Benjam1n you are a cowardly racist.

Spout you hate amongst you own types, don't share it with us. We despise that type of behaviour.

If you had a modicom of courage you'd use your own name and no doubt you'd face charges of inciting racisl hatred here in Australia.

So tell us Keith, wld it change yr opinion if u knew that Ben also supports g.w.bush turkey?

Assuming he does, why do u think the likes of Ben, especially visa vi the Israeli issue wld b attracted rather to bush turkey as opposed to Obama?

Do u have a position on bush turkey's proliferation and ongoing developement of nuclear weapons, inc but not limited to mini nukes etc etc

Do u say approve of the use of spent fuel rods being used as munitions?

Do u have a view on the on the HUGE amount of civilian life lost due to the militant policies of g.dubya?

Do u think that it's nice that Iran hasn't used BIO WMD's on n.american marines considering that u armed Saddam to do the same to them?

Do u think that it was reasonable to execute Saddam b4 he cld testify internationally about his rise to power on the shoulders of auntie sam?

Dear Pericles

most of what you said.. the approach you took in that last post can be explained in terms of your limited appreciation for the dimensions of the Islamic world today.

I don't mean to sound arrogant in saying that, but it does stand out.

The question you should be asking is 'which' scholars disagree with the commands of surah 9 and why? Just like you need to ask the same questions about Johanine authorship of the 4th Gospel.

It does matter you know.

I see things in the big picture, not the 'muslim neighbour' zone.

Some questions will help to position your viewpoint.

Q. Which branch of Islam is very active world wide today?
A. Hizb Ut tahrir.

Q What are their objectives ?

A. Establishment of the Caliphate.

Q On what basis does a Caliphate operate?
A. On a literal.. yes.. literal interpretation of the Quran.(and Hadith and Sunnah)

Your perspective does not allow for the very nature of Islam itself.

You see.. if "Allah says(jump)" (which is how most Muslims will describe the Quran) the Muslims only legitimate response is to ask "How high"

I think you simply look at nominal Christianity and maybe nominal any religion..and project that onto Muslims.. and thus you feel they are not a danger.. and criticism of their faith is just rabble rousing/hate speech.

How about you try this. On the 27th-29th of November there is another MindBodySpirit festival in Melbourne. There will be an Islamic stand.
They will have a DVD called "The blessings of Islam".. why not come along and get it straight from the horses mouth?
You can watch me as I ask "Please read this verse" and then ask "Does this apply to today" and "Is your understanding the predominant one in the Muslim world?" and you can just note their answers.

You could arm yourself with a 'scholarly opinion' which differs from mine and bounce it off them :)

Oh.. seeing as you made the assertion that 'some scholars' disagree with my understanding of Surah 9, care to name 3 and give links?

Pericles.. another thing you miss.. is this.

When I refer to such content (surah 9)... I am showing the nature of original Islam.

Feel free to wax eloquent about how many nice Muslims you know.. or how Islam might have morphed into something else.. less dangerous, but ultimately, you will, like all, be confronted with the purest form of the religion.. as it originally was.

Then.. you simply have to work out which category of Muslim you are dealing with....

a) Those who follow the original faith.
b) Those who have just enough religion to give them a meaning in life.

Category b is not particularly dangerous. But the "a" group will seek to bring them into line with intimidation (for which there is ample evidence)

Here is oodles of discussion of:

1/ Original sources (Quran, Hadith Histories)
2/ Scholarly opinion (various shades)

http://www.answering-islam.org/Silas/swordverse.htm

I was reading a Sufi thing the other day, and they way this bloke spoke.. it was if he had never heard of the Quran.. or read it.

He spoke as one who simply idealised Mohammad as all the best things a man could ever be..and asserted that he was so.. totally neglecting his vial murder of various political opponents and numerous other horrific acts..such as dismembering people.

You, like him.. seem to be simply in denial.

Polycarp

'I was reading a Sufi thing the other day...'

Good God, Poly I thought you only had relevations ...

I thought I liked you, Keith, but very suprised you support a leader more with God on his side than scientific
commonsense.

So you reckon all the Americans who have backed Obama instead of McCain have been been wrong, Keith.

Guess time will tell, mate, but If had some spare cash, I know which side I'd put my money on.

So like Bush you would also still support the modern free-market, mate, with banks now backing customers nearly 100 per cent, whereas after WW2, Aussies cockies, anyway, were lucky to get 25% _
, and generally with a bank field officer with hsi eye on the paddocks as well.