This guy does a great job explaining what so many folks seem to struggle articulating re: Islam

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:War over land is the most disgusting thing ever. Land belongs to nobody. It's a planet we live on, not anyone's property. Anyone that goes to war over land is disgusting.

That being said...as long as a huge number of Muslims rage war against "Unbelievers" people will see Islam as just that. And rightfully so. The problem is you never know which ones are the fanatic ones, sleepers, quiet planners who later end up in the news for suicide bombings somewhere in the US. I am sorry but as long as this kind of huge number of Muslims is on a warpath Muslims and Islam in general can not be accepted in the western world.

Sorry to tell you Islam has already been accepted by huge numbers in the western world--Asa Lama Lakum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:"The problem is that you’re talking about a religion of one and a half billion people, and certainly it becomes very easy to just simply paint them all with a single brush." Sums it up!

Funny thing is, Muslima, this has been happening to Jews for over 5 thousand years. When is it wrong and when is it right?

It is wrong in both cases. How is that not obvious?

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make. Hypocrisy is never right. But it's particularly egregious in this case. Jews have been kicked out of better and worse places than Israel. We were taken to task for not fighting back during the Holocaust. Now we take the offense for our own defense. We are fighting back. Not to take your land but to defend our land. What excuse can you give when your own bible tells you to kill the Jew that is behind you? And please don't tell me how most Palestinians are really nice people. That argument works both ways.

If you are referring to the Quran, it may never be interpreted to mean Muslims can kill Jews simply because they are Jews. No. Never. If Jews or anyone who is a disbeliever physically stops Muslims from practicing their faith, such as by destroying their mosques or killing Muslims, then Muslims have permission to defend themselves. If the Quran fails to clarify this, its because Allah expects every Muslim to study the Quran and its historical context too. If the Quran asked Muslims to kill Jews anywhere and everywhere, then Muslims would be killing Jews here in the US. As you can see, thats not happening. Jews are flourishing here in the US and at the same time, Islam is rapidly growing here also. Jews and Muslims live together peacefully here. So the permission to kill anyone is only in self defense.

[Anonymous]

And self defense is permitted when anyone tries to physically stop Muslims from believing in Islam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:"The problem is that you’re talking about a religion of one and a half billion people, and certainly it becomes very easy to just simply paint them all with a single brush." Sums it up!

Funny thing is, Muslima, this has been happening to Jews for over 5 thousand years. When is it wrong and when is it right?

It is wrong in both cases. How is that not obvious?

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make. Hypocrisy is never right. But it's particularly egregious in this case. Jews have been kicked out of better and worse places than Israel. We were taken to task for not fighting back during the Holocaust. Now we take the offense for our own defense. We are fighting back. Not to take your land but to defend our land. What excuse can you give when your own bible tells you to kill the Jew that is behind you? And please don't tell me how most Palestinians are really nice people. That argument works both ways.

If you are referring to the Quran, it may never be interpreted to mean Muslims can kill Jews simply because they are Jews. No. Never. If Jews or anyone who is a disbeliever physically stops Muslims from practicing their faith, such as by destroying their mosques or killing Muslims, then Muslims have permission to defend themselves. If the Quran fails to clarify this, its because Allah expects every Muslim to study the Quran and its historical context too. If the Quran asked Muslims to kill Jews anywhere and everywhere, then Muslims would be killing Jews here in the US. As you can see, thats not happening. Jews are flourishing here in the US and at the same time, Islam is rapidly growing here also. Jews and Muslims live together peacefully here. So the permission to kill anyone is only in self defense.

I guess the problem then is that a great deal of Muslim people (not ALL Muslim people) are guilty of misunderstanding their own Quran.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:"The problem is that you’re talking about a religion of one and a half billion people, and certainly it becomes very easy to just simply paint them all with a single brush." Sums it up!

Funny thing is, Muslima, this has been happening to Jews for over 5 thousand years. When is it wrong and when is it right?

It is wrong in both cases. How is that not obvious?

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make. Hypocrisy is never right. But it's particularly egregious in this case. Jews have been kicked out of better and worse places than Israel. We were taken to task for not fighting back during the Holocaust. Now we take the offense for our own defense. We are fighting back. Not to take your land but to defend our land. What excuse can you give when your own bible tells you to kill the Jew that is behind you? And please don't tell me how most Palestinians are really nice people. That argument works both ways.

If you are referring to the Quran, it may never be interpreted to mean Muslims can kill Jews simply because they are Jews. No. Never. If Jews or anyone who is a disbeliever physically stops Muslims from practicing their faith, such as by destroying their mosques or killing Muslims, then Muslims have permission to defend themselves. If the Quran fails to clarify this, its because Allah expects every Muslim to study the Quran and its historical context too. If the Quran asked Muslims to kill Jews anywhere and everywhere, then Muslims would be killing Jews here in the US. As you can see, thats not happening. Jews are flourishing here in the US and at the same time, Islam is rapidly growing here also. Jews and Muslims live together peacefully here. So the permission to kill anyone is only in self defense.

I guess the problem then is that a great deal of Muslim people (not ALL Muslim people) are guilty of misunderstanding their own Quran.

Not enough to justify persecuting the entire group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:"The problem is that you’re talking about a religion of one and a half billion people, and certainly it becomes very easy to just simply paint them all with a single brush." Sums it up!

Funny thing is, Muslima, this has been happening to Jews for over 5 thousand years. When is it wrong and when is it right?

It is wrong in both cases. How is that not obvious?

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make. Hypocrisy is never right. But it's particularly egregious in this case. Jews have been kicked out of better and worse places than Israel. We were taken to task for not fighting back during the Holocaust. Now we take the offense for our own defense. We are fighting back. Not to take your land but to defend our land. What excuse can you give when your own bible tells you to kill the Jew that is behind you? And please don't tell me how most Palestinians are really nice people. That argument works both ways.

If you are referring to the Quran, it may never be interpreted to mean Muslims can kill Jews simply because they are Jews. No. Never. If Jews or anyone who is a disbeliever physically stops Muslims from practicing their faith, such as by destroying their mosques or killing Muslims, then Muslims have permission to defend themselves. If the Quran fails to clarify this, its because Allah expects every Muslim to study the Quran and its historical context too. If the Quran asked Muslims to kill Jews anywhere and everywhere, then Muslims would be killing Jews here in the US. As you can see, thats not happening. Jews are flourishing here in the US and at the same time, Islam is rapidly growing here also. Jews and Muslims live together peacefully here. So the permission to kill anyone is only in self defense.

I guess the problem then is that a great deal of Muslim people (not ALL Muslim people) are guilty of misunderstanding their own Quran.

Not enough to justify persecuting the entire group.

Which group? The Jews or the Muslims?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Muslima wrote:"The problem is that you’re talking about a religion of one and a half billion people, and certainly it becomes very easy to just simply paint them all with a single brush." Sums it up!

Funny thing is, Muslima, this has been happening to Jews for over 5 thousand years. When is it wrong and when is it right?

It is wrong in both cases. How is that not obvious?

That's exactly the point I'm trying to make. Hypocrisy is never right. But it's particularly egregious in this case. Jews have been kicked out of better and worse places than Israel. We were taken to task for not fighting back during the Holocaust. Now we take the offense for our own defense. We are fighting back. Not to take your land but to defend our land. What excuse can you give when your own bible tells you to kill the Jew that is behind you? And please don't tell me how most Palestinians are really nice people. That argument works both ways.

If you are referring to the Quran, it may never be interpreted to mean Muslims can kill Jews simply because they are Jews. No. Never. If Jews or anyone who is a disbeliever physically stops Muslims from practicing their faith, such as by destroying their mosques or killing Muslims, then Muslims have permission to defend themselves. If the Quran fails to clarify this, its because Allah expects every Muslim to study the Quran and its historical context too. If the Quran asked Muslims to kill Jews anywhere and everywhere, then Muslims would be killing Jews here in the US. As you can see, thats not happening. Jews are flourishing here in the US and at the same time, Islam is rapidly growing here also. Jews and Muslims live together peacefully here. So the permission to kill anyone is only in self defense.

I guess the problem then is that a great deal of Muslim people (not ALL Muslim people) are guilty of misunderstanding their own Quran.

Not enough to justify persecuting the entire group.

Which group? The Jews or the Muslims?

If you read the post to which I replied, your question will be answered.

[Anonymous]

Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

Wow, are you actually saying that Black people SHOULD paint all police with one broad stroke? Because your argument depends on it. Also, it is difficult to tell whether your contention that violence is intrinsic to the human species is meant to justify the actions of Jews or Palestinians.

Basically you have put forth "this is just how people are" as a moral justification for how people are. Do you even realize that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

Wow, are you actually saying that Black people SHOULD paint all police with one broad stroke? Because your argument depends on it. Also, it is difficult to tell whether your contention that violence is intrinsic to the human species is meant to justify the actions of Jews or Palestinians.

Basically you have put forth "this is just how people are" as a moral justification for how people are. Do you even realize that?

I think you need to reread the post and think about it a little more. Of course prejudice is wrong in any form. You seem to think it is tolerable when directed a group other than your own. You have great outrage over what you perceive as wrongs done by the Jews in Israel to the Palestinians in Gaza but no comment about the years of attacks going the other way. Also, it might behoove you to do a quick Google search on the history of anti-semitism; you will find it enlightening. As far as my assertion that "this is just how people are" in your words, I didn't mean it as a moral justification for violence. It is simply reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

Wow, are you actually saying that Black people SHOULD paint all police with one broad stroke? Because your argument depends on it. Also, it is difficult to tell whether your contention that violence is intrinsic to the human species is meant to justify the actions of Jews or Palestinians.

Basically you have put forth "this is just how people are" as a moral justification for how people are. Do you even realize that?

I think you need to reread the post and think about it a little more. Of course prejudice is wrong in any form. You seem to think it is tolerable when directed a group other than your own. You have great outrage over what you perceive as wrongs done by the Jews in Israel to the Palestinians in Gaza but no comment about the years of attacks going the other way. Also, it might behoove you to do a quick Google search on the history of anti-semitism; you will find it enlightening. As far as my assertion that "this is just how people are" in your words, I didn't mean it as a moral justification for violence. It is simply reality.

You are replying to the wrong person. I am quite obviously not Muslima. I was just shocked by your post.

You have basically given a justification to both sides of the conflict by declaring that violence and prejudice are "simply reality".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

Wow, are you actually saying that Black people SHOULD paint all police with one broad stroke? Because your argument depends on it. Also, it is difficult to tell whether your contention that violence is intrinsic to the human species is meant to justify the actions of Jews or Palestinians.

Basically you have put forth "this is just how people are" as a moral justification for how people are. Do you even realize that?

I think you need to reread the post and think about it a little more. Of course prejudice is wrong in any form. You seem to think it is tolerable when directed a group other than your own. You have great outrage over what you perceive as wrongs done by the Jews in Israel to the Palestinians in Gaza but no comment about the years of attacks going the other way. Also, it might behoove you to do a quick Google search on the history of anti-semitism; you will find it enlightening. As far as my assertion that "this is just how people are" in your words, I didn't mean it as a moral justification for violence. It is simply reality.

You are replying to the wrong person. I am quite obviously not Muslima. I was just shocked by your post.

You have basically given a justification to both sides of the conflict by declaring that violence and prejudice are "simply reality".

Both of you are very naive. I mean that as a compliment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

Wow, are you actually saying that Black people SHOULD paint all police with one broad stroke? Because your argument depends on it. Also, it is difficult to tell whether your contention that violence is intrinsic to the human species is meant to justify the actions of Jews or Palestinians.

Basically you have put forth "this is just how people are" as a moral justification for how people are. Do you even realize that?

I think you need to reread the post and think about it a little more. Of course prejudice is wrong in any form. You seem to think it is tolerable when directed a group other than your own. You have great outrage over what you perceive as wrongs done by the Jews in Israel to the Palestinians in Gaza but no comment about the years of attacks going the other way. Also, it might behoove you to do a quick Google search on the history of anti-semitism; you will find it enlightening. As far as my assertion that "this is just how people are" in your words, I didn't mean it as a moral justification for violence. It is simply reality.

You are replying to the wrong person. I am quite obviously not Muslima. I was just shocked by your post.

You have basically given a justification to both sides of the conflict by declaring that violence and prejudice are "simply reality".

Both of you are very naive. I mean that as a compliment.

Somehow civilization has managed to set expectations higher than a cynical shoulder shrug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look Muslima, all I'm trying to tell you is that you're preaching to the wrong choir if you are asking Jews to be politically correct in how they view Muslims as a whole and Palenstinians in particular. It is similar to asking Black people in America to not paint the police with one broad stroke. While inherently your peace loving argument is heartfelt and sincere, it ignores reality. Humans as a species have not yet learned how to solve their differences without violence. It will be a perfect world when we do. Currently, when you attack a person or a nation, they may choose to fight back. I think you are going to have to look more than fifteen minutes back in history to understand why the Jews of Israel are defending their state to such extremes that you deem cruel and demonic. You see, we feel our attackers are the same.

Wow, are you actually saying that Black people SHOULD paint all police with one broad stroke? Because your argument depends on it. Also, it is difficult to tell whether your contention that violence is intrinsic to the human species is meant to justify the actions of Jews or Palestinians.

Basically you have put forth "this is just how people are" as a moral justification for how people are. Do you even realize that?

I think you need to reread the post and think about it a little more. Of course prejudice is wrong in any form. You seem to think it is tolerable when directed a group other than your own. You have great outrage over what you perceive as wrongs done by the Jews in Israel to the Palestinians in Gaza but no comment about the years of attacks going the other way. Also, it might behoove you to do a quick Google search on the history of anti-semitism; you will find it enlightening. As far as my assertion that "this is just how people are" in your words, I didn't mean it as a moral justification for violence. It is simply reality.

You are replying to the wrong person. I am quite obviously not Muslima. I was just shocked by your post.

You have basically given a justification to both sides of the conflict by declaring that violence and prejudice are "simply reality".

Both of you are very naive. I mean that as a compliment.

Somehow civilization has managed to set expectations higher than a cynical shoulder shrug.

And yet in reality we still have war over land, race, religion, skin color and parking spaces. I have no problem with expectations. I approve those expectations. I am simply stating that those expectations have not yet been met and probably won't be for a long time. What do you not understand about that assertion? There's nothing moral about war. Smart thinking people are understandably afraid of fundamentalist religious fanaticism for good reason. Were you born before 9/11/2001? That would explain some of your naiveté.

[Anonymous]

PS-Reza Aslan? Basically the CarrotTop of pro Islamic commentary. At least in the video highlighted.Maybe he sounds smarter in a small group setting where lots of wine and hummus is being served. Kind of like Dinesh D'Souza