Islam Debate Guide

From PhiloWiki

The righteous are those who believe in God, and the Day of Judgment, and in the angels, and the holy book, and the prophets. They share their wealth with their family, and with orphans, and the helpless, and with travelers in need, and with beggars. They attend to their prayers and give to charity. They are true to their promises, and are steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war.

Such are the true believers. Such are the God fearing. They will be blessed and forgiven by God, and a generous provision shall be made for them. As for the unbelievers, it is the same whether you warn them or not, they will not have faith. God has closed their hearts and ears. Their sight is dimmed and an agonizing punishment awaits them.

- Muhammad    Qur'an

The core beliefs of Islam are ...

• There is only one God, the God of Abraham, and he is almighty and all-knowing, and he is merciful and forgiving. He has no children.

• Muhammad is God's messenger and the Qur'an is a recording of the words of Muhammad as he continued to recieve his revelations from an angel named Gabriel over the last twenty years of his life.

• Believers must pray five times a day, donate part of their income to charity, fast during the holy month of Ramadan, and visit the city of Mecca at least once in their life.

• On the Day of Judgment, the dead will be resurrected to appear before God to be judged for their deeds. The righteous will pass through the gates of heaven into the Garden of Eden, where they will rest comfortably and enjoy abundant food and drink and endless gifts. Sinners and non-believers will be thrown into the flames of hell to burn for eternity.

• In the Qur'an, Muhammad said that God made men superior to women, and so women must always obey the commands of their husbands and satisfy their needs.

• Believers must fight to resist any evil within themselves, while also fighting to resist any evil in the world around them.

Islam

• Is the Qur'an the Word of Allah?
• What happens to those who have never heard of Allah?
• Is there a Trinity?
• Artistic criticism of Islam

Religious criticism in art

Throughout history, all religions have been critiqued through art and especially political cartoons. The criticisms, and the reactions by the religious faithful, can be illuminating.

• Artistic criticism of Islam