Islam
Piggy says:
Then you don't think that America is full of religious fanatisicm? Even though George Bush rallies his troops with the words "God is on our side"???
Rubbish. America is not
full of religious fanaticism. There are Christian fundamentalists in America, but they neither represent the majority of the population nor the policies or politics of the nation, nor are they bent on subjugating the whole world by use of fundamentalist private armies or suicidal murderous terrorism.
God is actually on nobodies side when it comes to killing.
A bit of a sweeping statement isn't it? A small group of Islamic fundamentalists would be a better way of putting it...unless you want to tar all Muslims with the same brush.
Piggy I am 100% certain you've never lived in or even visited a Muslim country. If you had done you would realise how popular mister Bin Laden is in the general mislim population. I've seen children in those countries wearing T-Shirts emblazoned with his image and the burning towers pictured behind him. It also strikes many of us how little outspoken condemnation he receives from the so called 'moderate' muslim leaders around the world. So in that respect, yes, I would unfortunately have to 'tar' the vast majority of
true muslims with the fundamentalist sympathiser brush.
You need to learn to differentiate between Muslims and terrorists.
You need to really learn more about Islam and its precepts.
This war is not a war though really is it? Stating that you will never live under an Islamic state serves no real purpose as far as I can see. Did you ever think this was going to happen?
Oh yes, I see it as the one great war that has lasted down the centuries. Islam has been in conflict with the christian west since its very invention 1,300 years ago. Fortunately christianity has prevailed, and I believe it will do so, at least as long as there are people who (unlike you) refuse to bury their head in the sand.
RevJamesFlynn: You forgot to mention Malaysia, and Indonesia, both of which have (somewhat) functioning democracies. However you miss the point entirely. Just as western society has moved to separate church and state, so Islamic society is moving to bind the two together again. Muslims in even westernised democracies like Malaysia see themselves and their brethren as victims of a wicked western society, and are being daily convinced that their only salvation is in the worldwide muslim brotherhood. Much of the basic teaching of the Koran in fact emphasises the necessity for this worldwide islamic union in the ultimate form of a worlwide Sharia based 'Khallifah'. Since democracy is actually immoral under Islamic teaching, the weak democracies that exist at present are eventually doomed to failure as the populist fundamentalist movement converts more and more muslims to the belief that only they can establish the Khallifate...Gods Rule on Earth. This is what OBL is actually fighting for quite proudly, and it is seen as a good and noble thing by ordinary muslims.
purple says:
If us Christians want to win an argument with Muslims then don't have one about which religion has the most blood on it's hands or which one has gone to the most extreme reaches.
Perhaps you didn't read my first post slowly enough. I averred to the errors made by christianity in the past. And by the past, I'm referring to such ignorance as was shown by the Catholic conquistadors of the Incas, and their murderous conversions.
But purple, the conquest of Peru and Mexico occurred in and around 600 years ago. So you see, I think it is rather weak of you to argue that christianity needs further reform. Perhaps you should try to separate religion from politics in your own head. You seem as confused by the concept as Osama is.
Islam is incompatible with democracy....and so is Christianity, that's why we live in a secular state.
Yes, we do. My point exactly.
Now, can you convince Osama and the Taliban to do so?
If that's what you think you are simply wrong.
No fundamentalism in the USA; tell that to the Salim witches.
There you go again digging up ancient history. Lets see...Salem witch trials...1692. Only 312 years ago...you're definitely getting closer. Have you heard of any witches being burned in Massacussetts lately?
Try and have a balanced view. The world is not black and white.
I've spent the last two years studying Islam, and reading widely different books on its meaning and interpretation. I've also lived in an Islamic country and travelled widely in several others. I believe I have a balanced and well founded knowledge of Islam, and I am therefore completely secure in the knowledge that Islam is a fascist movement similiar to Naziism in many respects, it thrives on the ignorance of its people and is a growing threat to the west and the peace of the world.