Mike wrote:

Hey Andy, What do you think about the parallels between the middle eastern fanatics who want to kill you and I, and the fanatics present in the former Nazi Germany state? What the hell is up with these middle eastern fanatics? I hate to refer to them as Islamic fundamentalists, because these crazy idiots beheading people have no relation what so ever to Islamic principles given their practices. They are not Islam. I really think people are going to look back 100 years later and view these people as a bunch of lunatics. Peace bro. Mike

My response:

The Islamic fanatics are the same as the Nazis in that both groups want the elimination of other groups, they espouse genocide if you will. However, whereas Nazis wanted to kill Jews, Christians and eventually anyone else who was not of the Aryan race, Islamic fundamentalists seek to kill all "unbelievers." The trouble is, that the Koran tells them to do this, but it also says to first try to convert the unbelievers. If the unbelievers (Jews, Christians, Pagans, Hindus, etc.) will not convert, then the Koran instructs Muslims to kill them and take over their land and property. Whereas Nazis sought power and dominance for their race, to eliminate all others who did not look as they did and come from the same land, fanatic Muslims seek to create a dominant philosophy and a way of life, regardless of the people involved. Both are wrong

There are many in the media who will say that Islam is a peace-loving religion, but this is not true. There are definitely peace-loving Muslims, but these are those who ignore certain parts of the Koran. They follow the peace and love sections of the Koran, but ignore the other parts, which are a majority. This is where Islam differs from Christianity: Jesus came to philosophically do away with the religious sentiments of the Jews, and lead them toward a spiritual relationship with God. In the process, He decided to include all people in His mission. He sought to spread his Word to all humankind, but gave all humankind the choice to accept his Word or deny it. Mohammad came to create a religion from his words and to kill and conquer anyone who would not live under its rules. Christians have suffered the same mentality in the past, but these were Christians that did not live by Jesus' Words that were transcribed to create the words in the New Testament. These were not Christians. On the other hand, Muslims, who believe they should spread their faith by killing those who stand in the way, are following the words of their prophet, they are following the words in the Koran.

The bottom line is that Islam is fatally flawed. It does not teach universal peace, love and freedom. It teaches peace, love and freedom for Muslims and death for anyone else. Even a rational person, who says that Jesus was not God and that he didn't rise from the dead, cannot say that Jesus taught an exclusive peace and love. This person can see that Jesus taught Christians to love their enemies; to teach their enemies love through their example, even if they have to suffer. He said that if the enemy responds with violence, Christians should stand up to these enemies, but only in a way that expresses their humanity, in a way that does not give the enemy the satisfaction of dominance over them. He said not to raise a finger; to take no violent action against the enemy. He said to teach them with wisdom and love. I know that Jesus is God because of these teachings.

Check out the Web site I will point out at the end of this note; it's a pretty good guide that takes religious comparison out of the argument for the most part. But to get on with religious comparison, I've pasted some relatively long parts of the Koran and New Testament for your review. There's really nothing around these quotations that would change their meaning or take them out of context. If you don't want to take my word for it, I've given you the verses that I copied them from so you can check it out for yourself. The verses follow:

The Koran, 9:5-12: "When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy, allow them to go their way. God is forgiving and merciful. If an idolater seeks asylum with you, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of God, and then convey him to safety. For the idolaters are ignorant men. God and His apostle repose no trust in idolaters, save those with whom you have made treaties at the Sacred Mosque. So long as they keep faith with you, keep faith with them. God loves the righteous. How can you trust them? If they prevail against you, they will respect neither agreements nor ties of kindred. They flatter you with their tongues, but their hearts reject you. Most of them are evil-doers. They sell God's revelations for trifling gain and debar others from His path. Evil is what they do. They break faith with the believers and set at nothing all ties to kindred. Such are the transgressors. If they repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy, they shall become your brothers in the Faith. Thus do we make plain our revelations to men of knowledge. But if, after coming to terms with you, they break their oaths, and revile your faith, make war on the leaders of unbelief - for no oaths are binding with them - so that they desist."

The New Testament, Matthew 5:2-48: "And opening His mouth, He taught them saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall know mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you and while speaking lies, say every evil thing against you because of Me. Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (12)...(21) You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'you shall not murder, and whoever murders shall be liable to the judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'you are good for nothing,' shall be liable to the judgment of the Sanhedrin (judges); and whoever says, 'fool,' shall be liable to the Gehenna (a place where refuse and dead bodies were burned in Jerusalem) of fire. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there you remember that your brother has something against you, Leave your gift there and first go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.(24)...(38) You have heard it said, 'an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist him who is evil; rather whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And to him who wishes to sue you and take your undershirt, give to him your coat also; and whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. To him who asks of you, give; and from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away. You have heard it said: 'you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become sons of the Father who is in the heavens, because He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends to rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what better thing are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

For more information, read this guide to flawed Islam.