@coldjoint,
coldjoint wrote:
Quote:why do you think terrorists/killers are honest about their real motives when they commit these highly publicized acts?
Because terror is sanctioned by their religion. Whether they are telling the truth does not matter because they are doing what Islam tells them to do. Either way people die because of this religions obligations that too many take very seriously.
You know as well as I do Christian doctrine does not endorse terror and that is very clear. Islam does and it makes that very clear also.
BTW, these acts are not highly publicized, how many did you hear about?
I was referring to acts of killing and terrorism generally, and if they reach you through the media, that means they are highly publicized.
Christianity is criticized by its opponents citing the inquisitions of the middle-ages, brutalities of new world explorers, missionaries, etc. Generally, they assume that the people harming others are doing so out of some sincere religious/spiritual motive, instead of as a result of some business, political, or personal motives mixed together.
The fact that people identify with a religion doesn't mean that the religion is the cause of everything they do. Of course religion and spirituality influence us in various ways, but human psychology is more complex than direct causation by culture.
I'm aware that Islam uses very rigorous language against sin and sinners, but the purpose of that depends on your POV. To me it is mainly about making people aware of the gravity of sin, so that they will be motivated to seek redemption. Islam also describes God as "most merciful" so the idea is to motivate people to accept God and thus escape the fear of judgment.
It is not dissimilar to the line from the song, Amazing Grace:
Quote:
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear. The hour I first believed