Let me share an observation from the Arabian peninsula having spent the better part of the last two years working with Moslems: They are very confident in their faith. It is a confidence that, whether they truly believe or not, is not easily shaken. I am planning on heading back to SoCal at the end of this week and will post a vanity with a little more depth. BTW, I do not lie low here with my Catholic Faith, both in my actions and words (plus that big old honking Crucifix I wear 24/7) :)
I live with the Arabs in Israel.
I live, work with and mingle with what are called “Israeli-Arabs”, “West Bank” Arabs, “Gaza-Arabs”.
I have mingled with Christian Arabs as well.
The VAST MAJORITY of Arabs from these groups call themselves “Palestinain” Arabs which means they identify with the “struggle” which means to wipe the Jews out in more honest terms.
They are confident in their faith as they must be unquestioning and SUBMIT (Islam) to the dictates of that faith, no matter what, on the pain of death. It is a confidence of both belief and FEAR.
Your words suggest that they do not mind your crucifix but that just means you are still very naive for you do not understand that it is an absolute abomination in their eyes and if they could do something about it, they would!
TOLERANCE and COMPROMISE does not exist in their world, just look around you.
My problem with your statements are that you still do not get it.
The Arab Muslims can be exceedingly warm, giving, gracious hosts and very very nice BUT, there is a passage in the TANACH, (Jewish Bible) that says (paraphrasing) “respect the other but be wary”. That means you should pay respect to the Muslim yet watch your back.
This is as it has always been, for as T.E. Lawrence said (at least in the 1962 film with Petere O’Toole):
Sherif Ali: What is your name?
T.E. Lawrence: My name is for my friends. None of my friends is a murderer!
Sherif Ali: You are angry, English. He was nothing. The well is everything. The Hasami may not drink at our wells. He knew that. Salaam. Hut, hut, hut.
T.E. Lawrence: Sherif Ali. So long as the Arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people; a silly people; greedy, barbarous, and cruel, as you are.
Nothing has changed since 1917.
The terms:
little people; a silly people; greedy, barbarous, and cruel
STILL APPLY, UNFORTUNATELY
Please ping me when you do. Will you address the muslim’s rejection of Natural Law, which civilizations from China to India to Europe recognized?