Thanks Moshe

Submitted by Jim (Canada), Jul 12, 2006 at 14:27

I believe Moshe sums it up quite nicely. Unfortunately, many in the world don't see this sense of urgency and maintain that a process of education and tolerance is the key to peace when dealing with the Islamic world:

"it might be that a critical component for eventual peace between civilizations would be a radical overhaul of not just Muslim education systems, but also of those in the west." - Dan Parker

Seems to me that education systems in the west have been overhauled and are heading in the right direction. Since WWII, the west has progressed quite well with democracies that are doing their very best to be inclusive and sensitive to the many different cultures that make up their cities and countries. In addition, the west has been very good with examining its past and expressing remorse for its wrong behaviour and attitudes. Most recently, we witnessed the past Roman Pontiff apologizing to the Jewish peoples for the RC Church's part in the holocaust. Quite frankly, I don't see a need for a "radical" overhaul....if it were so, we wouldn't have the freedom to do exactly what we are doing on this forum. Namely, expressing our views without threat of persecution or intimidation.

I don't see that same progress in most of the Islamic countries. Quite the contrary, most Islamic countries seem to be going "backwards" as it were. Even the more "liberal" Islamic countries such as Egypt and Jordan are seeing a resurgence and push towards a more fundamentalist rule of law. In addition, just try reading a Bible on a public bus, or, holding a prayer meeting in a private home, be it in Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Jordan.....anyone up to the challenge? Apart from Christian missionaries who are killed and imprisoned on a daily basis....I don't see anyone else doing this......

Christianity at its core is a religion of peace; it does not subjugate its followers by threat of death. Those in days gone past used religion for their own selfish purposes. They may have been called "Christian Crusades", but, in reality, there was nothing Christian about them.

Jesus Christ does not advocate murder. He died for His flock. The prophet Muhammed does. He kills those that don't belong to his.

Who needs the overhaul Dan?

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