History

Question One
The significance of monotheism is its emphasis on the belief that there is only one God. Monotheism is a belief expressed in the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (also known as the three Abrahamic monotheisms). Each of these religions view God as the creator of the world, who oversees and intervenes in human events, and as a beneficent and holy being, the source of the highest good (Monotheism 2010). Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all believe there is one God, however, the three differ on who exactly that one God is. Judaism and Christianity believe God to be Yahweh, the creator of the Heavens and Earth and the great I AM. They believe man to have been created in the image of God. Christians believe God to be a holy trinity made up of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In the Islam faith, the one and only deity of God is believed to be Allah. The Koran states that Allah is One God Allah the Eternal, the Absolute. He neither begets nor was He begotten, and there is none comparable to Him (Patel 2009). All three religions believe that this one God is all powerful, almighty, and in no need of assistance from man, yet man is in complete need of God. Judaism and Christianity build a relationship between God and mankind in that man is created in the image of God however, Islam clearly separates Allah from man and man is in no way created in the image of Allah. Monotheism is an important religion in that it creates the belief of one God who is in control and intervenes in human life creating a sense of stability in a chaotic world. This pro point of view, if you will, builds on the idea that mankind is indeed here for a purpose. There is meaning and reason for being and it can be found through the following of this one God this good and all holy being. On the negative side, there is just one God and nothing else out there. If the worshipping of this being does not fit within the lifestyle of the individual there is no other deity to devote oneself to. It is all or nothing and to believe in nothing in a monotheistic religion would be heresy.

Question Two
There are many disputes over whether Islam is a fundamentally peaceful or hostile religion when it comes to other faiths. In an online article, Lets Set the Record Straight, Imam Tammam Adi Ph.D of the Islamic Cultural Center, Eugene, Oregon clarifies many misconceptions quoting passages of the Koran to back these statements up. For example, Adi writes that jihad is often mistranslated holy war, especially against the West with the more accurate Arabic meaning being struggle (Adi 2010). He quotes the Koran to state that a jihad is also used to refer to a fair war to give a nation freedom o religion if all other means fail stating that the Koran 2255 says, No compulsion in religion (Adi 2010). Those claiming to destroy and give their lives as suicide bombers in an act of jihad have twisted the true meaning of the word and are using the faith and Koran to justify their evil deeds. Adi points out that the Koran in 429 specifically states Do not kill yourselves and that self-killers are condemned to hell (Adi 2010). He calls those who justify suicide killing as radicals sects (Adi 2010). In addition, the ultimate act of terrorism has little to do with Islam and is often done by haters of Islamto sabotage good MuslimsNo Islamic teaching supports terrorism (Adi 2010). In essence, the Islamic faith is not hostile to other religions at least not according to the Koran and its teachings. The conflicts rise in groups that claim to be of the Islamic faith and who in fact kill and terrorize ignoring such fundamental teachings of the Koran.

Question Three
The Islamic-Western history presents two dramatic themes within itself. One is a theme of difference and conflict (or struggle and strife) between the religious faith and the non-believers throughout history. The other is a theme of integration and influence where the Islamic faith has in fact co-existed with other religious beliefs and has even provided great influence and advancements in a variety of fields. The conflicts in the Islamic faith date back to ancient times and are most often fought between the Islamic faith and Christianity. The religions are very similar in their monotheistic view, however, according to one online article the Islamic faith came into the world by sword with the prophet Muhammad taking on the role of a warrior. He (Muhammad) conquered by the sword, starting with raids on merchant caravans. Those who opposed his teaching were physically conquered and often given the option of conversion or death (Blackaby 2010). The early conflicts between the Islamic people and the Westerners came primarily because of the violence demonstrated by Muhammad and taken up by those who followed him. Blackaby writes that the present day conflict is due to economic and political issues where Muslim leaders have made the west the scapegoats just as the Nazis did the jews (Blackaby 2010). The conflict further arises in the fact that there appears to be two types of Islamic people those who follow the Koran, which commands its followers to leave peacefully and condemns such acts of terror and those who claim to be of the Islamic faith yet have no foundation in the Koran or choose not to practice as it teaches. For those who live peacefully amongst the West, positive influence and discovery has abounded in many fields including Agriculture Advances in irrigation, farming, and the introduction of new plants and crops Architecture The Great Mosque of Xian in China for example The Arts Ceramics, textiles, glass, metalwork, woodwork, calligraphy, poetry, philosophy, and improvements to musical instruments such as the lute and guitar  Mathematics Development of the number theory, numerical series, decimal fractions, and the introduction of algebra Medicine and Science were also heavily influenced fields of study (The Islamic Civilization 2010).

Question Four
Both Karen Armstrong and David Landes use their written words to speak their minds on the conflicts surrounding the modern day Islamic or Muslim movement. Armstrong points out that the West has been quick to judge and deem all Muslims to be the enemies in the war on terror. The West has classified all Muslims as terrorists when in reality the terrorists are actually extreme, radical Muslims who are using their past of violence and war to strengthen their hold on a greater segment of the world. Those are the true enemies however, those of the entire Islamic faith are not. Armstrong argues that we must strive to differentiate between foe and friend. There are a lot of grey areas in that the history of Islam is filled with war while at the same time filled with many positive accomplishments that have helped modernize both the Middle East and the West. Landes also pushes for a firm recognition of the enemy amongst friends however, he pushes that although the Islamic faith through the book of the Koran is against terrorism, suicidal killings, and violence there have in fact throughout history been many different interpretations of such verses. Landes points out that the Koran is merely translated to mean what a particular individual or group of individuals wants it to mean. It is open to interpretation. This brings danger upon the Islamic faith of the Middle East and of the West. What is right and what is wrong to the Kroan Are there no absolutes Is the entire faith or group of people to be considered enemies Are those who quote the Koran stating they are of a peaceful faith merely trying to trick the West into following them so that the world can be conquered for the greater Islamic faith All of these questions and what if scenarios have shaped history and created a sense of fear into the hearts of many both in the Middle East and in the West. Armstrong and Landes are right to emphasize that each study and understand the faith and the people before passing judgment, but at the same time, keep all eyes and ears open and dont believe everything that is read.

Question Five
In the article by Karen Armstrong it is said that for centuries Islam had a much better record of religious tolerance than Christianity (Armstrong 2005). The articles presented by Laffoley, Cobb, and Brooks echo this statement as they sadly admit that the so called Christians in America have jumped on the bandwagon of passing laws and reforms to make things happen and bring this evil world to its knees. Cobb writes that she hears those proclaiming to be Christian speak words of destruction, aggression, dominance, revenge, fear and arrogance when the very words of Christ were to love one another and to bless those who curse you (Cobb 2004). In the wake of 911, the U.S. came to life with a religious movement or revival of sorts, but it is criticized to be a one sided rise in which not all parts of the story are fully looked into. Christians rose to the challenge before them that a non-believing faith was trying to take over the world and would require a war of all wars to defeat. Yet, Christ clearly commands for followers to love those who hate you and to pray for the enemy. There is much more to be done than to pass laws and reforms. People need to be shown love and compassion, peace and truth in times of trouble and times of joy. Likewise, writers such as Rauch and Brooks wrote of the excesses of secularism in the aftermath of the 911 attacks stating that secularists continue to sit around in their own world acting as if nothing has happened and nothing has changed. They are not aware of the movement in religion happening around them. They are not aware of the growth of Christianity (whether for the wrong or right reasons). Secularists are simply not aware when such events are happening before their very eyes. There is a definite picture of two extremes here. The one side are the many Christians who are geared up and ready for war in the aftermath of an attack on what was deemed to be religion as well as freedom. The other side, the many secularists who refuse to acknowledge anything at all or if they do there is simply not much to be done about it. Cobb had the right idea in writing for the equal medium the medium where the true followers of Christ come out and step up living and carrying out the true commands of Christ in the midst of difficult times.

Question Six
Over the past several decades, Turkey has risen to become one of the only real Muslim democracies in the Middle East. This is due partly to the fact that Turkey was never colonized, never subject to imperial rule or domination, as were almost all the Islamic lands of Asia and Africa (Lewis 1994). Turks were the rulers of their own land and when challenged they came out on top winning a war for their independence. Throughout history, the Turks, unlike neighboring nations, were never forced into democracy or any type of government. They people themselves chose how to be ruled thus forming the democracy within the country. In addition, Turkey, out of all other Islamic countriesstates, has had the longest connection with the West. Turkey, in fact, chose itself, to be linked with the West thus allowing the influence to thrive within its borders. Democracy itself was slowly introduced to Turkey giving the people time to adjust and adapt. These historical experiences have enabled Turkey to thrive as a real democracy in the Middle East. They have grown and thrived in an atmosphere unlike any other Arab states and as consequence have thrived as a democratic region.