What do you believe about Muslims and Islam?

[Heracles 417]

I think if some people would experience a different side of Islam, then they might not be so narrow minded (I hesitate to say "different" side since that implies that there is an "other" side, a terrorist side or what have you). My view of Islam does not come from the news.

Every day my mother-in-law gets up at 3:30 am to say her prayers. She eagerly awaits the call to prayer at four other times of day so that she can say her prayers then as well. She carries her prayer beads with her everywhere and whenever she has a spare moment is reciting prayers or reading the Q'uran. Now prayer is not my thing and to be quite honest it seems excessive and like a waste of time to me, but dangerous? Hardly. Is this the ideology you speak of? If you're talking about the radicalization of certain segments of Muslims, I don't think that anyone denies that it happens and it is a problem. But to lump the rest of Islam's followers with these people is just wrong.

I am not disagreeing I have various friends that are Muslim, what I am saying is that versus other religions, there is a clear faction who views violence as a means to an end. Who assume it's Gods word to destroy the Infidels. We can debate this until the cows come home but at the end of the day, people's actions speak for themselves.

This is no different to arguments about those in Ghettos. Are they all scumbag murderers? No, of course not. Is the homicide rate of those in ghettos, many times more than everyone else? Yes, close to 40 fold in various cities in Ohio. Therefore, why is it so hard to accept that there is clearly a problem with those in urban ghettos.

Why is it so hard for people to ponder why Buddhist, Hindus or Christians are not butchering each other to death or scheming to destroy one another?

[Heracles 417]

Perhaps if your kid was in Chechnya you'd realize what the Russians have done there.

I understand others strong stance, and even those with these BS sanctimonious opinions, I just do not understand your stance. Is your wife Muslim? Not exactly too many gun-toting conservatives with your opinion.

[slim 1,525]

I have various friends that are Muslim,

"So I can't be a bigot."

why is it so hard to accept that there is clearly a problem with those in urban ghettos.

How about folks in that demographic (blacks) who don't live in the ghetto. Are they in that group too?

[Heracles 417]

BY can and will lump them all together because the collateral damage is 'not his problem'. BY obviously believes the hysteria that it is the muslim ideology that is to blame, not those follows who use it to further their own agendas - it would be the same as blaming christian ideology for the actions of Richard the Lionheart.

Stating reality is hardly lumping anyone.

Richard the Lionheart occurred in 1157, not the last decade. last time I checked, no Muslim in the past 50 years has been beheaded by Richard the Lionheart.

How about folks in that demographic (blacks) who don't live in the ghetto. Are they in that group too?

Why, did I ever say they were?

[Peikko 1,575]

Stating reality is hardly lumping anyone.

Richard the Lionheart occurred in 1157, not the last decade. last time I checked, no Muslim in the past 50 years has been beheaded by Richard the Lionheart.

Why, did I ever say they were?

You are not stating reality, you are stating that in your opinion the driver behind terrorism is muslim ideology - that's not true.

Yes, the crusades happened in the past. My point was that using the 'it's muslim ideology' to explain conflicts that involve muslims is like blaming christian ideology for the crusades - that's an analogy and an accurate one.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

After reading some of the posts in this thread I am really, really surprised that some of the people here could convincingly object to being labelled a bigot.

[Heracles 417]

You are not stating reality, you are stating that in your opinion the driver behind terrorism is muslim ideology - that's not true.

Yes, the crusades happened in the past. My point was that using the 'it's muslim ideology' to explain conflicts that involve muslims is like blaming christian ideology for the crusades - that's an analogy and an accurate one.

I am referring to things that have occurred over the last few decades, not hundreds of years ago. If I was, I would start by referring to the atrocities committed to my own people at the hands of Islamic conquerors. Which might I add, occurred during the exact same time of US slavery. And we all know how much you guys still beat on about that like it occurred yesterday.

Edited August 23, 2010 by Heracles

[Peikko 1,575]

I am referring to things that have occurred over the last few decades, not hundreds of years ago. If I was, I would start by referring to the atrocities committed to my own people at the hands of Islamic conquerors. Which might I add, occurred during the exact same time of US slavery. And we all know how much you guys still beat on about that like it occurred yesterday.

What part of 'it's an analogy' are you not getting BY?

[slim 1,525]

some of the people here could convincingly object to being labelled a bigot.

I'm surprised we're not hearing things like "terrorist" or "traitor" or "you hate America" being thrown around.

That's typically the next step after losing the "I'm not a bigot" argument and connecting anything Islam-related to "death to America."

[Jenn! 918]

I hear that message boards in teh 13th century were overrun with anti-Christian rhetoric, complete with bible quotes.

[Heracles 417]

What part of 'it's an analogy' are you not getting BY?

The part where my ancestors were turned into ground beef while alive and their families watching, in the name of denouncing Christianity and accepting Islam.

Perhaps even following the exchange of people between Pakistan and India, where the Indians excited to meet their families again, were met by body parts like some horror film.

Perhaps even the numerous videos that are on the net made in the last decade of groups of Muslims beheading people.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm surprised we're not hearing things like "terrorist" or "traitor" or "you hate America" being thrown around.

That's typically the next step after losing the "I'm not a bigot" argument and connecting anything Islam-related to "death to America."

One thing the OP has done is illustrate how much of this kind of thing there is floating out there. I don't think it can be denied that there is some obvious, very deep prejudice against Islam and against muslims on VJ.

I hear that message boards in teh 13th century were overrun with anti-Christian rhetoric, complete with bible quotes.

[Jenn! 918]

The part where my ancestors were turned into ground beef while alive and their families watching, in the name of denouncing Christianity and accepting Islam.

Perhaps even following the exchange of people between Pakistan and India, where the Indians excited to meet their families again, were met by body parts like some horror film.

Perhaps even the numerous videos that are on the net made in the last decade of groups of Muslims beheading people.

Yes, those are horribly atrocious things. Now what do they have to do with my muslim family members?

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

I hear that message boards in teh 13th century were overrun with anti-Christian rhetoric, complete with bible quotes.

on the bright side, spammers were not a problem.

[Heracles 417]

One thing the OP has done is illustrate how much of this kind of thing there is floating out there. I don't think it can be denied that there is some obvious, very deep prejudice against Islam and against muslims on VJ.

People tend to get like that when you kill them for having differing beliefs.

You hate on Americans for slavery and segregation, don't care who or how many were involved - guilty as Pike charges. Then have the nerve to come into this discussion and claim not all do it. Hypocrite.