The Political Violence of the Bible and the Koran

One of the most frequently used arguments heard in the defense of Islam is that the Bible is just as violent as the Koran. The logic goes like this. If the Koran is no more violent than the Bible, then why should we worry about Islam? This argument is that Islam is the same as Christianity and Judaism. This is false, but this analogy is very popular, since it allows someone who knows nothing about the actual doctrine of Islam to talk about it. “See, Islam is like Christianity, Christians are just as violent as Muslims.” If this is true, then you don’t have to learn anything about the actual Islamic doctrine.

However, this is not a theological argument. It is a political one. This argument is not about what goes on in a house of worship, but what goes on the in the marketplace of ideas.

Now, is the doctrine of Islam more violent than the Bible? There is only one way to prove or disprove the comparison and that is to measure the differences in violence in the Koran and the Bible.

The first item is to define violence. The only violence that matters to someone outside of either Islam or Christianity or Judaism is what they do to the “other”, political violence. Cain killing Abel is not political violence. Political violence is not killing a lamb for a meal or making an animal sacrifice. Note, however, a vegan or a PETA member considers both of these actions to be violent, but it is not violence against them.

The next item is to compare the doctrines both quantitatively and qualitatively. The political violence of the Koran is called “fighting in Allah’s cause”, or jihad.

We must do more than measure the jihad in the Koran. Islam has three sacred texts: Koran, Sira and Hadith, the Islamic Trilogy. The Sira is Mohammed’s biography. The Hadith are his traditions—what he did and said. Sira and Hadith form the Sunna, the perfect pattern of all Islamic behavior.

The Koran is the smallest of the three books, the Trilogy. It is only 16% of the Trilogy text . This means that the Sunna is 84% of the word content of Islam’s sacred texts. This statistic alone has large implications. Most of the Islamic doctrine is about Mohammed, not Allah. The Koran says 91 different times that Mohammed is the perfect pattern of life. It is much more important to know Mohammed than the Koran. This is very good news. It is easy to understand a biography about a man. To know Islam, know Mohammed.

It turns out that jihad occurs in large proportion in all three texts. Here is a chart about the results:

It is very significant that the Sira devotes 67% of its text to jihad. Mohammed averaged an event of violence every 6 weeks for the last 9 years of his life. Jihad was what made Mohammed successful. Here is a chart of the growth of Islam.

Basically, when Mohammed was a preacher of religion, Islam grew at the rate of 10 new Muslims per year. But when he turned to jihad, Islam grew at an average rate of 10,000 per year. All of the details of how to wage jihad are recorded in great detail. The Koran gives the great vision of jihad—world conquest by the political process. The Sira is a strategic manual and the Hadith is a tactical manual of jihad.

Now let’s go to the Hebrew Bible. When we count all of the political violence, we find that 5.6% of the text is devoted to it. There is no admonition towards political violence in the New Testament.

When we count the magnitude of words devoted to political violence, we have 327,547 words in the Trilogy and 34,039 words in the Hebrew Bible . The Trilogy has 9.6 times as much wordage devoted to political violence as the Hebrew Bible.

The real problem goes far beyond the quantitative measurement of ten times as much violent material; there is the qualitative measurement. The political violence of the Koran is eternal and universal. The political violence of the Bible was for that particular historical time and place. This is the vast difference between Islam and other ideologies. The violence remains a constant threat to all non-Islamic cultures, now and into the future. Islam is not analogous to Christianity and Judaism in any practical way. Beyond the one-god doctrine, Islam is unique unto itself.

Another measurement of the difference between the violence found in the Judeo/Christian texts as opposed to that of Islam is found in the use of fear of violence against artists, critics and intellectuals. What artist, critic or intellectual ever feels a twinge of fear if condemning anything Christian or Jewish? However, look at the examples of the violent political threats and murders of Salman Rushdie, Theo van Gogh, Pim Fortuyn, Kurt Westergaard of the Danish Mohammed cartoons, and many others. What artist, critic or intellectual has not had a twinge of fear about Islam when it comes to free expression? The political difference in the response to the two different doctrines is enormous. The political fruit from the two trees is as different as night and day.

It is time for so-called intellectuals to get down to the basics of judging Islam by its actual doctrine, not making lame analogies that are sophomoric assertions. Fact-based reasoning should replace fantasies that are based upon political correctness and multiculturalism.


Bill Warner,
Director, Center for the Study of Political Islam
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11 Responses

  1. talltimber
    |

    Thanks again for your explanations. I have a question: Is not the book (or books) of Sharia Law also considered holy by Islam just as much as the Koran, Sira and Hadith? The Sharia Law is what the west should be on guard against– and it is something pretty much everyone has heard of. I would say the Islamic “Quad”: Koran, Sira, Hadith, Sharia together expose the barbaric nature of Islam. Or is it Is-lame?

  2. Democracyistheanswer
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    Bill Warner convincingly proves that Islam is primarily a political doctrine.

    In addition, this doctrine is supremacist.

    The supremacism of Islam relies on violence towards those who reject it.

    All our Western politicians need to read this essay.

  3. Bill Stenwick
    |

    If, instead of a mosque, I was a descendent of the Aztecs and said I was going to build a pyramid to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. Further that I intended to take captives and cut out their hearts on top of my pyramid to assure the continued supply of the sun and the rain which gives us the food that is our life. It is the only fitting sacrifice to the gods who give us so much.
    I wonder how far I would get claiming that my religious rights were guaranteed by the constitution? Where does a religion end and politics or savagery begin?
    Bill

  4. Kist
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    Guys the name is Pim Fortuyn, not Pim Fortune

  5. vulcan
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    The difference between Islam and every other religion is that the Islamic flock rather than the deity are executioners and providers of hell.

    Every other religion leaves it to their deity.

    The socalled sword verse .in the New Testament, “KILL THEM in front of me” is a parable, where Jesus is speaking not in the first person but putting forth the image that his listeners could relate to: a King (Roman rule) killing those who wouldn’t lay down for them) so that they could undestand that the penalty for not following Jesus was death – EXECUTED by the Christian Deity.

    You could deny Jesus all you want and NOTHING would happen to you vis-a-vis Christians walking this earth, at least if they followed their Scriptures laid down by Jesus..

    Not so Islam. Muslims themselves will provide the penalty.

    Islam is truly the Devil’s religion, inspired by a devil, and a total negation of every human, hope every livinv entity. every universe hope or quest for something defining and real.

  6. gsw
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    Although the statistics are illuminating, I am not convinced that they a relevant in this context.

    Back when most of Europe was a theocracy, with kings bowing to the pope and atheists being tortured to death, 8 words “thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” (Exodus 22:18) sufficed to justify killing innumerable women.
    And “Thou shalt not take The Name of The Lord thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7)
    weeded out the rest.

    Europe is no longer a theocracy, we rid ourselves of that evil once, we must do so again.

    We may talk of fighting muslims, islamists or mohammedism, we are actually fighting theocracy.

    Sharia is part of theocracy, blasphemy is recognised tool & weapon of theocracy.

    We should be shouting from the tree tops: SECULARISM is the opposite to THEOCRACY.
    Too many people still think secularism = devil worship!

    Is there a word for NON-THEOCRACY that we can use for the less erudite among us?

  7. Ronald
    |

    Your argument is weak at best, because Christians during the middle ages regularly used the old testament to commit violence and conquest. For instance, there is no verse in the new testament which calls for killing of witches, yet Christian killed tens of thousand of so called witches until the 18th century. Moreover, old testament rulings that called for death of apostates, blashphemers, adulterors, etc was commonly used by Christians to justify killing those who practice any of the above.

    What about Jesus’ statement in Luke 19:26-27

    “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but
    as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But
    those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them
    here and KILL THEM in front of me.’
    (From the NIV Bible, Luke 19:26-28)”

    Many times it is asked why is it said that Luke 19:11-27 calls upon Jesus’ followers to murder Jews who do not accept him? After all, it’s only a parable.

    Jesus saying even if it was a parable, shows Jesus justified killing people especially non-Christians. This is because a parable is a simple story used to illustrate a lesson. It conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison analogy.

    In the total imagery of Jesus’ parable, found in Luke 19:11-27, Jesus was the nobleman who becomes the king. As his parable was directed toward the Jewish people who constituted his audience (verses 1-9), these enemy-citizens represent the Jews who reject Jesus as king. In verse 14, they were called citizens; in verse 27, through their rebellious refusal to accept the nobleman’s kingship, they are now considered enemies. Therefore, Jesus (the king in the parable) decrees a time of judgment on the unfaithful and disobedient. Echoing the warning of the Matthean Jesus, “He who is not with me is against me . . .” (Matthew 12:30), the Lucan Jesus demands of his followers that those who reject his rule be destroyed before him: “But those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here, and slay them in my presence.”

    The intent of Jesus’ words was not lost on subsequent generations of his followers. Christians could not but interpret this parable as a call for judgment upon the Jewish people for rejecting Jesus. This was made all the more poignant as this commandment came from Jesus himself. The destruction to be carried out upon those who refuse to accept Jesus is the bloody commission(WHICH I AM SURE YOU KNOW WAS SANCTIONED BY BOTH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THROUGH OUT HISTORY AS WELL PROTESTANT REFORMERS SUCH AS MARTIN LUTHER), the sanction for slaughter of all who refuse the cross.

  8. zizka
    |

    You left out the defining difference between the Koran, and all other major religious books; The Koran is from Allah’s mouth to your ear.

    Only the Koran is the actual, eternal, recited Word of Allah. The original Koran is eternal, residing in the seventh heaven with Allah. Mohammad received an exact recitation. A Moslem must obey every word, without question, or interpretation. Every word is an eternal mandate from Allah.

    When Allah mandates “…make a great slaughter in the land”, you must, now, in 2010, make a great slaughter in the land. It is the spoken word of Allah.

    Read Sura#9, and keep in mind that everything you read is mandated for all Moslems, everywhere, in 2010.

  9. Donna Powell
    |

    Great Article. I will be sending some copies to my friends especially the stupid ones.

  10. FactSeeker
    |

    Imams and hypocrisy
    In general, orchestrated and manipulated religions are one of the obstacles to harmony among different nations and cultures. Remember Catholic medieval inquisition that we overcome with renaissance. If they would continue ruling our lives there would be no progress, no cars, phones, computers and internet just few to mention. Fascism and Communism were another kind of short lived defeated or abandoned synthetic religions. Almost no one considers these ideologies as something reliable and usable anymore. Opposite to this, thousands years old and orchestrated religions continue influence with outdated ”manuals”. Following this logic, repair manuals for thousands year old horse chariots should be suitable for contemporary vehicles.
    Parts of Islamic world are still in its medieval efflorescence with no signs for their renaissance. Unfortunately it seems major of Muslims influx in US and Europe originates from these retarded environments. Terrorist are coming from Islam and that is the fact. Problem we are facing now is selecting benign from malignant Muslims without insulting first group.
    Preposterously ignoring differences we are indiscriminately permitting this second malicious group flooding our countries with mental disease unsuitable to our culture. Centuries of main hostilities in our part of world somehow ended with WW II. At the moment it seems we settled our animosities. Do we need now a substitute adversary on our soil? We still are far from being perfect, less we need is being enriched with Sharia madness.
    Focusing on malicious category of Muslims, whichever country they migrates they bring medieval life style and countless requests. Further problem is that some of them pretend to be moderate.
    Now we have a situation where a native individual in his own country expresses innocent joke or comment about Allah or Islam and whole Islamic world get delirious, poised for holly war against all of us. Even more, their clerics will routinely issue a fatwa as a death sentence, obligatory for every Muslim to comply. They do assassinate Member of our Parliaments if one rarely raises voice questioning their unimpeded, silent and persistent invasion in our homelands.
    If a Muslim converts to Christianity fatwa follows instantly. Remember Salman Rushdie and his novel The Satanic Verses, fatwa called on all ”good Muslims” to kill or help kill Rushdie and his publishers. Same continued with Danish cartoonist. When their suicidal fanatics kill them in crowds they blame America but when natural disaster strike them they chant ”where is America”, if anybody noticed they never call for Saudi Arabia or similar aid.
    Thanks to very loud and blind humanistic proponents these primitive but cunning intruders righteously consider all of us as a kind of self destroying idiots, a free meal given by Allah. Fear, terror and civilizational regression are some of benefits coming with hostile fanatical hordes. What imbecile on earth would leave open doors to deadly synthetic aliens?
    Watch faces of chanting crowds during massive “protests” against infidels, not much imagination is required to see our destiny if they become majority in our homelands. Watch certain here living, pretending to be moderate Muslims, how and what they say on various square or round tables, forums and discussions. They stubbornly whine and moan for understanding and tolerance, always finding an array of excuses for all the crap coming from their world.
    I can’t recall any of those individuals ever expressed an eloquent regret for WTC, as performers were their Muslim brothers. Still remember Palestinians dancing on the streets – whole population. Similar pretending behaviour is perceivable from great imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of New York and comparatively other imams in Europe too. Although faced with huge resistance of American people he even not considers withdrawing his lunatic and arrogant project.
    What Terry Jones planed to do in his home country was kind of a symbolic tit for toe, far less provoking or insulting in comparison with Abdul Rauf intention to build a Muslim Centre near place where his ”Brotherly Holly Jihadists” smashed WTC towers killing thousands of innocent people. Do not forget, Islam is not a religion only it is a national and political movement primarily.
    This centre to be is nothing less but a glorious monument of jihadist successful act of terror as their best weapon. It would be similar as Neo Nazi would offer reconciliation by marking Holocaust memorials with swastika.
    From the other point of view great imam Feisal Abdul Rauf as a ”good” Muslim, has a perfect opportunity to show the whole world how compassionate and peaceful he is, particularly to fellow Muslims. Instead of wasting money on flown provocation he could better divert funds for aid to Pakistani people stricken by floods.
    Radical Muslim avant-garde plans to overcome us with their overwhelming birth rate, as a most dangers silent weapon. Ridiculously we keep maintaining this ongoing process in their countries thru all kind of aid programs. In the meantime their own governments relieved from burden are focusing on more “profitable activities”.
    Blind and irresponsible self destructive tendency of our governments and noisy proponents will inevitably on long run annihilate our societies. It is easy calling on tolerance to intruders under cover of system that offers freedom as it is. In the worst scenario I hope the most tolerable ”humanists” will get chance to enjoy consequences in their lifetime.

    Regards,
    FactSeeker

  11. Lorenzo Bouchard
    |

    777

    Sir/ Ma’am,

    SUPPORT PASTOR TERRY JONES, for LIBERTY’S SAKE.

    THE FLAME OF FREEDOM SPEAKS!

    THE FLAME OF FREEDOM SPEAKS, THE FLAME OF FREEDOM WITHIN EACH HEART.
    THE FLAME OF FREEDOM SAITH UNTO ALL: COME APART AND BE A CHOSEN PEOPLE, ELECT UNTO GOD.
    MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE CHOSEN THEIR ELECTION WELL, MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DETERMINED TO CAST THEIR LOT IN WITH THE IMMORTALS.
    THESE ARE THEY WHO HAVE SET THEIR TEETH WITH DETERMINATION, WHO HAVE SAID, WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP, WE WILL NEVER TURN BACK, WE WILL NEVER SUBMIT.

    IMPEACH PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, OR ELSE THINK MAO, STALIN, HITLER AND MOHAMMED.

    ARCH ANGEL MICHAELS WARRIORS OF GOD’S LIGHT, ARISE!

    STOP FEARING MUSLIMS REACTIONS, LET THEM FEAR US.

    STAND AGAINST THE LUCIFERIAN MEDIA!

    Mosques are the massive modern day activity of a Trojan Horse originally used by the Greeks. Remember the end product of infiltrating, destruction and annihilation of Troy. This is the end game of Islam and Mohammed’s words for our Democracies. Stop the building of new Mosques and control the present ones, or see the destruction of our Freedoms.

    Impeach Obama for violating his Presidential Oath of Office, to Defend America.

    This is but one item to assist in understanding the Root of Islam’s Demonic Dogma. You are at the Cusp of making Lincoln like decisions, to save your Country and influence the World, in defence of all Democracies.

    . FARSI QUOTATION FROM KOMEINI’S BOOK, TITLED “TAHIR-OL-MASAEL”.

    MOHAMMED’S PERVERSION

    Mohammed’s words translated.

    When asked about his marriage to Aisha, which he betrothed in her sixth year, also visited her alone on occasion, and fully consummated sexually, in her ninth year.
    “A man can marry a girl younger than nine years of age, even if the girl is still a baby breast fed. A man, however is prohibited from having intercourse with a girl younger than nine, however other sexual acts such as foreplay, rubbing, kissing and sodomy is allowed. A man having intercourse with a girl younger than nine years of age has not committed a crime, but only an infraction, if the girl is not permanently damaged. If the girl, however, is permanently damaged, the man must provide for her all her life. But this girl will not count as one of the man’s four permanent wives. He also is not permitted to marry the girl’s sister.”

    This is but one major reason, why Islam must be stopped in its infiltration of our Humane and Spiritual Society.

    True Muslims consider Mohammed the most honourable of all men, and see nothing wrong in emulating his activities.
    Since Islam upholds this type of dogma, not one Mosque should be allowed in any self respecting society.

    Presently since many Muslim’s are Americans and follow Mohammed’s Words, they should be levied a Poll Tax, for the Security costs needed to protect our Society and Citizens. Mosques should also have a special Tax and Subject to Closure, if found guilty of inciting by using Mohammed’s words.

    A guaranteed IMPURE DEATH PENALTY instituted, for those who plan and activate mass slaughter in our society.

    No Bordello in Paradise reward as per their belief.

    Check the “Ban Islam” petition.
    http://www.petitiononline.com/MYSTIC/petition.html

    Sincerely,

    Lorenzo Bouchard
    labouchard@shaw.ca
    http://mypage.direct.ca/l/lbouchar/

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