The Qur'an made me do it

I've decided it's probably better to explain what I'm talking about rather than assume everyone can read my mind. Skipping the easy stuff in law school wasn't a great strategy either.

In my last post it might not be entirely clear why an article about one terror trial signifies the end of Europe.

There are some things which are accepted as VERY BAD LEGAL DEFENSES:

"The Devil made me do it."

"The bitch wouldn't quit nagging me."

"Bob, the voice in my head, made it very clear my neighbor was out to get me."

"The Anarchist's Cookbook said it was OK."

"I didn't know you couldn't do that."

And so on.

Here's the deal. There is no "Qur'an defense" in any legal system I'm aware of, not counting shari'a, of course.

For example, let's say, hypothetically, I was bent out of shape at all the smart-ass kids around here listening to their rap music and sassing their parents. I agree with someone else to hunt down all these little punks and send them back to their maker.

[one more time: that is a hypothetical]

It is not a legal defense to conspiracy to murder if I note Leviticus:

9: For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.

That's motive, but not a defense.

It's not clear to me the punishment mentioned in Leviticus is earthly anyway, but I'll leave that to biblical scholars.

Fast forward to Abu Hamza's trial.

Mr Fitzgerald cited two verses of the book that Abu Hamza would rely on, among many others, as theological justification for the words that had led to him being charged. They were Chapter 2, verse 216 and Chapter 9, verse 111. He said that all the great monotheistic religions had scriptures that contained “the language of blood and retribution”.

Not exactly. Let's look at the passages his attorney is going to cite.

002.216
YUSUFALI: Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.

009.111
YUSUFALI: Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

That's not the language of "blood and retribution." It's open-ended warfare for Allah, clearly on this Earth, to be determined by creeps like Hook Hand Hamza. What's worse is how many passages are more graphically violent than the two cited. Virtually all of Sura Nine is a bloodbath. 8.012, 9.005, and many more, could be described as Serial Killer Suras.

008.012
YUSUFALI: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."

009.005
YUSUFALI: But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Anyone who thinks "the Bible is just like the Qur'an" has obviously not read both. There are dozens of passages encouraging conspiracy, premeditated murder, and warfare in the Qur'an. There are no peaceful interpretations allowed because ijtihad was closed during the Dark Ages, and Wahhabism is fast becoming the dominant sect in Islam.

If anyone wonders about the sordid reality I just described, please consult "The Religion of Peace @ Casualties" available in the left margin.

Is a civilized nation, and I used to think the UK qualified, going to accept "The Devil made me do it"?

Has multiculturalism made obvious distinctions somehow incomprehensible?

Ibn Warraq tried to warn us. It's more than four years after 9/11. When, if ever, will the so-called "West" wake up?

Unless the media puts some pressure on Islam, just as it does every other faith, there is no force for change. If the media keeps peddling lies to soothe the most violent Muslims, and their Saudi masters, it's not doing the more secular or peaceful Muslims any favors.