Jihad? Who Are the Jihadis?
A simple search on Google AI for the word "Jihad" yields what appears to be well-written propaganda for Islam. The terms used include "internal struggle" and "external activists defending the Muslim community," along with attempts to emphasize "context."
Yet churches are being burned today in the name of Jihad. Historical statues of Buddhists and Hindus are being destroyed, and the lives of many Muslims and non-Muslims are being sacrificed on the altar of Jihad in the name of Allah.
Jihad as Context
In this century, Jihadi propaganda continues to claim that terrorism is justifiable. How do you justify killing unarmed families and children? How can you justify killing someone because of their different religious background? How can you justify taking these families' assets as bounty and prizes for killing them?
The Bible, which is foundational to Judeo-Christian ethics, defines these acts as murder and theft.
Jihad as Internal Struggle
Imams and professors who spread Islamic propaganda avoid discussing the wars led by Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. They are unwilling to tell the truth about Jihad. While "Jihad" in Arabic means "to struggle for a goal," Muhammad defined Jihad as fighting and destroying the unbelievers—the non-Muslims.
For Muhammad, Jihad was the battlefield. An entire section in the Hadith (traditions about Muhammad) is dedicated to war and killing in battle. Muhammad in Islamic history is depicted as a divine general who massacres enemies for the sake of Jihad. Jihad was not an internal struggle but an external invasion of other communities.
Jihad as External
Since Islam as a religion divides people into Muslim or Kafir (non-Muslim), it leads to viewing all people and cultures as either enemy or friend. Additionally, the Muslim community is supposedly at war with non-Muslims until they subdue them. This statement shocked Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers, when he spoke to the ambassador of the Dey of Tripoli. He wondered why a religion would teach the subjugation of people unknown to them.
The collective excuses that Islam provides for Jihad are political and expansionist. Current Jihadi conflicts include: the Iran-Iraq war, Sunni-Shia wars, Yemen (with Houthis against their own government and against Saudi Arabia), Sudan's civil war, Boko Haram conflicts from North to South Sudan and North to South Nigeria, Afghanistan's Taliban versus Hazara conflicts, and Israel versus Houthis, Hamas, and Iran. All are Jihadi wars aimed at expanding the political and territorial presence of political Islam.
Conclusion
Jihad must be stopped. There is no context that justifies killing women and children. There is no reason to justify killing someone born into a different culture or religion.
Judeo-Christian ethics represent the only hope for moving humanity to a better place. The value of human life, freedom of choice, defense of the weak, and religious liberty are all concepts found in the Bible.
The ultimate goal is equality for all humans and loving one's neighbor. These values are needed on this planet today.
As a Christian, I believe you must have faith in Christ to accomplish these goals. However, it is imperative that we teach these values to all people. Living by them is the only hope for the world's survival.
