Just another Islam post. :-/

R

Robder

Active Member
I just saw a Muslim family walking along Church St and the son had a t-shirt on with the words, "Soldier for Allah" emblazoned across it.

This is all fine but given the current state of the world and misunderstanding of Islam - isn't it just a tiny bit easy to misinterpret the meaning? (Jihad)

...or is it just me?
 
hello rob!

very easy to misinterpret the meaning - especially if you have no knowledge of islam like most of us. It might mean something completely different but your first reaction is clearly 'jihad'
 
I went to a Christian fundamentalist church school for a couple of (very strange) years as a kid and they were always using soldier/army imagery to talk about Jesus' followers.

Salvation Army and all that.

Given, the times they are a changin' but I wouldn't necessarily take it out of context.
 
Robder said:
I just saw a Muslim family walking along Church St and the son had a t-shirt on with the words, "Soldier for Allah" emblazoned across it.

This is all fine but given the current state of the world and misunderstanding of Islam - isn't it just a tiny bit easy to misinterpret the meaning? (Jihad)

...or is it just me?
Click to expand...

It looks like a proper provocation :?
 
The salvation army don't have terrorists using their name as a rallying cry to blow things up. (apart from those dudes who terrorise us every christmas with their trombones)


Unfortunately The Islamic Faith does. Let's not pretend here. To me "Soldier Of islam" is reminiscent of all the hateful rhetoric every rogue cleric in this country spouts to indoctrinate the thick and vulnerable to commit acts in the name of theri religion.

To me religion is a personal thing anyway. At the very least the parents should realise that getting their kids to wear or letting their kids wear provocative religious imagery may cause them problems when intergrating with other kids.
 
Maybe... to clarify, I'm neither condoning nor condemning this t-shirt. But militaristic references to religion are nothing new. The crusades, for example.

This individual could mean, in an earnest way, that he's a soldier for Allah in the same way that some Christians call themselves soldiers for Christ.

If someone else acted in a violent manner and similarly called themselves soldiers for Christ (modern example: abortion clinic bombers in the US), would we then condemn anyone else using the same imagery but in a different, peaceful manner?
 
Morbyd said:
How is that any more a provocation than the Salvation Army? :?
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If I'm not wrong, Salvation Army doesn't kill on name of their religion.
I was talking about that t-shirt Robder talked about. If you want, I can list all the things that same to me a provocation, but I think it's not the case.
 
silvia said:
If I'm not wrong, Salvation Army doesn't kill on name of their religion.
I was talking about that t-shirt Robder talked about. If you want, I can list all the things that same to me a provocation, but I think it's not the case.
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I only mentioned the Salvation Army just to compare the use of militaristic references for ardent followers of a religion. This kid probably never killed anyone in the name of his religion either. (also see post above)
 
Morbyd said:
I only mentioned the Salvation Army just to compare the use of militaristic references for ardent followers of a religion. This kid probably never killed anyone in the name of his religion either. (also see post above)
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Exactly it was you who mentioned Salvation Army not me. But if you feel better I agree with you: they are a proper provocation. :roll:

And probably the kid never killed anyone but it's a declaration of principles.
 
Oh...Here we go! I just remembered a hymn we sang in church when I was (forced to attend every Sunday as) a kid:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

(Refrain)
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Refrain

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Refrain

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Refrain

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Refrain

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain
 
i've seen a lot of evangelical Christians with t-shirts and the like ... anyone heard of the WWJD gang... tis stands for What Would Jesus Do.. you can get bracelets, necklaces anything.. and when you're in a tough situation you can look at your necklace and think..' what would jesus do? ha ha!:lol:

but yeh, lots of evangelical Christians would say they are a soldier for jesus
 
Morbyd said:
Maybe... to clarify, I'm neither condoning nor condemning this t-shirt. But militaristic references to religion are nothing new. The crusades, for example.

This individual could mean, in an earnest way, that he's a soldier for Allah in the same way that some Christians call themselves soldiers for Christ.

If someone else acted in a violent manner and similarly called themselves soldiers for Christ (modern example: abortion clinic bombers in the US), would we then condemn anyone else using the same imagery but in a different, peaceful manner?
Click to expand...

I agree about many religions use military references "Onward Chrsitian Soldiers" etc. And in the past those references were seen to be very innocent. However, in context of today's political and religious environment, I think anything that links religion to military imagery is sinister and vile at worst and irresponsible at best.

Unless those people have been living in a bubble since 2001, but chances are they are from London and after 7/7 they should know better, much better.

And it doesn't do much to help harmony between the vast majority of religious followers of all creeds who want nothing more tha peace and smiles all round.
 
Morbyd,

Read this:

Robder said:
This is all fine but given the current state of the world and misunderstanding of Islam
Click to expand...


In this context, the curren state of the world and the misunderstanding of Islam, MY PERSONAL OPINION is that this t-shirt looks like a provocation.
 
Oh and I forgot to add..


I would condemn abortion clinic bombers and the crusades.

Just because what they do / did do was "in the name of God" doesn't make it right.
 
MARKB said:
I agree about many religions use military references "Onward Chrsitian Soldiers" etc. And in the past those references were seen to be very innocent. However, in context of today's political and religious environment, I think anything that links religion to military imagery is sinister and vile at worst and irresponsible at best.

Unless those people have been living in a bubble since 2001, but chances are they are from London and after 7/7 they should know better, much better.

And it doesn't do much to help harmony between the vast majority of religious followers of all creeds who want nothing more tha peace and smiles all round.
Click to expand...
Well stated... and to the point: it's not simply the concept of being a "soldier for Allah" (in the peaceful sense, and we must assume that's what he means) that is provocative. It's the context - the inherent insensitivity given recent events - that is troublesome.
 
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