"death To America", A common theme Options

[Patriot]

Let me start by saying that I am an agnostic, but I have been on this earth for 58 years and have never heard this happen from any Religion but one.

Chant in the street an declare thing like:

"Death to America"
"Death to Bush"
"Death to Israel"
"Death to Rushdie"
"Death to Van Gogh"

and so on...


Why don't other religions do this after people or beliefs of the religion have been wronged? Are they more righteous?

[Patriot]

Wow... killer, supporter of rape? I can't believe what I have been reading.
I support rape because I recognized that this sort of thing happens ON BOTH SIDES? Did you bother to mention that I thought it to be deplorable? Because I acknowledge it's existence, I support rape? If your news media is telling you that all the Americans do is kill innocent civilians and rape women, I must question your sources. You must really be brainwashed if you don't see that mentality as somewhat biased.
I am sure you would never acknowledge any good that has come or may come from the Americans.
You obviously have taken what I said completely out of context due to your anger and frustration. I will forgive you for that.
I offered a western perspective on some of the more controversial issues that most in the west are very curious about. I did this for two reasons. I wanted to find out if they were true and to give an opportunity to explain if they are. You say Google is the answer, yet the typical reaction to that approach is "biased news source". I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. I wanted the "man on the street" Muslim perspective, and I got it… claims of insulting Islam because I asked difficult questions. Personal insults… killer, supporter of rape… etc.

I meant no malice. Yes, I do support the "war of terror" because of the many attacks against many people by Muslim extremists. These extremist are not from any one country or organization. The attacks have come from individuals of every Muslim dominated country in the world. This does not mean I hate Muslims anymore than I hate Christians because of groups like the KKK. I will always support action against extremist of any kind who wants me killed for what I believe. I believe Israel deserved statehood, so I should be killed? I believe the Palestinians deserve statehood too. Do the Israelis want me killed for it? The way I see it… The Arabs want it all, Israel wants a piece and the Persians want the Israelis dead. No one can deny that the Jews did have a piece of the "Holy Land" at one time.

Chuck says the only way to understand the hatred of Americans is to go to other countries. I have been to many other countries and quite frankly I don't see the hatred from individuals I meet and besides, I really don't care if others hate Americans. I believe that many non-western countries have a biased, government controlled media that is used to manipulate the opinion of their citizens. When I see a media that is allowed to say whatever they want about their government, like in the US, then I will have some trust for that media's validity.

So back to the subject… in a nut shell, I upset some individuals because I said things that were true. I say this because either there was no response to a question or the response was just anger at me for asking such a question, or fingers were pointed in another direction to avoid answering the question or the question was only half answered. Evasiveness at it's best. On the subject of circumcision, one responded with, "circumcision has been going on for thousands of years", what he didn't mention was that countries like Egypt, Somalia and many African countries remove the entire clitoris. This is not circumcision, this is mutilation.

Why be angry at me for mentioning things that are true. Because you do not condone them does not make it less true. If they are not done as a result of Muslim beliefs, then be angry at those who do it in the name of Islam… not me!

Your anger is directed at the wrong person, on this subject anyway. Be angry at me for my support of the war, but not for truths that you do not want to confront about Islam. Let me give you an example of what I mean. If the Quran' or a Hadith says a man or woman should be circumcised and explained how it should be done, yet other Muslim sects interpret this in such a way to mutilate and destroy what God gave a woman for a very specific reason… to enjoy the act of procreation, the same as a man. This is an unfortunate truth about Islam. There is no central authority to guide all its followers in the same direction. I believe this happens for cultural reasons… the tribal mentality. Please don't point out that this is true with other religions too. I don't care about other religions and this site is about Islam. I am trying to find out as much as I can about Islam because of the situation in today's world. The more I look at the various religions, one stands out… Islam. No other religion I have investigated has such control over its followers, particularly women. Com'on, don't get upset. Stop and think about it. Death for conversion to a different faith? I would think twice before I converted to say Christianity if I was threatened with death. It appears to be very male dominated, which I guess is alright as long as it is not abused. Too much control has been given to mortal men on issues of an individual's morality. How can such trust be given to men who have proven they can not be trusted with such power. No man should be given this power. In my opinion, this is the root of all curruption

I think the reason many Muslims get angry about comments non-believers or other religions make, is due to what I said above regarding no central authority which has resulted in many different beliefs and religious practices within Islam. How does one come to understand a religion that has such a diverse following with so many interpretations of how to practice the religion of Islam? How would anyone know what is of the "True Islam" and what is not? The only way I know is to ask questions. The reaction to this is almost always ANGER

This post has been edited by Patriot: Apr 28 2008, 01:50 PM