Pipes' Intelligent Analysis of Islam

Submitted by Anne Helton (United States), Nov 26, 2003 at 10:33

Mr. Pipes has intelligently and concisely outlined the issues facing the World today with regard to Islam and the modern world. It is absurd for people to be afraid to discuss every single point that Mr. Pipes lists, in fact, "warning bells" should go off if someone is defensive about full discussion.

It is obvious to most Americans that the Muslim world is not all violent. However the FACT that so few spoke out in pro-American ways after Sept. 11, does cause one to pause about their sincerity and allegiance to this Country.. Their silent majority cannot be explained away by Fear because many did speak out against America, marched in the streets against Israel and appeared on television to speak against military action in Iraq.

In fact, if groups like CAIR and others would spend as much time looking inward as they do attacking messengers of discussion, perhaps we wouldn't have so many issues to worry about.

Now that we are being warned about potential terror strikes during the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the absurdity of the issue is more pronounced. It would be like warning the World about Catholics on Christmas Eve... it just doesn't happen. In fact the Catholic Church (my religion) has had to undergo huge criticism and change due to the terrible, albeit few, sick Priests in our Church. We are still weeding them out and trying to make the Church better.

So, If the Islamic religion wants to enter the modern world they must undergo self-examination and gain insight, particularly on how they value and treat women and other religions. All over my city (which reaches 100 degrees in the summer) we see Muslim women in full cover while their husbands and children dress in regular clothing. Are we to believe that men are so primitive that they can't control themselves, thus women must be covered in tents?? This is abusive and frightening to other women. It sends a veiled (pardon the pun) threatening message to all women that says "you could be next, if Islam keeps spreading". Islam should have a Vatican II type reformation and enter the modern world but everyone who can should continue to ponder the article by Mr. Pipes, otherwise the spread of Islamic Law (which many say is the true goal) will creep across the World and democracy will disappear.

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