Humanity is the way forward

Submitted by Edward S (United Kingdom), Mar 29, 2007 at 13:19

Islam is not evil, the terrorism we have seen was carried out by a small minority who misinterpret the messages of the Qur'an. What the West is doing is provoking more evil in its reaction to the acts of this minority.

I can understand the violent parts of the Qur'an. Imagine a way of life based in true freedom, true love, true justice, one that focuses on humanity. Imagine it under attack from another way of life that was not so true, wouldn't you struggle and fight for it? Would you not defend it?

The problem is that the 'Islam' of the terrorists is not real Islam. Islam seeks the truth, it embraces science and reason. Real Islam would embrace advances the West has made, for example in the equality of women. However, many in the Muslim world have become stuck in cultural tradition that stops this advancement, one based in dogma. A true Muslim would always put humanity first, above all man-made traditions and law, ones made out of power and interest.

At the same time, the West has lessons to learn from Islam. Islam's focus on humanity, and disgust at the worship of material goods could provide an insight into the failure of economic 'progress' to make us happy (truly).

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