As for the legitimacy of 'Mercy Ministries'

In the past, they've claimed they can use god to 'cure' gay people.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2008/03/18/1205602421321.html

Of course, I suspect some posters here don't see any issues associated with this.

They say they've backed away from it, but those who've been through the program say there are still 'separation contracts' to avoid lesbianism.

Well, whatever the case, I'll not be buying Gloria Jeans coffee any time soon.

There has been some inappropriate comparisons in here as I have pointed out. Having done so I feel obliged in fairness to those inclined to Islamic belief to include the following:

Prince Hassan would have to be Islamic wouldn't he? He is criticizing the slaughter of Assyrian Christians:

http://www.aina.org/guesteds/20080318055924.htm

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/17/news/Pope-Iraq.php

In the following story the victim's wife assumed (presumably with good reason) that Muslims would be shocked by the behaviour of Muslim youths.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=535131&in_page_id=1770

Why I picture about ten youths with skateboards baiting the priest before deciding to bash him and insult his religion after he failed to get sufficiently aggressive is anyone's guess.

mjpb - I don't deny there are plenty of factions within Islam that are in dire need of criticism.

Nor do I deny that violence is more likely to come from militant Islamic movements than Christian ones.

What I do find objectionable, is how quickly the billion muslims of the world have been categorised as dangerous because some members of their religion have interpreted in a violent manner.

Then, moderate muslims are told they must loudly and vehemently criticise these fringe movements without any hesitation.

I'm saying that I expect the same from Christians. Ugly movements should be criticised no matter what religion they are, and if muslims aren't given a fair opportunity to explain why they're not denouncing these groups, then the same should be applied to Christians.

Many people are so very quick to judge when the response isn't swift and simple.

I just wanted to put the shoe on the other foot, and see how fundamentalist Christians see it when they're expected to denounce a fringe movement quickly. I wanted them to see what it's like to be expected to make a vocal criticism of an offshoot of their faith, especially when the expectation is that this criticism must be loud and instantaneous, lest they be accused of harbouring secret sympathies for weird fringe agendas.

There is plenty of criticism from many posters here, and certainly you're well within rights to post some examples of a nastier side of Islam here. I'm not arguing against that.

I would argue that many posters, such as boaz, have already posted such material on an incredibly frequent basis and perhaps it's time they put themselves in the other person's position.

TurnRightThenLeft,

Your experiment didn't work but that doesn't mean you are wrong about moderate Muslims. Ironically Christians may well be more inclined to take that viewpoint because of the expectations on them. More particularly, if Christians are expected to and habitually criticise the Phelp's of the world we may well be pushed to a mindset where we expect other religions to fulfil the demands upon us and be vulnerable to making unfair inferences if they don't meet our unreasonable criteria particularly in much more extreme situations.

Earll11,
I note the Greens political bigotry in your claim, "an islamic child is born what is the probality that child will die at the hands of a christian...( US Forces are there at the will of a christian ruler)."

In case you do not realise the new Government in Iraq is basically Muslim in its religion and law. The fact is two groups of Muslims are fighting for power that is the reason for the civil war in Iraq. One group of Muslim terrorists will blow up indiscrimately women and children the other moderare group in power now seek out terrorists with the help of American soldiers. Many American soldiers are Muslim. So I suggest instead of believing the Greens propaganda and reproducing it here you do some serious factual research.

Boaz_David

You almost made my point for me again. I celebrate the idea that religion and all other topics can be discussed. Your over simplification of my point, reflects on the opening statement only. And your condescending & simplistic reply was truly lame.

The imposition I refer to is in the real world. Many christians seek to impose their beliefs whether it really benefits the target or not. (e.g. catholic church going to great lengths to stop african's from having access to condomns / christians in america getting creation talk as a science in public schools ). This contradicts a fundamental right that all people should enjoy - freedom of religion. I do resent this attitude as it reflects a lack of acceptance of other faiths and points of view.

This imposition (not discussion) is not rare and is a consistent theme in christianity on both a small and very large scale. If you do not believe this imposition is real, then you are misguided and you do not believe it matters, then I think you are blind. This was my point of discussion (not impostion).

I do not like this attitude because it allows you not to reflect upon the fact that many more muslim people are victims of christian aggression that the other way around. Why is that and how can we ignore it when discussing muslims and 'their violent ways'........

Finally. Why is humanistic label a bad thing. Can you not be both, should you not have both as an aim. Golden rule and a few others examples spring to mind. I know God should be no.1, but God never ask's to be no.1 in spite of others.