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Review Summary: A tract in the tradition of Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard |
Date: 2006-09-16 |
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Details: After reading some of the reviews below I am prone to wonder how many of the frothy critics of this book actually read it. Even from the far left (the ever stalwart supporters of all those who hate America) I hear the droning mantra bewailing the supposed characterization of Islam by the extreme acts of an anomalous few. But Spencer does not make such a characterization. Most of this book does not examine the actions of extremists but instead the tenets of Islam itself. His conclusions are well reasoned and documented; and horrifying! If you have ever wondered why the millions of "peace-loving" Muslims have not condemned en mass the Jihadists who spew hatred and spill the blood of innocent people all over the world, then get this book and find out. Spencer concludes that violence is a natural outgrowth of the intolerance taught by Islam. Of course, many of us were taught the myth of Muslim tolerance, yet the Quran famously commands any faithful Muslim to "Slay the Unbelievers wherever ye find them. Seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them? (Quran 9:5) It is a verse that is not lifted out of context or a rare anomaly or mitigated by the larger body of teaching (as the nonviolent verses of the New Testament clearly abrogate the descriptions of violence contained in the Old Testament) but, is in fact, only one of many such incitements to violence. Spencer believes that such violent leanings are endemic to Islam and explain the complicity of silence we see from the Muslim world when innocents are murdered by Jihadists.
Spencer also deals fairly with the perennially festering topic of the Crusades. It is bizarre and questionable that any present day political ideology should be driven by events that took place a thousand years ago. What's more, I wonder why so many Westerners collapse into a guilt coma at the mere mention of the Crusades without asking some important questions. How did the ancient birth place of Christianity, the stomping grounds of the Apostle Paul, St. Augustine, and the incubator that produced the creed most Christians repeat on Sunday mornings become Muslim in the first place? It was the result of Muhammad's war of conquests which lasted almost a thousand years that swallowed the birthplace of Christianity and then stomped out the light that once burned so brightly there. The Crusades were a belated, misguided, and often ignoble response to hundreds of years of Islamic "crusades." That march of brutal Islamic imperialism and colonization in the name of Allah ended at the gates of Vienna on a date that should mean something to the world: September 11, 1683. To be a good Muslim is to long for the renewal of that conquest of Europe and the West.
Spencer explains many of the draconian and intolerant beliefs of Islam without the incoherent contortions that Islamic apologists give to such issues as the sickening mistreatment of women and girls or the Nazi-like (complete with yellow patches on the clothing) Dhimmi status (a form of slavery) required of Christians and Jews in Muslim lands. Some treatment is also given to Muhammad, who, had he lived today in any western nation would be considered a pedophile due to the fact that his eleventh (and favorite) wife was 6 years old when they married and 9 when the marriage was consummated (the loving husband was 52.) That's really not very much like the historical Jesus, which is one of many examples where the moral equivalency between Christianity and Islam touted by the left crumbles in the light of inconvenient facts. Spencer is required reading for people seeking the truth about Islam and the emerging conflict which will likely define the 21st century. |
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Review Summary: The Comparisons are Glaring |
Date: 2006-09-28 |
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Details: This book obliterates simplistic, politically correct views about Islam. The word-for-word comparisons between the teachings of Muhammed and the teachings of Christianity, Buddhism, and other religions, are stunning. Take, for example, the famous story of Jesus' intervention when a crowd was about to stone an adulterous woman. His words, to let the person "who is without sin cast the first stone", sent the mob retreating in shame. He then told the woman to, "Go and sin no more." As the autor quotes from the Quran, Muhammed was confronted with a similar situation. A pregnant adulterous woman had come to him requesting that he pray with her for forgiveness. He sent her away until the baby was born. When she came back months later, he sent her away until the child was weened. When she came back as directed, he took the child and gave it to one of his men as a gift. Muhammed then ordered the mother buried up to her shoulders and stoned to death. It really is time for media pundits, college professors, and self-serving politicos to stop making shallow moral equivalence statements about Islam, the Quran, and the Crusades. This book needs to be read and studied by those who now are in a position to give away our birthright. It took the ancient Greeks, the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Magna Carta, the U.S. Constitution, and hundreds of years of Western Civilization to produce the most beneficent and free society in history. Here, Muslims and others can practice their beliefs without fear. We must insist that spokesmen and apologists for Islam demand that this "religion of peace" grant its neighbors the same rights the Western democracies have gladly given to them. Read the book. Its an eye-opener. |
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Review Summary: A crucial and timely analysis. |
Date: 2005-07-30 |
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Details: The cover of this study carries the declaration that the contents refute "popular myths" and reveal "facts" that will not be heard on the news.
From the outset this proves to be very much the case as the reader is taken into a courageous investigation of Islam.
Replete with references as well as quotations and examples direct from former practising, learned Muslims, the claims that Islam is a "peaceful" and "tolerant" religion are examined in considerable depth for a book of this nature.
Many quotes are provided which reveal fundamental differences between the statements made by Jesus Christ and Muhammed. This is done with the declared intent of providing the reader with an opportunity to visualise what is cited as the "fallacy" of those who claim that Islam and Christianity are basically "equal" in their ability to inspire good or evil.
Furthermore, these quotes are provided for the reader to understand that a "distinction" can be drawn between what are described as the "core principles" that guide faithful Muslims and Christians.
Beginning with an examination of the life and character of Muhammed himself, the study proceeds to discuss a plethora of other subjects including the alleged Islamic "oppression" of women, historical revisionism, the Crusades, the purported "dangers" of criticising Islam, "Islamophobia" and "Jihad".
The reader is provided, in no uncertain terms, with a visualisation of what allegedly faces the US, Europe, the West & indeed the International arena, should we fail to come to terms with the consequences of what is described as the "real" message and implications of Islam, which are purportedly being denied the public by the powers that be.
One former Muslim is quoted as saying that the theory and practice of Jihad was "....not concocted in the Pentagon....it was taken from the Koran, the Hadith and Islamic tradition...".
This statement is then elaborated and clarified by stating that it is the "divinely ordained duty" of Muslims to fight in the literal sense until man-made law has been "replaced by God's law". (The latter being described as Sharia and Islamic law).
Further to the subjects already mentioned, the book analyses a series of issues which many readers will find disturbing, such as the investigation of the much-publicised promise of "virgins" in Paradise to Islamic martyrs.
Many concerns are echoed towards the end of this work, including a call for what is described as "responsible reporting" from the media and honesty from law enforcement officials about jihadist attacks in the US. This is made whilst still recognising the need to confront an official fear pertaining to vigilantes who would victimise innocent Muslims should certain information be publicised.
Concern is also expressed with reference to the post September 11th statement by US President Bush who warned the world that "...you are either with the terrorists or you're with us...". The book alleging an official refusal to acknowledge who the terrorists really are and what they are fighting for that has subsequently seen the US administration still counting as friends and allies, many states where jihadist activities are extensive.
Many will perceive this book and it's message to be highly contentious and perhaps even offensive, but I feel that it is required reading at this time, irrespective of the reader's personal views. Thank you. |
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Review Summary: Spencer tells it like it really is |
Date: 2007-02-09 |
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Details: Were the Muslims who perpetrated 9/11 really misguided fanatics from the fringes of Islam? Is Islam a tolerant "religion of peace" and does it provide unprecedented freedom to women? Were the Crusades an unprovoked attack by barbarous and greedy Christians against innocent, peaceful Muslims? Read the newspapers, pick up a book by John Esposito or Karen Armstrong, turn on the TV and you are likely to be told 9/11 was an aberration--was even our fault somehow--that Islam means "peace," that Christians and Jews experienced unprecedented peace and tolerance under Muslim rulers; rent a DVD of the recent movie "Kingdom of Heaven" and see, in vivid color, the barbarous Christians killing, stealing and raping the "peaceful" Muslims under cover of "God's will."
There is just one tiny problem with all these ideas and images--as Robert Spencer amply demonstrates in this well written, well-documented and extraordinarily informative book-- they are all wrong. The MSM, most of academia and popular writers like Armstrong, have, for various reasons--ideology, advantage, wishful thinking, denial-- decided to present Islam as peaceful when it isn't, women as liberated under Islam when they aren't, the Crusades as an unprovoked attack when it wasn't; in short, an alternative and much less threatening history in a much less threatening world. Their "narrative" is comforting--who doesn't want the good news that there is no conflict on the horizon? But, if you plan on surviving in the future you need to read this book, check the references and see which version of history, which picture of Muhammad and Islam--its history, tactics and goals--is real. My money is on Spencer.
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Review Summary: In response to Igra Bhatti and his review.... |
Date: 2006-04-24 |
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Details: Indeed there are at least 114 verses in the Qur'an that speak of love, peace, or forgiveness.....unfortunately most all of them are abrogated by what is contained in Surah 9. The Qur'an is not in chronological order and Surah 9 is considered to be the last of the prophets revelations, and in Muslim teachings and traditions, therefore cancels previous verses. Here are a few goodies from Surah 9....
...Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve--9:3
...slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush.--9:5 (This Surah gives the command to kill those who do not convert to Islam)
9:14 Fight them! Allah will chastise them at your hands, and He will lay them low and give you victory over them, and He will heal the breasts of folk who are believers.
9:29 Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low. (Fight against Christians and Jews "until they pay the tribute (the Dhimmi) readily")
9:33 He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. ("That He may cause it to prevail over all religion" The "Religion of Truth" (Islam) must prevail, by force if necessary, over all other religions.)
I could go on, but I will conclude with the continuation of the last verse you cited in your review......
5:82 "Strongest among men in enmity To the Believers wilt thou Find the Jews and Christians; To the Believers wilt thou Find those who say, "We are Christians": Because amongst them are Men devoted to learning And men who have renounced The world, and they Are not arrogant."
Chapter 5 versus 85 - 88 (My source evidently varies from yours)
But you left out......
5:83 When they listen to that which hath been revealed unto the messengers, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth. They say: Our Lord, we believe. Inscribe us as among the witnesses. 5:84 How should we not believe in Allah and that which hath come unto us of the Truth. And (how should we not) hope that our Lord will bring us in along with righteous folk ? 5:85 Allah hath rewarded them for that their saying - Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. That is the reward of the good. 5:86 But those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are owners of hell- fire.
Basically, convert to Islam or die.
The good Muslims duty is to fight for Allah and progress toward a one world religion of Islam.
This book spells it out for you and displays the justifications Muslims use for their terrorist acts. |
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out of 500 Reviews
