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Moderate Muslims need to step up
TownHall.com ^ | Tuesday, December 3, 2002 | by Cal Thomas

Posted on 12/02/2002 9:10:16 PM PST by JohnHuang2

A growing conflict between some conservative Christian leaders and the Bush administration over whether Islam is a "peaceful religion" or a militaristic faith with designs on world domination is threatening the cozy relationship between the White House and some of its most loyal supporters. Conservative Christians are not about to stop supporting the president, but they are disturbed that he keeps saying things about Islam they do not believe are true and, in their hearts, do not believe he believes.

Paul Weyrich, a longtime conservative political force in Washington, has co-authored an essay called "Why Islam Is a Threat to America and the West." In it, he quotes extensively from the Koran and rebuts the president's contention that this "great religion" is mostly peaceful: " . the real nature of Islam is a religion of war and conquest. Those who argue that the threat comes only from'Islamic fundamentalism' or'Islamic extremism' misportray the nature of Islam itself. War against the unbeliever is as central a doctrine and practice of Islam as the Virgin Birth, the Trinity and Christ's Resurrection are central to Christianity. Islam cannot abandon jihad and remain Islam. The word'Islam' does not mean'peace,' it means'submission.' "

Weyrich also notes that more Christians are being martyred today than at the height of the Roman persecutions, and "most of them are dying at the hands of Islam."

One can sympathize with the dilemma faced by President Bush. He needs some cover in the Muslim world in order to prosecute the war on terrorism. But he also needs to forearm Americans by warning them about the intentions of our enemies.

There is a way of doing this without getting into a theological argument similar to the unanswerable question about the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin. The theological battle must be taken to the Muslim world.

The president should consider calling for "moderate" Muslims to clean up their own house. Such demands are being made by Roman Catholic laity on their hierarchy in the wake of priests alleged to have sexually abused children. The president should ask Muslim political and theological leaders to go after their own, if they are, indeed, misrepresenting "true" Islam. We should not have to clean up after the mess they have made.

The problem in the Muslim world is not only theological. It is also the failure of governments to meet minimal human needs. Despite massive infusions of petro dollars, most people in nations run by Muslim authoritarians are poor and illiterate. Their poverty is not the fault of the West. As with the Cold War, dictators change the subject and blame their people's misery on "outsiders" and the rich nations of the West. If people realize they have been robbed of enjoying a real life, not by America, but by their own political and theological leaders, the people might overthrow those leaders. That is why they seek to keep their people in intellectual, theological and political bondage - so they can remain in power and live well.

In his essay, Weyrich worries about "fourth generational warfare," which means that war will no longer be determined by states but by cultural and other concerns. And he worries much about "invasion by immigration." Just as the Palestinians want to undermine Israel from within through homicide bombings and a "right of return" that would flood the nation with people determined to bring down the Israeli government and kick out all Jews, so, too, does Weyrich believe America's enemies have placed their fanatical warriors in this country to eventually wreak havoc and destabilize our economy and political system. That is a stated goal of Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization.

Pressuring "responsible" Muslim leaders to police their own house will help in two ways. If they do it, it will demonstrate there are true moderates who believe in pluralism and tolerance. If they don't, it will expose their real motives. Either way, Americans will benefit.


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Tuesday, December 3, 2002

Quote of the Day by cajun-jack

1 posted on 12/02/2002 9:10:16 PM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
Crickets chirping in the background......
2 posted on 12/02/2002 9:13:29 PM PST by ConservativeMan55
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To: JohnHuang2
Pressuring "responsible" Muslim leaders to police their own house will help in two ways.

They had their chance after 9/11 (among other events).

They didn't.

There's a reason why.

Kill the terrorists and terrorist supporters.

3 posted on 12/02/2002 9:30:28 PM PST by Abar
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To: JohnHuang2
I heard on Christian radio today . . . about Mohamed (sp?) having raped in public the Jewish woman he took to wife who was later accused of poisoning him. And that it was common for him to rape women among his enemies.

And that he what--led violent attacks 65 times or some such?

What on earth business does Bush have glossing over such stuff!
4 posted on 12/02/2002 9:39:50 PM PST by Quix
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To: JohnHuang2; 2sheep
Based on known historical material on Mohammed and his early followers no I don't think Mohammed would of married one of those beauty pagent girls they were a little to er how do I say this politely- old for his liking,but after being raped by the brethren they would of fetched good prices as slaves.

The above statement however historically accurate and it is,would get you killed in many places on the globe.Taliban Afghanistan is the pure muslim model we've seen it up front,they ran it as the book says,that too is a politically incorrect statement but a truth.Unlike myself who can state the truth as fact unspun,the worst for me is this post will be deleted,Bush has to walk some semblance of a fine line,perhaps even appeasement as they have a lot of oil that we need,but heres another truth Jibreal or Gabriel gave the Koran to Mohammed according to the Muslims(albeit a historical study of that books origin suggest less auspicious authorship).Christian theology ascertains Gabriel announced Jesus to Mary as the saviour,interesting to see how he comes back 500 odd years later and declares Mohammed supercedes all up to that point,this gives you a choice of two alternatives 1.God is mischievious or 2.there is an angel out there that tells whopping mistruths.No Christian preacher seems to have wrapped himself around that one yet but if they believe their own faith then they must either theologically accept a. their religion is a load of rubbish or b.Satan who apparently can appear as an angel of light imparted Islam....unlike the days of King Richard however I wouldn't wait for either our preachers or politicians making much of it so in summation, yes its time for moderate satanists to stand up for Islam,this is a statement I have to make based on available facts,either that or the Christian faith I believe in is complete bollocks.

5 posted on 12/02/2002 9:47:14 PM PST by Crazymonarch
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To: JohnHuang2
This is an important point:

Conservative Christians are not about to stop supporting the president, but they are disturbed that he keeps saying things about Islam they do not believe are true and, in their hearts, do not believe he believes.

America’s President is in a difficult position. Like the writer I feel President Bush agrees that many Muslims are so fanatical that it may be almost imposable for them to integrate into a modern multicultural society.

But at the same time he has millions of Muslims in America and a billion in the world to contend with.

At this stage in the WW-3 it may be best to keep up the pretense until America and the Civilized world are in a strategically stronger position.

The period of false peace in WW-2 was referred to as the phony war.

It turned very un-phony, and very bloody soon after that.

Sincerely,

Pliny the younger
6 posted on 12/02/2002 10:04:52 PM PST by Pliney the younger
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To: Crazymonarch
Why should anybody accept that Gabriel came back '500' (sic) years later to claim anything about Muhammad, since that is clearly a self-interested assertion by Muhammad himself?
7 posted on 12/02/2002 10:30:47 PM PST by Post Toasties
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To: Quix
The terrorism preached by Wahhabism will abate when the Saudis cease to fund the maniacal Imams world-wide. Not until the radical Islamicists lose their means to preach murder and mayhem and our government expels these hate-mongers will the war on terrorism begin to turn in our favor.

I ask all, how long would you allow a man to live free in your home if he openly called for your death and actively sought persons to carry out his desired goal of killing you and taking your home or burning it so none of your family could occupy it?

8 posted on 12/02/2002 10:40:01 PM PST by MHGinTN
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To: JohnHuang2
You find all the good ones.

Again

ISLAM IS THE ENEMY!
9 posted on 12/02/2002 10:41:33 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: All

Paul Weyrich, a longtime conservative political force in Washington, has co-authored an essay called "Why Islam Is a Threat to America and the West." In it, he quotes extensively from the Koran and rebuts the president's contention that this "great religion" is mostly peaceful: "


10 posted on 12/02/2002 10:43:36 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: JohnHuang2
Also, any Dwarves, Elves, Gremlins, Trolls, Leprechauns, need to join this parade of imaginary beings.
11 posted on 12/02/2002 10:45:39 PM PST by crystalk
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To: Quix
Ban Islam in America close all their cult centers. It will happen.
12 posted on 12/02/2002 10:46:10 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: JohnHuang2
Kenya's Muslims debate bin Laden's role in international terrorism

snip


Some in Kenya support bin Laden — even carrying background images of him on the screens of their cell phones — while others despise him or fear his growing influence.


"We are very happy about the bombing of the Israelis," said Ali Islam, a 51-year-old primary school teacher, referring to the suicide car bombing Thursday of a hotel frequented by Israelis, and a missile attack that narrowly missed a chartered Israeli jetliner taking off from Mombasa with 271 people on board.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021203/ap_wo_en_po/af_fea_gen_kenya_bin_laden_2
13 posted on 12/02/2002 10:48:38 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: crystalk
Sheikh Ali Shee, chairman of Kenya's Council of Imams, says his generation of Muslims faces the challenge of younger people drifting toward more extremist elements.

"Al-Qaida is the hero for the young people. ... It's very difficult," he said. "We have to solve the problem of injustice."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021203/ap_wo_en_po/af_fea_gen_kenya_bin_laden_2
14 posted on 12/02/2002 10:52:57 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: TLBSHOW
Gracias, TLBSHOW.
15 posted on 12/02/2002 11:00:19 PM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
Yeah, all 200 moderate Muslims around the world need to make their voice known!!!
16 posted on 12/02/2002 11:02:18 PM PST by A CA Guy
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To: JohnHuang2
bttt

don't worry I will keep it bumped!
17 posted on 12/02/2002 11:06:37 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: TLBSHOW
Thanks.
18 posted on 12/02/2002 11:09:12 PM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
The future? "Islam est delenda."
19 posted on 12/02/2002 11:18:31 PM PST by sheik yerbouty
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To: JohnHuang2
Which brings up the burning question: WWMM, or, Who Would Muhammad Marry?

Apparently somebody's kid sister, little brother or assorted livestock.

20 posted on 12/02/2002 11:25:59 PM PST by Post Toasties
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