Phat writes:
I know, i know...you seem to be defending the right of other cultures to not be labeled as "them" by us.
Hi Phat
I appreciate what you're saying and I agree. The problem is though that it cuts both ways. We in the west aren't always just content to see our own culture maintained but are often intent on exporting it to the rest of the world, by whatever means necessary. This only assists the extremists in getting young hot heads with all that testosterone running through their system to believe that evil is actually good.
I contend that the only way for any country to truly convert to the ways of democracy and freedom that we enjoy in the west if it is as a result of a broadly based popular movement from within the country, and as it did in the western world it is going to take generations for it to become firmly established. In the west we have a mentality of wanting instant results and and we aren't prepared to wait years let alone generations.
Sure there may have been an improvement in the lives of some of the people in Iraq but I really question if the country as a whole is any better off than before all those bombs were dropped all over the place. It sure seems to me that if you fight evil with evil then evil is bound to win. I have no way of proving this but I would bet that the average Iraqi is less pro-western now that he/she was prior to the war.
Phat writes:
My point is that "us" can be them too if they would only cooperate and not go against our culture and way of life.
In the last couple of days we have had a major attack by terrorists averted in Canada. Here is a perfect example of how we have to be so careful of stereotyping. The alleged attack by a couple of Islamic extremists was prevented in large part because of the Islamic community in Canada.
Planned Terrorist Attack in Canada
Here is a portion of that report.
quote:
The Canadian plot was foiled by police in cooperation with Canadian and American intelligence agencies after a prominent Muslim community leader in Toronto tipped off the RCMP.
Our first line of defence against Muslim terrorism is normative or moderate Islam. The extremists would like nothing more than to see us marginalize our Islamic citizens. Sure I disagree with much of their theology but there is also a great deal that we have in common and can share that with them.
I do agree that it is easy to go into the Qu’ran and find quotes that can be used to encourage violence against people of other faiths. However, it is possible, as it is with the Bible, to get the exact opposite message as well.
Here is an excellent Islamic web site that understands the Qu’ran in a way that encourages friendships and communitywith other faiths.
Can Muslims be friends with Jews and Christians?
{abe} That link didn't seem to work. Here is the url to cut and paste
Can Muslims be friends with Jews and Christians? - IslamiCity
I know that we are all basically tribal but hopefully we are all moving, even if it is painfully slowly away from that. The most fundamental Christian message concerning morality, (which is not to say that it is only Christian but I use that as it applies to both Phat and myself), is that the our goal should be that we would all be of one tribe, regardless of belief or non-belief.
{abe} I wanted to add this additional article on how it was the Muslims who alerted authorities so that this terrorist act in Canada was thwarted.
Report from Reauters
Edited by GDR, : No reason given.
Edited by GDR, : problem with link
He has told you, O man, what is good ; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
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