Islam

[JustinHesychast]

Has anyone here had any experience with Islam? I youtubed "Islam" and found either pure hatred or pure beauty. I had a lot of misconceptions. It seems a respectable religion.

[EricTheRed]

Yea. I just wish they would sharpen their swords before doing beheadings.

[Anhelyna]

It's very peaceful as long as you do nothing wrong - then Heaven help you :(

Look at the reports of women being stoned to death

Look at their ways of drawing attention to what they consider is a fight for recognition.

Look at the way they refuse to accept our Laws and state they wish to be dealt with under Sharia Law

now come on Justin

[E.C.]

I did look into Islam for a short while because there was something about the spirituality that attracted me. The same thing with Buddhism and Rastafari.

However, in Islam I found way too many errors.

[Greg the byzantine]

There are different degrees of Islam, just like their are different degrees of Christianity.

Everthing from fanatic-hardcore-zelots, to hardly practicing muslims by family affiliation only.

There is no way to make a blanket statement about muslims or Islam, because from one place to another the religion and the people are not exactly the same.

[JustinHesychast]

EC, care to elaborate? I've looked into both Islam and Buddhism before.

[Protoevangel]

There is no way to make a blanket statement about muslims or Islam, because from one place to another the religion ans the people are not exactly the same.
There is one blanket statement you can make about Islam, and be fully justified.

It is a false religion.


There is also another blanket statement you can make about Muslims, and be fully justified.

They are loved by God, and must be loved by us as well.

[Monica, child of God]

Has anyone here had any experience with Islam? I youtubed "Islam" and found either pure hatred or pure beauty. I had a lot of misconceptions. It seems a respectable religion.

Yes, I have had experience with Islam. Most of the things that I liked about Islam, Christians living in the Middle East (who were of course Orthodox) were already doing for centuries before Mohamed's birth.

Here is a list:

-a fasting season filled with corporate evening worship (Ramadan/Taraweeh vs. Lent/Presanctified)

-bowing before my Creator in prayer (prostrations)

-acapella chant

-liturgy

-modest dress and veiling (look at the icons of women!)

-scheduled times of corporate prayer facing East (salat vs. the Hours)

-architechture that gives glory to God

-beautiful devotional art (caligraphy vs. iconography)

-pilgrimage to holy places (Mecca vs. the Holy Land)

M.

[E.C.]

EC, care to elaborate? I've looked into both Islam and Buddhism before.
If I do, I will only elaborate on the errors.

[Monica, child of God]

The thing is, the good stuff is not unique and the bad stuff is...bad.

M.

[JustinHesychast]

Well, OK, that works EC.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-L-GOHa5-YQ&mode=related&search=

I am addicted to this. It's pretty. xD

[original3]

I have muslim friends and they are such wonderful peaceful people that I really can't believe the terrorists and extreamists actually practice the same religion!

But they do think that christians are polytheists though which I find odd...

They kinda share some of the key Christian principles, I have looked into Islam several times, but I too seem to find it quite flawed.

[original3]

http://ummahfilms.blogspot.com/2006/07/video-blog-9-who-hijacked-my-religion.html

Don't be too blinded by the middle eastern extreamists, the majority of muslims are not like that *speaking from personal experience* check out this link, its a muslim guy talking about terrorism and Islam.

[E.C.]

Like I said before, the thing that attracted me was the spirituality and devotion Muslims have.

I was in seventh grade. It was a year after 9/11 and the History Channel had specials that whole week about the World Trade Center, al-Qaida and other things. One of them was Islam.

Islam is an interesting faith, I'll give Muslims that. However, like I said I found many errors in it.

One thing that really got me was that all their services are in Arabic. If I remember correctly, all Muslims must know Arabic. To me, this is not good because it kills the culture that was in areas before Islam. In Afghanistan, many people along the Hindu Kush mountain range that borders with Pakistan were Buddhist. Now, the Buddhists that were there had those huge (I think they're called) stupas; those giant monuments that were carved into the mountains. However, the Taliban extremists destroyed a number of these monuments that were thousands upon thousands of years old. Also, the Berbers along the Libyan coast were just about killed off by the Muslim invaders back in the day. There are many more examples, but these are just a few of the culture being killed off.

No remorse. I say no remorse because as we know Islamic armies have killed off, butchered and persecuted entire populations just for not being Muslim. Great examples are Jerusalem, Armenia and Greece. Muslim empires through the ages have killed and killed again in the name of Islam (that in itself arouses suspicion, but that's for another day). In doing so entire populations were subjugated and subject to persecution. Sure, this may have happened anywhere from over a thousand years to just yesterday; but there is nothing that Muslim governments or anybody has done to say "I'm sorry". In Germany and Poland you have former concentration camps dedicated to the memory of those who died and for Jewish people. In the UK, I've heard that this past century the English government is slowly allowing Celtic languages like Gaelic and Welsh to make a bit of a comeback. This has not happened in Muslim nations. No where did I find a case of a former church, cathedral or monastery being given back to some Christian Church that had been converted into a mosque. To me, this means that there is no forgiveness and with no forgiveness there is no remorse; with no remorse comes a lot of pride and with pride comes evil.

Also there are things called "honor killings" where one can kill one's family member so as to keep one's family honor. There's also killing for "infidels" and adulterers, thieves and I believe in Saudi Arabia there is even a punishment "beheaded for brewing beer". So to me this means if one has a lot of blood lust, one can kill for whatever reason and get away with it! Call me a pacifist, but I only say if you must kill, kill in times of war and defending one's family.

Also, notice that there is not a lot of stability in Muslim nations? Under different caliphs through the centuries, there has hardly been stability. Not to mention that at times there would be armies of thousands that were really brother vs. brother. To me, this meant that there is no possible way someone can be humble.


I'm not saying that all Muslims are horrible, I'm just saying that history has taught me to be on guard from certain things.

I hope this helped.

[Greg the byzantine]

Well, OK, that works EC.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-L-GOHa5-YQ&mode=related&search=

I am addicted to this. It's pretty. xD


Have you ever heard Arabic Orthodox Chanting?:

http://www.orthodoxiya.org/

[Bushmaster78FS]

I am a muslim convert. The reason I left Islam is I was exposed to Bible. I actually held it and read it without having the prejudice of it being corrupted by men. That is not a good enough reason for listening to my arguments among muslims though I was raised into it, that is enough for me. Unless you are a sufi who seek the mysticism of God, I will suspect there will be somewhere you'd clash with the muslim about religion.

Theological arguments will never end, though to me, they end where Cross stands, but that is me.

Oh another thing, since I see that we are getting a different audience here. My advice, STOP BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT along with the media. They have a potential to destroy you, but WEST is their home and they can't do that, just yet. Appreciate the muslim for his/her person, they do admire a God that they do not know and fear Him. They seek mercy and Lord have mercy, they might have it at the end. It ends at the point how seriously the muslims knows Christ.

[JustinHesychast]

Wow. Perhaps one day we can talk more? Islam has somewhat of an appeal to me.

[Bushmaster78FS]

Islam has somewhat of an appeal to me.

In what way? There is NOTHING it brings new to the table Christian Orthodoxy DID NOT have... Oh, wait, the 4 wife marriage thing, that we didn't have, so that is new...

[Tsarina]

Has anyone here had any experience with Islam? I youtubed "Islam" and found either pure hatred or pure beauty. I had a lot of misconceptions. It seems a respectable religion.

Yes. I've had my experience of Islam for most of my life. I'm a convert from Islam.

Oh, it might "seem" respectable. But let me tell you, that Islam can deceive a lot of people.

[JustinHesychast]

Wow, really? I didn't know there were so many Islam converts here.

[Lotar]

Wow, really? I didn't know there were so many Islam converts here.
IIRC, Tsarina's father is an Imam in Egypt.

[Orthosdoxa]

Justin, whatever you see in Islam, Orthodox Christianity already had, many centuries before Muhammed had his delusions. Look at Monica's list.

[E.C.]

Justin, whatever you see in Islam, Orthodox Christianity already had, many centuries before Muhammed had his delusions. Look at Monica's list.
Minus the whole killing for seemingly whatever reason thing.

[Tsarina]

IIRC, Tsarina's father is an Imam in Egypt.

I can't believe you actually remembered that. lols.

[Orthosdoxa]

Minus the whole killing for seemingly whatever reason thing.

True, but I'm assuming that's not one of the things that Justin finds attractive about it. ;)

[hungrytiger]

Minus the whole killing for seemingly whatever reason thing.
True, but I'm assuming that's not one of the things that Justin finds attractive about it. ;)
I assume so too. :)

What is it you do find attractive about it, Justin?

[Dorothea]

I can't believe you actually remembered that. lols.
Wow! That's very interesting. Tsarina, how did your father feel about you converting to Orthodoxy?

[Monica, child of God]

Wow, really? I didn't know there were so many Islam converts here.

For me it seems like such a long time ago...

But it didn't go straight to Orthodox Christianity. I converted to Protestant Christianity then found Orthodoxy.

M.

[JustinHesychast]

I can't really explain my attraction. I... don't know. I just... do.

*randomness* : Ramadan is a really cool word. :P

[E.C.]

I can't really explain my attraction. I... don't know. I just... do.

*randomness* : Ramadan is a really cool word. :P
This wouldn't have to do with wanting to get back and your mother, would it?

[JustinHesychast]

Actually, no. :P Surprisingly.

[rusmeister]

Well, Justin, it's easy to be attracted to anything, especially at your age. Every religion has something you would call attractive - if it didn't, the religion would die with its creator.

So find out which ones are wrong and why. Find out what's wrong with Islam. Don't waste your time on the attractive points or else you'll have to sample every religion in the world. You'll save yourself a lifetime if you can do process-of-elimination.

Monica's posting shows how we can sympathize with your feelings. But If I were seeking Truth, I would 1) listen to converts from a given faith, and 2) compare what they tell you with what an official source telling you what that faith teaches.

(More knowledgeable people feel free to correct me!)
The first problem I come across with Islam is with the official sources. Their beliefs seem to differ from place to place and if I understand rightly, any imam who stands up to teach interprets the Koran in his own way, like Protestant Sola Scriptura. This explains the diversity and theological lack of unity in Islam, why you can have both moderates and Jihad extremists. That alone is a big clue to me that these people are not on the right track.

[JustinHesychast]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wIxIk2Wta58&mode=related&search=

Titled: What does Islam really teach?

[JustinHesychast]

Interesting comparison to sola scriptura, btw. Thanks.

[JustinHesychast]

And might I add this: http://beconvinced.com/en/article.php?articleid=0013&catid=02&subcatname=Intro%20To%20Islam

And do know that I posting here out of a sincere want to be dissuaded in any way, without a slight trace of interest remaining as it has before. Else I would go to an Islamic board.

[EricTheRed]

I was kinda attracted to Islam. I actually think it was because of the jihad. It is easy to blame the west and jews on everything.

[OrthoCanuck]

Wow, really? I didn't know there were so many Islam converts here.
Yup....I'm another one. Though I was a convert to Islam (for many years) who converted (returned?) to Christianity.

Peace.

[nestoj]

Wow, so many..... I wasn't aware of this. Glory to the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and into the ages of ages.

nestoj
God helps

[buzuxi02]

Islam is quite flawed and the reason why many do not convert away from it comes down to a few reasons:

1. In muslim countries they are not exposed to other religions, publications of other faiths are non-existant, and when other faiths are brought up their always in a bad light.

2. Cultural affiliation. (This is especially true for arabs living on the arabian peninsula, where muhammed is viewed is one of 'their own', a hero, the way greeks view alexander the great and brazilians idolize Pele.)

3. Its customary among islam that when a family member converts to another religion, that they are branded as schizophrenic amongst their own family members. Its also customary for family members to try and have them institutionalized for psycosis if they reside in a majority muslim country.

When these barriers collapse so does Islam. For instance my cousin in greece, married an albanian girl. She had no problem converting to christianity. It was a non-issue for her and her parents. Albanian muslims convert by the droves in greece like its nothing.
When my great great grandfather converted (should i say returned to) Orthodox christianity, he reversed the tables. Living in greece before the population swap, he made it clear to all his family and relatives that he is disowning them, unless they converted back as well.

Islamic theology is very flawed and not well thought out. Its meant to hook those that are unread.

For instance, muslims claim that the prophet spoken of in Deut 18.18 is a prophecy of Muhammed. They claim that muhammed is the prophet who "was like" Moses as specified in the verse. They say Jesus cannot make that claim. They offer a few weak arguments.

If you point out that like Moses, Jesus was in egypt and came out of egypt after herod died. Herod killed the male infants as Moses was abandoned in a stream because the pharoah was killing jewish babies.

That Moses crossed the red sea and spent 40 years in the desert with only manna to eat as Jesus was baptised in the Jordan and went to the desert and fast for 40 days.

When you bring up these points muslims are shocked and confused and in denial, they get very defensive.

That like Moses Jesus was a hebrew. The silly argument muslims to counter is that Ishmael (the first arab) was a brother of Isaac so hypothetically muslims and jews are 'brethren' so deut 18.18 use of "brethren" can stilll be refering to an arab.

When one points out that in Deut 18.15 it makes clear that the prophet who is to come, who is like Moses, who will be chosen among his 'brethren' its specific and says the brethren "which is in thy midst", can only refer to hebrews, no arabs were in the midst of moses.The muslims simply deny this verse as a corruption of the text.

Talk about serious denial. The koran itself is flawed and thus no miracle as muslims claim. In one verse the koran states that the Trinity consistes of Father, Son and the Virgin Mary! In another verse it claims that the Virgin Mary was Moses sister (who in the OT had a sister with the same name). This error came about because those years christians were composing hymns to the Theokos paralleling her to Moses sister.

[Dust and Ashes]

I can understand the attraction as I've noticed a strong spiritual pull that Islam exerts. It is definitely a spiritual pull though I daresay it is not of God. Please be careful when "window shopping" as there are spirits which try to draw us away from the truth and they can be very enticing and deceptive and can make anything appealing to our fallen human sensibilities.

[eoe]

It seems a respectable religion.

The religion denies the incarnation, the crucifixion and the resurrection. It takes Christ the Logos and God and makes him into a subordinate prophet to Muhammad - it preaches another-Christ - an Antichrist.

It leads billions of people away from Christ, away from his Holy Church, away from theosis and casts them headlong into gehenna. It is a vile lie.

You call this respectable?

[eoe]

You know what they do with people with homosexual leanings in Muslim countries?

[copticorthodoxy]

I can't believe you actually remembered that. lols.

Are you Egyptian ??

[zhilan]

Has anyone here had any experience with Islam? I youtubed "Islam" and found either pure hatred or pure beauty. I had a lot of misconceptions. It seems a respectable religion.


I read the rest of this thread some I'm editing what I said since it seems your interest is in Islam as a "would I want to be a Muslim" rather than "Is it to that all Muslims are monstrous killers."

So let me start by saying that I love Islam, I love the Islamic wold, I love the cultures from that part of the world, I love the history, and I love the people. In fact, my life and graduate studies will likely be devoted this this part of the world. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up living in a Muslim country.

And I know what you mean about the appeal of it, in that there is a grace and beauty to their prayer and devotion, etc.

That said, I would never for a moment consider becoming a Muslim. I believe it's a false religion and I think if you really look into it you'll see a lot of similarities to say....Mormonism. Don't let beauty and infatuation lead you from truth.

[Orthosdoxa]

I love Islam

Not me. While I think it's not only good but imperative to love the people who are Islamic, I don't love any belief system that draws people away from the Truth of Jesus Christ, or makes Christ God into some mere "prophet". I don't love lies. But hey, that's just me.

[Monica, child of God]

I will admit that after being Protestant for a while I missed the devotional aspects of Islam. The praxis of non Traditional Christianity is kinda dry and colorless IMO. However, Orthodoxy has both the Truth and praxis tht feeds the soul.

I would love to do a historical study of early Islam compared to 7th century Middle Eastern Christianity. It seems like Mohammed just borrowed from Christianity, sprinkled some Judaism and wallah: Islam!

M.

PS: I wanted to add to my earlier list:

-credal statements in worship (shahada vs. the Creed)
-a fast that culminates in a major feast (Eid vs. Pascha)
-remembrance of God using beads (dihkr vs. prayer ropes)

[Orthosdoxa]

Mo's uncle was a Nestorian bishop, IIRC, who taught him many elements of Christianity, but a screwed up view on Christ's nature. Hence Mo's messed up view. He also studied for a while at the monastery of St. Katherine, in Sinai. So sadly, he had exposure to the Truth but chose to invent his own religion instead. Although he invented very little, only twisting things that already existed.

What Orthodox Emperor Manuel Paleologos said of Islam in the 14th century is as true now as it was then: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

(That's the well-known part of the quote... he finished by saying "God is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats... To convince a reasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death...")

[Tsarina]

Wow! That's very interesting. Tsarina, how did your father feel about you converting to Orthodoxy?

How did he feel about it? He felt like killing me, and he still does. I'll leave it to that. :sigh:

[Orthosdoxa]

Literally? As in, you're in hiding from him?

:hug: Tsarina :hug: Sadly, it doesn't surprise me at all. :( We love you.

[Bushmaster78FS]

What Orthodox Emperor Manuel Paleologos said of Islam in the 14th century is as true now as it was then: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

Make sure you don't start another "Danish" cartoon madness around here.... :doh: I see that the "Christians Only" days ended...

[Bushmaster78FS]

Mo's uncle was a Nestorian bishop, IIRC, who taught him many elements of Christianity, but a screwed up view on Christ's nature. Hence Mo's messed up view. He also studied for a while at the monastery of St. Katherine, in Sinai. So sadly, he had exposure to the Truth but chose to invent his own religion instead. Although he invented very little, only twisting things that already existed.

I don't think he invented anything by himself, we can see that he meditated a lot by himself on a mountain, there is something supernatural involved with him, look up on the first revelation he received.

[Bushmaster78FS]

So let me start by saying that I love Islam, I love the Islamic wold, I love the cultures from that part of the world, I love the history, and I love the people.


No problem with that, though you are mixing up loving the religion and loving the artifacts of this religion... I love the music and "some" of their people. Cultures and food are very appreciable, too...


I wouldn't be surprised if I end up living in a Muslim country.

Are you going to be doing "home church"? :P

And I know what you mean about the appeal of it, in that there is a grace and beauty to their prayer and devotion, etc.

Because it is taken from the correct worship at that time, Orthodoxy. It is designed as a clever weapon by the enemy of GOD. One can not see that unless they have lived Islam and they left it. While seeking God within it, and not knowing Christ at all, might grant them salvation, though, the noticable denial of Christ in their book and their current theological fight against anything Christian is going to doom some of their elders and followers.

That said, I would never for a moment consider becoming a Muslim.

Can one say I love Orthodoxy but I can never consider becoming Orthodox? I could not.

[Orthosdoxa]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Bushmaster again.

Great post.

[MichaelArchangelos]

I almost converted to Islam, but then God saved me and brought me to Christ. However, I first converted to Papism, then to Holy Orthodoxy. Recently, though, the devil has been trying to lead me back down the dark path of Islam.

Justin, have you actually read the Qur'an and/or Hadith, or are you just attracted to the externals of Islam? Because the Qur'an calls for the killing of non-Muslims. "Slay the unbelievers wherever you find them" (Qur'an, Surah 9:5). I understand that Islam has been doing a lot of proselytizing in the last few years, much more than Orthodoxy has. We have an "Islam Awareness Week" at university, and a "Mosque Open Day" as part of it. While there is a "Jesus Week", I've never seen Orthodoxy take any part in it at all. When I was in Malaysia (a predominantely Muslim country), I visited some mosques, and one of them had a huge stand of pamphlets trying to convert people to Islam. None of the churches I saw there had anything like it (and it's not illegal to proselytize non-Muslims in Malaysia).

To see the absurdities taught in the Qur'an and Hadith, you should read the following comic book: Mohammed's Believe it or Else! (http://www.faithfreedom.org/comics/comics.htm)

www.faithfreedom.org is a good site that exposes the Islamic religion and shows people what it's really like. However, the guy who made the site has rejected not just Islam, but all religions and God. He is an atheist, and several of his articles have atheistic comments or teachings in them.

[Orthosdoxa]

Not to mention, Mo was a pedophile. He was attracted to the 6 year old daughter of an associate and asked to be given her. The associate refused, but was finally persuaded, but begged Mo not to consumate the relationship until the girl was older. Old Mo waited until she was 9 to force sex on her. Nice, huh? He was 54. And I don't really give a crap that it was a different era, which is the excuse Muslims often give. A disgusting, hairy old man forcing sex on a little girl that should have been off playing with her dolls is disgusting in ANY era. If he was a "prophet", he should have known such behavior was wrong.

I'm fine with you questioning various Orthodox doctrines. Learning about things and questioning them, digging into them, is the only way you'll grow. But I can't understand the appeal of a religion founded by a violent sexual deviant, that in fact makes Jesus LESS of a man, LESS of a prophet, than this violent sexual deviant. Do you really want to throw Christ as Lord and Saviour in the trash, and start thinking of Him as just some guy who could make a prophecy now and then?

I have a book I want you to read, Justin: The Sword of the Prophet, by Dr. Serge Trifkovich, which is an in-depth study of Islamic history. You really need to know what you're getting into.

There are over a billion Muslims in the world, and every single one of their souls are in great peril. I really hate to think that, after having been exposed to the Truth, you would voluntarily join their ranks.

[buzuxi02]

:yawn: Yep, I've heard that one before. 19th century European Christian intellectuals were so full of the superiority of their religion that they were convinced Islam would collapse as Christian imperialist powers would colonize the Islamic world and remove any state authority keeping the Muslim flocks cowed. Did that happen?
Islam was a crumbling obselete religion until oil came into the picture a few decades ago.
As far as european colonialists like the brits, they could care less about religion, they carved up new countries that never existed before like Iraq and Israel. But once again the racism of arabs is made apparent thru their propaganda. The "white man: is to blame.

Or our (imaginary) empire fell due to the "mongols", 'lets blame them'

Or: the jews those pigs, they are oppressing us.

Whats the matter Sipahi; "Allahs people" couldnt get rid of a few million jews in 1967?

And what do the imams teach the pali refugees in the camps? Not to support any leader who wants to make peace with Israel because 'Allah' will eventually destroy the jews and in that day each muslim man will have 3 jewish concubines.

This is the same b*llsh*t these uneducated imams tell the young suicide bombers. "Dont worry you will have 72 virgins in heaven if you go thru with this"

What does that tell you? It tells me that many imams have there minds in the gutter. And what does this say to muslim girls? How do muslim girls feel that there great prophet, Muhammed, elected to rape and add to his harem a jewish girl right after murdering her husband, obviously the jewish girl made him get off better than his own kind but such depravity doesnt surprise me about Muhammed (pbuh), whatever.

I guess it doesnt matter, since most muslim girls have to ask for permission to go to the bathroom and flush a toilet. There conditioned to believe nonsense and not to question it.

[AJB4]

However, I first converted to Papism, then to Holy Orthodoxy. Recently, though, the devil has been trying to lead me back down the dark path of Islam.

Forgive me, but I kind of object to you using the word 'Papism'. I'm not a Catholic myself, but the word is generally used to be disrespectful to Catholics... It kind of gives the look that you have something against Catholics.

[Monica, child of God]

A disgusting, hairy old man forcing sex on a little girl that should have been off playing with her dolls is disgusting in ANY era. If he was a "prophet", he should have known such behavior was wrong.

These hadith refer to after the consumation:

Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 151
Narrated 'Aisha:
I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (Fateh-al-Bari page 143, Vol.13)

Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3311
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) married her when she was seven years old, and he was taken to his house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her; and when he (the Holy Prophet) died she was eighteen years old.

[ma2000]

http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate/heaven.html

Mohammed knew that sex would sell very well among the group of his lecherous followers who were motivated to fight battles by the promise of sex slaves and booty. By constantly emphasizing to his followers that they would get untouched virgins in Paradise, Mohammed is clearly expressing his "high" opinion of the institution of marriage and his fairness to women. Once the followers go to heaven, they can conveniently ditch their wives for the fresher and more pleasurable sexual encounters with 'Houris' (beautiful virgins). Not only that, the poor wives who gave up their virginity for the pleasure of their husbands do not get even one Male Sex Bomb. But wait, Allah is all merciful! He gives the wives the rare honour of watching their husbands deflower those 72 Houris (virgins) and 28 young pre-pubescent boys.

[RobNJ]

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