Erica Stone Gregory

Does Osama Bin Laden Have It Right? Islam, Violence, and the Way Forward Erica Stone Gregory

We are more than six years into a war allegedly perpetrated by radical Islamic fundamentalists. Our elected leaders have told us that these Muslim terrorists constitute only a small percentage of the Islamic population and that Islam is a religion of peace. What if they are wrong? What if Osama bin Laden is right, and Islam is inherently violent and intolerant? In this paper, I will show how the Islamic texts of the Koran and Hadith1 and the example of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad actually directs Muslims to spread Islam by any means necessary; to include the forced conversion, subjugation and murder of non-believers. While there are sections of these religious texts that advocate tolerance and peaceful existence, I will explain how the Islamic principle of abrogation renders them obsolete. In short, I will show why Osama bin Laden's interpretation of Islam is right and discuss what this means for our future. There is a lot more bloodshed to come where Muslims interact with non-Muslims unless the moderate Muslims are able to redefine the fundamental ideology of their faith and completely discount the violent verses of the Koran and the Hadith. All Muslims must accept the worldview that all people are entitled to religious freedom, the premise that Islam must peacefully coexist with other religions and the fact that violent expansion will not be tolerated. These things will not be easy for Muslims to accept.