Sigh
It appears, based on many comments made by members here and elsewhere that ignorance does indeed breed intolerance. Forgive me for addressing several different posts here:
VERY few of the terrorists are Iraqi or Afghan citizens. They are coming from other countries, most of them from the countries you mention.
Correct, terrorists come from all over. The 911 terrorists mainly were from Saudi Arabia, which has the lowest Islamic population of the countries I listed. According to the
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Al-Quadi, which the
U.S. Department of State, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism lists as currently the largest terrorist threat organization, consists of mainly members from Egypt (28%), Jordan (19%), Yemen (13%) and Iraq (12%).. the rest is mostly a mix from Syria, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisa and Morroco. Palenstine (which is one of the larger Islamic populations) comprises less than 2%. They currently have their largest base in Afganastan, which is understandable, since the Al-Quadi movement itself was formed primarly as a result of the Soviet invasion of that country (sound familiar?) Funny how there are few members from the largest Islamic populations, isn't it?.
The sooner we smack them into the 21st century the better off they will be.
...
If you are not ready to move forward or you cling to a way of life that is inconsistent with the world norm your culture is asking to be overrun and forcibly changed.
I might ask, what exactly gives you or anyone else the right to 'smack' or forcibly change anyone else? There are other alternatives if you take off the blinders. Also, ever think that maybe some of the issues we are currently facing are a result of that kind of thinking (see example above)? How would you react if somebody came into your house, smacked you around a little and forced you to become a scientologist?
In defense of the "cult" statement......any religious entity that resorts to a level of terror and violence to attain its degree of compliance from its practitioners or those it wishes to convert may well be regarded as a "cult"
Oh, I get it now.. it's OK to force change (which of course will result in the usual resistance, violence, etc..) on what you consider 'backward' people, but only as long as it's not done in the name of religion.
Sorry, but I don't buy into that line of thinking.
In addition, Islam cannot be forced upon anyone as your statement and others you have written seems to indicate. While every religion has some dialog about it being the one true religion, spreading the word, bringing people into the 'flock', etc.. Islam specifically states that it must be accepted unconditionally, without any outside force or pressure. Forcing 'those it wishes to convert' would have the opposite effect.
A degree of civility is in order for Islam to fully shake its deserved reputation as a cult of hatred and intolerance currently unsurpassed by any other religious entity in the known world.
A degree of civility is in order on both sides it seems.. As you have aptly demonstrated. However, the 'reputation' is largely a result of ignorance by those who misunderstand it, which fortunately can be cured
It takes only a few that eschew violence to spread an attitude of disbelief amongst westerners as to the legitimacy of Islam as a civilized religion of "peace"
Gee, where have we heard that before? This is hardly specific to Islam, or even religion. Ever heard of the term 'going postal'?
But you have to admit that the issues or problems amongst Christian theologies pale in comparison to the problem of "Islam"
When was the last time you picked up a history book! The current level and degree of violence/death/destruction is no where near the levels obtained during the height of christian insanity.
funny how one sucide bomber or aiplane full of whack jobs can pretty much sully the reputation of the whole club.
What is funny (in a sad kind of way) is how you acknoledge the falacy, and then go right ahead and fall into it anyway!
the logic is flawless
References:
CIA World Factbook
US Department of State, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies
International Terrorism and Security Research
USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts
And for bonus reading:
10 Misconceptions about Islam
Cheers,
Brad
