The ‘Verse of Sword’ “…then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush…”

For those who nullify the way of Mohammed as a peaceful religion and the ‘cure for the ills of modern culture, this verse from the Qur’an cannot be overlooked by rational minds. It invalidates over 100 less hateful verses – verses Muslims still use in trying to portray Islam as peaceful and tolerant world religion. Qur’an 9:5, like all of the more hate-filled verses which advocate violence towards anyone that does not accept and follow Mohammed’s teachings, set a standard of terror to be reigned upon unbelievers of the Muslim faith.

Verses of hate towards non-believers of Islam as written in the Qur’an represent 60% of the Qur’an. Non-believers, as defined by the Qur’an are anyone that is not a Muslim. In contrast to Mohammed’s teachings as found in the Qur’an, Holy Scriptures as found in the Bible quote Jesus Christ as consistently saying something quite different. While Mohammed said to kill infidels/unbelievers, Jesus, the Messiah brought an entirely different message to the world hundreds of years earlier. In contrast to Mohammed, the man who began Islam, Jesus Christ said:

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” (Luke 6:28)

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44)

“…do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39)

“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Jesus spoke of how you could tell a person’s true nature in life by their actions. He said, “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions,” (Matthew 7:20). Whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist, this timeless Truth spoken and lived out by Jesus stands as the standard for what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable in life. You will be known by the fruit you produce. Does what you do in your life produce Life or death? Do your actions show Love to your fellow man or do they advocate violence? Does Islam?

I am continually drawn back to the Biblical definition of what love is. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about what God’s Love looks like being lived out in the lives of those who profess to know and love God. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 we read in part what God’s love looks like being lived out, and it is in stark contrast to what Mohammed taught. Christians are compelled to love others as themselves, and as Christ loves.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”

When you study the Bible – the Old Testament and New Testament alike – and every other document in history that relates to or speaks about the true nature of God and His Son Jesus, this Truth of what love is shines all the brighter in a dark and dying and corrupt and violent world. In contrast to the teachings of Mohammed, the Messiah Jesus spoke of loving everyone whether they were followers of Him or not. In contrast to the teachings of Islam, God loves everyone and wants no one not to spend eternity away from His love and goodness. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).

Ask yourself this question each time you see violence caused by ‘religion’ in the world or how you or those around you treat others in and around their lives. Does the ‘god’ that you follow after offer hope, forgiveness, and peace, or does what you believe and follow and promote self-centered or hate-filled mandates that are not rooted in the definition of what Love is (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)?

If you are wondering how to have world peace, of how to best live your life out so that people will remember you for something beyond that of you just having lived and died. If you want to combat violence and hate and injustice, consider the idea of loving others instead of hating them because they are different. God loves everyone the same. Why shouldn’t we?