Anarcho-capitalism

Zion, IL
By A.B. Dada
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I was browsing the web this morning, doing some casual searches for a few topics I’m interested in. I always do a search for Islamofascism, to try to see what confusion (and sometimes hatred) I come across. Today, I came across a blog that two of my searches hit: Ron Paul, and Islamofascist. That blog is titled UnderAgeThinker, and the post is titled Ron Paul Shoots Himself in the Foot and His Campaign in the Head.

From UAT’s post:

The Islamofascists are waging a holy war. Ron Paul doesn’t seem to get this. They truly have faith that what they are doing is the will of Allah and is therefore not only justified but obligatory. When they say that they are waging jihad it is not just rhetoric, they mean it. It is not difficult to see why they are fighting, it is not because we have a base in Saudi Arabia, it is because their religion tells them to.

I am a Christian, but I find that it is very important to understand all the world’s religions, not just to inform myself of what people believe, but also to see where the similarities are. When it comes to Islam, I truly do believe that Islam is mostly a religion of peace, just as one could say that Judeo-Christianity is mostly a religion of peace. Christianity, by itself, is not debatable in terms of its purpose: Christianity is solely a religion of peace. Augustine, and many Christian Thinkers after him, were wrong to believe in Just War Theory or any non-peaceful action as approved by Jesus Christ or God. Even the Muslims advocate Christ as a peacemaker, and bless His name by following it with the words “peace be upon Him.” In the Koran, Muslims believe that the “End Times” will occur with Christ returning to vanquish to foes of God. How funny that the Muslims that Christofascists hate are the ones who understand that Christ was purely peaceful, and the Christians are the ones who think that the Bible allows for any war by the faithful.

UAT quotes a much-maligned Surrah (”book”) of the Koran, which is Surrah 8:39. His quote is (wrongly) here:

So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief ) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone

This is the quote most often used by the Christofascists to make Christians believe that Muslims want to come “over here” and kill us. They believe the Koran advocates murder of non-believers, but that is not the case. Here’s a short study on Surrah 8, and why it is important to not take any holy book out of context, including the Bible.

Surrah 8’s context is specific: how to handle war that comes to a Muslim area. This is not advocating that Muslims go to war, but it tells the Muslims how to handle a war that is waged on them. When you read Surrah 8, you immediately see the connection to the Middle East, the United States foreign policy there (for 60+ years), and why the anti-US Muslims are receiving more and more support. From the Koran that we have (we have all faith holy books for reference, sometimes in various translations) at home, the same verse of Surrah 8:39 is as follows:

And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.

As you can see from the verse I typed up, it does not say to fight everyone until all in the World agrees, it says to fight them until there is no more tumult or oppression. This is a key phrase within the Surrah, because it shows the advocation for fighting if you are oppressed. It does not say take the fight elsewhere. To understand this entire Surrah, I feel the need to open up the entire set of verses, which I will address one by one. For Christians who wonder why I would “defend” the Muslim holy book, I do so because often times Christianity is battled because someone focuses on one phrase out of context. It is my belief that many Christians take one verse out of context, which is why I am adamantly against the idea of preaching a sermon based on disparate verses rather than teaching a sermon focuses solely on the context of the Book, the people who are the topic of the book, and a view on multiple translations as well as comparisons to Old Testament Prophecy regarding the verses. Too many Christians are taught the Bible from Pastors and Preachers who jump around and don’t focus on context — it is important to READ what you believe, rather than just listen to opinion and interpretation. I am NOT defending the Koran as God’s Word, nor am I advocating support or detraction of it.

Koran, Surrah 8:1: They ask thee concerning spoils of war. Say: “These spoils are at the disposal of Allah and the Apostle: So fear Allah, and keep straight the relations between yourselves: Obey Allah and His Apostle, if ye do believe.”

Surrah 8 begins by addressing the topic: the spoils of war. Anything “earned” during a war is to be given to Allah (God) by the believers. They are told to fear God, and be good to one another. It says here, if you believe in God, obey God. It does not say to force obedience to non-believers. Christians also have the same advocation: believe in God, but don’t force that obedience on non-believers. Here, Muslims and Christians can agree.

Koran, Surrah 8:2: For, Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put their entire trust in their Lord;

This is a definition of what “believer” means. It is very similar to both the Judaic guidance and the Christian advocation: a Believer is someone who feels a tremor in their hearts when God is brought up, and they find their faith and trust strengthened when their lives correlate to God’s Word. Again, Muslims and Christians (and Jews) generally agree with these points.

Koran, Surrah 8:3: Who establish regular prayers and spend out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance:

A believer establishes regular prayer, and gives charity of what they receive. Again, Muslims, Christians and Jews agree to this point.

Koran, Surrah 8:4: Such in truth are the believers: they have grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous sustenance:

Surprising to see the word “forgiveness” in the Koran regarding believers. This verse is debatable as to whether it means God’s forgiveness and sustenance for a believer, or a believer’s forgiveness for others. I know Muslims who accept both as their truth.

Koran, Surrah 8:5: Just as thy Lord ordered thee out of thy house in truth, even though a party among the Believers disliked it,

Remember, Surrah 8 relates to war. Muslims believe that they must be truthful when outside of their own, and even though there are Believers who don’t want to be truthful…

Koran, Surrah 8:6: Disputing with thee concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death and they did see it.

…there is no need to dispute the need.

Koran, Surrah 8:7: Behold! Allah promised you one of the two parties, that it should be yours: Ye wished that the one unarmed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the Truth according to His words and to cut off the roots of the Unbelievers;

The Koran I have says that the Arabic word for “parties” above can also be “aggressors.” Basically, the Koran says that God gave the Muslims two aggressors, and that the Muslim may wish that his aggressor would be unarmed, but God will give the armed aggressor. This has a lot of prophetic meaning to the Muslim in the Middle East, who sees any Imperial force there as an aggressor. Remember, Muslims in the Middle East have had to deal with aggressors and Imperialists for hundreds of years. In recent times, they’ve dealt with the Ottoman Empire (Imperialists aggressing against Muslims), then the French (Imperialists), then the English (Imperialists) and now the United States (Imperialists). Taking a Surrah dealing with war and addressing it to modern times is something that Christians also mistakenly do. But yet, you can’t fault the Muslims for seeing prophetical context between this Surrah and the hundreds of years of Imperialism and murder against them. Still, the Koran here does not advocating spreading the battle outside of their land.

Koran, Surrah 8:8: That He might justify Truth and prove Falsehood false, distasteful though it be to those in guilt.

Here it shows that God will justify Truth in the non-believer, and it will be distasteful to the non-believer. It doesn’t advise the Muslim to show the non-believer the truth.

Koran, Surrah 8:9: Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord, and He answered you: “I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks.”

Just as in the Bible, the Koran shows that God will assist in the Spiritual Warfare through guidance of angels (jinn).

Koran, Surrah 8:10: Allah made it but a message of hope, and an assurance to your hearts: there is no help except from Allah: and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

A confirmation to Muslims that all hope and assurance comes from God.

Koran, Surrah 8:11: Remember He covered you with a sort of drowsiness, to give you calm as from Himself, and he caused rain to descend on you from heaven, to clean you therewith, to remove from you the stain of Satan, to strengthen your hearts, and to plant your feet firmly therewith.

Here is a text that talks about location: therewith refers to where they are. It does not advocate taking their battle elsewhere.

Koran, Surrah 8:12: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels by saying: “I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.”

Here we see the word terror, but it is a message to the angels, not to the believers. In this battle of spirtual warfare, God tells Muslims that he will tell the angels that he will smite the believers in the head and hands. This is contextually not a physical attack, but one that is repeated in the Koran over and over, dealing with his vengeance against those who attack non-believers. The Jewish Old Testament also deals with similar issues.

Koran, Surrah 8:13: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels by saying: “I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.”

Again, we don’t see guidance for the believer to attack, but that God will do it for them. Just as in the Jewish Old Testament, God is the Warrior, not man.

Koran, Surrah 8:14: Thus saith: “Taste ye then of the punishment: for those who resist Allah, is the penalty of the Fire.”

Here again we see that the Muslim is told that God will punish others, for those who resist God. This is no different than what Jesus warned of for the end age of the old covenant.

Koran, Surrah 8:15: O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them.

Again, this Surrah regards war waged against Muslims, not a war that Muslims wage. It says that if an unbeliever wages war against a Muslim, the Muslim should not bow down or turn his back. This is similar to the Old Testament guidance that God gave the ancient Israelites.

Koran, Surrah 8:16: If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop - he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge!

This is a warning to Muslims not to turn their back if they are attacked.

Koran, Surrah 8:17: It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah: when thou threwest dust, it was not thy act, but Allah’s: in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself: for Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth all.

Just like God the Warrior in the Jewish Old Testament, the Muslim God is also the warrior. When a Muslim must defend their home, it is God that wages the battle.

Koran, Surrah 8:18: That, and also because Allah is He Who makes feeble the plans and stratagem of the Unbelievers.

This is a powerful verse for Middle Easter Muslims. It is obvious to many, including U.S. troops, that the plans and strategies of the U.S. are feeble. By proposing this as a fulfillment of prophecy BEFORE military action came, it ended up coming true in the eyes of the Muslims. The Jewish Old Testament also has similar verses of prophecy.

Koran, Surrah 8:19: If ye unbelievers prayed for victory and judgment, now hath the judgment come to you: if ye desist from doing wrong, it will be best for you: if ye return an attack, so shall We. Not the least good will your forces be to you even if they were multiplied: for verily Allah is with those who believe!

This is a warning to those who wish to wage war against the Muslims: if you continue to do so, you will lose. If you stop, it will be best for you. Similar verses are within the Jewish Old Testament. Again, Muslims who knew of this verse before military action feel that prophecy was fulfilled.

Koran, Surrah 8:20: O ye who believe! Obey Allah and His Apostle, and turn not away from him when ye hear him.

This verse reminds Muslims to stay the course in defense, no matter what.

Koran, Surrah 8:21: Nor be like those who say, “We hear,” but listen not:

Jesus used this very same saying, to listen and mean it, just don’t say “we believe.” When Christians advocate open aggressive war, who is the one who didn’t listen to the Prince of Peace?

Koran, Surrah 8:22: For the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb,- those who understand not.

Again very connected to the Bible. God believes the worst are those who don’t understand His Commands.

Koran, Surrah 8:23: If Allah had found in them any good. He would indeed have made them listen: if He had made them listen, they would but have turned back and declined believing.

This is similar to many Old and New Testament verses. It basically gives God the power to Judge others.

Koran, Surrah 8:24: O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Apostle, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall be gathered.

A verse of martyrdom which is similar to the verses of martyrdom in the Old and New Testament.

Koran, Surrah 8:25: And fear tumult or oppression, which affecteth not in particular those of you who do wrong: and know that Allah is strict in punishment.

This tells that God is the only one who can use tumult and oppression against others. It sets up another verse later.

Koran, Surrah 8:26: Call to mind when ye were a small group, despised through the land, and afraid that men might despoil and kidnap you; But He provided a safe asylum for you, strengthened you with His aid, and gave you Good things for sustenance: that ye might be grateful.

Another verse used to show fulfillment of prophecy. When the Muslims were a minority in the Middle East, they were despoiled and kidnapped. Muslims believe that God provided the asylum within the Middle East for them, and they’re to be grateful for it. This also shows that it is specific to the land they are on, not guidance to take the land of others.

Koran, Surrah 8:27: O ye that believe! betray not the trust of Allah and the Apostle, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you.

This speaks of not taking advantage of the things given to you by God. Reminds me of both Bible books.

Koran, Surrah 8:28: And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward.

Material possession, even family, are merely a setup for the ultimate reward: God. Christians have similar verses to be guided by. Even Christ ignored his blood family when faith needs were present.

Koran, Surrah 8:29: O ye who believe! if ye fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion to decide between right and wrong, remove from you evil that may afflict you, and forgive you: for Allah is the Lord of grace unbounded.

Here we see that Muslims believe that God has given them the ability to see right and wrong, and be protected from evil. Many Christians believe they have the Holy Spirit to help in this case as well.

Koran, Surrah 8:30: Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out of thy home. They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah.

How can a Muslim ignore this verse? For hundreds of years, non-Muslims have tried to push them out of the Middle East, where they have been for 1200+ years. Time and again, they are not defeated. Again, this verse is used as prophecy for their reason to stay. It does not advocate pushing themselves to the world of unbelievers, but to be warned of unbelievers who attack them. “of thy home” is key here.

Koran, Surrah 8:31; When Our Signs are rehearsed to them, they say: “We have heard this before: if we wished, we could say words like these: these are nothing but tales of the ancients.”

Here is a verse that is also used as a prophecy fulfillment. Muslims have heard the words of non-Muslims as rescuers before over and over. The Muslims can respond by saying “We’ve heard what you’re saying since ancient time, and the words mean nothing.” Intriguing to me.

Koran, Surrah 8:32: Remember how they said: “O Allah if this is indeed the Truth from Thee, rain down on us a shower of stones from the sky, or send us a grievous penalty.”

This verse regards the older Imperialists who questioned Muslims by saying “If God exists, then let Him rain down a shower of stones.” Christ also was questioned by the Pharisees (the Imperialists of Judea) and responded by telling them not to test God. This verse is the same idea.

Koran, Surrah 8:33: But Allah was not going to send them a penalty whilst thou wast amongst them; nor was He going to send it whilst they could ask for pardon.

Muslims believe that God refused to send the stones from the sky, because Muslims were there. This again points to the verses on war dealing with the land they’re on, not foreign land they should attack.

Koran, Surrah 8:34: But what plea have they that Allah should not punish them, when they keep out unbelievers from the sacred Mosque - and they are not its guardians? No men can be its guardians except the righteous; but most of them do not understand.

Here’s the key verse of the Surrah: the sacred Mosque. This means the Middle East specifically. It doesn’t tell Muslims to go and conquer the world, but to defend the Middle East as their own, which they occupied for 1200+ years.

Koran, Surrah 8:35: Their prayer at the House of Allah is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands: Its only answer can be, “Taste ye the penalty because ye blasphemed.”

This also speaks of location: the House of Allah (Middle East Mosque). If the enemy is there, they’re making fun of the holy Mosque, and they’re blasphemers. Again, intriguing.

Koran, Surrah 8:36: The Unbelievers spend their wealth to hinder man from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend; but in the end they will have regrets and sighs; at length they will be overcome: and the Unbelievers will be gathered together to Hell;

This is also damning evidence against Christofascists. Muslims can see connection between this verse and modern Middle East. The Imperialists for ages have used their wealth to corrupt the leaders of the Middle East, and the Muslims believe this hindreds Islam and their path to God. Can you not see the connection?

Koran, Surrah 8:37: In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put the impure, one on another, heap them together, and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost.

God is the Judge, according to Muslims (and Christians).

Koran, Surrah 8:38: Say to the Unbelievers, if they desist from not believing, their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already a matter of warning for them.

A warning from God to believe. Christianity and Judaism have similar verses in warning.

Koran, Surrah 8:39: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.

Here’s the verse that UAT quoted incorrectly, and out of context. The word for “everywhere” is a specific word not meaning World, but everywhere the Muslims are (in the Middle East, specifically). They are to defend their home against all tumult or oppression, until the unbelievers leave.

Koran, Surrah 8:40: If they refuse, be sure that Allah is your Protector - the best to protect and the best to help.

If the unbelievers refuse to leave, God will protect the Muslims. Judaism has similar verses. Christians are told to not resist force, though.

Koran, Surrah 8:41: And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire in war, a fifth share is assigned to Allah,- and to the Apostle, and to near relatives, orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer,- if ye do believe in Allah and in the revelation We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Testing,- the Day of the meeting of the two forces. For Allah hath power over all things.

This speaks of the war of defense: if the believers collect anything (booty), they are to give a fifth to God. The Israelites also had similar verses. Christians, though, can not go to war, so they’d have no spoils of war.

Koran, Surrah 8:42: Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made a mutual appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment: But , that Allah might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign, and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign. And verily Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth all.

This tells the Muslims that the unbeliever who comes to attack is the weak element. The Muslims are aware of their surroundings, and have the power of the same tactics than any defender would use in their home. It even warns Muslims that their enemy may make promises to meet, but they will break them. This has happened to Muslims in the Middle East for hundreds of years.

The Surrah continues for another few dozen verses, but I wanted to lead up to the point that UAT quoted. Out of context, and translated improperly, it looks very negative. Once you review the entire text, you see that the point is not made to go out and kill the unbelievers (although a VERY small minority of Muslims do believe that). Because these “prophecies” seem to be coming true in the Middle East, more and more Muslims are listening to the minority who is trying to get them to defend themselves against aggressors.

I am not agreeing with any Muslims, or detracting them. The Koran is not my holy book, but it is the holy book of billions of believers. If you do not review what they believe, you can not just pick a verse willy-nilly and say “This is what they believe.”

Ron Paul is right: it is the fascism of the United States Government that is building hatred towards the People. The People are not the aggressors, the government is, but we are being blamed for what we allow our government to do. As the war continues to fail, we will find ourselves against an “enemy” who feels that prophecy is being fulfilled. As a Christian, I can not kill another man, even an unbeliever. If Christians would end their fascist reign, they could be a beacon of peace, charity, love, forgiveness and sharing as Christ was.

Unfortunately, most Christofascists have the same beliefs that the Israelites did, as well as the aggressive minority Muslims. It is time to read your Bible yourself, and understand what Christ spoke — harm no one, love all.

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