Constructive criticism is better

Submitted by Tarek (Egypt), Feb 24, 2007 at 11:50

The problem here is stubborn attitude. Too many people have an idea of what Islam is from all the negative press on it paying no mind to any of the positive influences of Islam, or any Muslim organizations that have brought relief to groups in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. For example:

"Mandi, who in their right mind would want to travel to and live in a country where we know for a fact that women are treated lower than cattle, where people are murdered for minor transgressions, where freedom and religious rights are trampled on, where terrorism is rampant, where people are murdered simply because someone in another country publishes a cartoon?"

Clearly this is a person who focuses on the way governments hijack Islam to promote their own agenda that completely goes against Islam, rather than what the religion actually says. Women's rights hardly existed before Islam. "Murder for minor transgressions" is a subjective claim (not that I nec disagree but it depends on which country and what transgressions), and politically motivated... as is the rest of this quote which generalizes any "Muslim country" regardless of how Islam is practiced and interpreted. Fyi, it's different between countries.

There is a distinction between the religion and the culture but to most people on this site, it seems easier to simply lump it under the religion and bash that. I do not dismiss criticisms of the religion but the logic here is inconsistent and flawed.

"You truly do sound like a New Age Bliss Bunny, running around talking about "understanding". Everyone who deals with reality already understands what the problem is...Islam itself!"

The name-calling continues... don't you see the hate here? Yet you accuse Muslims of the same kind of hate.

"Do you realize how la-di-da and flakey that sounds? Did you arbitrarily pull that belief out of the air, or are you actually bothering to base it on reality and truth? Do you have any proof to back up your belief that the environment is somehow causing the Muslims to resort to terrorism?"

The proof fills the history books. It takes picking up a book. Let's consider the creation of the state of Israel. You believe that eradication and displacement of half a million people in 6 months from hundreds of villages was not a terrorist act? Try reading Ilan Pappe's work sometime who derived his info from Ben Gurion's journal and Israeli documents. (But of course, Israel can do no wrong, it was only defending itself... ) Too contemporary for you? Because I'm sure the Spanish inquisition could address that. I wonder if you know what terrorism actually means... and it doesn't stop with calling it Muslim unfortunately for your argument.

"Oh, you mean come to a fanatical country and risk getting one's head cut off for telling the truth in a depraved society where truth is seen as a mortal enemy? I think not."

What country are you even talking about?

"Oh, by the way, I think terrorism was indirectly linked to US foreign policy."Sophistry. Westerners have gone over to Muslim lands to learn the truth, and they often end up being beheaded on video tape by Muslims simply for being there and being American. Most of the victims were actually siding with the Muslims and trying to make things better for them, and still they were beheaded. On the other hand, when they come to America it is obvious that the indoctrination they receive is untrue. Again, we do not need to go witness the atrocities first-hand and in person in order to judge them as unacceptable. Only a fool would insist otherwise."

You've made up your mind, refuse to look at any facts to the contrary, continue to insult and bash anyone with an opinion that rebukes your own, and never address central arguments. Scientific research is often based on the "null hypothesis" which entails searching for those points contrary to your own and only when there are none, it only SUPPORTS your own, not proves it.

Mandi, feel free to speak the truth. Maybe someone will engage you in real dialogue instead of just calling you names.

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