I've got to jump in here for a sec.
This is where the argument about the koran vs the OT goes wrong.
Islam has not yet had a Reformation, as western religion did.
Until that happens, until its adherents realize that they are living by ancient ideas, we in the west will be regarded as infidels who must be destroyed, and I'll make no bones about it, that is exactly what is being taught in the Saudi-financed madrassas.
It has nothing to do with the US supporting Israel, in itself. Israel didn't exist before 1948.
Islam has been warring with the west for over 1000 years.
We could drop our support of Israel tomorrow, and that would change nothing. Israel would still be in the crosshairs to be pushed into the sea, and the west in general would still targeted for conquest.
One of their goals is an Islamic Republic of the US. However long it takes, world domination is the ultimate goal.
Here's a quote from the early 1970s, from a former president of Algeria, Boumedienne: "We will conquer your countries through the wombs of our women."
If they cannot do it militarily, they will do it with the slow immersion method.
People have to understand that there is nothing we can do to change the thinking of 1.2 billion moslems. The movement for reform of islam is going to have to start within islam.
Texasbluebell: I have to say I don't disagree with you, for the most part. My point about the Koran was meant to counter a fairly extreme argument, as was much of my "hyperbole" earlier in this thread.
"People have to understand that there is nothing we can do to change the thinking of 1.2 billion moslems. The movement for reform of islam is going to have to start within islam."
I both agree and disagree here: I agree that the reform of Islam cannot be imposed by us, but there are certainly things we can do to help it along! As I have argued earlier, we need to support "moderate Islam" against the extremists, rather than writing off the whole religion as "animals."
It's a lot like the Nazis. At one time they dreamed of controlling the world --- they were marching all over Europe and were actually gaining supporters in countries like Italy who were quick to recognize the authority of the master race. Once Nazism was defeated --- look how many former Nazis tried to deny what they were. They fled like rats and went into hiding --- pretending to their new neighbors they never did what they did. Even today --- try to find people who will admit their parents and grandparents were Nazis. Many muslims are the same way --- they will follow along with anything --- they close their eyes to what their ideology is about --- they want to be on the side that wins though -- and right now they fear the consequences they would have by speaking out or changing religions.