Religions, in general, is similar to sport fans who belong to a certain club. They cheer that club, they wish the opponent club to fail, they wish to convert as many fans as possible to their side, they like their side, and hate the other, they allow for their side to make mistakes, and cry foul if the opposing team comes anywhere near their players.
You would never find a football coach telling his team let us face it guys, you stink, our system stink, and the opponents are the best in everything! The players, and the fans would abandon him, and he will have no job. That is the same thing with priests, rabbis, mullahs. Most of the time these religious leaders honestly believe that their way is the best, and the other religions are just full of it.
The civilized world had to deal with the “holy books” that actually can be used to insight hate, and xenophobia between people. The world can count many slaughters and wars that was based on the xenophobic zealots of one religion or the other. Eventually, the civilized world started teaching coexistence, and tolerance of others. On the other hand, Islam, in the past 30 years, found a new source of funds, and ideologies that made it go back to the barbaric age of incitement of hate. The new mullah government of Iran put the entire country resources under the control of the fanatic Islamists. In addition, the post-energy crises Saudi Arabians, found themselves flush with billions of petrodollars, and were obligated to channel lots of money into a worldwide fanatic Islamic movement. The Saudis also recruited much public relation heavy weight that protected their image from the wrath of the American public. If their was justice in this world, these Saudi advisors and defendants/consultants in Washington would all be hanged in a public square for treason.
Given the above background, the west disregarded that orchestrated hate and plots against us. They thought of these guys as a bunch of backward ragheads. Well, they are, but they are plotting to kill you, Mr. stupid Anglo-Saxon! If you are not going to learn the whole story, you will simply going to burry your head in the sand, and have your butt up in the air, in the open for your enemy to have their way with you.
Unfortunately, we in the west are cursed with this new thing called Political Correctness! We must respect other people religions, even if it teaches them to kill us! We cannot criticize any holy book! These books are “HOLY”, you know!
At this juncture of this world history, it would be advisable if the religion leaders get together one day, and tell the rest of us: Guys, you know you can support your club without killing the opponents! Religions are useful in helping people behave nicely toward each others, and should not be abused to incite hate. Good old Voltair made a comment one time about the poor people: I am glad the peasants believe in God, if they did not fear punishment in the hereafter, they would kill us, and steal our money.
Hey lets relax a bit - don't group male chauvanism with all that other junky stuff!