To Rachel and Pat

Submitted by RPaine (Australia), Apr 4, 2006 at 22:37

Interesting.

Rachel, I realise that in the Bible, as you pointed out, God puts forth certain requirements on us. However, as I consider the results that the Bible (especially the New Testament) have on the West, I have to consider the results of Its teaching on Christians and the Western Legal Systems, which yield societies that have harmony and respect for diversity. This is not the case with Islamic population, nor is it the case where Sharia Law is observed. So, although there are some/many similar statement in the Koran there are also others which make the similarities morph into completely different meanings and results. Thus, the statement "You want, I WANT; You want, I WANT; If you do what I WANT, I will give you everything you NEED..." means carries a completely different meaning to the Muslim than to the Christian/Jew - looking at the results (Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, etc.). The Christian teaching result in humility and thus an observance of a Higher Power; yet Islam, although it pretends to do so, is more about rewarding the Self or the individual's Ego - the more harm done to non-Muslims the more one is revered - in the here and now. Just look at all Muslims who the West has assisted/helped and at some point it become critically apparent that in the mind of the Muslim(s) that we helped them "because we had to, or else!" Osama bin Laden was supported by US in Afghanistan to fight the Russians, he accepted this help, took full credit for the successes in expelling the Russians from Afghanistan or "a Muslim Land" and then swiftly turned against America (doesn't he see himself as a god?); Saddam Hussein accepted help from the West in his fight against Iran and then swiftly turned to building his ego by threatening others, even the USA with WMD (hasn't his ego grown so that he saw/sees himself as a god?). So, it does not make sense to me to use the Bible to interpret the words of Muslims/Islamics, for the rest of the Verses that set their environment give a completely different outcome. It's like trying to describe a Baseball game using Cricket terminology. Ultimately, they have claimed the successes for themselves (their ego) and all the failures have been transferred to someone else, "The Great Satan" or the West. We must negotiate and engage others based on their world view not ours lest we be misunderstood at every opportunity.

Pat, Thanks for suggesting the book. I think you're absolutely correct, there are many leaders that need to give their citizens an enemy in order to maintain power and divert blame for their failed states, failed performance.

Again, I welcome any comments on my points as I am trying to understand why Americans are so misunderstood around the world.

Thanks,
RPaine

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