Hi Sarah

Submitted by Jeff (United States), Mar 18, 2010 at 16:23

Hi Sarah,

Thank you for writing back, it's nice to hear from you.

I agree completely that unquestioning acceptance is a choice. However, people like you and I grew up in the western culture that prizes individual dignity, individual rights, individuality, and encourages inquiry and questioning of the status quo. So that's the norm for us, and we generally shake our heads at those few who walk around with unquestioning acceptance of a religion or authority; we feel sorry for them and call them brainwashed.

Arab/Muslim culture does exactly the opposite. Those few who are unafraid of inquiry, particularly those unafraid to question their religion, tend to be severely ostracized, threatened and murdered, so the norm is the herd of those who unquestioningly accept the garbage fed to them. Every Friday millions of Muslims gather in mosques and prey for the destruction of infidels. Not the conversion of infidels. The destruction of infidels. That's you and me. Nice, huh?

While we generally look to Nazi Germany as the most egregious example of mindless groupthink, and vow never again, in the Arab world Adolph Hitler remains very popular and Mein Kamph is a perennial bestseller throughout the middle east.

I would highly recommend reading Now They Call Me Infidel: Why I Renounced Jihad for America, Israel, and the War on Terror, by Nonie Darwish. This book is a huge learning experience, as Ms. Darwish describes the culture that surrounded her upbringing in Egypt. Another good look into Muslim culture is provided by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, in her book, Infidel. They are both very enlightening.

Best Regards,
Jeff

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