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Reader comment on item: Finding Moderate Muslims - More Questions

Submitted by Zentrist (United States), Oct 10, 2008 at 21:59

I've not read the Quran. If these teachings, these "divine teachings" that fly in the face of the Ten Commandments and Natural Law are true--then, Global Community, we have a problem. I work side by side with Muslims, some devout, some not so devout. I'm impressed by their work, by their overall demeanor and comportment. I find it hard to believe that the Muslims I encounter in places of business could be, some of them, wife-beaters or stoners-of-the lustful. I guess I'm a true Westerner: from my perspective, these teachings, these behaviors, are not human, much less divine.

If these teachings are really the dark side of President Ahmadinejad's partly beautiful speech to the United Nations, then I'd have to question the appearance in that speech of real truth and real beauty.

Call me naive. But I wanted to believe, when I listened to that speech--twice--that it was sincere and serious and truly religious. At no time during this speech, an opportunity to speak his mind, did the Iranian President wish any ill to anyone. I'm not defending the man; I'm not backing him. But I heard that speech--twice. I repeat, at no time did the man wish any ill to anyone or any entity or state or race or religion. This would have been a great opportunity to speak his mind. Why didn't he do it? A lack of courage? I don't think so. Whatever else you may say of him, he has a certain chutzpah.


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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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