When reading the Islamic image from the Qur’an, we find that it is a religion of peace and tolerance, which is always present, and the violence that occurred in Islamic societies, in reality, is based on the ambitions of kings who abandoned the religious text and adhered to their desires, so they ruled according to their desires, which are often fierce.

The value of religions depends on their practical use. If God can solove your peronal problems and help you with everything, how about belieiving in Him. On the other hand, if the God in any religion is crule and unmerciful, you' d better keep a safe distance from Him.

Agree with this conclusion that human factors have an important role in the practice of a religion's teachings. Therefore, an individual's religious understanding of religious doctrine requires appropriate methods and extensive literature.

I agree with Şeyda Bostancı opinion, but I would like to add the following: Religion has always been a tool that people have abused to exert influence over others. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are unfortunately not exempt from this reality.

If I may reiterate;

The question is mine, the answer is AI's.

Best regards,

Then, with your permission, I also agree with AI :)

Best wishes,

:)

Good morning, I am at the point that religion is independentof the ideological use of human beings, and also that it is an aspect related to freedom of worship, freedom of conscience and religious freedom, human rights in general and, which is the basis of all rights, respect, which is why I am with Laicité, with the modus vivendi, for each legislation. Therefore, as long as no illegal act is discussed, everyone has the religious convictions they wish. Thank you.

Thank you for joining the debate. I completely agree with you that religion does not present a problem as long as it preaches love and compassion among other aspects and that this is a constant in the vast majority of religions, not to generalize, the problem is its use as an ideology and therefore the interpretation or interpretations of it are governed. But, it is independent of religion, in short they all converge on one point and as humans we agree on that convergence. Thank you

God in Christainty a juge of social justice. For those who are againt the law, God is punitive.

Religion plays a significant role in shaping morality, guiding human behavior, and establishing justice. However, some perceive Islam and other faiths as frightening or punitive due to their laws and consequences for wrongdoing. A balanced examination of Islamic and biblical texts and scholarly insights reveals that while divine justice is emphasized, so are mercy, forgiveness, and love.

Islam: Justice and Mercy

Islam upholds justice (adl) and mercy (rahma). While the Qur’an mentions divine punishment for disobedience, it highlights God's boundless mercy equally.

“Indeed, the punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land...”(Qur’an 5:33, Sahih International).

This verse establishes severe consequences for acts of extreme rebellion but is primarily a legal prescription within an Islamic judicial context, not an encouragement of indiscriminate punishment (Esposito, 2016).

“And My Mercy encompasses all things.”(Qur’an 7:156, Sahih International).

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.’” (Qur’an 39:53, Sahih International).

These verses demonstrate Islam’s emphasis on divine mercy and repentance. Hamza Yusuf (2004) affirms that Islamic teachings prioritize the purification of the soul and self-improvement over harshness.

Christianity: Love and Judgment

Christianity, like Islam, teaches divine justice while highlighting God's love.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, English Standard Version).

“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:5, English Standard Version).

These verses indicate divine judgment but do not negate God’s love. Volf (1996) suggests divine justice is not about vengeance but restoring moral order.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”(John 3:16, English Standard Version).

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8, English Standard Version).

These verses highlight grace and salvation through Christ. According to Wright (2011), Jesus’ teachings focused on love and redemption rather than punitive measures.

Scholarly Perspectives

Karen Armstrong (2014) argues that religious laws are often contextual and meant to curb chaos rather than inflict harm. Her research suggests that the perception of religious punishment is often exaggerated due to historical misinterpretations. Similarly, Aslan (2005) asserts that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all promote justice and compassion, but cultural and political factors have sometimes overshadowed their messages of mercy. Though Islam and Christianity contain elements of divine justice, they overwhelmingly stress mercy, forgiveness, and moral guidance. The perception of religion as punitive often arises from misunderstanding its deeper moral and spiritual teachings.

References

Armstrong, K. (2006). Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time. HarperOne.

Armstrong, K. (2014). Fields of blood: Religion and the history of violence. Knopf.

Aslan, R. (2005). No god but God: Islam's origins, evolution, and future. Random House.

Esposito, J. (2016). Islam: The straight path (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Lewis, C. S. (1952). Mere Christianity. HarperCollins.

Qaradawi, Y. (2001). The lawful and the prohibited in Islam. American Trust Publications.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway.

The Holy Qur’an. (n.d.). Translated by Sahih International.

Volf, M. (1996). Exclusion and Embrace: A theological exploration of identity, otherness, and reconciliation. Abingdon Press.

Wright, N. T. (2011). Simply Jesus: A new vision of who he was, what he did, and why he matters. HarperOne.

Yusuf, H. (2004). Purification of the heart: Signs, symptoms and cures of the spiritual diseases of the heart. Starlatch Press.

In my experience, Şeyda Bostancı , I have found that the Islamic tradition, like Judaism, is rooted in a profound sense of reverence and awe for the divine. The Koran, like the Torah, contains passages that convey a sense of God's justice, mercy, and compassion. The Islamic concept of "tawhid," or the oneness of God, is a powerful expression of the unity and simplicity of the divine essence.

That being said, I must confess that I have also encountered aspects of Islamic theology that emphasize the punitive and frightening aspects of God's nature. The concept of "jihad," or holy war, for example, can be seen as a manifestation of this idea. However, I would argue that this is not unique to Islam and can be found in other religious traditions, including Judaism.

I do believe that the essence of religion lies not in its ability to inspire fear or punishment but in its capacity to elevate the human spirit, to inspire compassion, empathy, and wisdom. Whether it is Islam, Judaism, or any other faith tradition, the true test of its value lies in its ability to guide us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves, our world, and our place within the grand tapestry of existence.