Muslims opt out of protests [Paterson, NJ]

Like I said, they have difficulty because their religion teaches the ultimate Islamic goal is an Islamic state -- just like Mohammad led, as head of the (perfect) Islamic state in Medina. That's the way I understand it.

That doesn't lesson their commitment to our Country necessarily; it just represents a hurdle. It might explain why the majority of them would never take up arms against their own country (the U.S.), but they can't work up the passion to demonstrate for our side. It is a conflict of devotion, from their perspective, even though they can see that Saddam is evil.

Their religion teaches great loyalty to all fellow Muslims. Christians, on the other hand, have less problem with that. Our religion is about the conversion, by faith, of one individual, free-willing heart at a time. We convert sinful hearts through persuasion, which aggravates people enough. Muslims believe man is basically good but can be corrupted by society. They reach a righteous state through a righteous society. That's a very different thing.

If we do not support their right to their religion, we are going to sacrifice the religious freedom of everyone. Heck, we tolerate Satanism in this country, but if they actually practice the law-breaking parts of that "religion" then they're going to jail.

If we do not support their right to their religion, we are going to sacrifice the religious freedom of everyone.

They do have that right ---but they also have the right to hear it criticized ---just like everyone else's. We can openly debate Catholicism, Judais, Atheism etc but Muslims have such a chip they can't allow any real discussion of Islam.

---but they also have the right to hear it criticized ---just like everyone else's. We can openly debate Catholicism, Judais, Atheism etc but Muslims have such a chip they can't allow any real discussion of Islam.

Well I agree with that entirely. They are aided by "looking for a new 'discriminated against'class of people to label the Republicans as bigots" media. Instead of searching for whole truths, they are always parsing truths, half-truths, and downright lies in an effort to make a case against the political right. That's the propaganda war the U.S. media cares about most.

I just think we need to be very careful that we do not cause religious "collateral damage" to the innocent people of faith -- whatever faith that might be.

However the Arab Muslims in Paterson feel about the war, most of them like living in the USA and don't want to make waves. The peaceniks on the other hand, would be pleased to stir up anti-Muslim reaction because this would validate their position.

I think most of these Muslims are smart enough to see this. No suicide-bomber mentality here. They want to earn a living.

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