To Dave

Submitted by dianamoon (United States), Dec 20, 2005 at 09:48

Dave you can be very sure that no matter what your heart tells you regarding Islam, the oppression of anyone who is not Muslim in a muslim country is very real. If you read other posts that I have written, I have presented evidence, rather than feelings regarding this fact. I would be happy to refer you to reputable sources that will let you see the truth that really is.

As for your heart telling you that a religion can not tell its followers to do harm,this is a bit of a strange statement, since more human life has been lost over religious beliefs than any other cause. There are instances all throughout history of religious cults that do tell their followers to harm others.

As for your statement regarding switching names of religions, well, you are, in a sense, right. Throughout history, most religions have at one timne or another, practiced brutality with one another. However, you note that I said throughout history. While Western religious belief has advanced beyond the stage where warfare and forced conversion are acceptable, Islam has not. So you offer a caring, thoughtful idea, but if you only allow the facts as they ARE today, it doesn't hold up. Muslim atrocities far outnumber atrocities commited by others in modern times.

I also find it hard to understand, yet again, how anyone can say that some Muslims must be confused about their beliefs, and then offer the example of a very small number of Muslims that practice a nonviolent Islam as an example of what Islam really is. The majority of Muslims believe that jihad means holy war. How can we look at a small, but vocal minority of people to represent a religion that has millions of adherents?

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