re: #158 allegro

Perhaps it you share those justifications, we’d understand your point.

OK - I’ll give it a shot. I’ve been seriously trying to understand Islam as a religion since 9/11. What I see is not a religion in the sense that most Westerners see religion - but a totalitarian philosophy molded around the psychological needs of desert Beduoin tribes - although somewhat evolved into a more modern template by foreign cultural influences.

I have yet to see some dominant strain of ethics other than good behavior is that which supports Islam and bad is that that hurts Islam. You can substitute tribe for Islam and then almost anything you can say about tribalism would apply equally. I see little difference.

The problem with tribalism is the view that non-members are by definition enemies - to be either killed or made into assets such as slaves - although occasional and temporary alliances are OK if they serve the tribe’s purpose .

I see little or no desire by Islam’s spokespeople to become part of the West as far as our values such as a preference against war and violence, to do unto others. to live and let live, to respect others, defend the weak, etc. I’m biased in favor of these enlightenment values and would like to live in a society that holds them dear.

I do read a lot of Islamic rhetoric and view plenty of Islamic videos about restoring the umma to its past glory by conquering the West through jihad - spiritual or otherwise - destroying Israel and filthy Jews who live there on Muslim land, etc. I’m not sure a religion that wants to rule the world rather than share it - using violence if necessary - and led on by its own scripture is something to be encouraged.

I’m not certain of this conclusion and I could be wrong but I have not seen much convincing argument against this view and a lot for it. You could say I’m worried that it may be correct.