queser

jesus was no idiot and his mother was no whore

his audience where just not ready to hear all

your other comments are rather entertaining to read

ayman

Answers to some submitted questions.

1- Islam does accept the others, and even defend their right to choose.
2- Quran does encourage tolerance toward others, and accept using force only for self-defense.
3- Islam does respect woman, deals with both male and female as equals and integrated pair.
4- Islam does respect the basic human rights, for Moslems and Non-Moslems.
5- Islam does encourage science and scientific research.
6- Islam does support justice and motivates its followers to live in harmony with their environment.

I agree with some reasonable voices here, most of Moslems do not support violence, terrorism and extremism. However, this opinion should be a universal one.

Prester John

Not if they are people like those described by ayman above.

Sindi

<edited> There is no reason to continue the discussion, but I hope that people see your answers, compare and decide whether you're right or not.

Crucifiction

Forcing women to keep their head covered at all times while out in public and always accompanied by a man is NOT showing women respect.

Sindi

Then why Muslims do not condemn violence, terrorism and extremism publicly? Why no clercs ever opposed suicide bombings and honor killings? Why there is no law agaisnt them and punishment?

Gregg

Some good things ARE finally happening. Moderate Muslims are finally finding the courage to speak out and recognize the need for reform. See www.freemuslims.org, and www.untoldiraq.org.

Matty

This might seem a little radical but how about letting women choose what to wear for themselves? The concept of ownership and permission to do this and that is one of the main causes of such "assumptions".

That said, i've met a few christians and dare i say it, athiests, who treat their wives and especially daughters like shit too regarding what they wear, how they act etc. Its no different in my book. Mysogeny, racism and numerous other prejudices arent purely religion based but more often cultural and personal. I count amongst my friends Islamic women who are very happy, well treated and respected and show no indication of anything different. Not as liberated as a modern "western" women would expect to be but still. Not every Islamic country is ruled by the Taliban after all, and there are a lot of them.

Regarding some of the other posts, it's unfair to judge the whole of Islam on the basis of the extreme cases. Its a bit like proclaiming that all Christians are like the priests who shag choirboys, or the oklahoma bombers. Sure it is on a different scale but Islam is a huge, huge worldwide religion. Judao-Christian countries generally just have their armies to do the killing.

Which brings me back to the OP, i am cynical of all major religions, they strive to control people in an unacceptable way IMO and promote hatred or at the least, suspiscion of differing viewpoints. To say that one is better/worse than another, however is laughable, you cant make that statement from a culturally neutral standpoint. IMHO, just because a culture is vastly different from your perception of right or wrong, doesnt automatically make it a threat though in the case of Islam it is extremely easy to get the wrong impression. As they are currently (from a US perspective at least) "the enemy" you're not going to see portrayals of a positive spin are you? You'll get Osama and the Taliban, beheadings, stonings, and severely oppressed women. As in all cases the extremes are rarely representative of the whole whether good or bad. Rabid fundies be they muslim or christian are the source of the problem and impossible to understand or communicate with. Luckily, most people arent like that and do have an inherent level of consideration for other people. However if a violent fundy is in charge of a nation state it its obviously something to be concerned about. (Take your pick, Bush, Arafat, Sharon, etc etc etc)

justsumner

1- Islam does accept the others, and even defend their right to choose.)All who refuse to accept that Alla is God and Mohamed His only profit are infidels and must perish)

2- Quran does encourage tolerance toward others, and accept using force only for self-defense. (Jihads-Fhatwa's, etc. etc.)

3- Islam does respect woman, deals with both male and female as equals and integrated pair.(Berka's, beatings, murders for infidelity or refusing to marry...)

4- Islam does respect the basic human rights, for Moslems and Non-Moslems. (read 1,2,3 above)

5- Islam does encourage science and scientific research. (the mythology of God, need there be more?)

6- Islam does support justice and motivates its followers to live in harmony with their environment. (Yes, the envoremnt of the Bronz age)

I don't feel I "Must accept" anything based on mythology.

dmarker

No matter how fast Muslims breed, they can never outpace the Mormons.