think again

Submitted by Rebecca Moulds (United States), Dec 7, 2007 at 22:19

Dear Mel,

No, I haven't been to Turkey yet. I lived in Indonesia for six years and in Egypt for ten years. I heard the call to prayer in mosques in both countries, and also the church bells of the Episcopal cathedral in Cairo. I have also seen Buddhists worship in Bali, Burma and Thailand. I have been privy to an ancient pagan ceremony in the Philippines.

I know for a fact that the Coptic population is shrinking in Egypt due to religious persecution. Also, the moderate Muslims are leaving Egypt, moving to Europe and the States, according to a good Egyptian friend of mine. He also told me that within five years, Egypt will be much more Islamic than it is now. Being a secularist, you may not have noticed the effect of lack of freedom of religion in these mainly Muslim countries. I do not know personally about Turkey, except from some friends of mine who used to live and work there.

People who wish to worship as they please, of any religion, and secularists also, are not going to tolerate living under another religion's tyranny. I do not have First World War ideologies, but I do know how fundamental Islamists think, so please do not insult my intelligence.

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