You’ll never usually get far arguing religion, as there are so many deeply held beliefs on that subject. Also, it’s American tradition not to be overly critical of someone’s religious views as we have a culture of tolerance. Still, I think it needs to be said that the Islamic teaching that I must be killed is something I find to be wrongheaded.

 I’m a Christian (a “Xian” if you want to be hip about it), and I follow Jesus who I believe to be the son of God. Now, you can point out how “wacky” that is empirically, but most would find that crass. So does that mean I’m being hypocritical when I criticize the “wacky” Islamic belief that I should be murdered? You could make that argument, but I think there is a difference.

 Now people murder all the time, usually for completely non-religious reasons. And, if we took a poll, I bet you’d get more than a two-thirds majority saying that murder is very wrong. Despite this, the intense feelings associated with religion often have led directly or indirectly to killing. While Jesus (the son of God, I remind you) was very much against killing anyone, including unbelievers, and there is no precedent for murder in the New Testament – quite the opposite in fact – there have been many deaths in the name of Jesus (quite to his consternation, I betcha). Thus, it seems quite imperative that religions stress as much as possible that murder is wrong. And, of all the major religions, Islam seems to be the one slacking in that area.

 Now, you may question whether I’m really making a religious or philosophical argument here or am instead taking this position out of the selfish motive of not wanting to be killed. That’s certainly a valid question, as I don’t want to be killed, and the reasons for that don’t necessarily have to do with my religious beliefs. Still, that bias admitted, it does not invalidate any merits to my argument. Also, some may think I’m unfairly singling out Muslims, but if radical atheists decided they needed to kill believers to ensure their place in nothingness, I’d be criticizing that too.

 Instead of just being negative, though, why don’t I be constructive and offer Muslims reasons why it’s completely unnecessary to kill me or other unbelievers. Now, I think our beliefs are similar in that we think that unbelievers will burn eternally in hell. Now, think about that: eternally in hell. Now, someone criticizing my belief system can be quite annoying, but, if I murdered him or her now, is that eternity in hell going to be any longer or shorter than if I waited for that person to die from natural death? No; eternity is eternity. I think a great attitude for Muslims would be, “Man, I hate the joooos and the Crusaders, but, they’re all going to burn eternally in hell – Allah be praised – so why get worked up over it?” Also, if you don’t kill someone who doesn’t believe like you do, that gives him or her a chance to convert, which I think most would say is even better than having the person roast in fires that burn but do not consume.

 Of course, I think the Muslims are going to burn in hell, and they think I’m going to burn in hell, but that’s not really the issue. We’ll all find out who is right when we die, hopefully from a nice, natural death… unless the atheists are right; then, we’ll never know and that will suck (it sucks from my current perspective, that is; were I to die and descend into to nothingness, I’m sure I’d have no opinion on the issue at that time).

 Just my two cents on religion. See you in hell.
Frank J. is a syndicated columnist whose columns appear worldwide on IMAO.us and is a frequent contributor to IMAOPodcast.com. He is also the author of such books as “It Was Jesus Who Moved My Cheese!” and “Zero Fun Things to Do in Hell”.