Is “Respect Code Reader Machine” out of date, or does it receive wrong codes?
Written by: Iranian Aid to Rescue the West (IARW).
September 04, 2017. All rights reserved.
Is every belief respectable? To find out the answer we will go through some examples, and then ask the same question of ourselves once more.
For instance, if someone’s belief teaches him:
- To hate those who wear blue T-shirts
- To break the window of every red car in the public parking
- To dislike the neighbors, who have a dog
- All people who do not follow his belief system are unclean and dirty
- Women are less valuable as compared to men
- To insult all others’ beliefs
Now, let’s ask ourselves, are any of the aforementioned beliefs respectable? Would any of them be looked upon kindly by non-believers? Is it at all logical for someone to expect society to show respect for such beliefs?
The answer is “No”. None of those beliefs are going to be welcomed by others. And this is not because there is a problem with the others. Just the opposite. Beliefs such as these are not respected because those who hold them are fundamentally disrespectful and intolerant.
Respect is always someone else’s to give. Expecting respect from others is a road with two lanes. Generally speaking, if we behave kindly or act violently toward society we should expect to meet with a response that reflects our own behavior. It is not logical for those who express hatred toward others to expect their love in return!
So in order to answer the question of whether or not every belief is worthy of being respected we have to see what kind of thoughts, words, and deeds are manifested toward others by the followers of that belief? If the fruit of a belief for the others is harmless, then others who do not believe in it may treat the believer courteously. But when what we send out is destructive, it is logical that the belief inspiring this destructive behavior will not be respected.
To conclude, the answer to the question is: NO. It is a big NO. Not every belief is worthy of being respected, just because it is someone’s belief. Although someone full of prejudice may strictly believe in his religion, and count it as a holy and heavenly religion, this does not make that belief something that can be appreciated or even tolerated by others.
Now, following this preface, let us have a look at some passages from one particular religious book called the Quran. Some verses of this book are quoted below. After reading them, each person is free to judge the level of respect or tolerance that a person who believes such things can be expected to receive from others who do not consider this a holy book.
“Believers, fight the unbelievers who are near you. Let them find firmness in you. Know that Allah is with those who are vigilant.” (Quran, Sura 9: AL-TAWBA (REPENTANCE), Verse 123. Translation of Qarib)
”Fight those who neither believe in Allah nor the Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and do not embrace the religion of the truth, being among those who have been given the Book (Bible and the Torah), until they pay tribute out of hand and have been humiliated. The Jews say Ezra is the son of Allah, while the Christians (who follow Paul) say the Messiah is the son of Allah. Such are their assertions, by which they imitate those who disbelieved before. Allah fights them! How perverted are they!” (Quran, Sura 9: AL-TAWBA (REPENTANCE), Verses 29 – 30. Translation of Qarib)
“Whether lightly or heavily, march on and fight for the Way of Allah, with your wealth and your persons. This will be best for you, if you but knew.” (Quran, Sura 9: AL-TAWBA (REPENTANCE), Verse 41. Translation of Qarib)
“Fighting is made mandatory for you, even though you dislike it. You may not like a thing which is in fact good for you, and something that you love, may in fact be evil. God knows, but you do not know.” (Quran, Sura 2: AL-BAQARA (THE COW), Verse 216. Translation of Sarwar)
“The recompense of those who make war against Allah and His Messenger and spread corruption in the land is that they are to be killed or crucified, or have their hand and a foot cut off on opposite sides, or be expelled from the land. For them is shame in this world and a great punishment in the Everlasting Life; except those who repent before you have power over them. For you must know that Allah is Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Quran, Sura 5: AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE), Verses 33 – 34. Translation of Qarib)
”Thus, (Muhammad), fight for the cause of God. You are only responsible for yourself. Rouse the believers and perhaps God will stop the evil designs of the unbelievers. God’s punishment and retribution is the most severe.” (Quran, Sura 4: AN-NISA (WOMEN), Verse 84. Translation of Sarwar)
”So let those who sell the worldly life for the Everlasting Life fight in the way of Allah, whoever fights in the way of Allah, and is killed or conquers, We shall give him a great wage.” (Quran, Sura 4: AN-NISA (WOMEN), Verse 74. Translation of Qarib)
“Eat of what you have taken from the spoils; such is lawful and good, and fear Allah. Allah is Forgiving and Most Merciful.” (Quran, Sura 8: AL-ANFAL (SPOILS OF WAR), Verse 69. Translation of Qarib)
“But the Messenger of God and the believers with him fought for the cause of God with their possessions and in person and their reward will be all good things and everlasting happiness.” (Quran, Sura 9: AL-TAWBA (REPENTANCE), Verse 88. Translation of Sarwar)
“You are forbidden to marry married women except your slave-girls. This is the decree of God. Besides these, it is lawful for you to marry other women if you pay their dower, maintain chastity and do not commit indecency. If you marry them for the appointed time you must pay their dowries. There is no harm if you reach an understanding among yourselves about the dowry, God is All-knowing and All-wise.” (Quran, Sura 4: AN-NISA (WOMEN), verse 24. Translation of Sarwar)
In the verse below, the word “Prophet” is about Prophet Muhammad.
“Prophet, We have made lawful for you your wives whom you have given their dowry, slave girls whom God has given to you as gifts, the daughters of your uncles and aunts, both paternal and maternal, who have migrated with you. The believing woman, who has offered herself to the Prophet and whom the Prophet may want to marry, will be specially for him, not for other believers. We knew what to make obligatory for them concerning their wives and slave girls so that you would face no hardship (because we have given distinction to you over the believers). God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.” (Quran, Sura 33: AL-AHZAB (THE CLANS), Verse 50. Translation of Sarwar)
“With respect to marrying widows, if you are afraid of not being able to maintain justice with her children, marry another woman of your choice or two or three or four (who have no children). If you cannot maintain equality with more than one wife, marry only one or your slave-girl. This keeps you from acting against justice.” (Quran, Sura 4: AN-NISA (WOMEN), verse 3. Translation of Sarwar)
“Believers, the idolaters are unclean. Do not let them approach the Sacred Mosque after this year. If you fear poverty, Allah, if He wills, will enrich you through His bounty. He is Knowing, Wise.” (Quran, Sura 9: AL-TAWBA (REPENTANCE), Verse 28. Translation of Qarib)
“Men are the protectors of women because of the greater preference that God has given to some of them and because they financially support them. Among virtuous women are those who are steadfast in prayer and dependable in keeping the secrets that God has protected. Admonish women who disobey (God’s laws), do not sleep with them and beat them. If they obey (the laws of God), do not try to find fault in them. God is High and Supreme.” (Quran, Sura 4: AN-NISA (WOMEN), verse 34. Translation of Sarwar)
“If any of your women commit indecency, call in four witnesses from among yourselves against them, if they testify, confine them to their houses till death overtakes them or till Allah makes for them a way.” (Quran, Sura 4: AN-NISA (WOMEN), verse 15. Translation of Qarib)
“Believers, why do you say what you never do? It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that which you do not do. Allah loves those who fight in His Way lining up as if they were a stacked building.” (Quran, Sura 61: AS-SAFF (THE RANKS), Verses 2 – 4. Translation of Qarib)
Reference for the Quranic Verses, which has been used, in this article:
http://www.parsquran.com/eng/