This is just sad

[mpfunk]

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=2771908

[Tex]

Originally Posted by mpfunk

http://www.cougarboard.com/noframes/...tml?id=2771908

Lifi is right about everything except his final two sentences. There are a lot of innocent people caught up in this one, as there are in every place where despots rule. And that is sad. I know a few Palestinians ... a few while I lived there, and a few in the states and they are not blood-thirsty people.

But those who are, are the one's in charge right now over there.

[BYU71]

That elements of the Muslim religion have hijacked it and created the image that the religion is violent. If that is your point, I agree.

[mpfunk]

Originally Posted by Tex

Lifi is right about everything except his final two sentences. There are a lot of innocent people caught up in this one, as there are in every place where despots rule. And that is sad. I know a few Palestinians ... a few while I lived there, and a few in the states and they are not blood-thirsty people.

But those who are, are the one's in charge right now over there.

My issue is I don't think there is anything inherently wrong in the Muslim religion. I think evil men have started using it as a tool to accomplish their goals. He is picking the wrong thing to attack, it isn't a religion problem it is a problem that are some very evil people in this world.

[mpfunk]

Originally Posted by BYU71

That elements of the Muslim religion have hijacked it and created the image that the religion is violent. If that is your point, I agree.

Yes that is what I find is sad is that evil men have hijacked the religion and used it as a means to accomplish their evil designs. I don't think there is any inherent problem with the Muslim religion. I also think it is sad that people attack the religion, instead of attacking the people.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by mpfunk

Yes that is what I find is sad is that evil men have hijacked the religion and used it as a means to accomplish their evil designs. I don't think there is any inherent problem with the Muslim religion. I also think it is sad that people attack the religion, instead of attacking the people.

What do you mean you don't have an inherent problem with the religion?

Are you familiar with its tenets? Have you read the Qu'ran?

Are you familiar with its history and development?

Many people who speak these words are acting in a pc fashion. Islam has a fascinating history, but its best period was during a period of Renaissance when it was very secular. Otherwise, it has been at the core of extreme violence. Unfortunately for Islam it has not experienced a period of Enlightment and true Renaissance.

[FarrahWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Unfortunately for Islam it has not experienced a period of Enlightment and true Renaissance.

What are the chances that a Renaissance of Islam could happen here in the US? I know of a convert to Islam (woman living here in Dallas) who says that the true and peaceful spirit of the religion can only be lived out here in America. She says it is the culture of the Middle East that warps Islam.

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by FarrahWaters

What are the chances that a Renaissance of Islam could happen here in the US? I know of a convert to Islam (woman living here in Dallas) who says that the true and peaceful spirit of the religion can only be lived out here in America. She says it is the culture of the Middle East that warps Islam.

As long as Mecca is the, well, Mecca of Islam, reform has to take place in the Middle East for it to be lasting. Westernized Islam is what the radicals are also fighting against.

[SeattleUte]

There's a lot of irony coursing through this thread, don't you all think? Archea is pontificating on what a murderous religion Islam is while highlighting in a sister thread the Old Testament's injunction to commit mass murder. As if Christians never as well committed mass murder.

Farrah says that the United States provides Islam its best or only chance for a renaissance. I agree with Farrah. Islam last experienced a golden age of refinement and enlightenment, lasting 500 years, after absorbing much of Classical civilization's remains in the Middle East and Spain. Expose it to secularism and fruits of artistic and intellectual pursuits and its murderous strains will be anesthetized just as have been Christianity's and Judaism's in the right circumstances.

Archea, it's religion, stupid (not Islam per se).

[Tex]

Originally Posted by FarrahWaters

She says it is the culture of the Middle East that warps Islam.

I agree with this to a large extent. The Arab culture in which Islam has its roots has sadly not evolved much since the West took over as the example of progressive society.

I remember a Palestinian friend lamenting a statistic that came out maybe a decade ago indicating Arab "universities" churn out as many theological scholars as scientists and mathematicians.

Something has to change there.