Inherent Violence

One of the things that always makes me laugh about the frenzy over Islam, is the continual reference to Islam as a 'violent religion'. This terminology is often used by many on the right in their efforts to smear all Muslims as potential terrorists. The statement is laughable as it clearly implies that certain other religions are not in anyway based on violence. However, just a quick browse through the Old Testament is enough to undermine the argument that the other major faiths are somehow less violent in their foundation. The following excerpts from the Old Testament are taken from the excellent Brick Testament:

Deuteronomy 21:18

'If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not listen to the voice of his father....'

Deuteronomy 21:18

'...or his mother...'

Deuteronomy 21:18

'...even when they punish him...'

Deuteronomy 21:19

'...his father and mother must take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town.'

Deuteronomy 21:20

'They shall say to the elders, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard."'

Deuteronomy 21:21

'All the men of the town must then stone him to death. You must banish this evil from among you.'

That wasn't violent was it?? What about this:

Deuteronomy 13:6-8

'If your brother, or your son or daughter, or your beloved wife tries to secretly entice you, telling you to go and worship other gods, gods of people living near you, or far from you, or anywhere on earth, do not listen to him.'

Deuteronomy 13:8-9

'You must kill them. Show them no pity. And your hand must strike the first blow.'

Deuteronomy 13:9-10

'Then the hands of all the people. You shall stone them to death.'

The idea that Islam is founded on violence whilst Christianity and Judaism are somehow pure, is a total fallacy. The simple fact is that all organised religions are inherently violent, all faiths have violence beating within their core. To single out one religion as an entirely violent one, is to fail to understand the nature of organised religion.