"There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error."
-- [Pickthall's tr.] Qur'an 2:256


"Let there be no violence in religion. Now is right direction manifestly distinguished from
deceit - [Sale's tr.] Qur'an 2:256


Now that's what we're told, and we would really like to believe it - if only "the right direction is distinguished from deceit!" But what are we to make of news reports to the contrary among adherents of the religion of peace who would rather seek to employ compulsion to achieve their ends? It's happening again in a Muslim country - Pakistan!


"The Christian community, a tiny minority, received an anonymous letter demanding they convert or face the consequences."

BBC Online - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6663305.stm

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"Other recent examples are bombings of music stores — including two blasts in Charsadda last week — threats to barbers not to shave customers' beards and pressure for the closure of schools for girls."

International Herald Tribune Online - http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/10/asia/AS-GEN-Pakistan-Christians-Threatened.php

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"Pakistan’s two million plus Christian community has long complained of discrimination, including in terms of employment opportunities, and has often found itself on the receiving end of threats, particularly after 9/11, when the Musharraf government aligned itself with Washington in its war against “terror”.

IRIN - http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72283

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"In one of the more published incidents in 2002, five people were killed, two of them Americans, when suspected Islamic militants set off grenades at a church in Islamabad's heavily guarded diplomatic enclave."

WorthyNews - http://www.worthynews.com/christian/pakistan-militants-force-christians-to-convert-to-islam-and-shut-churches/

wats this?dont understand

@ stimulus, in a religion enshrouded in deciet, hypocrisy, confusion and inconsistencies, only allah knows best.

In a religion that encourages beheading people of other faith, and promising virgins in paradise after going to hell (i dont know how that works), again only allah knows the best.

Well, at least they want us to agree that there is NO compulsion in religion Islam.

Even among Muslims during Muhammad's time, it was common knowledge that Islam was a religion by compulsion. That was the default position, and not the politically correct stance that many today ascribe to the antics of 'Islamists' or 'fanatics among the ummah'.

Is there really a Muslim society/country that is at peace with itself and have sought to promote the welfare of her people? Which one of the Muslim countries has actually been peaceful and tolerant towards non-Muslims?

stimulus:

Is there really a Muslim society/country that is at peace with itself and have sought to promote the welfare of her people? Which one of the Muslim countries has actually been peaceful and tolerant towards non-Muslims?

have they even been peaceful with themselves?

Is a question of why?

davidylan:

have they even been peaceful with themselves?

Well, some of them are relatively "peaceful" rather than extreme. Pakistan continues to be a rather embarrassing spot on this question; Afghanistan is 'landlord' to the dilemma!

Now the question really bothers the mind - and I'm wondering how it is that Muslims make the claim that Islam promotes perfect peace and tranquility in any country where it is practiced.