Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A simple question: if the Muslims who commit acts of terrorism are a small minority and the vast majority of Muslims do not sympathize with their views, why does not the majority take on this minority and eliminate them?

ISIS and Al Qaeda are Sunni Muslims and several of the major countries in the Middle East and elsewhere are also largely Sunni including countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE; why don't these countries take the lead in eliminating these people who are responsible for the terrorism that is being perpetrated?

Who do you think is leading the fight vs ISIS? It's not the U.S, it's primarily muslims that are trying to defeat them on the ground. How are there people that still don't know this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeremiah 50:20-30 is shockingly violent.

Massacres ordered by God aren't unique to Islam. Somehow, almost all Christians understand they're not supposed to go out and slaughter people. Muslims get it too.

So why not change the verses to clearly reflect that understanding?

The bible is very clear that it cannot be changed. That happens to be a commandment taken seriously. But, how many millions of Christians understand it's not right with a revision?

Anonymous wrote:When they claim to represent the Islamic State I think it is appropriate to refer to them as Islamic terrorists.

Anonymous wrote:A simple question: if the Muslims who commit acts of terrorism are a small minority and the vast majority of Muslims do not sympathize with their views, why does not the majority take on this minority and eliminate them?

ISIS and Al Qaeda are Sunni Muslims and several of the major countries in the Middle East and elsewhere are also largely Sunni including countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE; why don't these countries take the lead in eliminating these people who are responsible for the terrorism that is being perpetrated?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeremiah 50:20-30 is shockingly violent.

Massacres ordered by God aren't unique to Islam. Somehow, almost all Christians understand they're not supposed to go out and slaughter people. Muslims get it too.

So why not change the verses to clearly reflect that understanding?

Anonymous wrote:Jeremiah 50:20-30 is shockingly violent.

Massacres ordered by God aren't unique to Islam. Somehow, almost all Christians understand they're not supposed to go out and slaughter people. Muslims get it too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I would like to see is good Muslims not only denouncing terrorist acts in the name of Allah but also denouncing or at least clarifying/revising the scripture verses terrorist use to justify their violence. Denouncing the motive is more meaningful than denouncing the violent act.

I propose revising the bible to remove the part about taking glee in dashing babies against rocks, and so very many others.

Anonymous wrote:What I would like to see is good Muslims not only denouncing terrorist acts in the name of Allah but also denouncing or at least clarifying/revising the scripture verses terrorist use to justify their violence. Denouncing the motive is more meaningful than denouncing the violent act.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I would like to see is good Muslims not only denouncing terrorist acts in the name of Allah but also denouncing or at least clarifying/revising the scripture verses terrorist use to justify their violence. Denouncing the motive is more meaningful than denouncing the violent act.

You know, I could understand that some of the language puts us in a complex grey area that ends up validating the insane perspectives of the Taliban, particularly in its subjugation of its own citizens. But there is NOTHING in the Quran that even remotely justifies what happened in Paris. I think we should be very careful about giving into the idea that ISIS has textual support for its policies. It doesn't. They rely on people's ignorance and fear to gain strength. We need to combat with knowledge and strategy that disarms them completely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nothing constructive to say really, but I want to add that the anti-muslim sentiments based on the actions of a few make me sad and angry. I guess I wish that the quiet majority of which I have to believe I am a part was able to be louder than the very vocal fear- and hate-mongering few (I'm looking particularly at you, Fox News).

I hear ya.

But...when people say horrible things about Catholics and try to paint the entire church in a bad light thanks to the actions of a rather small group (hello pedophile priests and the evil asshats who covered it up), I take it on the chin and take it in stride. I don't whine about it because the critics have legit rocks to throw at the church. I never try to explain it or justify it. And perhaps most importantly, I wouldn't stay in a parish that condoned such horrific acts. I've also spoken out on the subject through letters to the archdiocese and face to face with several priests.

I know this isn't a perfect analogy, but I think it's fair to say that folks should understand why others might form some sort of opinion about them based on their affiliations---any affiliation: religion, political, country club, etc. And its on you to either own it or disprove it.

I forgot to mention that I was super close to leaving the church all together until the new pope came along. Sometimes it makes sense to abandon a sinking ship...or get some like minded people together to build a raft and launch a mutiny.

The new pope, while lovely, won't change anything. The Catholic Church is too hierarchical. And how can you honestly forgive what was done to children? What if one had been your child? Would you have given the church another chance?

When religion becomes so protective over its believers - to the point of protecting the sick ones - it's no longer a religion. It's a mindfuck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nothing constructive to say really, but I want to add that the anti-muslim sentiments based on the actions of a few make me sad and angry. I guess I wish that the quiet majority of which I have to believe I am a part was able to be louder than the very vocal fear- and hate-mongering few (I'm looking particularly at you, Fox News).

I hear ya.

But...when people say horrible things about Catholics and try to paint the entire church in a bad light thanks to the actions of a rather small group (hello pedophile priests and the evil asshats who covered it up), I take it on the chin and take it in stride. I don't whine about it because the critics have legit rocks to throw at the church. I never try to explain it or justify it. And perhaps most importantly, I wouldn't stay in a parish that condoned such horrific acts. I've also spoken out on the subject through letters to the archdiocese and face to face with several priests.

I know this isn't a perfect analogy, but I think it's fair to say that folks should understand why others might form some sort of opinion about them based on their affiliations---any affiliation: religion, political, country club, etc. And its on you to either own it or disprove it.

I forgot to mention that I was super close to leaving the church all together until the new pope came along. Sometimes it makes sense to abandon a sinking ship...or get some like minded people together to build a raft and launch a mutiny.

The new pope, while lovely, won't change anything. The Catholic Church is too hierarchical. And how can you honestly forgive what was done to children? What if one had been your child? Would you have given the church another chance?

When religion becomes so protective over its believers - to the point of protecting the sick ones - it's no longer a religion. It's a mindfuck.[/quote

Thanks for proving my point!!! It's totally cool to say I've forgiven the priests for what they did since I maintained my catholic faith, but it's not okay to say anything about Muslims or question why they stick with their faith!!! Well done, pp!

To clarify: I never said I had forgiven anyone. Rather, I wasn't going to let the bad actions of a select few ruin my faith. I suspect that's how the good Muslims feel, right?

Is this a white guilt thing? We can throw rocks at American Catholics but we can't say anything about fill-in-the-blank? Nifty.