Having always been a politically aware person who took pride in my beliefs, I am completely nonplussed and apathetic right now.
I support our troops. I pray for the president at chruch (when I go) just like the rest of us do. This whole war just becomes more murky as time goes on. Clinton didn't really address it in any significant way, only in asides (he should have been much more pissed off during the 93 Trade Center bombing) and Bush is going overboard like a religious zealot.
Which I sometimes think he is. Some of his cabinet members are frighteningly non-secular for government officals in such high positions.
For a laugh, go to google.com. Type in weapons of mass destruction and hit the "I feel lucky" tab. Humorous.
Utah is frightening enough, but that is a whole other post. The State of Theocracy.
Either Bush is talking out of his nether reigons or badly advised or he truly does not know just what Islam is based upon. I have done some reading. While the following is only my opinion based upon my personal search for the truth and nature of this religion, I highly recommend reading the books listed.
Islam is not a peaceful Christian type religion. On the contrary, Muslims do not believe that your good deeds, your selfless sacrifice or even the giving up to Allah of your soul ensures your journey to heaven. Muslims believe that the only sure way to heaven is to sacrifice yourself to Allah.
In court in a Muslim based country, three to five women's testimonies are equal to one man's.
Muslim fathers have been know to beat, stone, shoot, and drown daughters who have betrayed them by acts such as lifting their eyes to a male. This marks them as a "whore", an unforgivable disgrace upon their families. They can barely marry these daughters off to the lowest street beggar.
Only a few of the things I have gleaned from my reading.
Suggested books:
Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life & Beliefs, by Ergun Mehmet Caner & Emir Fethi Caner: Kregel, Pub.
Two brothers raised in the Muslim faith who converted to Christianity with great personal sacrifice. A bit of a "churchy" book but very enlightening and unvarnished. They were there. They know.
Islam Unveiled: Distubing Questions About the World's Fastest Growing Faith, by Robert Spencer: Ecounter Books, Pub.
A bit pedantic but still readable. Many valid points about how peaceful the Muslims have really been throughout their long history. (Not very, not very forgiving or tolerant or evolved, either.)
Islam: The Straight Path, by John Esposito: Oxford University Press. A different point of view that tends to leave out all the nasty stuff.
I have no problems with religious denominations who might not be rooted in Christianity. No one who is Buddist or Jewish or a Wiccan or anything else has ever attacked our country. Yes, the United States was based upon religious freedom. But when does religion become a cult? When does it become acceptable for your fellow woman or man to blow themselves up in hopes they *might* make it to see Allah?
I am not a racist or biased person. I celebrate diversity but I abhor genocide in the name of Allah or anybody else. Saddam did it. So did Hitler. So did Jim Jones.
Overall, a very scary time for all of us.
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