Understanding Islam

Article by Kenneth Jost

Presentation by Brett M. Dodrill

Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at Gods great Judgement Seat.

Islam is...
Monotheistic - a single deity
Abrahamic - tracing an origin to Abraham
Taught through the Quran
Worlds second-largest religion!
1.2+ billion followers worldwide1
Two denominations...who hate each other.
Sunni (85-90%)
Shia (10-15%)

The Five Pillars

Testimony: Basic foundation for being a believer in Islam. The simple belief in their
base principles.
Prayer: Prayer must be had five times daily, all toward the holy city of Mecca.
Alms-giving: Giving money to charities.

Fasting: During the month of Ramadan

Pilgrimage: If believers are able, they must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once
in their lifetime.

Mecca

Questions to Consider
1. What are the main points of contention
regarding the strained relationship between the
Christian West and the Muslim East?

2. Does Islam encourage violence?

3. Is Islam compatible with secular, pluralistic
societies?

Christian West vs. Muslim East

European Crusades - Christians vs. Muslims
Nine Major Crusades (1096-1272)
Constant war over the Holy Lands - Jerusalem

Well yeah, naturally! But why else?

Conflicting Religions (Christianity v. Islam)
Cultural Divide
Narrow-minded and extreme vs. decadent and
immoral
Political Opposition

Does Islam Promote Violence?

CBS Poll: 32% (2002) / 46% (2006)
Five Pillar Distortion?
Jihad...what is the true meaning?
Violence...but also peace?
"History reinforces the idea that militancy and violence can, in fact, be part
of the theologically legitimate plan of the Muslim believer."

Not So Fast, My Friends!

Terrorism cannot be born of religion.
Terrorism is the product of corrupt minds,
hardened hearts, and arrogant egos, and
corruption, destruction, and arrogance are
unknown to the heart attached to the divine.
- Sheikh Ali Gomaa, Former Grand Mufti of
Egypt2

Islam: Compatible With Secular, Pluralistic

Societies?

Choice of Religion
Yes? No? Maybe? The West
Yes. Definitely. The East
Atheism is penalized by death in Saudi Arabia

Liberal vs. Ultraconservative

Clothing / social trends
Acceptance of other beliefs

Islam: Compatible With Secular, Pluralistic

Societies?
Religion and Politics
East: Hand in hand ; religious approach directly reflects political
system.
West: Separation of church and state ; no opinion is viewed as
being right or wrong.
Sharia Law
Laws based on Islamic teachings
Limit of human rights (women, homosexuals, etc.)
Severe punishments for minor infractions
Stoning / forced amputations / flogging

Does Islam Need A Reformation?

Would a more liberal enactment of Islam change public
opinion?
Less literal interpretation = less Sharia Law
Due to worldwide fear of radical Islamist ideology, those
radical groups are
Growing larger and more intense toward opposition
Silencing critics, even Moderate Muslims
Wahhabi Movement - Suspected source of global terror ;
puritanical

A Final Thought...

Conclusion
Cyclical Effect
Action Fear Hate Action (Retaliation)
Fear Hate (REPEAT)

We all have the choice: love...or hate.

Whether we agree or not, not everyone wants to kill
each other.

What About That Critique?

Did I take away what I should have?
Was the article biased?
Arguments logical and well-founded?
Difficult to read?
Was my understanding aided?
Are the facts correct?
Questions regarding cultural anthropology?

More Critique Points?! -_- Zzz

Strengths of Article 29!
Timely and fact-driven
Supporting evidence
Both sides presented

Weaknesses of Article 29!

Not much of an argument presented
Doesnt take a completely firm stance

What Do You Think?

Questions?
--Comments?

Mecca Photo (http://www.lettera43.it/upload/images/08_ 2011/l43iftar-ramadan-110801132728_big.jpg)

1http://www.pewforum.org/2009/10/07/mapping-the-

global-muslim-population/
2http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/07/religion/terro

rism-has-no-religion

Distribution Map http://www.islam101.com/images/Muslim_Dis

tribution_map.jpg