Well, Foxy. I've studied Islam at tertiary level, know and talk to many Muslims (both here and in India), I have a beautifully produced copy of the Qur'an in my bookshelves, courtesy of the Saudi Government, and I read it frequently.

So I'll say it again, Islam is a political movement with religious overtones.
Ponder this: Aisha was Muhammad's favourite wife, how could that be when Islam says that all wives must be treated equally?

Dear Is Mise,

I don't doubt what you're saying.

I also have attended lectures given by Prof.
Abdullah Saeed at Melbourne University.
I also have read many books on the subject,
including a six volume set explaining Islam.
However, I would still not be game to admit
that I know or understand the subject very well
or am some sort of an expert.

I would also refrain from using sweeping statements
and making generalisations about any religion and
I would separate terrorist organisations and
religious beliefs.

ISIS has been designated as a foreign terrorist
organisation in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada,
Indonesia and Saudi Arabia and has been described by
the Un's and Western and Middle Eastern media as a
terrorist group. An extremist organisation. If you
choose to equate this organisation with the faith of
Muslims - than that's your choice to do so.

Mine is to disagree with you.

To say that ISIS is not religious group is naive as they question their captured on their knowledge of the Koran and hand out copes to the captured women and girls and expect they learn it and teach it to the children, as they are to be the new wives of ISIL.

Dear Josephus,

It is an extremist group.
And many religions have those
as you know. Not all Jew are Zionists.

Foxy,

You are aware that you are setting yourself up as an expert (as usual). You are generalising and making sweeping statements too.

Where is ISIS getting all of that money and other support from? If ISIS really is the odd man out and a pariah shunned by the Muslim world, why then does it even exist?

You cited Prof Abdullah Saeed, however once again you neglected to mention that the good professor's readings and interpretation are alternative ones and far from fashionable or the accepted ones in the Muslim world. Even so, while we have the benefit of your familiarity with Islam and the professor's alternative readings, does that mean that he and 'moderate' Muslims in Australia shun Sharia and are opposed to its application in Australia?

Remembering too, that since you are an expert Peter Costello's speeches as well, you should be aware that he would NOT be supporting two laws in Australia, but just one, Australian law. So definitely NO Sharia law, although to our secular misfortune there are persistent reports of Sharia already being practiced in Australia, in marriage and divorce for example. Something you would abhor too, or then again, perhaps not?

If it quakes like a duck -->