Again missing the point

Submitted by Arif Rashid (United States), Jun 23, 2007 at 19:28

Again everyone seems to have missed my points. I think i need to clarify what i mean. Islam itself is a religion like any other, it instills the belief in God (i know we say Allah, but that is just the Arabic for God). It tells its followers to respect all other people, help others, pray, give to charity, etc. I hate the way people on this site seem to be collectively judging all muslims because there are a couple of nut jobs out there who seem to be shouting the loudest. These people do NOT speak for me or anyone else who is a PROPER muslim.

As for the behaviour of muslims in countries like Egypt, Saudi, etc, it comes down to the oppressive regimes that the west has helped keep in power in these countries. The only people willing to put up any form of fight or opposition are the religious nuts. For example, look at Saudi Arabia, if it wasnt for the British government back in the day, the House of Saud wouldnt even be in power! Please note that this is in no shape or form a justification for the behaviour of extremists.

I'd also like to point out that before the USA and UK INVADED (its not a liberation if you end up killing more civilians than the previous administration) Iraq, most people in these muslim states looked up to American ideals and way of life, especially democracy. Yet everytime any of these states have attempted to assert a democracy, its gets shut down, with the help of the very same countries that say they are trying to encourage it. For example, the weapons used to oppress the various peoples in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq (before the fall of Saddam), etc came from the USA and UK! These guys are helping prevent democracy (and safety) in the middle east, just so they can make a quick buck (arent you proud that your government supports terror?) and to ensure that the oil keeps flowing! No wonder these peoples are a little bit pissed at the west...

Just look at Palestine and the fact that the democractically elected Hamas as their leadership and yet the US, UK and Israel (who happen to be the biggest terrorist threat of all!) refuse point blank to recognise a democractically elected government. I personally think they are mad for electing Hamas, but if a people so choose a goverment, then its their right! Again i'm not personally condoning any action of any kind against anyone, just pointing out facts.

As for religion in general, its a good idea and it helps people. You cannot blame religion for behaviour of people; no more than you can blame a hammer for killing someone if a murderer decided to kill someone with it. Religion is a tool, nothing more and like all tools has the potential to be misused. It doesnt matter if you are a Jew, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, whatever, there will be crazy extremists of all religions. You even get Atheist extremists (just look at Richard Dawkins!) who are just as bad as the religious nuts. Extremism takes many forms, just look at the extreme views of the Bush goverment and yet you dont hear of anyone calling them terrorists...

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