Some information on fundamentalist Islam

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

This comes from an article from the Dec. 30 2005 Wall Street Journal. It was written by an Indonesian Sufi, and includes lots more than I can quote here-including what moderate Muslims and non-Muslims must do to counteract the influence of the fundamentalists, so I encourage you to read the entire article at the link:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007743&mod=RSS_Opinion_Journal&ojrss=frontpage

From Good Islam Verses Bad Islam
Muslims and non-Muslims must unite to defeat the Wahhabi ideology.

BY ABDURRAHMAN WAHID
Friday, December 30, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

An extreme and perverse ideology in the minds of fanatics is what directly threatens us (specifically, Wahhabi/Salafi ideology--a minority fundamentalist religious cult fueled by petrodollars). Yet underlying, enabling and exacerbating this threat of religious extremism is a global crisis of misunderstanding.
All too many Muslims fail to grasp Islam, which teaches one to be lenient towards others and to understand their value systems, knowing that these are tolerated by Islam as a religion. The essence of Islam is encapsulated in the words of the Quran, "For you, your religion; for me, my religion." That is the essence of tolerance. Religious fanatics--either purposely or out of ignorance--pervert Islam into a dogma of intolerance, hatred and bloodshed. They justify their brutality with slogans such as "Islam is above everything else." They seek to intimidate and subdue anyone who does not share their extremist views, regardless of nationality or religion. While a few are quick to shed blood themselves, countless millions of others sympathize with their violent actions, or join in the complicity of silence.

This crisis of misunderstanding--of Islam by Muslims themselves--is compounded by the failure of governments, people of other faiths, and the majority of well-intentioned Muslims to resist, isolate and discredit this dangerous ideology. The crisis thus afflicts Muslims and non-Muslims alike, with tragic consequences. Failure to understand the true nature of Islam permits the continued radicalization of Muslims world-wide, while blinding the rest of humanity to a solution which hides in plain sight.

The most effective way to overcome Islamist extremism is to explain what Islam truly is to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Without that explanation, people will tend to accept the unrefuted extremist view--further radicalizing Muslims, and turning the rest of the world against Islam itself.

[LaurenG]

1. This is quite similar to what is happening in our country

with the Christian fanatics. Just insert the word Christian where ever you see Muslim. :shrug:

*spelling

[NMMNG]

2. Therein lies the rub

Fundamentalist extremism is the danger, no matter what the faith.

[Popol Vuh]

3. Agreed

But in comparison's, I sometimes wonder what the world would look like today if Christianity hadn't already gone around the globe and slaughtered --I mean "converted"-- all the so-called "pagan" and "heathenish" lands. I can only use history as an example. And using the history of Christianity with the lethality of todays' weapons. What I imagine is something far worse than I've ever seen from the Islamic world (I am just saying).

Nobody in my mind has been as intolerant and effected (murdered) more peoples in this world than the Christians have. And I think its pretty convenient for them now to sweep under the rug of time how they got to the position they're in today and pretend they're this all loving and all compassionate group.

*No offense toward individuals*

:rant:

[NMMNG]

4. You won't get me to disagree with you

I don't doubt that in a side-by-side comparison Christianity would have a significantly higher body count than Islam, all in the name of "spreading the Gospel".

[Popol Vuh]

5. I so much love DU

I am so much at home. :hug: :hug: