seriously, i mean if you are gonna attack innocent people, at least attack the right group of innocent people. sheesh.
You, my friend, are incorrect in your generalizations about me. I am saying they came to my door and my sadness was my thought that they were probably doing this because they want to show that they are not terrorists. My "prrof" that I was correct was in reading and seeing the reports about them wanting to go door to door in an attempt to prove that they are not terrorists. See how awesome I am? I am generalizing because society's reaction right now is generalized in representation and reaction through media and politicians. There is a large amount of anti-Muslim sentiment in the US right now and obviously that is not everyone and obviously it originated because of Islamic Fundamentalism (which originated because of Western intervention but that is another issue). But the point is that they felt the need to do this now, not in 2001 or 2002 because the hysteria was not as worked up and consistent as it is now. Regardless of how many hate or fear the fact that people hate or fear is a constant reminder. It is sad because religious/political terrorism exists. It is sad that too many people allow themselves to get worked up and resort to bigotry and as a result at least one group feels that going around saying "we are not terrorists" is needed. It is sad that I predicted this while in HS debate in the early 90's.
Not really from your last post or this thread, but I think you are generally a pretty awesome poster .
I don't think it is sad at all, the Islamic faith is undergoing what every other faith has had to tolerate, a complete question of it's message from the rest of the civilized world. In most religions they have had their radical stages, and eventually the ones that are still around anyway, the moderates won the day. Right now, IMO, Islam is facing it's own dark ages, and it will have to self moderate at some point. This is their version of the Spanish Inquisition, or the Armies of the Pope etc.... They will come out of it stronger, and with a more peaceful message, and the radicals will be marginalized, one thing you can count on, is that mankind is the same fundamentally.... DD
Great post. One important distinction the leftist do-gooders need to make is that while it is good that they defend peaceful muslims from bigots, not everyone who questions islam is a bigot. I think leftists often do not understand that. Discriminating against or being hateful against muslims or brown people: bigot Questioning islam and criticizing islamists: no bigot just because of that
When peaceful Muslims aren't out telling everyone that they love peace and reject terrorism, you blame them for implicitly supporting the terrorists by remaining quiet. When they actually go out and try to get out the message that most Muslims want peace, you blame them for having the nerve to ring your doorbell and waste your time. There's just no pleasing you (for Muslims).
No no...I think it is nice that they do that. I just generally (not related to WHO is doing it) doubt that ringing at people's doors is a good way to convey a message because it is somewhat intrusive.
Did you read the comments below the article - here's the first 10 or so: I mean, look at the amount of generalization and stereotyping going on...these people are truly ignorant and assume that kids trying to say that their religion is about peace should go fix Israel first! And many Muslims do denounce terrorism. It's not their fault the media doesn't report it to them while they watch FOX news!
These comments confirm that many people perceive it as intrusive when people come to their door to "sell" them something, even if it is a message of peace. I don't invite Jehovah's witnesses in either, I just want to be left alone at my home. And that is also how rimbaud felt instinctively, I don't see why he would chastise himself for it later.
I don't see why you are not reading anything I write. I already clarified I did not chastise myself for being suspicious - just that I think it sucks that I have to be suspicious of people because of the whole history of having people try to get my money or tell me all the ways I am a bad person. My sadness was at society and people, not at myself. I am awesome. You also won't accept that I was right in my sadness for why the Muslims came to my door. You are too hung up on me being a bleeding heart who ignores terrorism to see my point. Also, DaDa, it is absurd to say this is typical for all human history of the civilized world questioning a religion. Anti-Muslim fear and backlash right now has nothing to do with questioning religious philosophy - people (as a whole on a societal level) are too stupid and superficial to be interested in theological debate or whatever you suggest (and when did other religions face questioning from the "civilized" world? Nonsensical. This is an "us vs. them" fear mongering political and religious social battle - on both sides (see ATW - both sides suck and religion is just one more tool with which we divide ourselves). I agree with you, DaDa, that it is sad that a religion that once prided itself on science, math, poetry, preserving other religious history (thanks to them so much "heathen" Classical knowledge was preserved), and peaceful co-existence (to a degree in multiple environments) now has strong elements of repression, oppression, violence and fear-mongering through multiple sects.