Until the advent of materialism and 19th c. dogma, Western Civilisation was superior to anything Islam had developed. Islam has not aided in the development of the modern world; in fact civilisation has only been created in spite of Islam. Proof of this resides in the 'modern' world and the unending political-economic and spiritual poverty of Muslim states and regions. Squatting on richer civilisations is not 'progress'. Islam is pagan, totalitarian, and irrational.
Running totals from Sura 2 to 42:
Total number of verses from Sura 2 to 42: 4318
Total number of verses in 2-42, which preach violence against non-Moslems: 975
Violent verses as a % of total from Sura 2 to 42: 23 %
Sura 2 to 42 as a % of the 6346 verses in the Koran: 68%
[meaning still lots more violence to go....]
Koranic terminology is very specific to the Moslem cult. When a Moslem says 'peace', 'charity' or 'tolerance' he means peace, charity and tolerance for other Moslems. Infidels are excluded. This is obvious if one bothers to read the Koran. The world is riven into two parts, with Moslems aided by Allah and his angels on the one hand, pitted in a desperate struggle against Satan-allied Unbelievers on the other. This dichotomy informs everything about Islam and Moslem liturgy.
Springing from the 'us versus them' mentality of Muhammad and his book named 'Recital', is the Moslem obsession that Muhammad's theology comes from the same sources as that of the Jews and Christians, but it is 'final', 'superior' and cannot be improved. In the Moslem dialectical, Islam is the end phase development of man's history. However, to any student or hobbyist who bothers to look at the development of 'Allah' and this cult named 'submission', the historical record of the 'ilah' or one; along with Arab pagan practices, archaeology and even Moslem extant sources; you will quickly find that Allah and Islam have nothing whatsoever in common with Judaism and Christianity. [see here for more on that] Yet Moslems demand that they have the 'final answer' or perhaps the final solution to the organization of man and society:
42-13: He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad SAW), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Mosesy) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikun, is that to which you (O Muhammad SAW) call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience.
And if you reject the above 'rationale' for Islam's superiority ? Verse 16 does not present much nuance, as to your fate:
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And those who dispute concerning Allah (His Religion of Islamic Monotheism, with which Muhammad SAW has been sent), after it has been accepted (by the people), of no use is their dispute before their Lord, and on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment. |
If you are a Christian believing in the Trinity you are doomed according to verse 21:
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Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. And had it not been for a decisive Word (gone forth already), the matter would have been judged between them. And verily, for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers), there is a painful torment. |
Perhaps the painful torment is viewing Oprah for eternity or listening to the Obama-speech CD collection? Or maybe the 'Allah' [aka Muhammad] means endlessly drinking boiling water whilst cooking in the hell-fire? Hard to say which is worse.
In this chapter only 15 verses out of 53 mark out Unbelievers to be punished for transgressing the 'Allah's' will. This is another central feature of the Koran which marks it out as a cult. Only Allah has will. He leads astray those he wants to lead astray and punish. The human has no will. The human has no individual control over his life; and no need to do anything but obey the Allah - if that is what Allah wants.
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And whomsoever Allah sends astray, for him there is no Wali (protector) after Him. And you will see the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.) when they behold the torment, they will say: "Is there any way of return (to the world)?" |
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And you will see them brought forward to it (Hell) made humble by disgrace, (and) looking with stealthy glance. And those who believe will say: "Verily, the losers are they who lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, the Zalimun [i.e. Al-Kafirun (disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness and in His Messenger SAW, polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.)] will be in a lasting torment. |
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And they will have no Auliya' (protectors) to help them other than Allah. And he whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no way. |
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Answer the Call of your Lord (i.e. accept the Islamic Monotheism, O mankind, and jinns) before there comes from Allah a Day which cannot be averted. You will have no refuge on that Day nor there will be for you any denying (of your crimes as they are all recorded in the Book of your deeds). |
Nice. Follow the 'Allah' or else ! No need for complex metaphysics here premised on rationality, the Golden rule, free-will or faith through the use of applied reason. Just obey and shut up. Mindlessly follow and you might be rewarded [42:19,20,23]. Demonize the 'other' and truly believe that the 'Allah' will punish them. This sounds very much like a cult.