[the invisib1e hand]

well, you asked. and before you flame me, check my history of posts...

Now to the question: I have a friend who is a devout muslim, a very intelligent young man; a bit selfish, but no more so than anyone else his age, and with a great deal more of an informed conscience, I would say. And yes, I would trust him.

I have wondered, unfortunately, if there are any circumstances when this man could become my mortal enemy. This is a shame, because it causes me to harbor a remote suspicion... but no more so, again, than with anyone else. He is a kind and helpful individual, outwardly exhibits good citizenship. I am concerned about the sorts of things he's buying into -- the typical New York styled America-loathing, and I wonder how that might mix with Islam...

I should add that he is from India, where, apparently, Muslims are treated as second class citizens, and so he knows something about humility.

[farmer18th]

I suppose I don't doubt there are many Muslims who actually can't stand the way their faith is played out in the old country. They believe they can have ritualized Islam here, and western freedoms as well. But where would those folks be if their numbers grew? Islam itself--like atheism--doesn't really produce freedom, doesn't produce civilization. Unlike atheism, it actually creates--when the numbers are there--virulent, repressive, totalitarian hell on earth.

I don't doubt there are Muslims who actually help the west find the terrorists in their ranks, but they are really working against themselves, against their creed, and so what we see as "moderate" Muslims are really apostate Muslims.