Islam : refuge for what?

Submitted by Alana (Canada), Jul 1, 2010 at 23:36

MJ was a great artist, a troubled soul, and I pray he now has the peace he did not have in life. His ideas of religion seemed to embrace a more interfaith philosophy, and as a musician of course he'd respond to the unique sounds of the muezzin. Re: Islam in prisons; this is a protective cloak in a very physical and real sense, as often the largest gangs are Islamist, and prisoners who join these gangs get privileges others do not. Any religious "conversion" is an especially good way to divert, collect, and hide ill begotten gains, and is a good cloak for what ever one intends. I don't believe he died a Muslim, (otherwise we'd have heard definitively), but if so, so what? The message of peace and love MJ spread was universal. I don't believe he molested anyone, but was targeted as an easy mark by disreputable parents who exploited their own children. If he had abused children, G-d forgive him. We have heard only conspicuous silence from these people, except from some who are not alienated from their parents, well aware of the chicanery and parental abuse. I think Mr. Pipes is not an artist, but falls into the typical traps of those who cannot relate to "strange" behaviour of those who wear their eccentricities on their sleeves. The real perverts are usually much more nefarious, devious, and clever about covering their tracks. I have met some so-called "respectable" abusers, who were parents, teachers, boy scouts and members of traditional churches. But as I've stated before, we must not judge as WE DON'T REALLY KNOW All I know was that in addition to MJ's undeniable talent was that he remains the entertainer who has the highest record of charitable donations, acts, dispersements of wealth to in aid of recognized charities (39 at last count). and individuals in need, and was the brains and heart behind "We are the World", the single co-written with Lionel Ritchie, that raised millions for those in need in Africa. I think we should remember him for this, not dubious allegations, nor unproveable guesses about his religious leanings.

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