So you think to yourself, that how can we ignore the fact that the Qu'ran does not come equipped with a more pleasant new testament?

This, is merely an issue of simplicity. Picking and choosing just the new testament as a way to life your life, is only a matter of a simpler separation of the enlightened versus the barbaric elements.

Something which feminism and secularism are likely to accelerate. This does not serve the cause of many who are satisfied with the status quo.

The end fact of the matter is, there is nothing stopping muslims from embracing the more pleasant aspects of their book - most moderate muslims in developed countries do just that, Fellow Human being a prime example.

The real problem, are the mullahs who seek to prevent this enlightenment - and the hostility of those who give these mullahs the ammunitition they need, to tell their flock that the west hates them. (Subtle hint here, DB).

Also consider the fact that regimes in areas that have been of low-socio economic stature for a long time, essentially create warlords who cling to power however they can. It's about survival. Yes, there is a great deal of oil money throughout the areas defined by Islamic rule, however the status quo in these countries has been defined by those in power, who wish to remain that way. Pretending this is just about religion ignores the many, many international aspects that affect this.

Simple scaremongering that Islam is evil helps no one, boaz, and only serves to persuade the most easily manipulated - people that traditionally, lack the depth required to consider the situation, and typically end up fostering a lynch-mob mentality. A mentality which is likely result in precisely the kind of reaction we don't want, which is then ascribed by the culprits as evidence they were right, when a great deal of it is in fact, their fault.

I don't often contribute to religious threads but there are times when the sheer absurdity of comments from different sides of the argument goad me into it. In this case BD:-

"But the danger of Islam is seen in Keysars own words in the other thread (his). "God said".. is the terminology he uses in reference to the Quran. It is not exactly a great leap of anything to realize that if 'God said' "may Allah destroy them" or.. "Allah himself fights against them" ... then..if ALLAH'S state is established, that the likes of 'us' will be relegated to some status of lower than low, ..."

I find it astounding, stupefying, amazing and unbelievable that anyone with the power of thought could, in all seriousness, imagine that this is a compelling argument against another religion when their entire raison d'etre themselves is based on "God said"!

BD, in these threads there are many intelligent, educated, and above all, contemplative people. CJ is one them. In order to change their ways of thinking - arrived at after years of thought, research, investigation, experience and life lessons, a person would ideally need to display an equal level of these qualities. However, at the least, they would need wisdom (nothing to do with intelligence)logic and coherence. In your prolific posts these qualities are conspicuously lacking.

ps - oh and btw, you asked a previous poster to provide you with "sources" for a premise they put forward...after they had already directed you to an entire book which elucidated these points! But hey, if it isn't on Youtube or Wiki I guess it just doesn't count, huh?

I agree with CJ when he states,"I don't think that feminism and secularism are roots of Islamophobia... Islamophobia derives from an unfortunate admixture of religious and xenophobic/racist idealogies that feeds and in extreme cases actively fosters hatred against Muslims."

I would just like to add that fundamentalist revivals, in whatever religion, take place in times when social changes have led to turmoil, uncertainty, and the erosion of familiar values. When people find themselves confused, threatened, or even appalled at changing conditions, they may see a "return to basics" as a solution.

It is not surprising therefore that in some small rural communities in
Australia, (e.g. Camden), Muslims are seen as a threat. Nor is it surprising that Islamic fundamentalism has surged in societies like Iran, which have experienced wrenching social change as a result of their oil wealth.

When newcomers behave in a variety of ways that are different from the local communities, they are often viewed as a threat. They fear the impact of the different culture and political interference in their societies.

Education is the key to solving the problem. However this may not work
with fundamentalists who are concerned mainly with conditions in their own countries.

It was quite fascinating, and addressed in part the tension between fundamentalist Islam, secularism and feminism in contemporary Iraq. Off topic, but the film also demonstrates clearly some ways in which Islamism has become far more influential in post-Saddam Iraq than it was prior to the invasion and ongoing occupation.
Never a truer word I am not sure I know anybody that actually supported that invasion apart from those that were blinded by their faith who likened themselves to King Richard the Lionheart and his St George Crusaders. Messrs Blair, Bush and Howard. Feminism is about rightful equality of the sexes which until recently never was because the Macho man would not allow it. Islam has now replaced the Soviets or Marxism as the bogeyman because it sees capitalism for what it is greed, heartless and selfish. Secular or Atheism also see all religioun as part and parcel of capitalism they go hand in hand because it clouds politics and strives for wealth to control the masses. Mark was spot on when he quoted it that Religioun is the Opium of the people. Marx was an economist not a Philosipher