There are many sides fighting to influence our world view
We need to listen to all of them (free speech)
Including what the mainstream media refuses to cover
The rest of us are entitled to our perspectives:
The Amphiist defends the views of the oppressed
Amphiist is a Greek word meaning looking at both sides
Amphiist (58)
Editor: Jaclyn Holland-Strauss Worldview @ jaclynhollandstrauss.com
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May 17, 2018 Today in the…
Natural Aristocrat, Emotionally Intelligent, Woke, Self-Actualized
Special Ramadan series, Day Two
The mainstream media defends Muslims to a degree. The media encourages migrants from Middle Eastern countries to enter Europe, for example, and offers them benefits. Perhaps this is a way to offer some sort of reparations for the colonialism and imperialism of the past. Or perhaps there is a more sinister agenda in the hearts of the former oppressors. Of course, an argument can be made that the Muslims as a whole are still victims of systemic discrimination and prejudice. There are certainly an enormous number of Islamophobes in the world. For the next week or so, Amphiist will look at the Quran and ask what Islam really teaches.
(Turn over page for other perspective)
The Other Side
In the second chapter of the Quran, the word ‘jihad’ comes up. I have heard two alternative versions of what this word means. One is self struggle. So one might have a jihad to overcome a particular sin, like drinking, gambling, anal sex, etc. (all sins according to Islam). The other definition I have heard is that it means fighting infidels/disbelievers.
The second definition is right, according to the Quran, 2:216. God says here that it is noble to fight jihad in His name. He says that the average Muslim might not like the idea of such a violent fight, but still, it is his duty in the interests of protecting Islam from disbelievers. God knows things we do not know, and so individuals should pay attention to what God knows, and not what they assume they know.
I am sure ISIS looks at such verses and uses them as justification for their attempts to form a worldwide caliphate. It does seem, based on these scriptures, that it is acceptable, any time of the year, with no exceptions, to fight in self-defence those disbelievers who threaten the health of Islam. However, often the Quran warns people to have sabre, or patience. I will update my readers if there are any more mentions of jihad in the Quran, and particularly if I see the first definition of self struggle then I will be sure to say.
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