[andy58-in-nh]

In the past week, I have heard two brave Muslims on the air not only condemning radical Islamic violence in the abstract, but actually renouncing those who fail to do so. The experience confirmed for me that there are moderate and peaceful Muslims out there - but they are at present a small (and often frightened) minority as the dominant force in Islam at this time is decidedly radical and irredentist.

[shalom aleichem]

Maybe there are some moderates, but they are either mute or media will not put them on. Either way the perception becomes tacit approval of the extremists’ tactics.

[algernonpj]

In the past week, I have heard two brave Muslims on the air not only condemning radical Islamic violence in the abstract, but actually renouncing those who fail to do so. The experience confirmed for me that there are moderate and peaceful Muslims out there - but they are at present a small (and often frightened) minority as the dominant force in Islam at this time is decidedly radical and irredentist.

I came by this article written by a muslim.

Such people seem very few and far between and largely ignored by the media. They are no doubt at high risk of violence from their 'brethren'. Compounding our problem in believing such people is Al-taqiyya which allows muslims to advance the cause of Islam by lying.

When we judge Islam, we do so on the basis of the behavior of the overwhelming majority of the worlds billion+ muslims. Our survival depends upon it.

There are times when I wonder how different recent history would have been had the Shah of Iran not been deposed.

[llandres]

“The experience confirmed for me that there are moderate and peaceful Muslims out there”

I’m sorry to sound like a hard-a** on this, but as I posted earlier, there are two categories of Muslims - a) those who choose to focus on (or cherry-pick, choose your term) that earlier part of the Koran written when a younger Mohammed talked about peace and getting along. It meshes with their choice of a comfortable life and assimilation, usually here, or b) those who abide by the later (larger) part of the Koran which supersedes the first, commanding violence, subjugation or death to all infidels until Islam reigns supreme over all the earth.

I agree that there are many, if not most, Muslims who fall into the first category and no doubt they’re nice people.

Just learn and know what the religion and its doctrine are about.

[llandres]

You know, in thinking further, I should be fair and include a possible third category of Muslim (perhaps those you mention fall into it) - they who are, or becoming, Christian at heart and just don’t know it yet. It’s got to be hard, even dangerous, for them in many ways.

I’m still hopeful, yet now understand the quote of Ronald Reagan - “trust but verify”.