Couldn’t agree more Philo.

So, can we discard the OT as it was written for another time also?

Or, as I suspect, there are messages there for us, much like the Q’uran. You just need to know how to look for them.

Thank you Reason.

The thing which frustrates me more than anything is the way people use the term "fundamentalists" to describe Islamic extremists. There is no such thing as Islamic fundamentalism as the Qur'an is beleived to be the literal word of God and the words cannot be changed or misinterpreted. So all practising Muslims are essentially fundamentalists.

Extremists on the other hand take the Qur'an out of context and interpret it as they see fit. They are in the minority.

What also angers me is how a few verses in the Qur'an can be misinterpreted by a large number of non-muslims who have never read or studied the Qur'an or Islam the religion. They are doing exactly what they accuse these extremists of doing - the ones who use religion to recruit suicide bombers. They are using Islam as a scapegoat for all the violence in the middle east.

They also fail to see how these suicide bombing recruits are only willing to listen to religious extremists because they face daily prejudices and extreme oppression, particularly in Palestine.

Anyone who claims Islam is a violent religion with violent followers is admitting to being nothing more than either a religious extremist or an avid follower of A Current Affair, Today Tonight, Sky News, Fox News, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and so on and so forth.

Educate yourselves or refrain from posting. Subdue your indoctrinated, propaganda orientated minds, read some books from the perspectives of some of the most educated people and quit isolating sections of the Qur'an which are pliable to the wrath of Coach and co.

fleurette,

The primary message of Islam as you claim to be the truth is not getting through as the dominant Muslim view. You by your inaction to espouse the truth of the Muslim view is merely condoning the extremists view. You must put your house in order before pretending Islam is a peaceful political system. Middle Eastern Muslims are mob violent by character and it is demonstrated by their behaviour.

Merely claiming Islam is a religion of peace and love is not sufficient when we see demonstrated violence against civillians in the name of Allah daily on the World stage. Reporters forced at the point of a gun to convert to Islam or face death.

Even Muslim leaders in the PM's chosen team of advisors this week publicly denouncing Prime Minister Howard for encouraging Muslims to adopt the English language, Australian values and assimilate. The leaders see PM Howard more threatening than Osama whose followers in Australia are using our democratic free speech to threaten us.

Compare: The Leaders have not publicly denounced rapist acts [pleasure marriages] of violence upon teenage virgins by using the text of their theology; but most verbally express defiance of our way of life by abusing free speech to claim right to democracy.

We do not have the idiology of Seiks or Buddahists threatening our life, but we do have Mislim groups collectively attending Mosque listening to hate sermons in Arabic denouncing infidels and our values. Obviously you view of Islam is indifferent and weak as it is not converting the radicals to love life and peace.

America's Muslims Aren't as Assimilated as You Think

Washington Post, Geneive Abdo, August 27, 2006

“Out over the past two years, I have traveled the country, visiting mosques, interviewing Muslim leaders and speaking to Muslim youths in universities and Islamic centers from New York to Michigan to California -- and I have encountered a different truth…”

At: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501169.htm

Fleurette,

Good thoughtful posting although Coach won't get it.

Coach,

You are a living proof that Christo fundies are "equal to" or "greater danger than" Muslim fundies.
Howard & Costello should address your mob in their next speech to assimilate and accept Australian values.

Philo,

I attended many mosques prayers in Sydney and maybe there is one or two fiery clerics which people and police know about. Now, how many hate speeches do you see on the OLO forums, media and politicians comment? How do you find the latest 'fiery' comment from Cardinal Pell on Islam and Muslims?

Fellow_Human,
When Did Cardinal Pell encourage the overthrow of Muslim society?
When did he teach we are to fight to overthrow them and threaten to bomb or burn them? From what I heard he spoke about, was the evil ideas and actions perpetrated by Islam; he did not encouragement violent acts of hatred of the people who believed the antisocial anti-Western nonsence. As Islam grows in Australia and attempt to change the laws - the secularists will challange it and we are bound for civil conflict, as atheists will not wear for one minute the totalitarian imposition of Islam.

Australia: British Cardinal’s challenge to Muslims

Cardinal challenges Muslims to defend persecuted Christians
Cathnews, September 2006
”Muslims must speak up for the rights of Christians in Islamic countries and work with Christians towards a "mutual witness" to the shared values of peace and justice, British Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said in Melbourne last night. "This is a vital principle of sacred hospitality, and it is vital for the relationship between Christians and Muslims," The Age quoted the Cardinal as saying. "Where Christians are being denied their rights or are subject to sharia law, that is not a matter on which Muslims in Britain or in Australia should remain silent," Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor added. "Where religious rights of minorities are disrespected in the name of Islam, the face of Islam is tarnished elsewhere in the world."…”
At: http://www.cathnews.com/news/609/3.ph

Daily Telegraph, By Gemma Jones, August 22, 2006
"PREMIER Morris Iemma yesterday put those behind Sydney's race attacks on notice - leave hatred in your homelands.
The Premier reacted after The Daily Telegraph revealed alarming attacks in Sydney in the wake of the war in the Middle East.
News of the attacks prompted Mr Iemma to ask for an urgent report on racial violence, to be prepared by the office of Police Minister Carl Scully. "Ancient hatreds and rivalries from other lands do not belong in Australia. Australia is a welcoming and generous society." Mr Iemma said.
In the worst incidents "Kill Jews" has been spray painted across the city, Jewish students attacked on a university campus and Muslim Australians accused of being terrorists. A synagogue at Parramatta has been attacked twice, with concrete blocks thrown through windows in the latest incident. A spokesman for Mr Iemma said work had begun immediately on the report to assess the scale of recent violence.
In one of the most shocking cases of violence, Jewish students at Sydney University, who identify their faith with religious skullcaps, have been attacked. As a result many of them have been forced to cover their skullcaps by wearing baseball caps.

Last week, when approached by The Daily Telegraph, the students who had been victims of attacks said they were too afraid to speak about their ordeal. "It is important to say the university takes allegations of this nature very seriously," a university spokesman said. "In line with university policy and the code of conduct, which applies to both academics and students, racially motivated behaviour, verbal slurs or attacks, are totally abhorrent and severe disciplinary penalties are applied. "University security staff, student welfare and counselling staff are on standby to deal with this."
Australian Union of Jewish students president Greg Weinstein, who first raised the concerns of students, said racism against any group should not be tolerated. "This is not a Jewish and Muslim issue, we are fighting the same war against extremists and racists," he said. At http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20208907-5006009,00.html