“Historians agree”, Irf, that the Dark Ages were far from dark. The Middle Ages were a time when the Christian faith in reason and progress was providing the foundation upon which Western success would later be built.

‘How Christianity led to freedom, capitalism and success of the West’
http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php?id=tqm4xd5mqkk5px43d968m19qmf4w3g5y

If this premise is false then the argument that ignorant Christian mounted an aggressive war against peaceful Muslims is false also.

‘How to think about the Crusades’
http://www.antipsykopat.org/miniBB/index.php?action=vthread&forum=3&topic=10287

Holy war is a religious duty in Islam, for other religions the purpose is only for defence.

“The Crusades took place against a background of Muslim conquest, of which the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem were deliberately triumphal symbols.”

What is explanatorily powerful is the fact that rich, landed knights gave up everything and risked their lives to fight in the Holy Land. It was the secular princes Irf refers to who were the Pope’s ‘difficulties’. It is these who were the cause of the tension between the two pillars - priest and king. Why did the Pope’s difficulties decide to be ‘manipulated’ and risk their lives? Faith is the answer not ignorance or top down manipulation. Just as the faith of Muslims explains these latest events.
Irfan seems to repeat Osama’s claim, that Muslim governments, apostates, are the cause of Muslim troubles and hence disaffection.

There are no Muslim 'rulers' in Europe. European Muslims are free and autonomous yet with no rulers they are being the most vocal. Scroll to the 4th Feb

http://ayaanhirsiali.web-log.nl/categorie/46044

Pictures of educated, free, European Muslims, with access to information. Islamist intellectuals, are not ignorant, they are educated in western culture, history and ideas. The argument Irf uses is the real diversion.

The slight of hand insertion of the French ban on headscarves, as if this might be a justification for Muslim protest, avoids having to admit the ban was on the Crucifix or Jewish Star of David also.

The good behaviour of Muslims is in spite of the religion of their upbringing, it goes to their common sens

and big hearts rather than the truth of their religion.

Muslims are following Mohammed’s example well. Arguing that Muslims are behaving like uncivilized Europeans during the Crusades is an ugly clouding of the truth.
The Crusades were a justified response to persecution and invasion. And popular piety and faith was at its heart. Similarly Muslims now are being faithful doing as their prophet commands. The difference is in the objective goodness of the two expressions of faith.

There is no way one can argue Mohammed is morally beautiful. Anyone who reads the 5 most important books in Islam will never again believe Islam to be a religion of peace.

The only possible explanation for the distortions in his article is

1. Irfan is innocently ignorant of his own religion.

2. He is playing on the weaknesses of people in the West, with the comforting idea that ignorance is the cause, not religion. Diverting attention away from a critical examination of Islam.

“Islamists know exactly how to exploit post-imperial, post-Christian guilt--the West's Achilles' heel. . . they intend their war of terror to be seen by both sides as a justifiable response to Western aggression. In this they have not been disappointed, as we can witness all around us.”

Irfan has admitted he believes Sharia is a divine law. So I am beginning to doubt his intentions.

The only way Islam can exist in the modern world is through radical reform, it took Europe two blood soaked centuries to do this. We are asking Islam to do it in decades. What we are witnessing is only the beginning.

The tragedy of Irfan’s article is we need Muslims like him to face up to the issues in a spirit of courage and truth. We should encourage and support him toward this end.

Don’t take my word for it, defer to Con (Thermistocles) who was General Manager of SBS. It was his job to understand culture, he has done the work, done the research.

Martin Ibn Warriq,

'Crusades were justified'! Obviousley in your version doesn't tell they killed Muslims, Jews and Orthodox Arab christians as well.

They had big hearts and big swords.."Lord of the rings"...

But then again, the Gold fish looks up and sees its own reflection. Ignoramians look down and see smiling faces, monkey look up and see...

Q: I don't understand why a Muslim basher like you always pick an Arabic or Muslim name? Intellects don't use these low CTF like tactics

Martin: Your statement "The tragedy of Irfan’s article is we need Muslims like him to face up to the issues in a spirit of courage and truth. We should encourage and support him toward this end."

This just has to be deeply ironic, given your stance against anyone who doesn't share your version of christianity.

Given the persistence of your christian agenda I can only conclude that the above statement is disingenuous.

I too am puzzled by your choice of moniker - could you please enlighten us?

Thank you for a logical response to the dicrace that has unfolded as a result of a few cartoons. This barbaric display must not be tollerated by the people of the civilised world.

Whatever one might think of Irfan's motives on writing such an article is irrelevant. He is a voice of reason that Islam so desperately needs in this country, in this world. You only have to read Salam's article on the same topic to realize what we are dealing with here. Irfan is a minority voice in Islam and he shows incredible guts to stand up to the madness being demonstrated around the world to a couple of silly cartoons. Irfan has hit the nail on the head. Muslims need to address issues that have real meaning and implication for the good of the world, not these cartoons. Unfortunately, there has been so much brainwashing done by dark age immams, encouraged by corrupt governments, the road to sanity is wired with danger.

Islam is not going to go away, so people like Irfan need all the support they can get. Great article!