In Christianity, the Ideal is Christ. Christians will say and do what Jesus said and did. In Islam, it is Mohammed. Muslims will do what he said and did.
More on what makes a "true" Muslim:
Eric & Lisa,
Rather confusing, I had hoped for more clear talk from you. On the one hand you say that your opinion matters not at all, on the other hand you tell us your opinion of Joseph Smith's teachings by calling them imaginings.You asked my opinion on whether or not your relatives were Christians. Who can speak to that authoritatively, Christ or me? Obviously, Christ.
Since Joseph Smith's religion contradicts Christ's Word, his must be in error. Rather than attribute intentional, deliberate evil to him, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and characterized his heresy as gently as I could.
We agree on that but maybe you attempted to dodge the question because you see where I am going with this?It seemed you were fishing, but since I would not presume to know where you were going, I answered only what you asked.
Many people who would call themselves Christian, like Mormon's, do not follow after the same Christ that me and you do.How do you know? By comparing their (and our) words and actions to the Word of Christ.
Nevertheless, for whatever reason, they wish to be known as Christians. Their are those who call themselves Christian, but they are prostitutes and not willing to repent, the same for homosexuals, adulterers, idoloters, etc.Every Christian breaks God's law.
The same is true for those who would call themselves Muslim.What we call ourselves matters little in questions of what we are. A person's orthodoxy can only be determined by comparing their doctrine and deeds to their religion's authoritative texts.
They do not follow after Mohammed's teachings, instead, they try and co-opt his teachings to fit their own worldview. They ignore the lines they disagree with, or re-interpret them in order to make the belief system more palatable. These Muslims we would call Moderate. In my view, this is the majority of Muslims.I hope you are right.
Many Christians also do this.
The ones we call Radical muslims are the ones who are actually following after the teachings of Mohammed, the teachings that you have so convincingly shared with us here.That is one point I've been trying to make.
But one thing ive learned as a Christian. Just because Christ told us what to do does not mean that those who would claim to be His followers will do as He has commanded.The same must be true for Mohammedism.I agree. The trouble for Infidels is that some "moderate" or nominal Muslims will, under the proper set of circumstances, "radicalize."
How can you determine who will do this? How can you prevent it from occurring? How many who would not actually take up arms still aid their co-religionists against us? Who among the "moderates" will resist the implementations of Shari'a and Dhimma?
Apart from a clear, public renunciation of Jihad, Shari'a, and Dhimma, in what can an Infidel put their confidence?