Opus 2011-94, Discernment Watch: Islam, a Religion of Peace, Part III, The Koran on Violence

Muslims have an entirely different approach to violence than Christians.  Jesus taught to turn the other cheek.  A clear teaching of the New and Old Testaments is that vengeance is to be enacted by God, not men.  Here the New Testament quotes the Old Testament,

(Romans 12:19 KJV)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Compare that to these basic comments of the Koran,

Sura II, verse 178 says, “Retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered;...”

For those with a limited vocabulary, “prescribed” means required.  It is the same word used for prayer and alms.  Two verses later, in 179, we find,

“And there is life for you in retaliation, O men of understanding, that ye may ward off (evil).”

The Christian is expected to respond to violence in a way that does not come natural.  The Muslim is expected to act in the same manner that an Arabic nomad would expect to respond. 

Over time the requirement to turn the other cheek and allow God to take care of the vengeance produces a totally different culture than one that gives the green light to retaliation.  When American soldiers go to war they are expected to protect th innocent, even at the risk of their own lives.  The Muslim, on the other hand, hides behind civilians and puts their rocket launchers on the roofs of hospitals. 

There is a difference.  Do you have war mongers who call themselves Christians?  Do you have Muslims who believe in peaceful coexistence?  Yes to both, but in each case the “believer” is living in violation of the basic teaching of the religion.

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

homo unius libri