Chapter One:The Fantacizers Cont.
In the section of the book 'A Mistake We Can't Afford' on pages 12-13, Mr. Wallace writes that Europe made a mistake when dealing with Hitler (12). This would be from 1933 until the beginning of World War II in 1939. This mistake would be appeasement and not realizing the reality of imminent war.
The author reasons that Islam declared war on the West fourteen hundred years ago and this needs to be acknowledged. (12). Mr. Wallace is very critical of then President Obama for not publicly acknowledging that Islam is indeed at war with the Western world. (12).
From reviewing this book so far, I have reasoned that orthodox Islam, as does radical Islam, does hold to forms of Jihad and Holy War.
November 14 2017: Aggressive Martyrdom
I documented that although both orthodox and radical forms of Islam hold to Jihad/Holy War, the orthodox interpretation in many cases, with Islam in the Western world, is that Jihad is for defensive purposes. I will take the Islamic Supreme Council of America at their word that Jihad is primarily defensive. In other words, that is their scholarly interpretation. I am going to attempt to not judge motives.
As cited in previous articles, in regard to Jihad/Holy War from World Religions textbooks.
Nigosian writes that this is 'combativeness'...or rather being engaged in combat against 'pagans' or opponents is called jihad, meaning holy war. (448). The goal is not primarily religious, as in conversion, but the goal is political control over societies. (448). In order to rule with the principles of Islam, in other words, Islamic law.
Nigosian's definition allows for defensive Jihad, but also a more aggressive form of Jihad could also be interpreted here. To rule other societies by Islamic law is certainly beyond defensive Jihad.
Lewis M. Hopfe admits that one of the most controversial aspects of Islam is 'Jihad' (Holy War). Hopfe (1987: 419). Pagans he writes may have been forced to convert but Jews and Christians and others were free to worship and they chose. Hopfe (1987: 419). It is admitted by Hopfe that there is a Muslim doctrine that one must do battle for God. Hopfe (1987: 419).
Hopfe's definition too could view Jihad as defensive, but also it aggressively protects the interests of the religion through military force. Force and coercion is beyond the scope of defensive Jihad.
I reason that because of this very faulty State/Religion government model, Jihad/Holy War can easily be at times interpreted and implemented with varied degrees of force and coercion. This has been done throughout the history of Islam.
Critics have pointed out that much of the Qur'an has open-ended verses in regard to Jihad meaning that they are not necessarily restrained to an historical context. Radical forms of Jihad and aggressive martyrdom could be conceivably reasonably interpreted within today's Islam, for today's world.
Mr. Wallace does have some reasonable concerns...
October 24 2017: Open-ended verses
Therefore, I can reason that any forms of Islam, Quranic Islam in context, and also those citing the Sunnah, that interpret Jihad/Holy War and martyrdom in a politically and theologically aggressive manner are indeed enemies of Western society.
This based on radical Islamic worldviews which are against Western democratic society, the Christian Church, and other opposing worldviews, including those within Islam that show some significant moderation. This type of Islam violently opposes any and all opposing worldviews.
HOPFE, LEWIS M. (1991) Religions of the World, New York, Macmillan Publishing Company.
NIGOSIAN, S.A. (1994) World Faiths, New York, St. Martin’s Press.
WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.
