A simple explanation of the contradictions within the Quran

It is telling that the Meccan verses of the Quran which say things like "there is no compulsion in religion" were 'revealed' to Mohammed when Islam was still a fledgling religion and its prophet had no power and a paltry few followers. This is what you'd expect one to say in a hostile environment. "No one is forcing you (much stronger Meccan pagans) to believe me." There is another early verse which says "be kind to your opponents." A verse which was revealed years later contradicts this by saying, "kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out like they drove you out." It is patently obvious what what this is referring to; Mohammed's persecution and escape from Mecca.

The reason there are so many contradictions is that the later Medinan verses were spoken by a man who had gained much power and influence over the course of 13 years or more by marrying a wealthy widow and moving to a different city. Once Mohammed's power base was firmly established, the earlier, kinder verses were superseded by much more violent ones. "Be kind to your opponents" became "Kill them all." There is no great mystery here, folks. A man with no power will say and do what he has to to survive. That same man then goes on to seek revenge and contradict all of his earlier teachings. This is not the behavior of a benevolent spiritual leader; but it is easily ascribed to a megalomaniac who was orphaned as a child and bullied/mocked as an adult.

Mohammed gives no justification for this discrepancy in the Quran and the change in Allah's mood from peaceful to militant and conciliatory to confrontational. Muslim apologists in the West present the kinder verses of the Quran or what is known as the Early Revelation. While Islamic scholars, with only Muslims as their audience, say that those softer verses of the Quran were abrogated and supplanted by harsher ones. The reason is obvious - Mohammad became strong enough to move from the stage of weakness to the stage of Jihad.