This is simply immature. It's not my position to defend Islam in a defense of the reproaches that have been laid against it, as I am not a Muslim. However, as an atheist, and sort of side-lined as an observer, when I see certain Muslims hate one another simply because of their faith, and Christians likewise, perhaps it
is the job of the non-religious or the secular to step in and break up the fight. Saying Islam is a religion of evil is simply immature and is the
root of the problem. It even mirrors the ideology
of the very radical Islam which you guys are complaining about. They look at the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and see the countless dead, and they think Christianity is evil. This is illogical, yes, but my point is that, it is likewise illogical in basing the assumption of Islam as an evil religion solely on the basis of terrorism and radical Islam.
Now look at this:
That is the Pope giving a gift to Grand Mufti Mustafa Cagrici, of whom is graciously accepting.
This is how it should be. People should be generous, as well as accepting
despite religious differences. Don't let religion divide us, and destroy us. You can have your opinions about Islam personally (or why you don't personally chose to follow it), but we need respect other people. People need to work together. If we
don't, and call Islam or Christianity or whatever, "evil", and accept each other as our cosmic enemies, then there will
never be peace. Albert Einstein once said, "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved through understanding." He couldn't be more correct. The Muslims protesting the Pope's visitation are equally as immature and ignorant.
As an atheist, I look at organized religion as generally a bad thing on humanity. You and I disagree with that, and we can agree to disagree. However, I
understand that all people have different dispositions, mentally, and will have different opinions about their universe. And I am not arrogant to assume that any one of us really
knows what's
really going on, and I am not arrogant to assume that my way is superior and that you should bend to my belief's will. Even though that's a precondition of organized religion, we can be secular and ignore that for the sake of humanity.
Also, to be fair to the Koran, there are two verses in the bible which speaks of stoning to death, people who worship other gods or preach other religions:
"Suppose you hear that in one of your towns some men or women have sinned against the Lord and broken his covenant by worshiping and serving other gods or the sun or the moon or the stars, contrary to the Lord's command...If it is true that this evil thing has happened in Israel, then take them outside of the town and stone them to death." (Deuteronomy 17:2-5)
"And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee." (Deuteronomy 13:5)
12-03-2006, 12:44 PM
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