| "But when looking at the world, as a whole, I think there is something wrong with Islam as it is practiced in many places because, for whatever reason, it seems to breed more than its share of people who want to commit horrific violence in its name." |
I'd have to disagree, because if you look at everyone else there, they resort to horrific violence, too. No one for a minute believes that Hussein and his flunkies were devout Muslims, or the Syrian rulers, etc., yet, look at what they were capable of. Look at how the secular folks in the middle east and central Asia get the "job" done.
They've been lopping off heads, etc., with or without Islam. It only makes sense that they'd twist Islam toward their social and political brutality. Islam extends all over the world, but it only becomes violent when the social and political sensibilities of the Middle East are carried with it.
But I agree that we are talking past each other. I think functionally there's no difference between you and I on this subject, it's just a matter of expectation. In a brutal place, Christianity becomes brutal, too. People will twist religion into whatever validates them, warts and all.
| "If the insinuation here is that Rightwinger has 'marginalized' himself, I'd have to disagree. His opinions on the matter are shared by many, you see them every day right here on JU, Baker, and you've been having the exact same argument with every single one of them." |
To lesser degrees, sure. Go poll average Americans and ask them if they think Islam is a "cancer" or if they wonder whether the cab driver is building bombs in his workshop. How many do you think feel strongly enough to admit it out loud, much less broadcast it to the world on their blog?
Nope, Rightwinger's opinions are marginal at best. Sure, people are drawn toward them, everyone has twinges of them, but few allow themselves to be ruled by them.
