[Cuttnhorse]

"...the Times's Clifford Longley nailed it very well. Surveying the threats from British Muslim groups, he wrote that certain Muslim beliefs "are not compatible with a plural society: Islam does not know how to exist as a minority culture. For it is not just a set of private individual principles and beliefs. Islam is a social creed above all, a radically different way of organising society as a whole."

At the risk of being politically incorrect...what a great summary...worth keeping.

[muawiyah]

That Islam combines church, state and culture in one big goody bag is something that's taught in Middle Eastern History 101.

In fact, they've been teaching that in the West for the last 1100 years.

The problem is that in the Moslem World it's not discussed at all ~ rather, it's enforced!

[kabar]

Agree. Longley has nailed it. Having lived in three Islamic countries for a total of nine years and traveled to numerous others, many in the West don't understand Islam in terms of its relationship to society as a whole. You can't separate the two. Even in the most liberal Islamic societies, tolerance of other religions and viewpoints that run counter to Islam is marginal at best. Although it may not be politcal correct, I view Islam more as a cult than a religion in the Judeo-Christian mold. Perhaps there will be a Reformation-like change some day to bring Islam into the modern world, but I wouldn't hold my breath.