The Truth About Islam

sounds cool. It is too bad that this topic has to be in the D&D forum.

 

Isn't Tom Delay's hometown Sugarland?

 

neoconservatives, stay away! you might have to learn something new that conflicts with something you believe in...

 

If you don't want to spend three hours at this, let me help out.
Is it true?

….that the Quran teaches violence?

Yes, maybe moreso than the Old Testament and certainly moreso than the New Testament

….that Islam oppresses women?

Yes

….that Islam is intolerant of other faiths?

In some instances, see Israel and her neighbors

….that Muslims hate freedom and democracy?

Only a small percentage, like Zarqawi

….that your Muslim neighbor supports terror?

Not likely, but possible. Same with Irish neighbors (The IRA used to get a lot of money from US Irish).

 

Yeah because all neoconservatives are stubborn and thick-headed right?

Oh and it's not like this would be an unbiased source. That's like going to a pro-life convention to find out the "truth" about abortion. I'm not saying I believe a lot of the things they're going to talk about are all true, just saying that an independent observer with a strong grasp of the religion would probably be a better person to talk to about such things.

 

Thanks for the answers.

BTW, thatboyz, I think this should have been posted in the Hangout, not the D&D, since you were simply giving us info about an event.

Now, however, I am looking forward to the ensuing Muslim bashing. Let it begin my crusading red neck brothers and sisters!

 

Thank you for the informative answers. What little confusion I had about the Islamic faith is now clarified. Now if you will excuse me, let me go and beat a random woman for not wearing her burqa. After that, maybe I'll go and torch the house of my infidel neighbor.

By the way, I just can't help but laugh at the fact that you use Israel as an example of Islamic religious intolerance. Israel is a Jewish state where you are a 2nd class citizen by definition if you are not a Jew. The Muslims in Israel have a lot of faults that can be attacked by others, but I certainly did not expect to hear that argument. Talk about the tea calling the kettle black!!

 

If anybody needs to attend this thing, its you. Why not Check out a muslims perspective on the issue instead of believing everything you see in movies, Tv and hear on the radio.

 

I certainly agree that the point of view might be slanted. However, most people are intelligent enough to see through the slant and understand something for what it is. I suggest you go for the facts, ignore the slant, and make an objective decision for yourself.

 

Your point that not all neocons are stubborn or closedminded would be much better made if the post directly above yours didn't portray the kind of ingnorance that could use a fresh persepctive which is what this offers.

 

Yeah I know. However just because some people feel that way doesn't mean everyone does. If you notice, that's the only response of its kind in this thread (althoug T_J hasn't gotten here yet and he feels the same way about Islam if I remember correctly).

 

I agree with you that not all feel this way. I know plenty of people who don't. It is just that there is enough lack of perspective and open mindedness out there that some real information would do us all good.

 

Agreed. The sad part is the extremely close-mided are also the most vocal.

 

Some of you guys seem to be assuming that "Islam" is one, monolithic religion. Clearly there are different people who worship different forms of Islam or interpret Islam differently.

Obviously there are some people who, while saying they are not oppressive towards women, do things like beat them if they don't wear burkas or let them vote. Sounds like opression to me.

Not all Muslims are like this but to say that none are like that would be disingenious.

Some Christians are very open minded with regard to women's rights, however, some aren't (for example, women can't be Catholic priests - doesn't sound very equal to me).

Why is that so hard to understand? Why are some of you so quick to criticize any people who criticize militant Islam when there ARE problems with it (just like, for example, there are problems with Christian religious sects that promote white supremecy)? To comdemn militant Islam IS appropriate and more moderate Islams need to come out and do so. To defend "Islam" in general in order to come across as "progressive" or "tolerant" while not acknowledging there are problems with militant Muslims is ridiculous.

When the Catholic priest scandal came out Catholics, in general, didn't sit there silently. They joined in the outrage. Some of you on this board criticize the religions right all the time but understand that the religious right doesn't represent all Christians. Why can't moderate muslims be more outspoken against militant Muslims who bomb mosques or cut the heads off hostages? Oh, I know why... they are afraid of being murdered by militant muslams.

 

Can you guys refute any of what I said? I think not. Islam proscribes different treatment of women, treatment that is worse than that given to men. Prohibitions against driving or wearing normal clothing is oppression, AFAIAC. There are those who give money to terrorist organizations from the US, even if it is only a small percentage - which I freely admitted to. The Koran calls for far more violence than the new testament (Jesus never says to kill anyone, even those trying to kill you.) Muslims in the Arab states have a well documented hatred of Jews, especially Israeli Jews and especially Palestinian Muslims, did you think that the Intifada was just made up by the American media? Instead of calling me stupid, a redneck, or a bigot, why don't you refute what I said.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with your assertion that there are different types of Muslims if you will. I also agree that there should be more indignation on the part of moderate Muslims.

I think what the meeting in the original post is about is also trying to prove that there are different views on Islam but in the opposite way as your post (as in trying to prove to those who feel that ALL Muslims follow a fundamentalist reading of Islam that there are different interpretations).

 

I don't believe that most Americans (including neo-cons) think that all Muslims are radicals. However, the silence on the part of non-radical Islam with regard to militant Islam doesn't encourage comfort in the rest of us....