We are long past the point of 'are you really a xxxxxx if you do wrong'. I can't speak for Muslims because I don't know if they 'disown', for lack of a better word, anyone who kills. Apparently not from the news reports.. That doesn't say all Muslims are bad... But I have heard no reports from those high in the Muslim religion saying they are against the atrocities... Tell me if there have been... From the Middle East, not the US.

A better question to ask: Given that the public is soaking up horror stories... Would we even hear about any statements made?

Who's doing the reporting? Who else has heard about it?

Does President George Bush go on the air everytime someone gets murdered and say "No, we aren't like that!"?

One small problem;
You have a population in which less than 10% is functionally literate. The only PA systems in common use are run by the local sect.

Exactly how do you intend to "educate the masses?"

Once again, secular society shows great abilities to defend itself; Even if you COULD get the message across, the grip is tight. They don't see each other as a United Islam Nation. Different sects have been warring with each other for generations. What makes you think they'd listen to each other?

The Mid-East is an unpredictable bloody mess. Personally, I'm not optimistic about the US's chances of being able to change any of it, glass parking lots notwithstanding.

All of this hate being spread around is the result of gross misinformation, and outright ignorance as to how these people function. It's sad; They are feared because they are misunderstood. Meanwhile, the people who we SHOULD be worried about profit enormously from the bad blood.

Its very unfortunite that some people here cannot take off there "North American Googles" and see how the rest of the world is. That area of the world is socialy at least 150 years behind North America. Many places are just now becoming industrial nations. Many of the peoples over there are still nomadic. Reading, Writing and Advanced math is never even considered by these people. There are some however which have an advanced Education, and have a twisted desire that take advantage of the uneducated.

If you think that this kind of thing doesnt happen in North America I can think of a religion (christian) organizations that practice rather awfull practices, which include wedding multiple wives which are young 14,15 or so, to 45+ year old men this is in not overly small communities either. Many things are being commited in the Name of Jesus/God even these days. Not to mention the Millions of people who have been killed in the Name of Jesus in the past.

The Islamic Religion is the Fastest growing religion in the world, we had best get used to having them around, and figure out some way for the west and the middle east to get along soon.

And just remember that when it all comes down to it, Alah and God are the same the faiths broke off from the decendants of Abraham.

Here is a nice webpage for anyone who wants to learn a little about Islam
http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/1004/p25s1-wosc.html

Later;

Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion. It might even be the correct one, I certainly don't know. I DO know that little of what we're taught in the social sciences in College is very accurate with the exception of about 50% of history, and that's only 50% because history is written by the winners.

I was hoping that you had lived there with the people for quite some time, or even a brief time, and could relate your experiences.

My opthalmic surgeon and my ocular prosthetics craftsman have both spent a month in Afghanistan every year from the time the Russians left until the Taliban came to power and they weren't allowed back in. The last few years they've spend in Central America. They have some quite different experiences to relate than you've been taught.

But what do they know, they never took all those courses in college, right?

John Stricker

PS: Mach10, don't take the post seriously, it was meant just to illuminate the possiblity for you that because it's written in a book and taught by human beings that may have their own personal beliefs, it doesn't necessarily follow that it reflects reality.

quote Originally posted by Mach10: Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology, 74.122, Social Organization 74.239, Peasant Societies 74.246, Political Systems 74.253, Urban Anthropology 74.257, Old World Prehistory 74.263, Old World Civilizations: 74.265, Human Diversity 74.286, These are my Cultural Anthro courses. Most are somewhat boring, but ALL have a "Modern Perspective" section at the end of the year that touch on Islamic Fundamentalism, Globalization, Marxism vs. Capitalism, or combinations of the 3. Not to mention several seminars on the subject. Political Anthro was my absolute FAVORITE culture pre-req of them all, and almost the entire course was devoted to the current situation--East vs. West--after we delved into the basic political structure junk. Fair question, though.