The old chestnut; Is ISLAM a religion [in the same 'sense' that most people of Western nations, would understand and define the word 'religion'] ?



I came across this opinion;

Food for thought...



Quote:

Ralph says       September 26, 2015 at 10:29 am Congressman Ellison needs to shut up. Islam is not a religion but rather a way of life, a mode of living, an ideology that happens to include mandates for worship. As part of the Koran, Sharia law is included. The Koran and Sharia law provide for KILLING of infidels, treat women and gays abhorrently and demand this of all of its believers. If Ellison faithfully follows the beliefs of Islam, he is in conflict with the Constitution. Guess Ellison does not want to talk about the assassination and execution orders that the highest authority in Shia Islam has issued, the duty of all Muslims everywhere to kill Salman Rusdie on sight, Fatwa by Ayatollah Khomeini and reissued by his successor. Islam is a religion ? Okay, it is a religion in which its highest leader Khameini, Supreme Leader of the Armed Forces of Iran, has the authority to issue assassination order. Will Ellison admit that this execution order is in conflict with the U.S. Constitution and if he is a Shia Muslim he is required to follow it and kill Salman Ruside if he sees him.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/09/uk-marxist-anti-semitic-anti-jihad-activist-maryam-namazie-banned-from-university-for-fear-of-offending-muslims#comment-1299377


I happen to like the form of words he, 'Ralph', uses;

"....Islam is not a religion but rather a way of life, a mode of living, an ideology that happens to include mandates for worship."

Quote:

"....Islam is not a religion but rather a way of life, a mode of living, an ideology that happens to include mandates for worship."

Dictionary;
mandate = = an official order or commission to do something.





as per.....

ISLAMIC LAW....
"Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet said: "The bare essence of Islam and the basics of the religion are three [acts], upon which Islam has been established. Whoever leaves one of them becomes an unbeliever and his blood may legally be spilled. [The acts are:] Testifying that there is no God except Allah, the obligatory prayers, and the fast of Ramadan."...."
fiqhussunnah/#3.110

n.b.
"Whoever......becomes an unbeliever.....his blood may legally be spilled."