Good observations Sara...

Submitted by Wana88 (United States), Aug 10, 2009 at 11:50

Sara:

Well spoken and I cite: "If more Muslims spoke out against the Muslims who terrorize innocents and believe that they will reach paradise by murdering infidels (and other Muslims as well), then maybe it would help the non-Muslims understand more clearly that they are a separate crazy Jihadidt sect and the non Muslims could work together with these Muslims to STOP THE TERROR ATTACKS, Inform on planned attacks, confront the Taliban, AL Qaeda, extremist groups , then maybe we would be getting somewhere at long last."

I agree w/you on this, and have written on this. Due to varied real or imagined threats, Muslims --especially those living in the West-- refuse to condemn each and every heinous act of aggression committed in their religion's name. This deafening silence bothers the h--l out of me and, rightly, raises important questions and only feeds fires of suspicion and bigotry. I don't want there to be a relgious war(s) because they are brutal, long and wasteful. Yet, this "war" has to be fought within Islam even if it destroys the religion and/or it morphs into something far removed from what the Khaleeji Arabs have wished it to be. I've now taken the time out to read all the comments here and, in hindsight, wish I'd just stayed out of this so-called "discourse" I don't agree with a lot of what Nabil is saying but defend his right to say it. He sounds quite reasonable/thoughtful but even he is walking around some critical issues and I think he knows it. Islam IS an imperialistic/totalitarian faith just like Christianity was and would like to be again but the 30 years war changed that thank G-d! It's Islam's turn to pay the piper or be forced into "submission." All this wasted energy diverted to religious matters that should always be the purview of the individual and not society or the state. Just me and my G-D. Each one of us should just leave the other the h--l alone UNLESS the other threatens our way of life in some way. But WHO will determine what the "threat" is and when the threshold is crossed? That's the scary part. What is NOT happening in the West is the State standing up for the majority but appeasing a nasty and aggressive minority (in this case Muslims). And, you are so right Sara, why haven't the so-called mainstream Muslims not said and done more. It certainly/rightly raises eyebrows and confirms existing fears/suspicions vis-a-vis Islam.

Some of us haven't been more public because our very children/family have been threatened w/consequences. It is fine and dandy to come out and say more when you're single or have the protection of powerful entities or do so purely for financial rewards/fame, but we all don't operate in the same way(s). The other thing that has always bothered me is the question of "loyalty" I believe that if you move (are born)in the West, eat its salt then your honor dictates that your first loyalty is to that country first and to its culture. If that is uncomfortable and you can't adjust, then go back to where you came from..

Sara: "STOP blaming the messengers ,i.e. those who are appalled and distressed by the barbarities commited by these Jihadists. START blaming and naming the people who are killing in the name of your religion and speak on THEIR forums. WE ARE NOT THE ONES YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE!"

Amen to that. It is time Muslims abandon the "balame game" and "victim hood" mentality and identify/name the problem(s) and, most importantly, deal w/these in whatever ways necessary. There is much discussion on the web mostly anonymously but the indoctrination process (the root of this problem) begins often at home by the parents. That is what has to change...

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