Re: Do the Haters Know the Man? ... Att. Seminole
Hater? Is that what I am because I don't follow your beliefs or selectcive account of history? Are you a hater for not believing in the Hindu interpretation of religion, prophets and history?
I never said Muhammad wasn't a balanced man. Or a wise man. Or influenced by God. Or had remarkable accomplishments that greatly improved the lives of his followers. Or wasn't brave, righteous and honorable. Or wasn't extremely intelligent. Or wasn't fighting in the defense of the freedom of conscience. Or wasn't persecuted. Or wasn't the biggest champion of monotheism in the history of mankind. I believe all those things. He was a great man and a great leader. There is no question.
I contended, and still do, that in the initial spread of Islam, coercison and intimidation were tools of conversion. But he was the leader of an insurgency. In their eyes, an insurgency backed by and endorsed by God. I don't have a problem with that. He fought for great ideals and the people of the time were a lot bettter off because of it. He was responsbile for greatly improving the living conditions, justice system, eductation, social system, governing system, economy and any other measurement one can come up with for the people of that place and time.
But to deny that he was also a brilliant general that commanded an army to achieve his strategic objectives is beguiling. It's not as if all of Arabia came under his command soley through pacifistic means and by preaching "the truth". He formed an Islamic army to defeat his enemies. There is no question that in the conquest of enemies comes forced obedience.
Tell you what, if you won't label people who don't have the same reverent, unquestionable, unconditional devotion to the same religious figures as you do, neither will I.