Reality

Submitted by S (United States), Jan 28, 2005 at 13:23

I'm no scholar and learned of Islam from Muslims in Houston in the 90s, but I like your writings because your logic is grounded and stable and based on reality. Although I was taught there was only one Islam, with no varience likened to Christian denominations, I saw a wide range of varience in the many Muslims I knew. I found that situation confusing and decided they were either in denial or simply not living their beliefs. Now I choose books which relate to the reality I experienced.

What disturbs me today is that two close friends of mine, who were not anti-American or hate-filled prior to 9/11, have cut me off in the last year or two, and I believe it is due to my becoming very overtly pro-American. One was not at all religous, a Pakistani [gaining his green card through a short lived marriage] and the other a wealthy UAE student, who returned to Dubai. I worry that Muslims in general may sympathize with our enemies. Both these young men claim to hate what fanatics do... but when push comes to shove how many Muslims will support Islmaists? I fear that unless they have married Americans and/or assimilated they will lean toward support of the radicals. In recent years how many have wanted to assimilate? All who I knew wanted their children to go to the mosque schools, ate their own food, watched cable TV in their own languages and believed America had no culture at all. By the way, if they wanted to insult someone, they called them American.

I don't know who Auster is but it sounds as if he has bought into the Muslims' own teaching that there is only one Islam that has never varied and that is proof that it is the real religion of Allah! He should visit Southwest Houston.

I commend your courage!

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