Confronting the rise & allure of Militant Islam

[Anonymous]

Here are some of my ideas on how society can confront, and perhaps reduce, the number of individuals committing themselves to militant Islam:

1) Change Friday Prayers
- Muslim leaders should provide prayer verses that imams can recite in Friday prayer that stresses the nonviolent and peaceful nature of Islam
- Integrate these prayer verses in other salats
- Imagine if 1.6 billion people repeated verses on nonviolence -- truly, that philosophy would sink in??

2) Connect almsgiving with nonviolence
- Every Muslim organization receiving alms from Muslims must require Muslims to sign an agreement stipulating their commitment to nonviolence. Imams and religious
leaders should stress that faithful Muslims may negate their almsgiving (and lose favor with Allah) if they support or pursue militant jihad

3) Change requirements for Hajj
- Only Muslims can complete Hajj. I am not sure how that is enforced. I think the global Muslim community -- the same organizations denouncing jihad- - should stress that only non-militants can complete Hajj. They should require all Hajj participants to agree to an Islamic philosophy of nonviolence. If they do not agree or later commit jihad, they risk losing the merit of Hajj and ultimately losing favor with Allah

4) Encourage families to report members suspected of pursuing jihad
- Family members KNOW when one of their own has gone off the deep end
- Islamic leaders should stress that family members that report their relatives to the proper authorities will earn favor with Allah, as they may help stop future jihad and the deaths of innocent people


These ideas are probably stupid or ridiculous, but it's the best that I can come up with!

Any other ideas out there?

[Anonymous]

Every American learns to shoot and receives a conceal carry liscense is mentally competent. An armed society is a polite society.

[Anonymous]

....Any other ideas??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous



Every American learns to shoot and receives a conceal carry liscense is mentally competent. An armed society is a polite society.

LOL

[jsteele]

I think that we in the West should think about what we should do and allow Muslims to think for themselves what they should do. It would be pretty ridiculous for Muslims to be talking about non-violence while a drone rockets a wedding party down the street from them. It is literally true that both sides in the IS/Iraq fight are using US-supplied weapons. Doesn't that suggest a problem of some sort?

What Americans think of as "American values" are viewed much differently in many parts of the world. We claim a commitment to democracy, yet support autocracies and the overthrow of democratically-elected governments. We talk about human rights, but accept the use of torture, arbitrary arrest and detainment. We promote freedom of the press, but bomb media outlets and arrest journalists. Basically, our words are seen as hollow. A good first step would be to start making our words meaningful.

[Anonymous]

Here are some of my ideas on how society can confront, and perhaps reduce, the number of individuals committing themselves to militant Islam:

1) Change Friday Prayers
- Muslim leaders should provide prayer verses that imams can recite in Friday prayer that stresses the nonviolent and peaceful nature of Islam
- Integrate these prayer verses in other salats
- Imagine if 1.6 billion people repeated verses on nonviolence -- truly, that philosophy would sink in??

2) Connect almsgiving with nonviolence
- Every Muslim organization receiving alms from Muslims must require Muslims to sign an agreement stipulating their commitment to nonviolence. Imams and religious
leaders should stress that faithful Muslims may negate their almsgiving (and lose favor with Allah) if they support or pursue militant jihad

3) Change requirements for Hajj
- Only Muslims can complete Hajj. I am not sure how that is enforced. I think the global Muslim community -- the same organizations denouncing jihad- - should stress that only non-militants can complete Hajj. They should require all Hajj participants to agree to an Islamic philosophy of nonviolence. If they do not agree or later commit jihad, they risk losing the merit of Hajj and ultimately losing favor with Allah

4) Encourage families to report members suspected of pursuing jihad
- Family members KNOW when one of their own has gone off the deep end
- Islamic leaders should stress that family members that report their relatives to the proper authorities will earn favor with Allah, as they may help stop future jihad and the deaths of innocent people


These ideas are probably stupid or ridiculous, but it's the best that I can come up with!

Any other ideas out there?

You do understand that the people who commit these acts do not care anything about what you have posted. It like being in a cult, anyone from the outside is wrong and does not understand the true way. Think of it as trying to talk to Jim Jones or Charles Manson. It is not going to work.

[jsteele]

Here are two examples of why the US has little credibility in trying to influence Muslims:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2015/01/11/252671_us-airstrike-in-syria-may-have.html?rh=1

"A U.S.-led coalition airstrike killed at least 50 Syrian civilians late last month when it targeted a headquarters of Islamic State extremists in northern Syria, according to an eyewitness and a Syrian opposition human rights organization."

Note that the civilians killed were opponents of IS who had been arrested.

and

http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-student-gets-3-jail-term-atheism-152045172.html

"An Egyptian court has sentenced a student to three years in jail for announcing on Facebook that he is an atheist and for insulting Islam, his lawyer said Sunday."

But, don't worry, Egypt was represented at the march in Paris today. The US supports the Egyptian government and provides millions in military assistance to the regime. This is what we get for our money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Here are some of my ideas on how society can confront, and perhaps reduce, the number of individuals committing themselves to militant Islam:

You do understand that the people who commit these acts do not care anything about what you have posted. It like being in a cult, anyone from the outside is wrong and does not understand the true way. Think of it as trying to talk to Jim Jones or Charles Manson. It is not going to work.

I honestly believe the militants believe they are increasing their odds for salvation. They believe these acts are good. The salvation arc needs to change -- more imams and more clerics need to emphasize that salvation is lost or negated with acts of jihad. They aren't doing this for nothing -- this is their perceived path to paradise.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Jeff, I'm not talking about political pressures from outside of Islam. I am talking about Islam changing from within. The very organizations emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace should change the merit system from within. Change the salats, change the requirements for Hajj, change merit associated with almsgiving. Instead of constantly repeating phrases like la illaha ila Allah ," repeat phrases like "Islam is a Religion of peace" in the five prayers, in the masjids, in the town square. From within, the doctrine of salvation needs to be cleansed. No salvation through jihad, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Jeff, I'm not talking about political pressures from outside of Islam. I am talking about Islam changing from within. The very organizations emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace should change the merit system from within. Change the salats, change the requirements for Hajj, change merit associated with almsgiving. Instead of constantly repeating phrases like la illaha ila Allah ," repeat phrases like "Islam is a Religion of peace" in the five prayers, in the masjids, in the town square. From within, the doctrine of salvation needs to be cleansed. No salvation through jihad, period.

You're calling for an Islamic Reformation. Good luck with that. The logistical issue would be, how to promulgate ideas like these, or different ideas. There's no central Muslim authority, except within Muslim states, and they're very conservative by nature. There are some reformists in the west, but people like Irsad Manji are very polarizing and while they sell books to non-Muslims, they don't seem to have very big followings among Muslims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Jeff, I'm not talking about political pressures from outside of Islam. I am talking about Islam changing from within. The very organizations emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace should change the merit system from within. Change the salats, change the requirements for Hajj, change merit associated with almsgiving. Instead of constantly repeating phrases like la illaha ila Allah ," repeat phrases like "Islam is a Religion of peace" in the five prayers, in the masjids, in the town square. From within, the doctrine of salvation needs to be cleansed. No salvation through jihad, period.

You're calling for an Islamic Reformation. Good luck with that. The logistical issue would be, how to promulgate ideas like these, or different ideas. There's no central Muslim authority, except within Muslim states, and they're very conservative by nature. There are some reformists in the west, but people like Irsad Manji are very polarizing and while they sell books to non-Muslims, they don't seem to have very big followings among Muslims.

OP here. You are right. It's next to impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Jeff, I'm not talking about political pressures from outside of Islam. I am talking about Islam changing from within. The very organizations emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace should change the merit system from within. Change the salats, change the requirements for Hajj, change merit associated with almsgiving. Instead of constantly repeating phrases like la illaha ila Allah ," repeat phrases like "Islam is a Religion of peace" in the five prayers, in the masjids, in the town square. From within, the doctrine of salvation needs to be cleansed. No salvation through jihad, period.

You're calling for an Islamic Reformation. Good luck with that. The logistical issue would be, how to promulgate ideas like these, or different ideas. There's no central Muslim authority, except within Muslim states, and they're very conservative by nature. There are some reformists in the west, but people like Irsad Manji are very polarizing and while they sell books to non-Muslims, they don't seem to have very big followings among Muslims.

OP here. You are right. It's next to impossible.

This makes no sense. It's like telling the Southern Baptists that they had to reform because of the Klan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Jeff, I'm not talking about political pressures from outside of Islam. I am talking about Islam changing from within. The very organizations emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace should change the merit system from within. Change the salats, change the requirements for Hajj, change merit associated with almsgiving. Instead of constantly repeating phrases like la illaha ila Allah ," repeat phrases like "Islam is a Religion of peace" in the five prayers, in the masjids, in the town square. From within, the doctrine of salvation needs to be cleansed. No salvation through jihad, period.

You're calling for an Islamic Reformation. Good luck with that. The logistical issue would be, how to promulgate ideas like these, or different ideas. There's no central Muslim authority, except within Muslim states, and they're very conservative by nature. There are some reformists in the west, but people like Irsad Manji are very polarizing and while they sell books to non-Muslims, they don't seem to have very big followings among Muslims.

OP here. You are right. It's next to impossible.

This makes no sense. It's like telling the Southern Baptists that they had to reform because of the Klan.

No, not like that at all. In my opinion, the reason why most Muslims are peaceful is because most are living under some form of Islamic rule. Their religion is enshrined in their civil laws. As such, most adherents follow the rituals and rules of Islam with the hope that they will be judged favorably by Allah. Jihad doesn't fit in the everyday life of the average Muslim just trying to work and take care of their family. Their focus is on maintaining prayer life, giving alms, reading the Qu'ran, completing hajj, and otherwise being a good Muslim.

However, enough Muslims -- seeing the natural and persistent connection between Islam and politics -- find jihad to be politically empowering and also a fast track them to heaven. It is an indisputable precedent as enough suras, hadiths, and clerics advise of the supernatural benefits following jihad. This is not fabrication. After all, political Islam DOES have enemies, and in the history of political Islam we have seen warriors take up the sword to expand power and ensure political dominance. Thus, if somehow the philosophy of nonviolence entered the daily rituals of Muslims, perhaps the Muslims enticed by jihad will not see that lifestyle as a fast track to paradise but as a sure route to hell.

[Anonymous]

It exists already. Like Amr Khaled. One of the most popular Muslim "televangelists " on TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Jeff, I'm not talking about political pressures from outside of Islam. I am talking about Islam changing from within. The very organizations emphasizing that Islam is a religion of peace should change the merit system from within. Change the salats, change the requirements for Hajj, change merit associated with almsgiving. Instead of constantly repeating phrases like la illaha ila Allah ," repeat phrases like "Islam is a Religion of peace" in the five prayers, in the masjids, in the town square. From within, the doctrine of salvation needs to be cleansed. No salvation through jihad, period.

You're calling for an Islamic Reformation. Good luck with that. The logistical issue would be, how to promulgate ideas like these, or different ideas. There's no central Muslim authority, except within Muslim states, and they're very conservative by nature. There are some reformists in the west, but people like Irsad Manji are very polarizing and while they sell books to non-Muslims, they don't seem to have very big followings among Muslims.

OP here. You are right. It's next to impossible.

This makes no sense. It's like telling the Southern Baptists that they had to reform because of the Klan.

No, not like that at all. In my opinion, the reason why most Muslims are peaceful is because most are living under some form of Islamic rule. Their religion is enshrined in their civil laws. As such, most adherents follow the rituals and rules of Islam with the hope that they will be judged favorably by Allah. Jihad doesn't fit in the everyday life of the average Muslim just trying to work and take care of their family. Their focus is on maintaining prayer life, giving alms, reading the Qu'ran, completing hajj, and otherwise being a good Muslim.

However, enough Muslims -- seeing the natural and persistent connection between Islam and politics -- find jihad to be politically empowering and also a fast track them to heaven. It is an indisputable precedent as enough suras, hadiths, and clerics advise of the supernatural benefits following jihad. This is not fabrication. After all, political Islam DOES have enemies, and in the history of political Islam we have seen warriors take up the sword to expand power and ensure political dominance. Thus, if somehow the philosophy of nonviolence entered the daily rituals of Muslims, perhaps the Muslims enticed by jihad will not see that lifestyle as a fast track to paradise but as a sure route to hell.

1. What part of the daily ritual of Muslims is violent?

2. There are plenty of clerics who say over and over that terrorism is not the path to salvation.

3. This is EXACTLY like the Klan problem. The South had ministers who preached that segregation of the races was biblical. That didn't mean that all of Christianity was to blame for them.