I have to be honest, Islam freaks me out

[Madhuri]

I just don't see other religious groups expressing themselves this way. Even if you can find horrible things written in scripture from other religions, the followers are not seen to be so supportive of violence. It really scares me.

Police use pepper spray on anti-Islamic film protesters in Sydney at the US consulate | News.com.au

 

[9Westy9]

I want to speak my mind but if I do I'll probably get banned xD. All I'll say is that this is disgusting behaviour from some members of a religion that claims to be "peaceful"

 

[Amechania]

I don't think most Muslims support violence in any way, except maybe in self-defense. At least not the ones I know, like my dentist, my grocer, and my neighbor.

 

[Straw Dog]

It's unfortunate that a religion with such potential for genuine peace has generated a reputation for violence. It's not dissimilar to the way Christianity spawned the Crusades. I believe it is within the power of Muslims to make their faith wholly nonviolent in all its expressions. Islam means submission to God and so if their collective conception of God becomes more nonviolent, then the behavior of even the more fringe groups will become nonviolent as well.

I wonder what the resident Muslims here feel. What is the association between submission to God, peace, and nonviolence?

 

[Tiapan]

It reminds me of the christian "storm in a teacup" when Monty Python brought out "Life of Brian". But that was no where as well orchestrated as current events, so I agree with you Madhuri

 

[Straw Dog]

Fear leads to hate which leads to the dark side. Doesn't anyone else watch Star Wars? Haha. Seriously, though, it does us no good only fixating on negative qualities. The task is to transform negatives into positives, darkness into light, etc. Focus upon the good within people and encourage it. I don't seek to convert others to my way of thinking. I only wish to inspire that which is already good within them.

 

[Renji]

I just don't see other religious groups expressing themselves this way. Even if you can find horrible things written in scripture from other religions, the followers are not seen to be so supportive of violence. It really scares me.

Police use pepper spray on anti-Islamic film protesters in Sydney at the US consulate | News.com.au

I don't think Muslims in general supports such violence. It's just that some people take their faith personally to a point that it makes them do some things that aren't that "good" or something that you wouldn't expect for them to do usually, when they feel that their faith is "being attacked" or disrespected.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I just don't see other religious groups expressing themselves this way. Even if you can find horrible things written in scripture from other religions, the followers are not seen to be so supportive of violence. It really scares me.

Police use pepper spray on anti-Islamic film protesters in Sydney at the US consulate | News.com.au

Nothing is so terrifying as Religious violence.
Its perpetrators "know" that they are supported by God.
they are neither controlled by common sense nor amenable to reasonable argument.
Their attacks are mindless.
And continue through pain, suffering and death to both sides
with out a hint of compassion.

Primitive religions, and I include Islam in this category, (as they promote their unchanging (medieval) origins), are especially dangerous as they have not developed modern concepts of social and collective civil acceptance of other national and religious standards. Their faith gives them no room to compromise.

Is an international interfaith war inevitable? and is a persons faith more important than their citizenship? These questions are as yet unanswerable.
To the west such a war is unimaginable... to their detractors... who knows?

 

[Madhuri]

I don't know if the media simply does not represent them, but it sure would be nice to hear Muslim leaders who are moderate come out and condemn extreme behaviour like this.

 

[jasonwill2]

I just don't see other religious groups expressing themselves this way. Even if you can find horrible things written in scripture from other religions, the followers are not seen to be so supportive of violence. It really scares me.

Police use pepper spray on anti-Islamic film protesters in Sydney at the US consulate | News.com.au

No, it's just not as reported. I can get you a Christian song calling for my death as a Satanist, written by a VERY popular Christian metal band. The song was released this year. Sometimes I listen to it to get my blood boiling and remind myself that they are not my friends, at least not the truly faithful ones.

Lots of Christians want to do terrible things to groups they don't like, but do not voice it, some do. Look at how some say we should approach homosexuality.

It's just that the equivalent elements of fundamentalism in Christianity is subdued by a more rigorous judicial system, police force, and more laws and government intolerant of justifying their actions. I came across a few days ago a Christan saying that they wouldn't mind testing out their new rifle on a specific Muslim, and said that Islam is "Satanically evil" as a response to a supposed threat to them.

I know of people who think America should wage a holy war back in Islam. I heard last night a friend joke about putting crosses on our tanks and speaking as if Islam was all one group.

Oh, and plenty of Christians attack Muslim churches, we had more in the news recently after the Sikh shooting became big, but it still happens all the time. The Media controls all of your opinions by selective reporting, and doesn't care what it is so long as it's what they think will bring huge ratings.

 

[Alceste]

No, it's just not as reported. I can get you a Christian song calling for my death as a Satanist, written by a VERY popular Christian metal band. The song was released this year. Sometimes I listen to it to get my blood boiling and remind myself that they are not my friends, at least not the truly faithful ones.

Lots of Christians want to do terrible things to groups they don't like, but do not voice it, some do. Look at how some say we should approach homosexuality.

It's just that the equivalent elements of fundamentalism in Christianity is subdued by a more rigorous judicial system, police force, and more laws and government intolerant of justifying their actions. I came across a few days ago a Christan saying that they wouldn't mind testing out their new rifle on a specific Muslim, and said that Islam is "Satanically evil" as a response to a supposed threat to them.

I know of people who think America should wage a gTholy war back in Islam. I heard last night a friend joke about putting crosses on our tanks and speaking as if Islam was all one group.

Oh, and plenty of Christians attack Muslim churches, we had more in the news recently after the Sikh shooting became big, but it still happens all the time. The Media controls all of your opinions by selective reporting, and doesn't care what it is so long as it's what they think will bring huge ratings.

Actually, fundamentalist Christian soldiers are baiting muslims in Afghanistan, painting anti-Islamic slogans on their tanks, etc. Harper's magazine had a very good story on the subject a few years ago. We only hear about the occasional thing, like when they get caught handing out Bibles and whatnot.

Regardless of what the war is actually about (probably they're after it because it looks good on a map), many soldiers seem to believe they're there to spread christianity at the point of a gun.

 

[Alceste]

I just don't see other religious groups expressing themselves this way. Even if you can find horrible things written in scripture from other religions, the followers are not seen to be so supportive of violence. It really scares me.

Police use pepper spray on anti-Islamic film protesters in Sydney at the US consulate | News.com.au

That story says one of the women was saying "we want our brothers back". What is she talking about? It's irritating that the story doesn't say, particularly since it says so many other things twice.

 

[jasonwill2]

Actually, fundamentalist Christian soldiers are baiting muslims in Afghanistan, painting anti-Islamic slogans on their tanks, etc. Harper's magazine had a very good story on the subject a few years ago. We only hear about the occasional thing, like when they get caught handing out Bibles and whatnot.

Regardless of what the war is actually about (probably they're after it because it looks good on a map), many soldiers seem to believe they're there to spread christianity at the point of a gun.

I knew it!!!

Any religion though, if they wanna spread it by the tip of a blade and the barrel of a gun, I'll be there, screaming "OPPOSITION!!!", the planted Satanic flag in my right hand, and the AK-74 in my left, crying out to my Lord in the name of freedom for "sinners", "heretics", and "blasphemers" :fight: People need to take their holy wars elsewhere (on both sides), because I will DIE before I see myself forced into ANY religion.

Satan means adversary and accuser!!!

 

[Pastek]

I don't know if the media simply does not represent them, but it sure would be nice to hear Muslim leaders who are moderate come out and condemn extreme behaviour like this.

That's because you don't watch arabic tv.

But this kind of people who manifest in that maner, i don't think they listen to the Imams (or maybe the extremists), they don't care of the police.

If i have time i can search on internet what Imams said on tv. Honestly i didn't really watch tv those days cause i'm busy.

But yesterday there was a debate on Al Jazeera and an Imam came. I didn't paid attention. I'll maybe watch it later and i tell you what he said.

 

[apophenia]

I just don't see other religious groups expressing themselves this way. Even if you can find horrible things written in scripture from other religions, the followers are not seen to be so supportive of violence. It really scares me.

Police use pepper spray on anti-Islamic film protesters in Sydney at the US consulate | News.com.au

I know exactly what you mean. I started a thread a little while ago on the Sydney protests - "What an awful shame".

It is so counter-productive for the general muslim community here in Australia. The media has been getting some traction dealing with xenophobia lately (like the "Go Back To Where You Came From" series), and this sets the cause back a decade.

But you are right, it is frightening, and unfortunately there is real reason for fear. Regardless of all the arguments about what the quran and hadiths really say, it is undeniable that there is a militant minority who are very serious about demanding that Islam be treated in a way in which nothing else is treated in our culture. Westerners are accustomed to vigorous debate and disagreement, but the demand that the whole planet should show special and exclusive respect to Islam simply will not be met (nor should it).

ASIO are being kept quite busy keeping an eye on the most militant, and until recently I never thought I would be such a supporter of their efforts. It is impossible to have a reasonable compromise with someone who says "Bow down to my imperatives or die."

 

[apophenia]

That story says one of the women was saying "we want our brothers back". What is she talking about? It's irritating that the story doesn't say, particularly since it says so many other things twice.

Some radical muslims training and agitating for jihad in Australia were arrested a few days ago. I think that may be who was being referred to.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

I have seen prominent, rather westernized imams speak out against it and make moderate noises but it always seemed insincere and forced as if to secure the muslim foothold in the house of safety. And sometimes downright disingenuous.

 

[Revoltingest]

Warning! Trite & obvious post ahead!
As we observe from the vast majority of peaceful Muslims, Islam does appear to be a religion of peace. But the problem is that it is
also at risk for becoming a religion of conquest & carnage. As we see, the violence is limited to certain countries, where culture &
religion combine to become oppressive. The trick is to avoid those enabling cultural traits. Maintaining tolerance & diversity look to be key.

 

[apophenia]

I have seen prominent, rather westernized imams speak out against it and make moderate noises but it always seemed insincere and forced as if to secure the muslim foothold in the house of safety. And sometimes downright disingenuous.

I just went for a walk. It's about 10.30 at night here in Footscray West ( a very multicultural suburb of Melbourne).

As I was walking down the street, a muslim man was approaching, and he took a wide berth around me. It occurred to me that he was nervous about encountering me, which is not at all usual. (I'm not a frightening person).

I engaged him with a smile and a wink, to which he happily responded. Which is a good thing, and as it should be. He was collecting his kids from the local Boy Scout hall.

It is very sad that he was feeling defensive. I'm glad I was alert enough to send him a friendly signal, and that he clearly responded in kind.

Just thought I'd share that moment.

 

[Vinayaka]

I wonder how much of it is for the sake of a 'good' time, and just being sheep following along. The scenes portray it as mostly young men. Some forms of 'humanity' just need an excuse to go protest anything. Many go because there friends go. I'd like to talk to some of the people and ask them if they even know why they are there.

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