This post is uncharacteristic- as I prefer to dwell on the positives in life and avoid politics as much as possible. I completely understand the Muslim nations being offended by the cartoons, but I think all the hate-mongering is getting WAY out of line! We cannot take ourselves too seriously, folks! Christians and Muslims alike have a choice to be mature and act civil- whether or not someone pokes fun at their beliefs. (I know how it feels to be ridiculed) Is it ever appropriate to throw a big temper fit and go around damaging property with explosives, shooting people and raging over a silly cartoon???? I've read the Quaran & have great respect for Islam, but it's disturbing the way extremists are hateful- to the point of barbarism- yet say they are the "only true religion"?? Unless there's a heart-to-heart connection with God (Allah)- that's what religion does to people- makes them extremists and bigots who cannot love anyone who thinks differently. Are we not all sons & daughters of Abraham? What kind of people deliberately kill innocent children? What follower of Allah could bind and torture humanitarians who put themselves at risk to help others? These people open their hearts, sacrifice their own security and go to feed, clothe and medically treat people in Muslim countries. For this kindness, they are beheaded like Margaret Hassan and their bodies dumped in the street- does that seem like a "righteous" action? Is that the way to win people over to a cause?? Aside from the few good Islamic neighbors I've known, my only impressions of those abroad have been that they are angry, strict and violent people. I'm sure there are good-hearted, sincere Muslims- it saddens me that this is the impression they are giving the world. Fighting, anger and cruelty should NOT be a way of life!! I'm just as quick to reject this kind of behavior in Christianity- for it has a dark past of persecution and murderous actions. I feel terribly sorry for those who may never know peace. Love all-Honor all. This will be the cry of my heart until my dying breath- "let there be no hatred found in my heart for anyone". To read the full article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10705393/
What a BIG mess!! In a time when Muslims need to be showing the world they are civilized people, they are strongly convincing other countries they are nearly as hateful as the terrorists. Iran is now holding a competition for cartoons about the Holocaust. If someone is cruel to you, and you in turn are unethical back, are you any better?? Prophet Mohammed would frown on this behavior! Muslims are dying & destroying over a silly cartoon. I agree with China who calls on Muslims to calm down and think rationally about all this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10705393/
The sad story continues:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11233372/
6 comments:
The US media never misses the opportunity to show news-worthy, and juicy images more than others especially when depicting the uncivilized barbaric nations. At the same time, I acknowledge that Muslims particularly abroad have gained an heightened sense of emotional sensativity, and constantly feel under sieged. It saddens me to see how some could resort to violence in the spur of their emotional protests.
It would be extremely unfair to think, and percieve the extent of muslim reactions to hateful incitement as unecessary and unwarranted. Many more millions of Muslims and leaders of Muslim nation have urged upon and acted in diplomatic, non-violent discourse;boycotting products, initiating education regarding the issue (to non-muslims and muslims), and mobilized millions in non-violent, peaceful public protests.
Soon after the incident last week all muslim clerics through out US and Canada were requested to deliver their friday sermon on the topic covering the following points:
* What the Prophet Muhammad means to Muslims
* Aspects of the prophet’s personality
* The Messenger and the message
* Ignorance fuels adverse reactions to the prophet’s message
* How the Prophet Muhammad dealt with personal attacks
- Precluding punishment for the people of Taif
- Offering kindness to abusive neighbors
- Offering amnesty to former enemies in Mecca
* Ignorance can only be countered by education and personal examples of good character
* The prophet’s love, mercy, good manners, and educational approach turned foes into friends
* Turn these defamatory incidents into a learning opportunity.
* Share information about the prophet with your neighbors of other faiths.
Because religion, among few other things, is part of one's identity, it too can be easily exploited to vent rage and anger; and make for an ignorant person difficult to clearly think through. In my understanding, the majority of Muslims will not, and have not resorted to violent response; but violence it what makes news.
If our presupposition to all issues begins with: "Arab nations are evil and extremists...", it does not leave us much capacity to learn anything else about the issue.
Islam has no owner. Call it "Islam" or "peace", or "peaceful-living", or "live peacefully". It is not for Muslims, and it is not for muslim Clerics. It is not for cats, or cats. It is not for red-heads or brow skins. Your God and my God is the same God of infinite Wisdom, and He inteded His religion for all of mankind. If Muslims fail to learn and use the Wisdom from Islam, then the wiser non-Muslims should definately do so! Whatever peaceful, intellectual leadership on can get it is only through what God has consistently revealed through all His prophets. That truth and Wisdom has always been one and the same. That is Islam. Abraham brought Islam, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed , for Muslims all their message was consistent, and it was Islam.
unfortunately, I feel the need to add that my point being....brutal violent acts or injustice are criminal acts that must be dealt in a criminal court for all.
Please familiarize yourself, if you already arnt with some rules of War as our God has instructed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_as_a_warrior#The_Rules_of_War
Thank you for sharing your insights into this crisis. Much appreciated!! :o) I certainly agree with many of your points and I am glad to hear that the Muslim clerics are using education as a means to further their cause rather than violence.
This morning the first new I read :
TEHRAN, Iran -- Hundreds of angry protesters hurled stones and firebombs at the Danish Embassy in the Iranian capital yesterday to protest against publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Police used tear gas and surrounded the walled villa to hold back the crowd.
I dont know what these folks think they are achieving by doing all this. Ignorant fools they are
I agree this is all very very sad!
Although some of the cartoons were in terrible taste, and some weren't, like Allah on a cloud with other dieties talking about the sins of warfare, Most western civilizations have the freedom of speach and press. The freedoms granted are the exact reason most of the people from other countries are there. And they themselves have the right to object to the cartoons, however violence is absolutely not appropriate, for instance I am agnostic, i don't no that I believe Allah ( or any other diety ) exists, and that is my RIGHT no matter where in the world I am, with no fear of reprocussion!!!!
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