Nero, I have learned that there are many Muslims who genuinely mean us no harm and seek the same safety, security and freedom to practice their religion and live their lives as us. I understand why you may believe the way you do, but sometimes our karma runs over our dogma. I have worked with a very devout Muslim woman for the last year and learned more about Islamic beliefs regarding humility, acceptance and tolerance of others than I have seen displayed here in this thread. I have seen her cry when discussing those who have distorted Islam to justify terrorism and killing in the world and in her home country of Pakistan. To her, these people are not practicing Islam as it is written. They are terrorists using Islam for their own political purposes. I will miss my co-worker when she leaves and hope that many of you who harbor such contempt and disdain will have a similar opportunity to meet someone like her who can open your eyes to alternatives to your current thinking on the subject. I believe those who are using this thread to denigrate and condemn Islam should be ashamed. This thread should be locked or moved to D&D. Carry on.
I agree. Well said, Rashmon. The only thing I can think of while going through here is that I'd be really embarrassed reading this thread if one of my close friends (who is Muslim) was reading over my shoulder knowing that I frequent this site.
Please don't misunderstand - I don't think I could make it any more clear that the enemy of every human being on the planet is not islam, it is wahabbism, and that I have already stated that I fully believe that most muslims would rejoice if the wahabbis were to suddenly vanish in a puff of smoke. The world needs more people like your friend, and less of the wahabbis. One that note, I wonder if professorJay's close friend (who is a Muslim) would be embarrassed by this: Arab News - Yara Asia News - More Yara Yeah, but I am a bad guy for refusing to pretend that this stuff is not happening. Maybe when it is happening across the street instead of across the globe, people will get wise. By then it'll be too late, probably, but at least we won't have offended anyone, eh?
Come on man, again? My point is that many people here are categorizing all Muslims w/ broad strokes. She's well aware people are doing ridiculous things in the name of her religion. No one here is arguing w/ you that these events are acceptable. Why do you keep acting like it? At the same time I'm sure she doesn't appreciate being lumped in w/ them. What kind of reaction are you looking for here anyways? You've posted the same sentiment multiple times. If I say "I hate Islam" will that make you feel better? If you're aware of the distinction between the Wahabbi movement and the rest of Islam then why are you bringing this stuff up? This isn't the 'Good things about Wahabbi thread.' I didn't bother having any direct retort to your posts for the same reason I rarely look at the D&D. I'm not looking to convince or be convinced. Now I'm done w/ this correspondence, say what you will.
I don't understand how there was anything to really discuss or debate about this topic, but I guess its going to go there.
I did not really want to respond again, but I do not fault you for your concerns, nor believe you to be a bad guy for having them, because they are valid concerns. However, your posts that start out as very well reasoned often denigrate into venom that sounds much like "hate-speech" that is counter-productive to the point you are trying to make. As for my friend, the world does need more like her, her husband, and her children.
No, you did not. You said.... Yes, this is great that Muslim's did this, but what does that have to do with Islam? This is my point, the thread topic is "Good things about Islam" not "Good things done by people who believe in Islam" There is a major difference there....... And Nero, I lump all religions together because I can't find one single shred of evidence in any of them that they are the truth, or are verifiable. And every one of them has been involved in doing despicable things to their fellow man all in the name of their beliefs. I guess, I am a skeptic at heart, but I do understand that I offended some people with my thoughts on religion.....and that is completely uneccessary. DD
The problem is that "good", in this context, is such a relative term. What a Muslim sees as "good" may be viewed as horrible by someone else. So who's point of view are you looking for exactly?
I opened the thread when there was only one post, and even then I knew that this thread would take a turn for the worst. I guess it's because many posters, myself included, think they're comedians on the side =/. now if you excuse me, since I gave up sweets for lent, I must now microwave some popcorn
Hopefully people do not hate because of someone's beliefs. That would be silly. I respect people's opinions/beliefs, I just don't agree with them. DD
Langhi, the thread starter said I don't want to argue much with you, Dada. Answering the thread title would be as nebulous as answering the evil of Christianity. Both of which could be addressed by reading their respective Holy Books, and then forming an opinion of them. Ideologically, both religions can be seen as principles of love and peace. You have people corrupting it to their own base desires, and I think that's why Air Langhi started this topic in the first place. There's a lot of talk of how the Muslim world is stuck in the Middle Ages or as if remaining intolerantly ignorant is a cultural trait of theirs. Yet it's their translations and academic foundations that greatly enriched the Western world. IMO, that has a lot to do with this thread.
I really don't want to argue with anyone, and I see your point as it is a valid one, BUT....any evils carried out in the name of Christianity were committed hundreds of years ago....All this current stuff with Islam is....well....current. Not that there aren't plenty of quack Christian fanatics out there....but there's no government, official church, or ruling body they can hide behind. I am, for the record, Agnostic. Christ. The whole goddamned world is f**ked up. sigh.
