Islam Is a Religion of Peace: part II

My opponent was unfortunately a few minutes late in posting his argument, so we have decided to make a part II. Try to be more careful in this debate about how much time you have left. The full resolution, definitions, rules, and debate structure are the same. Here is the previous debate: http://www.debate.org...

Enjoy.

I would like to thank my opponent for accepting a part two to thisdebate and hope that he can post his arguments in time. I will use the same arguments as I started with in the previous debate.

I. What Does Islam Mean?

"Islam is a verbal noun originating from the trilateral root s-l-m which forms a large class of words mostly relating to concepts of wholeness, completion and bonding/joining. In a religious context it means "voluntary submission to God"."[1] "The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'."[2]

There were two key words there; voluntary and peace. First, voluntary. In religious context (the accepted meaning of the word described in Round 1), it means a voluntary submission to God. Non-peaceful religions do not allow for a voluntary submission to God. Next, peace. The word in Arabic for Peace is Salam, as opposed to Islam. The two words are similar and it is seen that one word is derived from the other (since Salam is the older word, the former word was the word derived for the latter word). So obviously, if one of Islam's meanings is peace, it must be a peaceful religion.

"There is no ground for the oft-repeated allegation that Islam is intolerant and was propagated by the sword. The Qur'an states clearly 'there is no compulsion in religion.'"[3] More proof that in Islam, there is no compulsion to be Islamic.

II. What Does the Qur'an Say?

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do." (Qur'an 5:8) [4]

"Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors."(Qur'an 5:32) [4]

"Repel evil with that which is better." (Qur'an 23:96) [4]

"And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good]." (Qur'an 41:34-35) [4]

"Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." (Qur'an 60:8) [4]

On many accounts does the Qur'an preach peace and non-violence? It preaches that even if you have hatred for someone, that that should not prevent you from following the path of Allah. It even says that the killing of civilians in wartime and of anyone in peacetime is a great sin and that one who breaks those rules will suffer eternal torment in Hell.

III. What Did Muhammad Do and Say?

"The prophet Muhammad said, 'Do not kill women or children or non-combatants and do not kill old people or sick people'."[5]

"Prophet Muhammad said there is no excuse for committing unjust acts: 'Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong to them. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong (even) if they do evil.'"[6]

"The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed." (Muslim and Al-Bukhari)

"Do not kill children. Avoid touching people who devote themselves to worship in churches! Never murder women and the elderly. Do not set trees on fire or cut them down. Never destroy houses." (Bukh�ri)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on repeated occasions said to not to kill people unless they attack you, even if those people you want killed do evil. Why? Because these people who do evil will be eternally punished in hell, and Muslim & Al-Bukhari, the people who cause bloodshed will be the first people to be adjudicated on the Day of Judgment. Muhammad (peace be upon him) even prohibited the destruction of other's property, including but not excluded to other religions' churches and worshipping houses.

IV. What Did Abu Bakr Say?

"Abu Bakr a close companion and successor (Caliph) of the prophet whilst giving instructions to his army general said: 'I command you not to do ten things, do not kill women, do not kill children, do not kill the elderly, do not destroy trees, do not destroy properties, do not slaughter animals unless it is for food, neither flood or set fire to palm trees, avoid extremism, and do not act cowardly or weak.'"[7]

Abu Bakr was Muhammad's (peace be upon him) faithful companion in the time of Muhammad's (peace be upon him) life and the next leader of Islam in the wake of Muhammad's (peace be upon him) death. He continued to follow in Muhammad's (peace be upon him) tradition of peace and voluntary willingness to join Islam.

V. Later Successors to Muhammad and Abu Bakr.

The successive caliphates and reigning dynasties all preserved Islam's early tradition of peace. This spread of Islam was less a spread of the religion as it was one, the caliphate's quest for empire and two, and more importantly, it was the peoples they were subjugating voluntarily chose to become Islamic. A great question is when the caliphates drew out of North Africa and other parts of the Middle East, why did the religion prevail and remain?

Today, Islam has been misinterpreted by various groups including but not excluded to Al Qaeda. These terrorist groups are not true Muslims and in the words of one of the most highly regarded Hadiths, will be "The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed." Allah does not tolerate terrorists and people who disrupt peace for violent and greedy purposes.

Thank you.

[1]:http://en.wikipedia.org...
[2]:http://www.islamicity.com...
[3]:http://www.answeringinfidels.com...
[4]:http://quran.com...
[5]:http://kurzman.unc.edu...
[6]:http://www.cair.com...
[7]:http://mercyprophet.org...

I would like to thank my opponent for presenting great, thoughtout arguments. This round will be for refuting your opponent's Round 2 arguments.

I. God's Purpose

There is not really a point in debating this since I believe in the worship of God. He is just establishing the concept that the purpose of God is to bring worship.

II. The Real Debating Material

Now we are getting into some conflict here. In the actual translations and meanings of my opponent's verses, we will see that they indeed are taken out of context. When defenders of Islam refer to a Qur'an-ic verse that is taken out of context, they are not pointing to a different translation, but actually to a broader look at the verse and an actual meaning of the verse. I will look at each of my opponent's verses.

II.i. Verse one: Qur'an 2:191

This is taken out of context in the cut-and-paste sense. Let us look at the broader area of the Qur'an:

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And kill them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. But if they cease, God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear (the punishment of) God, and know that God is with those who restrain themselves."(Qur'an 2:190-194)[1][2]

"These verse[s] were revealed at a time when Muslims of Madinah were under constant attack from the Makkans.""So what does this verse say in this context? 'Fight in the cause of God those who fight you', 'unless they (first) fight you there' - the context of this verse applies to those who initiate the attack against Muslims."[1]

So here, in this verse, the Muslims are being attacked. To defend yourself against attack is still peaceful. And, if they stop attacking, the Muslims must stop fighting. "Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression." That is even in your broken-up verses.

II.ii. Verse two: Qur'an 2:216

This verse is commonly mistaken due to a misused word. The word used is not Jihad, but is rather Qital.

"The first mistake in this translation is that this Quranic verse actually does not use the word 'Jihad'. This verse actually uses the word 'Qital', which refers to physical combat in war. Combat is ordained for Muslims in order to defend themselves and their rights, as well as the rights of others. The obligation to physically defend one's rights..."[1]

Let us now back up this claim:

"And what is wrong with you that you do not engage in combat for the sake of Allah, and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help."(Qur'an 4:75)[1][2]

"It is most certainly a duty of all human beings to help each other from oppression and injustice."[1] This in itself is peaceful, since trying to create a peace is of course peaceful.

So here, in this verse, Muslims do not have to fight, they only have to fight to protect their own and their community's rights from oppressors. Trying to protect rights and keep peace in reign is most certainly peaceful.

III. Conclusion

As we can clearly see, it is peaceful to defend your home from attackers. One can defend yourself. One can also stand up for people who are having their rights taken. To combat an enemy who intends on war to prevent rights is peaceful in the end when the rights are preserved. Also, if someone is preventing you from practicing your religion, they are obviously doing something aggressive.

Islam is a religion of peace since they are never the oppressors or attackers without probable cause. They defend themselves and others from the oppression of attackers. To do that is not unpeaceful, and as mentioned earlier, helps spread the peace.

Now on to your last verses.

III.i. Verse three: Qur'an 8:65

"It is for this reason that the Qur'an declares that a believer with understanding is ten times stronger than an unbeliever. For the believer understands the truth and a non-believer does not. It may be remembered, however, that the verse also mentions another important factor in addition to 'understanding' which makes a believer much stronger than an unbeliever, and that is 'patience'."[3] They only think the believer stronger because the non-believer does not understand the truth.

Qur'an Verse 8:65 also mentions "steadfast"[2], which means the non-believers attacked first. The call to battle is the call to defend Islam.

"In the verse quoted above [8:65] in which Muslims are urged to make ready their "strength to the utmost" of their power, one needs to take into account (a) the context of the entire Chapter, where it deals with treachery, hypocrisy and unilateral abrogation of a treaty that was imposed upon Muslims by their adversaries, and (b) the verse that comes after it."[4] So obviously, this is a war of self-defense.

III.ii. Verse four: Qur'an 47:35

"Surah 8:61 is saying that you should incline to peace IF THE ENEMY is inclining to peace. But Surah 47:35 says that if you have the upper hand, YOU SHOULDN'T INCLINE TO PEACE in being the first one to do so. However, Surah 47:35 does not say that you shouldn't incline to peace IF THE ENEMY INCLINED TO PEACE first. So there is no contradiction. Surah 8:61 states that you should incline to peace if your enemy did so, but 47:35 basically states that you shouldn't initiate it if you have the upper hand."[5]

Here, the verse is basically saying that you should not incline to peace if your opponents were the aggressors, and you have the upper hand, but if the enemy inclines toward peace, then Muslims must accept. You can not initiate, but you can accept.

"And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah . Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing."[2]

III.iii. Verse five: Qur'an 8:12 (I think. Your quoted verse is most certainly not 8:1)

True context: "8:12-13 Recall that your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you; so support those who believed. I will throw terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved. You may strike them above the necks, and you may strike even every finger." This is what they have justly incurred by FIGHTING God and His messenger. For those who fight against God and His messenger, God's retribution is severe."[1]

"The historical context is that this verse was revealed at the Battle of Badr, a battle in which the pagans of Makkah traveled over 200 miles to destroy the Muslims of Madinah."[1]

III.iv. Verse six: Qur'an 2:193

You forgot the rest of the verse: "Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah . But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors." Obviously, if they [infidels] have to cease, they were the aggressors.

III.v. Verse seven: Qur'an 9:123

"If we read this verse along with the succeeding passage, it becomes clear that here disbelievers who are near you refers to those hypocrites who were doing great harm to the Islamic society by mixing up with the sincere Muslims."[5]

IV. Infidels

It is misinterpreted: "What does the term infidel mean? It is not a Qur'anic term. It is a term that Christians have historically applied to non-Christians, particularly Muslims. Christian doctrine simply did not recognize the legitimacy of Islam. Hence, Muslims were "infidels," and usually placed in the same category as "pagans" and "savages."

The Qur'an speaks of "kuffar," or those who disbelieve, or cover up the truth, or deny the truth of God and His messengers. However, it is incorrect to translate "kafir" as infidel. The Qur'an also does not label all non-Muslims as kuffar, or unbelievers."[6]

Also, Muslims response to these supposed "Infidels" is peaceful, unless the "Infidels" attack them. "The Qur'an does not teach that "infidels" should be killed, taxed, or converted as a matter of principle."[6] In fact, conquered territories were usually allowed to keep their original religion, "However, Muslim rulers usually insured that local populations could practice their own religions and have their own institutions, provided they accepted Muslim rule and paid their taxes." This tax is not exclusive to non-Muslims because Muslims had a tax themselves.

Review:

*The purpose of Islam is the recognition of the glory of Allah through worship, like the other Abrahamic faiths.
*Neither in the other Abrahamic faiths is God's purpose to bring peace. All three state a purpose of worship; Islam is not exclusive.
*If a Muslim is attacked, or anyone for that matter, he has the right to defend himself. Obviously, if someone is preventing you from worship, he is being unpeaceful.
*If a Muslim encounters an Infidel, he is to not kill him.
*Allah only ordains wars he wants, which are exclusively wars of self defense.
*Islam is a religion of peace because oppression is disallowed.

Thank you Con. Over to you.

Sources:
[1]: http://islamnewsroom.com...
[2]: http://quran.com...
[3]: http://www.islamicstudies.info...
[4]: http://www.islamicity.com...
[5]: http://www.islamicstudies.info...
[6]: http://qa.sunnipath.com...

“Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of
all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still
savages.” - Thomas A. Edison

Pro defended Allah's call to war in the Qur'ran by explaining that "the context of these verses applies to those who initiate the attack against Muslims". He continues to explain that a peaceful religion may engage in warfare to obtain or maintain peace. That’s a bit of a paradox, if I do say
so. Tranquility after a bloodbath is not peace, unless you define peace as the destruction
of non-Muslims. (Unfortunately, the term peace was defined in round one).

The context of peace, as per the round one definition, is the cessation of violence or war. [1] Therefor, his burden is not that Islam seeks "peace within itself", but that it is an intrinsically peaceful
religion that desires the cessation of war and violence against anyone.

Here we have a few quotes by supporters of peace, the cessation of violence and war:

“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the
mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”

Mahatma Gandhi

“Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it
must be an inseparable part of our being.”

Mahatma Gandhi

“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence
of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

“It belongs to the very substance of nonviolence never to destroy or damage another
person's feeling of self-worth, even an opponent's. We all need, constantly, an
advance of trust and affirmation.”

Bernard Haring

There are many causes I would die for. There is not a single cause I would kill for.

Mohandas Gandhi

"Every relationship of domination, of exploitation, of oppression is by definition violent, whether or not the violence is expressed by drastic means. In such a relationship, dominator and dominated alike are reduced to things- the former dehumanized by an excess of power, the latter by a lack of it. And things cannot love."
Paulo Freire

2nd round Rebuttal:

A truly peaceful religion resigns to absolute non-violence:

• Jainism fulfills the criteria of a peaceful religion, extending non-violence even to
  animals.
• Hinduism fulfills the criteria of a peaceful religion, in accordance with
  "Ahimsa", (absolute non-violence, even in self-defense.)
• Buddhism fulfills the criteria of a peaceful religion (outside of self-inflicted harm in
  protest ceremony), in accordance with "Ahimsa".

Islam does not meet the criteria of a non-violent religion:

• Islam does not seek peace with men; it seeks to glorify Allah at any expense. Any acquired
  peace is coincidental, a splinter effect, not ordained and unintended.
• Islam is an Abrahamic religion and confirms that Allah uses violence himself:
  
  1.> The destruction of the human race via a global flood
  
  2.> The killing of Egyptian children by Allah
  
  3.> The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by Angels
  
  
• Islam has over 500 verses dealing with cruelty, including these ten:
  
  1.> If someone kills your slave, you are called to kill one of his. (That's
  murder of an innocent by any token.) (K 2:178)
  
  2.> Moses asked Allah to harden the hearts of the Egyptians, so that they
  could not repent, effectively blocking their salvation. He desired
  their suffering and destruction, not their salvation and peace.
  (Surah 10:88)(***Note Pharaoh did eventually repent and praise
  Allah, but he was denied salvation because he waited to long.)
  
  3.> Muslims are called to fight those who have been given some scriptures
  but refuse to believe in Allah (Christians and Jews). (Surah 9:29)
  
  4.> Anyone who doubts that Allah grants victory to his prophet should
  commit suicide. Life and peace are virtues for Muslims only!
  (K 22:15)
  
  5.> Adultery is punished with 100 lashes and Allah demands that a group
  of believers gather to watch the judgment occur. (24:2)
  
  6.> Allah calls Muslims to kill all oppressors and if any disbelievers
  remain after the Muslim killed the oppressors, kill them too. (Surah
  2:193)
  
  7.> People who use religion as a hobby will be tormented by drinking
  boiling water, after which they burn in fire.(A little sadistic) (6:70)
  
  8.> Allah sends strong delusions to idolaters, making it seem lawful for
  them to murder children. Ordained infanticide. (6:137)
  
  9.> Muslims must fight to glorify Allah. They must kill and be killed for
  great rewards. (Surah 9:111)
  
  10.> Muslims are called to join Allah to curse non-believers. (2:161)

Argument extended.

Rebuttal: Really? The Qur'an does not label all non-Muslims as unbelievers?

2:104 O ye who believe, say not (unto the Prophet): "Listen to us" but say
"Look upon us," and be ye listeners. For disbelievers is a painful doom.

3:4 Aforetime, for a guidance to mankind; and hath revealed the Criterion (of right and wrong).
Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, theirs will be a heavy doom.

3:19 Lo! religion with Allah (is) the Surrender (to His Will and Guidance). Those who (formerly)
received the Scripture differed only after knowledge came unto them, through transgression among themselves. Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of Allah (will find that) lo! Allah is swift at reckoning.

3:85 And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted
from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.

4:55 And of them were (some) who believed therein and of them were (some) who turned away from
it.(Apostates) Hell is sufficient for (their) burning.

4:56 Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their
skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.

Conclusion: If you do not believe in Allah and his revelation, you are a non-believer and doomed for
destruction. Even Jews and Christians are condemned by the Qur'an, even though
it acknowledges that they received the first revelations of Allah. I would respectfully ask my opponent to justify his claim that not all non-Muslims are Kuffar. (Kaffir / Kafir is also a correct rendition). I appreciate the "insinuation" that I didn't properly research the colloquial terms. [3]

http://www.debate.org... [1]

http://en.wikipedia.org... [2]

I would like to thank my opponent for presenting more great arguments.

I. What Does Peace Mean?

I will go through the two kinds of Islamic wars and progress to the conclusion to this contention

The first kind of Islamic war is for self-defense. My opponent seems to think that fighting for your self-defense is not peaceful. The second kind of Islamic war is for the defense of oppressed people. My opponent seems to think that fighting to end oppression is not peaceful. Like my opponent said, my burden is do prove that "[Islam] is an intrinsically peaceful religion that desires the cessation of war or violence against anyone."

So, here is the true argument:

"The Quranic verses on this are very clear. God repeats, "do not aggress", multiple times. Only if attacked, is one permitted to fight back. If the other party refrains from aggression and offers one peace, we are told to stop fighting.

Rules of War*

[2:190] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.
[2:191] You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Masjid, unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers.
[2:192] If they refrain, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[2:193] You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors."[1] So as shown, Islam does not desire war or violence, and is eager to end it whenever possible by accepting peace treaties from the enemy. That is certainly peaceful. Also, protecting other [non-Muslims] rights is peaceful because it is trying to restore peace and freedom for the oppressed.

"Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul {any soul, non-Muslim included} unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors." (Qur'an 5:32) [2] Unjust killing is bad.

II. 2nd Round Rebuttals

II.i. Islam As a Religion of Peace

"Islam clearly prohibits all kinds and forms of aggression and violence against anyone, except in self-defense. Islam is a practical religion, meant to be implemented in every aspect of our life. Therefore, it realizes the fact that a person who commits aggression and violence against others will not cease these actions unless they are deterred by similar actions taken against them."[3] As a definition of Islamic peace.

II.ii. Allah's "Violent" Acts Against Humanity.

As to Allah's violence, I will cover each point seperately. The first action was taken as a means to fix broken civilization, as a way of re-affirming peace. The second action was to help the Isrealites - who I might add were being enslaved by the Egyptians (this is oppression) - escape to the promised land. The third action was again taken to promote peace by destorying a non-peaceful civilization. Might I add that you are being very hypocritical here.

II.iii. Qur'anic Verses

The verses I will cover each seperately.

II.iii.a Verse one: 2:178

"To translate qisas, therefore, by retaliation, is incorrect. The Latin legal term Lex Talionis may come near it, but even that is modified here. In any case it is best to avoid technical terms for things that are very different. "Retaliation" in English has a wider meaning equivalent almost to returning evil for evil, and would more fitly apply to the blood-feuds of the Days of Ignorance. Islam says: if you must take a life for a life, at least there should be some measure of equality in it; the killing of the slave of a tribe should not involve a blood feud where many free men would be killed; but the law of mercy, where it can be obtained by consent, with reasonable compensation, would be better."[4] There are forgiveness laws and it is not necessarily death.

II.iii.b Verse two: 10:88

As I stated earlier, the Egyptians were unrightfully enslaving the Isrealites, and they were good to get out. The Pharaoh was warned on numerous occasions by Moses. While they were escaping, the Pharaoh and his army even chased them, so their drowning was of self-defense. They would have gotten killed had that not happened.

II.iii.c Verse three: 9:29

"We previously established the fact that the Islamic State is not permitted to attack non-Muslims who are not hostile to Islam, who do not oppress Muslims, or try to convert Muslims by force from their religion, or expel them from their lands, or wage war against them, or prepare for attacks against them. [Only self-defense warrants war] Muslims are not permitted to attack non-Muslims who signed peace pacts with them, or non-Muslims who live under the protection of the Islamic State."[5]

Also, "Soon afterwards, they [Jews] betrayed the peace pact and joined forces with the pagans and the hypocrites against Muslims."[5] Again, self-defense.

II.iii.d Verse four: 22:15

Actually, your interpretation is irrelevant. "You may do whatever you can to change the decrees of Allah, but you will see that no device of yours can succeed, whether these decrees are favorable to your designs or unfavorable to them. Obviously, 'so let him stretch a rope up to the sky, then cut it off' has not been used in the literal but in the figurative sense."[6] Not suicide, figurative.

II.iii.e Verse five: 24:2

"The Western laws of the modern times, which have also been adopted by the Muslims in various countries, are based on such conceptions. According to them, zina may be an evil, and an immoral and sinful thing, but it is not a crime. It becomes a crime only when illicit intercourse is committed without the consent of the other party."[6] This is long and complicated. I encourage my opponent to read source 6 to learn more.

II.iii.f Verse six: 2:193

You forgot the rest of the verse: "Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah . But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors." [2] If the enemy has to cease, then the enemy was the aggressors.

II.iii.g Verse seven: 6:70

Again, you left out some of the verse: "And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded."[2] They are to be left alone. Them drinking boiling water is their eternal punishment in hell. Not to be done by Muslims.

II.iii.h Verse eight: 6:137

Actually, the Qur'an is just describing Arab practices. They are condoned in the Qur'an. "Described in the previous verses [6:137] were false beliefs of the Mushriks of Arabia while the present verses recount their practical errors and ignorant customs."[7]

II.iii.i Verse nine: 9:111

Again, this was for defending the rights of themselves and others.

II.iii.j Verse ten: 2:161

This verse is in no way unpeaceful. Calling someone a disbeliever is not unpeaceful. They are not acting upon it.

Islam is a religion of peace that only fights when it has to: in self-defense and when other [non-Muslims] rights are being threatened. This is peaceful because it is restoring peace. Islam seeks peace since it always is ready to sign for peace, even at their opponent's will. Islam also does not aggress because aggression is oppression. Islam obviously wants peace, its just their opponents do not, and thus, war. Islam is a peaceful religion.

III. Infidels

"Regarding whether to call non-Muslims "kuffar" or not, the answer is that we should call people the names that the Qur'an gave them. In the Qur'an, you will not find a single "O disbelievers" ("Ya Kuffar", "Ya ayuhalathina kafaru", or "Ya ayuhal-kafirun") other than in the following two places:

1. In Hellfire, we seek refuge in Allah from it. The Qur'an says what means:

*{[Then it will be said]: "O ye who disbelieve (Ya ayuhalathina kafaru)! Make no excuses for yourselves this day.}* (At-Tahrim 66:7)

So, it is something that is said to them by Allah Almighty or by the angels, not by us.

2. In Surat Al-Kafirun (109) that you mentioned in your question. It says what means:

*{Say [O Muhammad]: "O ye that reject faith (al-Kafirun)! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship."}*

But this surah is addressing Prophet Muhammad and therefore must be understood in its historical context."[8] They are not all nonbelievers.

IV. the Qur'an

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and do not transgress; for Allah loveth not transgressors." (Surah 2, Verse 190).
�
"But if they cease (fighting you), Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah 2, Verse 192).
�
"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things)." (Surah 8, Verse 61).
�
"The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (Surah 2, Verse 194).
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" ... and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment." (Surah 5, Verse 2).
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"Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (Surah 41, Verse 34).
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"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do." (Surah 4, Verse 135).
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"God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed." (Surah 16, Verse 90).
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"And if ye do punish them, punish them no worse than they punished you: but if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient." (Surah 16, Verse 126).[3]

Thank you con. Over to you for the last full argument.

Sources:

[1]:http://www.submission.info...
[2]:http://quran.com...
[3]:http://www.al-islami.com...
[4]:http://www.answering-christianity.com...
[5]:http://islamnewsroom.com...
[6]:http://www.islamicstudies.info... Please search for any verses I wuoted for this source. There are several links to this source.
[7]:http://islamicstudies.info...
[8]:http://www.ilaam.net...

“Those who can win a war well can rarely make a good peace and those who could make a good peace would never have won the war.” - Winston Churchill

Pro said: “I will go through the two kinds of Islamic wars and progress to the conclusion to this contention.”

Rebuttal: Islam cannot be a religion of peace if we acknowledge a concept like “Islamic wars”. They are polar opposites.

Pro said:” The first kind of Islamic war is for self-defense.”

Rebuttal:” Any type of war is an anathema to peace. The two are polar opposites. Peace by means of war is called a “military occupation” or “genocidal extermination”. For example, the Nazi empire's official policy was that it must strike down it's enemies to preserve German purity. As per the German political doctrine, it also claimed to fight in self-defense to prevent racial corrosion.

Nazi Germany was terribly oppressive toward it's enemies. Yet after it's defeat, the Soviet military occupation raped and murdered an astounding population of German citizens. As per the source:” At least 100,000 women are believed to have been raped in Berlin based on surging abortion rates in the following months and contemporary hospital reports, with an estimated 10,000 women dying in the aftermath. Female deaths in connection with the rapes in Germany, overall, are estimated at 240,000. Antony Beevor describes it as the "greatest phenomenon of mass rape in history", and has concluded that at least 1.4 million women were raped in East Prussia, Pomerania and Silesia alone.” [1]

When my opponent stated that I seem “to think that fighting for your self-defense is not peaceful”, he was absolutely
correct. I'm not debating the merits of self-defense, nor it's justification. I am asserting that it is violent.
Islam, by this very same token is violent.

My opponent is seeking to draw a parallel between Justice and Peace. They are different virtues.

Justice may employ war to meet it's satisfaction. Peace may not.

"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they built the places of worship at the graves of the prophets." – Muhammad

“Then the apostle divided the property, wives, and children of the Banu Qurayza among the Muslims, and he made known on that day the shares of horse and men, and took out the fifth.” Muhammad enjoys the spoils of war, 1/5^th of all the loot.

"When we decide to destroy a population, We send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so that the word is proved true against them: then we destroy them utterly." –Muhammad

"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them, in every stratagem of war." – Muhammad

"I am the prophet that laughs when killing my enemies." -Hadith, Muhammad

Established point 1: The Burden

Pro said: “…my Burden of Proof is to prove that "Islam is an intrinsically peaceful religion that desires the cessation of war or violence against anyone." Obviously, war cannot always be prevented, but if Islam can be proven to seek peace, I win.”

I agree. If Islam can be proven to seek peace, you win. Let’s review what you have established in your own words thus far:

a.> “Neither in the other Abrahamic faiths is God's purpose to bring peace. All three state a purpose of worship; Islam is not exclusive.”

b.> “Obviously, war cannot always be prevented.”

c.> “The first kind of Islamic war is for self-defense.”

d.> “Rules of War (2:190, 2:191,2:192,2:193).”

My opponent may redefine peace over, and over, and over again. In the end peace is as separated from war, as the east is from the west.
It would be peaceful to flee from conflict rather than to engage the enemy. Peace is not just a state of existence, peace is a method. Since Islam does not seek peace through peace (but rather engages enemies with war) we simply cannot conclude that “a cessation from violence and war” is synonymous with its teaching.

Argument discredited.

Established point 2: The 99 names of Allah

My opponent introduced new arguments in his final round by establishing that one of the 99 names of Allah means “Peace”. I hope my
opponent will not mind if I illuminate the folly of this submission with four more names given to Allah.

Al-Ḥasīb - The Bringer of Judgment

Al-Mumīt -The Destroyer, The Bringer of Death

Al-Muntaqim - The Avenger

Argument discredited.

Established point 3: “The List”

My opponent has provided a huge list of verses to convince you that Islam is peaceful and that Allah seeks peace. I ask the voter: What good are 99 verses of temperance and peace if the 100^th verse demands the blood of another human? Is the last verse any less of a God-breathed mandate than the first 99, to the devout Muslim? Do the other 99 verses stop the Muslim from exercising the last verse and bringing the sword? Is that what we see on a massive scale in this world? Absolutely not!

For all of the merits of Islam, we cannot ignore the war it teaches. There are 164 verses on Jihad alone. Nobody, except perhaps those who
approach the Qur’an like and Ostrich (head firmly planted into the sand), can claim that Allah seeks peace from men, between men or for any man that is not already moved onto paradise.

Allah seeks your worship, not your peace. Any peace is unintended. Had the fascists conquered Europe, they too would eventually run
out of enemies. Would you call them peaceful just because they ran out of enemies?

My argument is extended. Islam seeks the glory of Allah, not peace with men.

Final Conclusion:

It was my burden to show that Islam is not a peaceful religion.
I showed that:

3.> True peace is the spirit of non-violence. The list of religions that qualify as peaceful are Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism in accordance with Ahimsa.

4.> I have provided an unchallenged example which shows the aftermath of war, a concept my opponent would call “peace”. I have shown that war leads to occupation, plundering, raping and genocide. Consider the aftermath of WW2 on the German women. The rape of over one million women
was during the time of “peace” that war acquired. The Muslim fighter, according to the Qur’an, is allowed to loot and take slaves as trophies of conquest.

I’d like to thank my opponent for this debate and the judges who endured the length and weight of this topic.