So when you see men of a certain skin tone wearing loose-fitting clothes, wraps around their heads, long scruffy beards; or when you observe women covered head-to-toe in a sheet with only two eyeballs staring out, are you thinking bombs, guns, and terroristic mayhem?
I'm sure many people do. The question that is hotly contested is whether Islam is a violent, nihilistic religion or one of peace and charity. The answer, from what I can gather, is probably yes in both instances. As with most scripture-driven mass religions, various tenets are open to interpretation.
Religions attract not only the pure and devout, but also the crazy and unhinged. Thus, the parts of the Quran that may be open to interpretations of violence are seized upon by the psychopaths as an outlet for their fury and bloodlust. That's how we get the over-the-top mass violence that has ravaged so many parts of the world. That, coupled with extreme poverty, envy of Western culture, frustration, fascistic regimes, general ignorance, and it's easy to understand why there's no shortage of tinder to fuel rage in the Islamic world. Sure, violence and intolerance is suggested in their scriptures, but they're blown out of proportion to fulfill various demented agendas.
But Christianity is not off the hook in that regard. The Bible, which is as open to interpretation as the Quran, was the excuse behind the Crusades and various other purges and mass annihilations in both the Old and New World. Can't think of any religion that doesn't have a fair amount of blood on its hands.
So, how do you regard your Muslim neighbor? Treat him or her as just another person and not as a personification of their faith. And heed the wisest of advice: Never discuss religion or politics with anyone. Stick to the weather.
Je ne suis pas Charlie Hebdo!
I'm sure many people do. The question that is hotly contested is whether Islam is a violent, nihilistic religion or one of peace and charity. The answer, from what I can gather, is probably yes in both instances. As with most scripture-driven mass religions, various tenets are open to interpretation.
Religions attract not only the pure and devout, but also the crazy and unhinged. Thus, the parts of the Quran that may be open to interpretations of violence are seized upon by the psychopaths as an outlet for their fury and bloodlust. That's how we get the over-the-top mass violence that has ravaged so many parts of the world. That, coupled with extreme poverty, envy of Western culture, frustration, fascistic regimes, general ignorance, and it's easy to understand why there's no shortage of tinder to fuel rage in the Islamic world. Sure, violence and intolerance is suggested in their scriptures, but they're blown out of proportion to fulfill various demented agendas.
But Christianity is not off the hook in that regard. The Bible, which is as open to interpretation as the Quran, was the excuse behind the Crusades and various other purges and mass annihilations in both the Old and New World. Can't think of any religion that doesn't have a fair amount of blood on its hands.
So, how do you regard your Muslim neighbor? Treat him or her as just another person and not as a personification of their faith. And heed the wisest of advice: Never discuss religion or politics with anyone. Stick to the weather.
Je ne suis pas Charlie Hebdo!
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