From what I've read, many Muslims would disagree with you. In spite of the hours and hours I've spent studying this issue, I am certainly no expert on the subject. At some point I find it necessary to go back to my roots. My Christian and American roots.
Just as some distort the teachings of our Bible, or take them out of context, or even view them in "literal" terms, there are those who do the same with the Quran. I had a friend in college years ago who was a Muslim. Lovely girl from a good and kind family. They respected my faith, as I did theirs...which is the American way.
I sometimes think it would be good medicine for some of the folks here on FR if they would get to know a Muslim family. It's so easy to spew hate and venom, and engulf yourself in fear, when you don't have personal contact with a group of people. Rather than surrounding yourself with people who feel exactly the same as you do, wisely or not, nothing is more educational than a real life confrontation with what you think you believe.
I remember watching a show a few years ago about White Supremists. They interviewed a few of them and asked them about their beliefs. Then, as an experiment they asked one of these young men (White Supremists) if he would be willing to live in a black family's home for a week. He agreed to this but denied that it would influence his beliefs at all. He hated blacks, all blacks.
Well, it was an amazing thing to witness! After a week of living in their home, and becoming a part of their every-day life, this young man was transformed. He saw that everything he had believed about "them" was wrong. Ah, the handiwork of God is everywhere. :)
I'm sure that they would disagree. Can you imagine what it would be like to try to defend following the teachings and admonishments of the 'prophet' Mo?
Just as some distort the teachings of our Bible, or take them out of context, or even view them in "literal" terms, there are those who do the same with the Quran. I had a friend in college years ago who was a Muslim. Lovely girl from a good and kind family. They respected my faith, as I did theirs...which is the American way.
Just as an exercise, every time you use the word Muslim, replace it with the word Satanist. Every time you use the term Koran, replace it with the term Satanic Bible, then tell me how you feel defending the 'moderates'. Also, if you had attended that college in the middle east, most likely that lovely girl would have had her genitals mutilated by that same good and kind family. (Yes, even the 'moderates' do this over there.)
I sometimes think it would be good medicine for some of the folks here on FR if they would get to know a Muslim family. It's so easy to spew hate and venom, and engulf yourself in fear, when you don't have personal contact with a group of people. Rather than surrounding yourself with people who feel exactly the same as you do, wisely or not, nothing is more educational than a real life confrontation with what you think you believe.
The muslims rent our convention center once a year over here. (Pasadena, Texas) It is a large facility. Before their activities begin they are required to 'clean' the building from the 'filth' of the non-muslims. (That would be you and me.) A couple of years ago, one of our cleaning ladies (non-muslim) accidentally walked into the building after it had been 'cleaned'. The 'moderate' American muslims threw a wall-eyed hissy fit. The building had been contaminated by the 'filth' of this Christian woman. They had to 'clean' the whole building all over again. (Whaaaaaa) Tolerant bunch, huh?
I remember watching a show a few years ago about White Supremists. They interviewed a few of them and asked them about their beliefs. Then, as an experiment they asked one of these young men (White Supremists) if he would be willing to live in a black family's home for a week. He agreed to this but denied that it would influence his beliefs at all. He hated blacks, all blacks.
Well, it was an amazing thing to witness! After a week of living in their home, and becoming a part of their every-day life, this young man was transformed. He saw that everything he had believed about "them" was wrong. Ah, the handiwork of God is everywhere. :)
Sorry dear, but here you are comparing apples to oranges.