Jonathan, Jae,
I have never heard anything of this agreement you spoke of, so I won't say
anything about it until I do research. Even so, I will say that your
description probably isn't halfway adequate in giving a basic idea of the
event. The article you sent me was the typical, biased crap you can find all
over the internet. The Qu'ran states explicitly that it was not the religion
of Judaism that Islam was against, but the hypocrites of the time who
happened to be Jewish. The author took many of the quotes out of context.
Anyone with any kind of understanding of the Qu'ran would easily see through
all of this. Did you know the Old Testament contains statements commanding
men when invading a village to murder the men and keep the women for
themselves? These statements were made thousands of years ago, when human
civilizations knew nothing of each other. They saw themselves as noble human
beings and everyone else as barbarians. But humanity has blended together
more now and such statements are obsolete. Aren't certain constitutional
edicts currently obsolete?
Just to let you all know, the Qu'ran speaks very highly of Judaism and
Christianity, promising true followers of both faiths a place in Heaven. If
you'd like a reference, let me know.
Also, there have been many injustices commited by Hindus in Kashmir, some
involving soldiers taking teenage girls hostage, raping them in the street to
lure out enemy soldiers, and then shooting the soldiers. It's not a case of
Muslims trying to wipe out the entire Hindu population, but a struggle for
land in which both parties are equally involved.
Lastly, Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, was a Muslim.
I have much respect for the teachings of Hinduism. I have read the Bhagavad
Gita and many works of Gandhi. But it seems to me that the teachings are too
obscure and distant to connect well with the new generation. I have many
Hindu friends, none of whom are practitioners. Perhaps it's because of the
influence of America, perhaps not.
As for your last statement:
it is quite
likely that your ancestors were Hindus - are you sure that they accepted
Islam willingly and without threat of violence?
I don't know how my ancestors accepted Islam, but Islam has been in my family
for many generations, as it has been with many Indian families. I only know
that according to the Qu'ran, Islam is to be spread in a peaceful manner.
Although I know this hasn't always been the case, who can say how it was with
my ancestors? Would you care to tell me how your ancestors accepted Judaism?
I agree with Jae in that there has been very little aggression by Buddhists
(although they are currently in the midst of a civil war with Hindus in Sri
Lanka.) The religion of Buddhism seems to erase duality and emphasize
non-violence much more clearly than other religions. It is sad to even think
of the situation in Tibet, of which the US or any other nation for that
matter has done absolutely nothing to alleviate.
Rasheed
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