Instigator / Con
7
1587
rating
182
debates
55.77%
won
Topic
#4313
Islam is a peaceful religion.
Status
Finished
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
Winner & statistics
After 1 vote and with 3 points ahead, the winner is...
Sir.Lancelot
Parameters
- Publication date
- Last updated date
- Type
- Rated
- Number of rounds
- 5
- Time for argument
- One week
- Max argument characters
- 10,000
- Voting period
- One month
- Point system
- Multiple criterions
- Voting system
- Open
- Minimal rating
- None
Contender / Pro
4
1455
rating
13
debates
34.62%
won
Description
Pro argues Islam is a peaceful religion, Con argues it isn’t.
Definitions:
Islam- The religion of the Muslims, a monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah.
Peaceful- Free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder.
Religion- The belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.
Rules:
1. BOP is on Con.
2. One forfeit is the loss of a conduct point. Two are an autoloss.
3. Definitions are not absolutes.
4. Evidence can be used from current events, Islamic culture & history, and the Quran.
Round 1
Islam uses the concept of hell to keep its followers loyal and submissive through the form of cruel and unusual punishments.:
The Concept of Eternal Punishment:Each punishment varies judging by the actions of one previous to death. But of all the consequences seem to be very brutal. The technical term for hell in Islam being “Jahannam,”
- Eternity in blazing fire[11]
- Hung by the breasts[12]
- Bound in yokes[13] and chains[10]
- Garments of liquid pitch[14] and fire[15]
- Faces covered in fire[14] and lips burnt off[16]
- Beat with maces of iron[15]
- Fed painful, noxious, choking foods which will leave them hungry and boil their insides[13][17][18][19]
- Boiling water[20] poured over one's head and used to scald the skin and internal organs[15]
- Extremely hot, and extremely cold, filthy fluids of pus and blood[21]
- Hot stones placed on the nipple that will burn through to the shoulder bone[22]
- Dragged by the face through boiling water and fire[23][24]
- Burning embers beneath the arches of the feet[25] or shoes of fire[26] that will cause one's brain to boil.
- Intestines will come out[27]
- Exchangeable skins so that people can be roasted over and over again[28]
This form of abuse is also used to scare non-muslims into conversion by threatening them with the afterlife.
Let me present my first argument for Round 1. We sometimes hear that the wave of violence is sweeping in the Islamic world.
But we must explore how the violence has something to do with the religion`s core teachings. We must recognize that basically Islam is a religion of peace.
In the `Comments Section`, Prey-Hilton argues that `nobody is free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder.`
All human beings are not free from violence, strife, commotion, mental stress and hatred feelings even if he or she believes in Islam, Christianity, Budda, and Hindu.
The important thing is that in what situation people commit violent behaviour. When people feel exploitation, oppression, the loss of hope for their future, disappointment with their government and economic inequality, they tend to commit suicidal bombing, jihard and terrorism.
In particular, in many countries of the Middle East, democracy has not been deeply rooted in society for many years.
Many people have been deprived of the freedom of speech and the opportunity to express their demand for their authoritarian government .
These dire situation have fueled anger and disappointment toward the central power. Therefore, violent and anti-government movement as a form of jihard and
terrorism from among people have taken place in many countries of the Middle East in the past.
However, we must keep in mind that basically Islam is a peaceful religion. ``The root word of Islam is `Silm`, which means peace. So the spirit of Islam is the spirit of
peace. The first verse of the Quran breathes the spirit of peace. It reads :` In the name of God , the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.`
This verse is repeated in the Quran no less than 114 times. It shows the great importance Islam attaches to such values as Mercy and Compassion.`` 1)
From above arguments so far, the most important thing is the following fact. ``Looking at the three major religious traditions that believe in one God ( Christianity,
Islam and Judaism), all three make reference in their religious texts to both violence and peace. So the fact that a religious text contains violent verses doesn`t make
it a violent religion. But it`s also a fact that a religious text containing peaceful verses doesn`t make that religion peaceful either.``2)
In conclusion, I believe that ``the enemy of peace is not religion, but those who pursue acts of terror and violence against the innocent in the name of religion.``3)
References: 1) `Islam : a religion of peace and justice`, https://www.islamweb.net.
2),3) Milad Milani, `The truth about whether Islam is a religion of violence or peace`, https://theconversation.com.
Round 2
If Pro wishes to Kritik the definition, he must contest mine with a superior one. If he doesn’t, then it shall remain for now.
Rule 3 even makes it clear that definitions aren’t absolutes.
All human beings are not free from violence, strife, commotion, mental stress and hatred feelings even if he or she believes in Islam, Christianity, Budda, and Hindu.
In a hierarchy of humans and religions that are the least to most peaceful, Muslims and Islam are at the very bottom.
Since my Round 1 Argument about Hell remains dropped, extend.
Here are some Quaran verses that prove Islam is not peaceful.:
24:2 Strike the adulteress and the adulterer one hundred times. Do not let compassion for them keep you from carrying out God’s law—if you believe in God and the Last Day—and ensure that a group of believers witnesses the punishment.
4:34 Husbands should take full care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own money. Righteous wives are devout and guard what God would have them guard in the husbands’ absence. If you fear high-handedness from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God], then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. If they obey you, you have no right to act against them. God is most high and great.
5:38 Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are male or female, as punishment for what they have done—a deterrent from God: God is almighty and wise. 39 But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and makes amends, God will accept his repentance: God is most forgiving and merciful.
Surah 2:191: "And kill them (non-Muslims) wherever you find them … kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers
Quran 9.5: When sacred months have passed, kill polytheists wherever you find them. Capture them, besiege them, sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer and give zakah, let them go on their way. Indeed, Allah is forgiving and merciful.
In Round 2, as Con argues, it seems very difficult to define whether a religion is peaceful or not. As I pointed out in Round 1, all human beings are not free from oppression, exploitation, hatred feelings, violence, strife and commotion. Their feelings always change depending on the situation they face even if they believe in Islam, Christianity or Hindu. However, we must keep in mind that any religion plays an important role in our life. They teach us how to live decently and meaningful
today and tomorrow. In particular, Muslims have been having a hatred feeling toward non-Muslims for many years. So this situation causes military conflict not only
between Israel and Palestine but also between the West and Muslim countries. This situation is a clash between Islam and Christianity from the view point of civilization. We must recognize that every religion has both peaceful and violent aspect. In Islam, when the right of ownership of land , house and
territories are illegally deprived of by non-Muslims, violence is justified. ``Muslims cannot preemptively initiate a war. They are only allowed to act in defense.
Muslims have permission from God to fight back only when they are expelled from their houses or lands. War can be waged if there is a situation where defenseless
people are under attack and ask their Muslim allies for help.``1) Relating to this situation, illegal occupation of West Bank and military invasion of Gaza by Israel
have been fueling anger and the hatred feelings toward Israel from among Islamist people in Palestine in the long history of Israel and Palestine.
In this dire situation, Islamist justify war against Israel. However, the important thing is that not the majority of Islamist but very few of them engage in radical and
violent behavior and act. Recently , once again clash between Israel and Palestina has taken place.
``For years, the Palestinian Authority, the semiautonomous body that that administers cities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, like Nablus, worked with Israel to
keep Palestinian militias in relative check. The authority had hoped that building enough trust with Israel leaders would persuade them to allow the formation of a
Palestinian state. But in cities like Nablus, the authority`s control is ebbing and its popularity is plummeting as hopes of statehood all but evaporate.
A younger generation of gunmen has become increasingly active over the past year, mounting more shooting attacks on Israel soldiers and civilians and opening
fire far more often during Israel raids on their towns.`` 2)
In spite of serious situation, many Islamist people in Palestina hope dialog ,reconciliation and peace between Israel and Palestina.
References: 1) Pooyan Fakhraei, ` You don`t need to look much further than the Quran for proof that Islam is a peaceful religion`, https://www.independent.co.uk.
2) `Guns in hands, again`, The New York Times International Edition, March 7, 2023.
Round 3
As I pointed out in Round 1, all human beings are not free from oppression, exploitation, hatred feelings, violence, strife and commotion.
Islam pushes these qualities the most and in a ranking system of most to least peaceful with every human on Earth, Islam is the least.
Extend.
Let me begin my argument for Round 3. I believe that every religion urges all human beings should pursue a world without war and military conflict, respect for different culture, stability of personal life and happy life. However, unfortunately we faced wars and military conflict in the long history of human kind.
When we look at the world these days, war and military conflict are being fought not only between Russia and Ukraine but between Israel and Palestine.
Therefore, any religion does not necessarily contribute to making peace. We must pay attention to the basic function of human brain.
It seems to me that human brain has two function. One is that a human brain has aggressive and violent function. It contribute to fueling war and violence.
Second is a function which promotes and emphasizes affection for other people and living things like animals.
For example, in ancient times people killed animals without hesitation. After that, they used them mainly as foods to support their life. Moreover, they used them as
materials for making their cloths. At the same time they regarded living things as God.
For example, we can find many pictures of animals in the caves of ancient society which are preserved as historical monument.
The important thing is that people painted them as their expression of gratitude. We must recognize that how violent or militant he or she may be, most of them visit
Mecca and pray for Allah. Majority of Islamist prioritize peace and harmonious relationship among them joining in their own community.
However, as I pointed out in Round 2, when their homes or territories are being threatened, some Islamist engage in violent behavior which is regarded as military
conflict between Isael and Palestine. International Criminal Court sometimes engage in mediating for finding ways for mitigating their conflict.
However, unfortunately Palestine does not accept ICC`s idea or suggestions in many cases.
The main reason is that the U.S. plays an important role as an allied country of Israel in the background.
So, this situation fuels the hatred feelings and violent behavior toward the U.S. among people of Palestine.
In conclusion power and imperialistic politics of the great power make some people militant, violent and aggressive. The important thing is that any religion has nothing to do with this situation.
Round 4
Since Pro hasn’t addressed any of my arguments.
Extend.
Con presented some of the concept of eternal punishment `to keep its followers loyal and submissive through the form of cruel and unusual punishment .` in
Round 1. Moreover, in Round 2, Con presented the strict rule to regulate the relationship between husbands and wives in Islam.
And Con introduces `Quran 9.5: When sacred months have passed , kill polytheists wherever you find them. Capture them, besiege them, sit in wait for them at every
place of ambush.` Moreover, Con emphasizes that Islam is the `least peaceful with every human on Earth.`(in Round 3)
However, I believe we must pay attention to the fact that there are many Islamic countries and people who believe in Islam in the world.
The important thing is that the level and degree of the punishment differ from one country to another.
Here, let me point out the situation of women in Islamic countries as one example. ``There is popular narrative in the West that Islam is sexist.
Brutal accounts of honor killings and public stonings of women accused of adultery have permeated the Western media. But these heinous acts affect a small minority
of the world`s 1.5 billion Muslims, particularly those in fundamentalist countries like Iran and Somalia.``1) Regarding to the sexist of Islam, Coran stipulates that
women ``are supposed to stay at home mostly.``2) And ``men can marry four women simultaneously , women are restricted to one husband at a time.``3)
Furthermore,`` the Koran cautions women `to draw their outergarments close around themselves ` so that they will not inspire sexual desire in men other than their husbands.
Many in the West decry the various headcoverings as sexist, but their implementation differs widely in the Muslim world. ----- While in Indonesia, the world`s largest Muslim country, headcoverings are completely optional and actually used often as a fashion statement.``4)
The important thing which we must keep in mind is that ``there are thousands of hadith, accounts of Muhammad`s words and actions, which explain how a seventh
century Muslim was supposed to live. Yet devout twenty-first century Muslims also consult these writings for daily guidance. ``5)
In conclusion, I believe that a religion of Islam has two faces. One emphasizes peace and spirit of community among those who believe in Islam.
The other is very severe aspect for women in their daily lives.
References: 1), 4), 5) `Does Islam really subjugate women ? `( https://bigthink.com. )
2), 3) Does Islam teach subjugation and inequality of women, or is that due to a wrong interpretation of the religion ? ` (https://islam. stackexchange)
Round 5
Real Life Accounts:
You can make the argument that these people were taken the Quran "out of context," but this doesn't deny the very sociopathic and tyrannical influence Islam holds over its members.
l. Indonesia
On January 10, 2000, a Christian village was raided by Muslim extremists who sought to convert their new recruits by means of intimidation and force. They set fire to the houses, forcing the villagers on the retreat and to flee into the jungle in order to escape.
"Instead, Adel froze, paralyzed by the crackling sounds of fire now drifting up the hillside as smoke ascended into the darkening sky. They have set the entire village ablaze. Every house would be consumed, she knew, including her own."
ll. Afghanistan
On March 19, 2015, a Muslim religious teacher by the name of Farkhunda Malikzada was reportedly accused of burning the Quran one day when a tragic argument took a turn for the worse.
She was attacked and brutalized by a mob that struggled against the police in their fight. The mob then burned her body, and evidence was released proving that the allegation made against her was in-fact, false.
1.Rebuttal: Two cases which Con pointed out in Round 5 are closely linked to the violent cases which were committed by Islamists who took un-Islamist behavior.
Some people might regard their action as `Jihad.` Their illegal and brutal action fueled a bad impression of Islam.
Here let me point out the very important thing in Islam. Some people connect `Jihad` with violence and terrorism. However, the true meaning is to promote peace ,
decent life and prosperity of all the people who believe in Islam. ``The word Jihad comes from the Arabic word `jahada`, which means `to struggle, make effort or
strive.` Jihad is a core concept in the Muslim religion, and in its Islamic context, it has two primary meanings: to struggle for the betterment of oneself within the
guidelines of Islam, and to struggle for the betterment of all mankind by spreading the influence of Islam and the Muslim prophet Muhammad.``1)
2. This is my last argument. We must keep in mind that Islam is a religion which promote strongly peace, prosperity, solidarity and economic equality among people
who believe in Islam. Taking those key elements into consideration, we must point out the importance of `Zakat ` in Islam.
Zakat mainly is intended to reduce the economical gap between the rich and the poor. ``Zakat is a form of charity and any charitable deed means that the money gets out of the rich and circulates in the whole economy.`` 2) And ``Zakat is a mandatory practice of Islam and the purpose of it is to help society, share the endless boons of Allah and give the unfortunate ones a better life. Therefore, every person must ensure that Zakat is paid to the most deserving people.
Our environment and the world in which we live and work are the mirrors of our attitudes, deeds, and what we are giving them back every day.
Human life is not meant to be wasted in selfishness. It is meant to be dedicated to the good of others. To lead a purposeful and worthy life it`s important we remain honest to ourselves and society.``3) We must keep in mind strongly that ``Zakat is one of the essential elements of the Islamic system of charity. It is a revolutionary micro-financial concept that has changed the lines of billions to this date, and its importance hasn`t dimmed in all these centuries.``4)
Furthermore, the spirit of solidarity and cooperation among Islamist people contributed to eliminating the spread of Covid-19 pandemic to many Islamic countries. 5) ``The Islamic Development Bank and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have taken steps to mitigate the catastrophic economic and health consequences of the pandemic.``6)
Arguments so far, I believe that Islam is a peaceful religion and contributes to maintaining world peace .
References: 1) Julia Layton, `What is the true meaning of Jihad`, https://people.howstuffworks.com.
2), 3), 4) `Importance of Zakat in Islam`, https://www.transparentshands.org.
5), 6) `Coronavirus and Islam: How Muslims can come to terms with the pandemic `, https://www.middleeasteye.net.
I mean, if followers of one religion are more violent than the followers of other religions, then thats obvious proof of what such religion results in.
When people argue Islam isn't peaceful, they usually use quotes from the Koran. Personally I would use all the terrorist attacks to prove my point.
Peaceful- Free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder.
what there is left to debate when u have definitions like that.
I don’t know, but to me it seems to come down to how one interprets jihad
I think maybe he could change it in, islam is a violent religion?
I’m just trying to encourage anyone who may be on the fence to step up.
And yes, a better definition should be suggested before the debate commences.
Oh no nevermind, I would rather have @yassine take this challenge due to his fine english (mine is not that good) and his broad knowledge, I saw a few of his former debates and think he would be able to do it better than me.
Im new to all this, and was wondering why I can’t join the debat.
Exactly. Depending on how you define "peaceful," a lot of Muslims wouldn't classify Islam as such. Besides, I think most of them would support fighting defensive wars at the very least.
The definition of peaceful could disqualify just about any group of people as not peaceful. Nobody is "Free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder."
It's looking like no one here believes the resolution to be true.
Fixed.
What details would you prefer I add, if any?
For a topic like this, I’d say BoP rests more strongly with con. Peace is a default state we can assume until evidence of the contrary is presented.
- The description needs more detail. & also I need more than 3 days for arguments. I am busy the next couple days, I will take this on asa I have time.
Absolute, as in if Pro has a superior definition to contest mine (more relevant to the subject.) then they may choose to do so, and it will be valid.
Definitions are rarely absolute.
So there's Muslims and then there's Muslims.
Islam is the collective noun.
definitions are not absolutes.
well, that will make this intresting.
Fixed.
- Full topic? Definitions? Rules?
Interested in this one?