" with kind of Osamas we have, how can we think otherwise. I have learned this in my little useful or useless life. Until they think freely and out of the control of clergy that dominates them."
I hear your pain and am so sorry that events of history and religious conflict have brought all of us to this precipice. My thoughts and prayers go out to citizens of Pakistan who believe in freedom of thought and action.
Is there a country in the Islamic world where I could live, work, raise my family, and practice my Christian religion without reprisal? Is there an Islamic country where I could discuss my religious beliefs with friends and neighbors with freedom and without fear of reprisal? I am not talking about being a Christian missionary, I am just talking as a neighbor who might want to have the free expression of thought and inquiry with others whom I know and respect.
I fear that the fascism present in too many of the Islamic countries mitigates against this happening. In fact, in many Islamic countries, if I were to be found with a Bible I could be arrested, expelled, and even beheaded in a public square.
Please tell me I am wrong.
Now, there are Muslims who talk about the secularization of Islamic thought and belief and practice, but even in countries where this is possible I wonder how safe these practitioners are? Fundamentalists can easily intimidate secular practitioners with threats of reprisal against their relatives left behind in the more fundamental countries.
Where is the hope for Islam? Or is it on a collision with the freedom of western thought, progress and freedom of religious belief?
I apologize in advance for these comments which may offend you but you can sense the pain of my concern and earnest inquiry about the futures of so many of Gods children. |
