Is Islam a religion? What defines a religion? (ritual, salvation)

[Bishka]

According to Pat Robertson it isn't,

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have to recognize that Islam is not a religion. It is a worldwide political movement meant on domination of the world. And it is meant to subjugate all people under Islamic law. In the Quran, it says it very clearly. There are two spheres. One is the Dar al-Harb, which is the realm of war. The other is Dar al-Islam, which is that part that’s under submission to Islam. There is no middle ground. You’re either at war or you’re under submission. Now, that’s the way they think." (wikipedia.org) 6/12/07


What defines a religion? Are there groups out there that you consider 'not religions'? Or is anyone practicing a belief in the supernatural a religion? Are there certain specifics for religions?

[Seraphiel]

Take some historical facts and try to interpret some wrong translated ancient texts add some mythology and some fantasy. Bundle all that 'knowledge' in a book and let a charismatic person tell other people that that book holds the truth and nothing but the truth. Add some brainwashing over a couple of decades and oops... you have a religion.

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

According to Pat Robertson it isn't,

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have to recognize that Islam is not a religion.” (wikipedia.org) 6/12/07

What defines a religion? Are there groups out there that you consider 'not religions'? Or is anyone practicing a belief in the supernatural a religion? Are there certain specifics for religions?

Well, if Pat Robertson acknowledged Islam as a religion of God, how would that affect the income on which he and his family live?

If there isn't an outside danger, how can a cult leader keep a cult alive?

Regards,
Scott

[Popeyesays]

I think that's pretty much the way Pat wants you to think. Doesn't make it true though. Can you provide some reasoning and evidence to back it up?

Regards,
Scott

[painted wolf]

I think that should say:
Ladies and gentlemen, we have to recognize Pat Robertson is a hate monger

to me a religion is a set of practices and beliefs, ususally cultural, centered on intaracting with or understanding the supernatrual ie. "God"

wa:do

[JayHawes]

Pat Robertson is a smart man but he is not all knowing. A religion is any faith that seeks to be right to any diety through the keeping of some law, tradition, ritual or evev through one's own good works. All religions fit into this criteria, even Islam.

What Pat may have been referring to is that Islam is not the sole true religion.

[Bishka]

No different then some parts of Christianity. (*ahemcoughpatrobertsoncoughahem*)

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by JayHawes

What Pat may have been referring to is that Islam is not the sole true religion.

That's not what he said -- it's actually very simple. He said that Islam is not a religion; and nothing more or less then that.

[Sahar]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

According to Pat Robertson it isn't,

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have to recognize that Islam is not a religion.” (wikipedia.org) 6/12/07

Isn't this the same dude who keeps insulting Islam, Muslims and their Prophet?!

[Dream Angel]

A religion is a set of beliefs and practices generally held by a community, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.

Well I think Islam fits all of that...so it is a religion and considering Islam is also an abrahamic religion, if islam isnt a religion chrsitantiy and judaism arent either....