[IronJack]

Islam seems to be terrified of the cultural marketplace. And well it should be. The liberty -- and its handmaiden, license -- of the West are death knells for the self-sacrifice and denial of Islam. Who wouldn't rather spend a day watching football or playing poker than huddled on a prayer rug getting whipped for minor religious infractions? Islam can't compete, so the competition must be supressed, demonized, or destroyed. The Taliban Klan -- and their extremist brothers around the globe -- are bent on doing all three.

[markn]

Islam seems to be terrified of the cultural marketplace. And well it should be. The liberty -- and its handmaiden, license -- of the West are death knells for the self-sacrifice and denial of Islam. Who wouldn't rather spend a day watching football or playing poker than huddled on a prayer rug getting whipped for minor religious infractions? Islam can't compete, so the competition must be supressed, demonized, or destroyed. The Taliban Klan -- and their extremist brothers around the globe -- are bent on doing all three.

Exactly. Additionally, Islam has thrived most in countries that are largely illiterate (eg. Somolia - I think the last time I checked they were only 5% literate) - it is hard to refute something when people can't even read.