rape victim was ordered to marry her rapist! Problem solved! Can you imagine that kind of a decision coming out of a Bishop's Court or a High Council Court? Not a chance.

So - for all you Islamic apologists that try to use pretzel logic and excuse away very inhumane and horrible behavior within the Islamic community - wake up. It is appalling.

[BoiseBYU]

I do not profess great expertise or insight into Islam like some of you seem to do. So take what I say with a grain of salt if you like. Honor killings are horrific. 2,000 are too many. But remember context. There are over a billion Muslims and so 2,000 is a very very small number. Islam is much more "decentralized" than Christianity. There aren't the same leaders of denominations in the same way there are in Christianity. This leads to various formations. The Muslims I know in Boise (there are some!) are utterly appalled by honor killings. You'll never read or hear of them because that is not news. It is very dangerous to conclude that Islam is abhorrent because of the vile acts of some people or some groups. Give me a Muslim neighbor any day over an agnostic cynic. To answer the OP, I think we are closer to Christianity IF it means Christianity believes in Christ as the Redeemer of all the world, our Advocate with the Father, modern day prophets and revelation that declares this Christ. I see little in "Christianity" that does that today. Much of Christianity today is morally and spiritually bankrupt.

[SpiffCoug]

I've wondered for a few years, if Islam wouldn't benefit from a return of a Caliph. Some central authority who can speak for Islam.

The problem, though, is that you can't separate Islam the religion from Islam the political ideology.