This is a gross generalization that flies in the face of Muslims that are not about hurting anyone or making "jihad."
Exactly.
Anyway, as it was explained to me, "jihad" has multiple meanings and does not- in the moderate Islamic faith- refer to waging war against non-Muslims. It refers to waging an internal war against one's own baser instincts, and becoming a better, more righteous person. Much as Christians are instructed to do.
Sorry, you are wrong. What does Islam mean. Islam means submission. Total submission. That means you can't be a part time muslim and still be a muslim. Total submission means serving Allah . Part of serving Allah is fighting infidels in holy war or jihad. It is not an option according to the Quran.
And what about all this lamb and shepherd nonsense?
Are Christians not instructed to be totally submissive before their God?
Can you be a "part time Christian"? The Christian God demands total submission. Total submission means serving Him.
Part of serving God is to combat evil and sin, both within and without. This is jihad. That is what it means.
It is not an option according to the Bible.
I have known many middle-easterners of Islamic faith.
I worked for one for years, in a small restaurant. Another was my regular cab driver when I was dancing. They became my friends over the years. They were gentle, peaceful men, hard-working and family oriented, with no violence or meanness in them.
I talked to these guys a lot. They were kind and respectful men, intelligent and tolerant of our differences.
After 9-11, rocks were thrown through the windows of Salid's restaurant where I used to work.
Shortly after that, he had a stroke and became partially paralyzed. He was only in his 40s. It was a combination of the stress of working 15 hour days for years to build up his business from scratch, combined with the racism and hatred that he and his family were subjected to after the World Trade Center tragedy.
I cared about both of these men; they were better people than most Westerners I have known, and neither ever once suggested that I or any other non-Islamic should follow the tenets of Islam.