Torturing and beheading a surrendered enemy is objectionable BY TODAY’S STANDARDS as is, of course, the story of A’isha (whether she was 6 or 9 or 12) but, and this is my point, we shouldn’t judge ppl from another era by our standards (neither should we live by theirs).

Doing so (applying modern standards to historical events or vice versa) is …hmm…. counter-productive in my humble opinion.

I have serious problems with Muslims who judge present situations by 1400-old standards, and even more if they want me to abide by them.

The life of the Prophet gets more fascinating the more I learn. He was a truly remarkable historical figure.

I could say “looks like the Prophet got into conflicts with other Arabs. Sometimes he would do acts (like torture and indescriminate killings and polygamy) that are – by today’s standards – unacceptable. But were “normal” at the day and time. It looks like “some” Muslims today who try to emulate his ways, find excuses for being unacceptably violent. In other words:
some of the ideas of the Prophet may – in the wrong heads – turn explosive [insert bomb-in-turban-cartoon here] . I, as a modern Westerner, find it difficult to respect such jihadist belief.

Now , I basically said the same thing, are you gonna get medieval on my infidel ass ?

The thing is though, many people expect Muslims to keep their heads bowed down in shame, and accept all the insults we’re getting, without even letting out a peep of protest. The question here is where turning-the-other-cheek crosses the border of abandoning your dignity..