I keep hearing the phrase "good muslims" spoken by commentators on television. I immediately think of our everyday use of the term "good" and how we define it in our conversation.

I hang out with Christians of all stripes and generally we consider a "good Christian" as one who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and the Holy Bible as the Word of GOD teaching us His rules of conduct for peaceful co-existence with our neighbors and a life pleasing to Him among other things.
A "good Catholic" would fall into the same category.
A "good Democrat" would be one that follows the rules and guidelines set down by the Party.
A "good Republican" would fall into the same category.
I hope you get my point.

My immediate thought when I hear the term "good muslim" is a muslim who follows his (or her) religious teachings in the same manner as those mentioned above. I understand that the Koran is the rules and guidelines for the muslim religion.

It is my understanding that the Koran teaches that one who does not convert to the muslim faith must pay a tax or possibly punished by beheading or other means of execution. It is my understanding that the muslim faith is also a form of government with the religious leaders as administrators of sharia law.

I believe words have meaning. Therefore, the term "good muslim" seems self contradictory.