re: #216 CuriousLurker

Sort of OT:

I just got an email forwarded from a Muslim friend. It seems that the American Muslim community is finally starting to stir from its slumber and realize that people need to be more aware of the seriousness of the political happenings/climate in this country, AND more knowledgeable about what Islam actually teaches WRT being aware of what’s going on in the larger world around you (i.e. trust in god, but tie your camel).

IOW, participating in the Muslim community, doing good deeds, spending time learning to recite the Qur’an, and learning about the finer points of all the little rules we have to follow is fine—and even important—but if you do that to the exclusion of all else, then very bad things may happen while you’re not paying attention. Time to get with the program and figure out how to take charge of your own destiny and maintain your beliefs while working within the American system. There’s gonna be some serious soul searching required.

I wonder if this is a result of this week’s elections and the Oklahoma law…

I think that there is a lot too that.

It would help a great deal for all involved if a real grass roots movement of American Muslims sprung up with the simple message of communicating everything that is noble and kindhearted about Islam.

You need something like what B’nai Brith and the ADL used to be.

ADL has gone a little batty lately.

CAIR really can’t do it because of way too many shady people with very unpleasant ties running it.

The absolute best thing that American Muslims can do for themselves is exactly what any follower of an Abrahamic faith believes G-d wants of them. Make it a habit of doing good deeds and being compassionate. Be reasonable and see other sides. Most importantly, let others see you do this.

As of now, the Islamic community has made the grievous error of letting terrorists and foreign governments runs by theocrats and slightly more legitimized terrorists speak for Islam.

The message of the Jihadi is loud and very clear that they hate the West and they hate everything we stand for. They have made it abundantly clear that not only do they ant to murder us and will revel in our deaths, but they will stoop to any depth to do so.

The Muslim community by being too quiet in this nation, has left the only loud and easily noticed speakers for Islam become decapitation pornography, stories of honor killings and blown up busses. This is one thing that Fox can not be entirely blamed for. The whole point of the Jihadi is propaganda and instilling terror. The Jihadis got their message out very loud and very clear long before Fox. It could be argued - well I believe - that 9/11 made Fox.

So I repeat, do what you have been doing yourself personally. You speak eloquently and show yourself to be a kind person with kind views. You are unabashed about your faith - and nor should you be. Eventually, enough of that will help turn things around a little. However, the damage has been done sufficiently already that it will take generations for the Average American to return to totally neutral on Islam.

For that as a representative of a race that always has someone saying the meanest possible things about us - I sympathize.