in response to the thing you said about the "Muslim terrorists cut off the heads of NON-MILITARY people in iraq"... well, again just because these people are doing this stuff in the name of islam are muslims, does mean that what they are doing is correct, or compatable with islam does it? no it doesnt. in islam, you are not allowed to attack women, children etc... (sorry i dont recall exactly who cant be attacked, if you are interested let me know and i will find a relavent hadith for you) .
My point here was there wasn't even a outcry against such actions in general. So, it was just accepted. Whereas, when the whole abu grave(spelling?) in iraq happened, there was plenty of americans condemning our own governments actions, but the reverse never happens when Muslims do things wrong. That is where the lowering of opinion occurs. I understand that not every muslim is going to cut off peoples heads, but I don't understand why there isn't a immediate condemnation by the overwhelming majority of muslims. Since that doesn't occur, it must mean that muslims in general don't really care about such things, because it wasn't a muslim. That's what strikes me, the lack of condemnation when muslims do bad things from other muslims, but it seems every little thing like the cartoon, peopel will riot. Can you see how the two don't quite equate.
Because believe me when I saw palestinines celebrating the deaths of American Non-Military citizens, and chanting death to america. I read that as death to me. Or when someone burns a flag, that says to me that they hate all in the country that flag represents. And I'm really confused what type of response such actions are thought to have, as when I watched that I really, really, didn't want anything to do with anything islam for sometime.
I really believe Islam needs to get behind a central philosphy, because the argument is always, it's not us it's the radicals. But there is never any condemnation or attempts to stop such things by the "regular" muslims. See how that makes one question the whole of the religion. If a person stands by silently while a crime is commented, then says I didn't do it. Are they any better?
Well, here's how I read the drawing of muslims issue
Okay, your point is that muslims don't believe in the drawing of muslims, especially the prophet, but these drawing were published in non-muslim controlled countries, where similiar forms of bad taste cartoons are produced regularly. Here in the U.S. a supposed artist a few years back had a display of the the cross with **** on it. Now, that offended, millions of U.S. citizens and Millions around the world, but no one burned embassies. I'm sorry but if the standard is that there can be no critism of Islam, or crude depictions, it just won't work in western countries. The whole basis of the most democratic nations is the free expression of ideas, no matter how off-base they may be. As long as they don't promote violence. So, saying that Islam must be an exception to that rule, doesn't work with a system specificlly designed to protect the fringe ideas.
Thus since in any western country, freedom to disparage the pillars of that particular society is essential to the ideology. I can't see how a Religion that doesn't condone any critism will ever be able to function. Catholics get made fun of all the time as child molesters all the time, because a few priest did such things. They don't riot.
I for example will not accept that I can't draw a cartoon of anything I please. Muslims seem to want it to be illegal to do so, because they don't believe it's right. But I don't believe in the things Muslims do. So, why should I be limited in my expression. See, in order to do what they're asking freedom of speech would need to be eliminated. That will not go over well.
So, I guess, my conclusion is Islam isn't compatible within Western Culture. But, for some reason muslims move to countries, that don't mix with there religion, and then demand the laws be changed in dramatic ways.
If you can explain how freedom of speech and expression, can be maintained within a muslim framework. Then it could work, but the whole basis, of the muslim argument is that one can't criticize the prophet, but every other religion gets criticized daily, and learns to endure such things. The pope, which is supposed to be a direct link to God in the Catholic religion is always ridiculed. Jesus, has been depicted in so many bad ways it's beyond count. But those religions don't threaten to kill people over it.
Thanks.
