Are We Ignorant Or Are They Violent?
By Bob Parks (09/21/06)
Until someone fesses up and we get the truth on the matter, I’ll remain skeptical, to say the least. When it comes to confusion of the positions of Muslims; when it comes to actions vice words, I need to refer to the wisdom of the Council on American-Islamic Relations for clarification.
“The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called for increased dialogue between Muslims and Catholics over the controversy sparked by remarks perceived as insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad made by Pope Benedict XVI. CAIR is also seeking a meeting with the Vatican’s representative in Washington, D.C., to discuss the remarks.
In an address on Tuesday, the Pope quoted a 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor as saying: “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”
Now while I wasn’t there, I can’t appreciate what frame of mind that Byzantine Christian Emperor was in when he uttered those now infamous words. I’m sure there was probably some context to base his words, but we’ll never know.
As usual, saying anything bad about Islam means the now-expected rioting and the calling for the death to whoever spoke out of turn. Which is part of my confusion….
We’re always told that Muslims mean us no harm (tell that to those in the Towers, the Pentagon, and that field in Pennsylvania). We’re always told that they’re a peaceful lot, and we just don’t understand their culture. If that’s the case, why is it whenever someone disses them or their religion of peace, love, and tolerance, they always riot, burn down buildings, and sometimes kill people? I just don’t seem to make the connection between what I see and what I’m told I’m supposed to respect?
MOGADISHU, Somalia - An elderly Italian nun who devoted her life to helping the sick in Africa was shot dead by two gunmen at a hospital Sunday in an attack possibly linked to worldwide Muslim anger toward Pope Benedict XVI and his recent comments on Islam.
Sister Leonella, 65, was shot in the back four times by pistol-wielding attackers as she left the Austrian-run S.O.S. hospital. Her bodyguard was also slain.
* Associated Press and Los Angeles Times
Liberals in this country love sticking it to Christians. Foggy Hollywood actors go off all the time against the Catholic Church. Madonna is currently touring the world and performing a mock crucifixion just to tick off the religious. Madonna’s been doing this for awhile, yet I don’t remember one Catholic riot occurring. Can and should one only conclude that reason and a sense of civility guide some more than others?
Let’s just throw this out there….
NBC is going to air one of the latest Madonna concerts as a special in November. You know she’s going to do the crucifixion thing. The American Family Association complained about the segment, however “NBC ignored their concerns.” The group quoted a network exec that stated that NBC previewed Madonna’s showstopper, and they “didn’t see it as being inappropriate.”
Now I’m sure her peers in Hollywood are egging her on as she’s giving the middle finger to every churchgoer in America. Some will call her an innovator, courageous, and all the accolades they can stuff into a self-indulging award show. I can’t help but wonder what would happen to Madonna if her male dancers were all dressed as Mohammed and the female dancers were all in birkas? Would that be considered bravery or a suicidal act?
CAIR’s release continued….
“The proper response to the Pope’s inaccurate and divisive remarks is for Muslims and Catholics worldwide to increase dialogue and outreach efforts aimed at building better relations between Christianity and Islam.”
Yeah, go out a shoot an old nun in the back. That’s constructive dialogue and outreach. The Pope apologized time upon time and it would seem only blood will be accepted.
“This unfortunate episode also offers an opportunity for Christians to learn more about Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic concept of jihad.”
Okay. And if I don’t want to learn more about Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, or the Islamic concept of jihad, is someone out there marking me for death?
“I wouldn’t want to create the impression that I wouldn’t like the government of the United States to be Islamic sometime in the future…But I’m not going to do anything violent to promote that. I’m going to do it through education.”
* Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR Spokesperson
The next segment from CAIR is a joke….
“The Quran, Islam’s revealed text, condemns forced acceptance of any faith when it states: ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion.’ (2:256) Islam calls for peace once oppression ends: ‘Fight in the cause of God with those who fight against you, but do not exceed the limits…If they desist, let there be no hostility except against the oppressors.” (2:190-193)
The Quran condemns forced acceptance of any faith? Well, those who kidnapped Fox correspondent Steve Centanni, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, didn’t read that passage.
Centanni obviously got the wrong impression. When they were released, he said, “There were times when I thought ‘I’m dead’. We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint. Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it, but it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn’t know what the hell was going on.”
“Those who stay in America should be open to society without melting, keeping Mosques open so anyone can come and learn about Islam. If you choose to live here, you have a responsibility to deliver the message of Islam … Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faiths, but to become dominant. The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth.”
* Omar Ahmad, Co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
We all remember the worldwide rioting that went on after a Danish newspaper published cartoons of The Prophet. People in that part of the world were killing people and burning cars and buildings… over cartoons.
I understand people’s religious beliefs should not be the butt of jokes, but how many liberals in this country would be dead with all the insults Christians have had to shake off here in America.
“Muslims are also asked to maintain good relations with people of other faiths, and to engage in constructive dialogue. ‘And dispute not with the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) except with means better (than mere disputation). . .but say, ‘We believe in the Revelation that has come down to us and in that which came down to you.’“
Along with a request for a meeting with a Vatican representative in the United States, CAIR is urging Americans of all faiths to learn more about Islam and about the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad by requesting a free Quran or a book or DVD about Muhammad at www.explorethequran.org and www.cair.com/Muhammad.”
And what if I don’t want a free Quran as much as I don’t want a free Watchtower? Jehovah’s Witnesses can be blown off. Some Muslims tend to blow things up. And I’m saying that as someone who knows normal Muslims. It’s the crazies now talking about the looming “American Hiroshima” that should have us all concerned.
“Urgent news from Abu Dawood, one of the newly appointed commanders of the al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan: Muslims living in the United States should leave the country without further warning.
The al Qaeda operatives who will launch this attack are awaiting final orders. They remain in place in cities throughout the country. Many are masquerading as Christians and have adopted Christian names.
The American people probably will be treated to a final audio message from Osama bin Laden which will be aired some time later.”
* Paul L. Williams & David Dastych, Canada Free Press, September 16, 2006
So like a broken record, I remain one of those not convinced of the benevolent outreach and motives of the more public Muslims. One side tells us all how we should reach out, while another cleric somewhere calls for our death. I have to admit I wouldn’t want to be the Pope right now. These fruitcakes fly airliners into buildings and strap bombs on their kids.
Nice people. We’d better start the process of better understanding… or else.
Original with photos,etc: http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/09/20/are-we-ignorant-or-are-they-violent/
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