Islam is a pro-Aspergers religion (unlike Christianity)

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Yeah, I sort of see the obstacle that you have to face at times. People like them are very difficult people who like to make things difficult for others and are willing to always do it no matter what.

And that's like the whole religious discussion. We are psychologically impacted by our childhood, and that's totally unavoidable. For me, it was trying to figure out the puzzle of "Ok, everyone is telling me THIS, but my dad acted another way and my stepfather isn't compassionate at all, and why did God throw me out of the frying pan into the fire?" It takes a toll. My conclusion was it was more "Do as I say, not as I do" kind of thing. It didn't make me FEEL any better, but it did force me to evaluate where my father and stepfather were right, what mistakes they made, and how they reached those mistakes. I get along just fine with my step-father, but I have to keep my opinions to myself when the discussion shifts to political issues. Yeah, I'm a conservative Christian, but to hear this guy talk makes me look like a hardline, leftist, socialist hippie (no offense to any leftist hardliners here). You have to go back to the basics--I believe that I'm saved, because I know what the Bible says about that. What about this other stuff? Make a list, study the issues from a scriptural perspective, and start checking them off the list: Yes, yes, yes, yes, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, yes, no... It's the old Descartes routine. Start with one truth you KNOW, and then put this whole spiritual thing together.

Or...

As some do, reject it altogether. To me, those I perceive to be in the greatest danger spiritually are, for example, Mormons who make the decision to leave the church. The few Mormons I've known who've done this are fed up with religion in general and cringe at the mere mention of "Jesus." I have one of my students studying a hymn, which is a good intro to 4-part piano playing, chord structure, voicing, etc., but I have to be careful because she's had an overdose of religion from a really scary grandparent (not a Mormon, just overly zealous).

Depending on the experience, your response to it, and how you've reasoned through the experience, spiritual life can either be a life-saver or it can be utterly revolting. Theologically I can't really agree with Nambo on a lot of things, but I admire his anti-RELIGIOUS spirit.

AngelRho,

The way I see it, the most reasonable path to take is to go the secular way (whether normal atheism, agnosticism, secular theism, etc.)

No matter what experiences one goes through, it makes much more sense to question God's existence and not believe too much unneeded stuff about what God is (if He exists), especially since God has never made Himself visible in any clear manner to any of us today.

That's why Christians have to argue from a book most of the time.

Which ought to lead one to the conclusion that it is all nonsense.

Look what kind of trouble happens when people try to pretend that Pretend is Real.

ruveyn

Sorry for reviving a dead topic. I just realized how old the last posts were.

I find the comments Islam personally distasteful and unfounded. People who are making them are basing them on perceptions from non-Islamic sources. I grew up as a Muslim but in later years after reading and asking questions, I found it to be a religion of peace and tolerance more so than most doctrine (religious and otherwise). I accept that there may be misconceptions based on partial understanding of texts (the Quraan and the recorded legitimate practices of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)) as well as on practices of some misguided idiots who, as many of you are so aptly quoted, are quick to strap bombs on themselves and blow themselves and others to bits in the name of something that some idiot taught them to be is Islamic. Now, I wont bother with the fact that there are many conspiracy theories out there who ascribe these acts, to be influenced by America and the Zionist leaders, because quite frankly EVEN if it is true (who trained Al Qaeda and Saddam? this though is not theory it's fact), it's irrelevant. You see, the reality and relevance is that those self same Islamic resources that I quoted above more than anything else teach us to peace and acceptance above all else, ask any Muslim what the meaning of As Salaam Mu Alaykum is. Islam does though also like any good morally based system of belief teach you that in the absolute most extreme circumstances may you take action if you have exhausted all other means. (There is a story of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) when he went into a town called Taif and people taunted and tortured him throwing animal entrails and the like at him, when the angel Gabriel approached him and asked him if he (Gabriel) should crush this town, Muhammed (PBUH) told him no and he prayed that God may forgive them for their transgressions and grant them success. Funny that isn't it?)

What many of you fail to realise and grasp is that history is fraught with relgious "fundamentalists" across the divide who used God/Allah as a scapegoat for their misguided tyrannies, the Spanish Inquisition, Apartheid, Hitler's ethnic cleansing purge on the Jews and other ethnic groups, the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, etc. I deliberately chose non-Islamic examples, because I believe that you all are experts on Islamic examples that matter already.

As for fundamentals. Islamic fundamentals are simple:
Profession and belief in the ONENESS of God/Allah;
Fasting
Regular Prayers
Paying of alms to the poor
and lastly and only if you can afford to:
a Pilgramage to Mecca and Medina

I wish you all peace and God/Allah's mercies and blessings.

Mathew 7:11: "Judge not less ye may be judged for the judgement ye judge ye shall be judged."

I would like to end though and apologise on behalf of the misguided people who use not only Islam but the Almighty God as their excuse to commit evil.

Fine. The explain the jihad, the martyrdom, the suicide attacks, the wars of Mulims on Muslims (e.g. Shia vs Sunni), the war of Muslims on non-Muslims (conversion by the sword) and the hostility of Muslims towards Jews going back to 700 c.e.

Tell about this "peace".

ruveyn

Well from my understanding Muslims are not supposed to drink......so I don't think I could do it. But on a more serious note I have no problem with religious people as long as they are not pushing it on me, but religion is not for me.

My sentiments exactly. Good Muslims ARE actually instructed to wage war on unbelievers and to either convert them or at the very least secure their submission. Those things you mentioned--wars waged by Christians against heretics, unbelievers, or those following another religion--are they mandated by the words of Christ in the New Testament as proper behavior for Christians? About as close as you can get to anything remotely resembling advocating for Christian violence are passages that advise Christ's followers to keep weapons for the purpose of self-defense. But even actual use of a weapon is a last resort as Christians are instructed to avoid violent confrontation.

I'm not denying that self-professed Christians have acted badly in the past and many continue to do so. I'm just saying, according to the Bible, they weren't/aren't behaving very Christ-like.

Also, the gratuitous use of Matthew 7:11 is unnecessary. Christians are, as all religious persons should be, urged to be discerning individuals weighing the truth of what is being said against good and consistent teaching. We are called to "judge," and there is a lot of judging going on in the Bible (and in the Koran, for that matter). Matthew is talking about fairness in applying justice and references OT laws about honest weights and measures to illustrate the point. One should not be quick to point out faults with others if he is at greater fault himself, for example, and instruction is given for people to be very careful when correcting others, even if they are in the right, because of the potential for trouble that correction might bring (like when challenging authority, for instance). You are quick to point out how others have badly misinterpreted the Koran, so please be careful not to misinterpret Christian scriptures as well.

I do understand that MOST Muslims are peaceful and seek to coexist with others. I do recognize and respect that, and I've personally known very good Muslim people that I got along wonderfully with. But being "peaceful" is somewhat at odds with SO MANY mandates in the Koran to force conversion or submission. It would appear that "good Muslims" closely following the Koran would have difficulty justifying peaceful coexistence with unbelievers in the same way Christians today who know the Bible well will have difficulty defending the actions of their forbears.

I really don't know if Islam is a good religion for people with Asperger's or not.

People are free to choose what religion they follow. (Well, not in certain Muslim countries where you are killed if you try to convert to another religion, but that's not my point).

To look at the essential goodness of a religion you must look at its founder. The character and actions of Muhammed are questionable to me. If the prophet and founder of a religion can have sex with a 9 year old girl, in whatever period of history, then I would doubt he is actually chosen by God in any form. I would therefore doubt the whole Qu'ran. If God did actually choose this man, then I doubt God's goodness, so God can basically sod off.

There are many sources showing that Muhammed had intercourse with his wife Aisha when she was only 9 years old.

I don't understand why so many left wing people are so fond of Islam, and will defend it. It's oppressive to women in the extreme, as well as gay people, transsexuals, and dissenters. Muslim governments commit some of the worst atrocities within their own borders.

I'd like to be a tolerant human being. But Islam scares me to death, and I really don't want any more Muslims in my country. So I guess in this case I am intolerant. I'm probably also Islamophobic, although a phobia is irrational by definition, and I don't think this fear is irrational.

"In his new bestselling book “Civilization,” renowned Harvard historian Niall Ferguson writes: “If the Muslim population of the UK were to continue growing at an annual rate of 6.7% (as it did between 2004 and 2008,) its share of the total UK population would rise from just under 4% in 2008 to 8% in 2020, to 15% in 2030 and to 28% in 2040, finally passing 50% in 2050.” "
http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/2011/May02/0261.html



From the hadith of Bukhari, volume 5, #234

"Narrated Aisha: The prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six. We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Harith Kharzraj. Then I got ill and my hair fell down. Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother, Um Ruman, came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends. She called me, and I went to her, not knowing what she wanted to do to me. She caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house. I was breathless then, and when my breathing became all right, she took some water and rubbed my face and head with it. Then she took me into the house. There in the house I saw some Ansari women who said, "Best wishes and Allah's blessing and a good luck." Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared me (for the marriage). Unexpectedly Allah's messenger came to me in the forenoon and my mother handed me over to him, and at that time I was a girl of nine years of age."

Bukhari vol. 7, #65:

"Narrated Aisha that the prophet wrote the marriage contract with her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: "I have been informed that Aisha remained with the prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death).""

From the hadith of Muslim, volume 2, #3309

Aisha reported: Allah’s Messenger married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house at the age of nine….

From the hadith of the Sunan of Abu Dawud, volume 2, #2116

"Aisha said, "The Apostle of Allah married me when I was seven years old." (The narrator Sulaiman said: "Or six years."). "He had intercourse with me when I was 9 years old."

From "The History of Tabari", volume 9, page 131

"Then the men and women got up and left. The Messenger of God consummated his marriage with me in my house when I was nine years old. Neither a camel nor a sheep was slaughtered on behalf of me"...(The Prophet) married her three years before the Emigration, when she was seven years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine years old, after he had emigrated to Medina in Shawwal. She was eighteen years old when he died.

From the Encyclopedia of Islam, under "Aisha":

"Some time after the death of Khadija, Khawla suggested to Muhammad that he should marry either Aisha, the 6 year old daughter of his chief follower, or Sawda Zama, a widow of about 30, who had gone as a Muslim to Abyssinia and whose husband had died there. Muhammad is said to have asked her to arrange for him to marry both. It had already been agreed that Aisha should marry Djubayr Mutim, whose father, though still pagan, was friendly to the Muslims. By common consent, however, this agreement was set aside, and Muhammad was betrothed to Aisha... The marriage was not consummated until some months after the Hidjra, (in April 623, 624). Aisha went to live in an apartment in Muhammad's house, later the mosque of Median. She cannot have been more than ten years old at the time and took her toys to her new home."

http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc ... 8.sbt.html

Firstly let me start by saying all that is good is from Allah and all that is bad is from me.


" What is Jihad?

The word Jihad stems from the Arabic root word J-H-D, which means "strive." Other words derived from this root include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword" as the stereotype would have one believe.

Answer: The Qur'an describes Jihad as a system of checks and balances, as a way that Allah set up to "check one people by means of another." When one person or group transgresses their limits and violates the rights of others, Muslims have the right and the duty to "check" them and bring them back into line. There are several verses of the Qur'an that describe jihad in this manner. One example:

"And did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,
the earth would indeed be full of mischief;
but Allah is full of Bounty to all the worlds"
-Qur'an 2:251
Islam never tolerates unprovoked aggression from its own side; Muslims are commanded in the Qur'an not to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, violate the rights of others, or harm the innocent. Even hurting or destroying animals or trees is forbidden. War is waged only to defend the religious community against oppression and persecution, because the Qur'an says that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2:190-193). Therefore, if non-Muslims are peaceful or indifferent to Islam, there is no justified reason to declare war on them.
The Qur'an describes those people who are permitted to fight:
"They are those who have been expelled from their homes
in defiance of right, for no cause except that they say,
'Our Lord is Allah.'
Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another,
there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches,
synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated
in abundant measure..."
-Qur'an 22:40
Note that the verse specifically commands the protection of all houses of worship. Finally, the Qur'an also says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (2:256). Forcing someone at the point of a sword to choose death or Islam is an idea that is foreign to Islam in spirit and in historical practice. There is absolutely no question of waging a "holy war" to "spread the faith" and compel people to embrace Islam; that would be an unholy war and the people's forced conversions would not be sincere."

Then from a website called Religious Tolerance
"Quotation:
bullet "The best jihad [struggle] is (by) the one who strives against his own self for Allah, The Mighty and Majestic," Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). 1
bullet "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors." Qur'an, Chapter 2, verse 190.

The conventional interpretation of "Jihad":

According to Beliefnet, 2 Al-Hajj Talib 'Abdur-Rashid, imam of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem, NY, defines three levels of jihad -- personal, verbal and physical. Considering each in turn:
Personal Jihad: This is the most important form. This type of jihad, called the Jihadun-Nafs, is the intimate struggle to purify one's soul of evil influences -- both subtle and overt. It is the struggle to cleanse one's spirit of sin. In a brochure, the Institute of Islamic Information & Education describes several different contexts in which The Qur'an (the Islamic Holy Book) and the Hadith (the collected sayings of Muhammad) use the word "jihad" to refer to personal struggles:
Putting "Allah ahead of our loved ones, our wealth, our worldly ambitions and our own lives."
Resisting pressure of parents, peers and society; strive against "the rejecters of faith..." (Quran 25:52)
"...strive and struggle to live as true Muslims..."
"Striving for righteous deeds."
Spreading the message of Islam. "The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the truthful." (Quran, 49:15)
Verbal Jihad: To strive for justice through words and non-violent actions. Muhammad encouraged Muslims to demand justice in the name of Allah. When asked: "'What kind of jihad is better?' Muhammad replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" 3 According to the Institute of Islamic Information and Education: "The life of the Prophet Muhammad was full of striving to gain the freedom to inform and convey the message of Islam. During his stay in Makkah [Mecca] he used non-violent methods and after the establishment of his government in Madinah [Medina], by the permission of Allah, he used armed struggle against his enemies whenever he found it inevitable." 1
Physical Jihad: This relates to the use of physical force in defense of Muslims against oppression and transgression by the enemies of Allah, Islam and Muslims. Allah commands that Muslims lead peaceful lives and not transgress against anyone. If they are persecuted and oppressed, the Qur'an recommends that they migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land: "Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and strive (Jahadu) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." (Quran, 2:218). If relocation is not possible, then Allah also requires Muslims to defend themselves against oppression by "fighting against those who fight against us." 2 The Qur'an states: "To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to defend themselves], because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory." (22:39) The defensive nature of physical jihad (or "jihad with the hand") is frequently lost among many, Muslims, Christians, secularists and others.

In her book "Muhammed," author Karen Armstrong writes: "Fighting and warfare might sometimes be necessary, but it was only a minor part of the whole jihad or struggle. A well-known tradition (hadith) has Muhammad say on returning from a battle, ' We return from the little jihad to the greater jihad,' the more difficult and crucial effort to conquer the forces of evil in oneself and and in one's own society in all the details of daily life." 4

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Other interpretations of "Jihad":

Both the Judeo-Christian Holy Bible and the Muslim Holy Qur'an are large religious books, containing a great range of material dealing with religion, spirituality, justice, laws, love, etc. And they also contain references to violence, hate, murder, war, and even genocide.
It would be quite possible to assemble passages from the Bible -- particularly the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. Old Testament) which describe genocide, rape, execution of non-virgin brides, murder of homosexuals, torture of prisoners, the rape of female prisoners of war, murder of a family because of the act of the father, the regulation and condoning of human slavery, and many other acts, cultural traditions, and laws which are profoundly immoral by today's religious and secular standards. If all one read of the Bible was a collection of such passages, one might conclude that the Bible is an evil document that promotes violence, unethical behavior. One might even conclude that it should be banned as hate literature.
Similarly, it is possible to scan the Bible for passages relating to humans' love of God; love of humans by God; striving for justice; supporting widows, orphans, the sick, the imprisoned; love and concern for fellow humans; spirituality; and may other acts, cultural traditions, and laws which promote a loving, moral and ethical life. If all one read of the Bible was a collection of such passages, one might conclude that the Bible is a precious document indeed -- one worthy of emulating.

Which group of passages represent the real Bible? They both do! For centuries, Christians have searched for guidance on social conflicts like the abolition of human slavery, equal rights and opportunities for women, equal rights and protections for gays and lesbians, etc. Some search for specific passages in the Bible dealing with these issues. A few concluded that slavery is an acceptable institution, that women should be oppressed and denied rights, and that gays (and perhaps lesbians as well) should be executed. Others search for passages dealing with general themes, such as love, justice, and caring for ones fellow humans, and concluded the opposite. Others have used other techniques to assess the Bible's messages. Which represents the "true" message of the Bible? They both do. And this is the reason why there are over 1,000 Christian groups in North America, all basing their beliefs and practices on the Bible, and yet teaching conflicting many beliefs about deity, humanity and the rest of the universe.

The Qur'an is similar.
A small percentage of Muslims who are from the extreme, radical and violent wing of Islamic Fundamentalism, and who are "...passionate, [deeply] religious and anti-Western..." 5 might dwell on passages or verses dealing with conflict, war, and resistance to oppression. Many conclude that the Qur'an expects them to engage in acts of terrorism, assassinations, suicide bombings, armed aggression against persons of other religions, oppression of women, executing innocent persons, etc.
bullet Those Muslim Fundamentalists who are not extreme, violent and radical, and those Muslims from mainline or liberal wings of the religion might concentrate on passages and themes of spirituality, justice, personal struggle, peace, freedom, etc.

They are consulting the same book, with a different emphasis, and achieve very different results.

We see the same split among Christians as they study Islam and the Qur'an.
Some emphasize the earlier passages in the Qur'an which emphasize cooperation with the Jews and Christians -- the "People of the Book." They tend to interpret "Jihad" in terms of personal struggle towards purity.
Others emphasize later passages of the Qur'an which were received during a time of conflict. They tend to interpret "Jihad" as holy war.

They come to opposite conclusions about whether Islam is a religion of peace or war.

Now as to the simple question about Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance:

"What is Islam ?

Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.

What does Islam mean?

The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God. 'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.

Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?

The Quran says: God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran, 60-8)

It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city.

Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves.

The Patriarch invited him to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but he preferred to pray outside its gates, saying that if he accepted, later generations of Muslims might use his action as an excuse to turn it into a mosque. Above is the mosque built on the spot where Omar did pray. "

As for not being able to tolerant towards others:

"
1. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

2. Say, “0 ye disbelievers!

3. I worship not as you worship,

4. Nor do you worship as I worship.

5. Nor do I worship those that you worship,

6. Nor do you worship Him Whom I worship.

7. For you your religion, and for me my religion.”

From my line of work I have witnessed and come across countless examples from leaders across the religious divide who have killed amongst themselves and beyond in the name of God.
I know one in particular who would have these long drawn out prayers sessions and scripture readings asking God to invoke the Holy Spirit and then hardly a minute after his "amen" he would ride into the villages and chop peoples limbs of, because the Holy Spirit told him to.
Historically, the apartheid machinery went as far as creating a whole new church/denomination where they stood at the pulpit and justified racial segregation and hatred toward black folk.
As for Christians killing Christians in the name of God? The reformation.
The Jews selling Jesus (PBUH)?

All of this though does not lead me to believe that Christianity or Judiasm is evil, in fact it strengthened my belief that where there is God there is the devil and the latter is a crafty and evil mf.

Look good people I really am not here to fight, all I want is for you to understand that in as much as there are evil Christians and Jews there are evil evil Muslims, the problem is not the religion it is the people.

I came here, because I discovered to 2 years ago that I have Aspergers, and I googled "Islam and Aspergers" and came across Mr Crook's comment and everything else that followed. I concede, my social inadequacies, may have come across as antagonistic which was hardly my intention. I really hope and pray that I have not offended you nor furthered you dislike of my faith, nor do I wish to convert you either (I own no swords I promise), to you yours, to me mine...

The question of the prophet Muhammed (PBUH)'s marriage I will address later, for now I hope you can forgive me and I can actually find a kindred spirit or 2 who gets this Aspergers thing and can provide insights as to how to live successfully in NT life .

Personally, I think Judaism and Buddhism are the most aspie religions. Kosher is like straight up OCD.

If we take the Hadith as "gospel" we can conclude that Mohammed (Pus and Blisters Upon Him) was a pedophile. A man who f*cked premenstrual girls. Shame on him!

ruveyn

Pentacostals encourage you to behave like an overgrown child during worship service, and it's even seen as laudable. Besides their propensity for being irrational, fanatical, worrisomely overzealous etc., they are actually one of the more tolerant sects. They don't even care if you're gay as long as you realize you're a sinner.

And Presbyterianism is the only religion I know of that is distinctly autistic in its basic tenants.

You forgot to specify a branch of Islam. Do you observe Sufi Islam, Twelfer Islam or Sunni Islam? Are your ideas about Islam more liberal or more along the lines of Wahabbi Islam?

And does your sect embrace, tolerate or outright reject Ash'ari philosophy? If your branch of Islam is Ash'arite in its leanings, I'm afraid that I must ask that you reduce your involvement in this community, as in outright piss off. Otherwise, I would love to hear more about your ideas.

It's just as hard to make a generalization about Islam, though, as it is to make a generalization about Christianity. The religions are both at least as diverse as the people who observe them.

However, I have noticed that some of the proponents of Islam can come across as if they are advertising a Happy Meal for the McDonald's Corporation, and I find this to be a turn-off. I find myself to be more interested in the ones who abstain from attempting to sell you on Islam (vs. Christianity) and try to talk philosophy with you. They are much more interesting and a lot more likeable.

Mmm I think no religion is the most pro-Asperger's option. My grandma seems to be trying to force me into a relationship with a girl even though I refuse to due to my preference to live a solitary life based on my AS. She just doesn't understand.... she's Catholic and she says that it is Gods mission for me to reproduce based on the teachings in the bible. Ugghh people like her are the reason I decided to follow an atheistic lifestyle. Luckily she's overseas =)