Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : The Truth About Islam -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Cage Rattler who wrote (5701)	3/3/2007 6:13:16 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20106

"hope we all can agree that such behaviors are unacceptable." These things are absolutely unacceptable even if, sadly, believable. One of the things that many don't seem to be able to understand is the level of extremism Radical Sunnis hold toward Radical Shi'ites and visa versa. Although they see us as a common enemy they consider each other the enemy of God for having corrupted his message. Mostly they think our conduct is annoying and should be changed but the hate for us goes to the Nth power when they think of each other. I have often tried to bring that to light and I get some weird feedback, usually from the far left like, "Why do Iraqis want us to leave?" It is such an irrelevant question, that has no real context, so it just serves to stop all discourse, perhaps intentionally. "And, can we agree that such behavior (outside of politics) within the various sects of Judaism, Christianity, and non-islamic religions, is unheard of – at least I have never heard of any such behavior -- not even from the Irish? Why is that?" Unfortunately that is not true or even helpful to the cause we are currently fighting. In the early days of the colonies there were extreme events like priests who were skinned alive, and while still alive they were set ablaze. During the revolution and civil war there were horrying attrocities committed. Once the civil war was over the barbarism of insurgencies to claim or reclaim political power continued for some time. Settling different regions of America we can see the same. Times have changed and thank God we have civil and decent ways of working out our conflicts. Things could change here again, but for now we can look at what happens in Iraq and at best say, "but for the sake of God, there go we." "The very real question arises, if Muslims have so little regard for fellow Muslims, why should anyone else? Some, and not just a few, have become radical extremists in perspective and in their conduct who deserve every measure of condemnation we can give them for their corrupt inhumane and brutal behavior. However, When you ask whether Muslims deserve the positive regard of others, I can only speak for myself and those like me in all religions and world views when I answer, Yes. God created us to have a positive regard for our own well being and for the well being of other creatures. Every human being will agree, because it is written across each persons heart, it is confirmed in every book of scripture and by everyone who has been thought to be a deliverer of God's ordinances for man. People who live by that recognize that our common enemies are those in all walks of life who are willing to violate that principle by going to extremes to accomplish their goals. "And how does all this reflect upon the legitimacy of Islam as a common, mutually respectful, religious bond?" It reflects badly if you look at the body of Muslims and how they have treated one another. However within each of the religions you referenced you will find a reminder that at least while in this life on Earth we have been infected with an enmity for one to another and that extends to our regard from one group to another. If Islam taught that we would all have peace and love for one another by saying or declaring some test of fellowship, then I would say it is false, the world doesn't work that way. But within the teachings of Islam, Judaism, or Christianity we can learn the truth about the World. Which is that corruption is attractive, hypocrisy is rampant and that only by prayer and God's will and grace will some of us find ourselves on a path that is just and good. Religious authority, hasn't caused it, the most powerful law inforcement hasn't caused it, the greater science hasn't brought it about, vast wealth, power, influence, even sholarship seems to have no correlate to who will live a saintly life and who will be corrupted. Good men know their enemy not by their skin, their flag, their style of dress, or the book they carry but by the level of injustice they are willing to commit to accomplish their ends. Battles may be won by the best strategy or the greatest technology but the outcome of wars are measured as much by the cause that backed them and the manner of men who stood behind that cause as by the territory that is captured or lost. "Please don't consider this a hostile comment, rather something that requires clarification. Not at all. You made some very important observations. Have peace, Gem