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Reader comment on item: The "New York Review of Books" Mangles Campus Watch
in response to reader comment: exempt from criticism

Submitted by S.H. (Canada), Jul 16, 2006 at 23:50

I'm not being sensitive or thin skinned. I'm just saying don't blame the 'centuries old text' or the faith. That is unadulterated. However the fashion in which it is interpreted by its followers is not, neither is their view of how it should be implemented in modern society.

Bombing Islam into submission and wiping it off the map will not help. Violence breeds more violence. Instead it is more sensible to address and contemplate the issue of working together with each other peacefully to attain a common, effective and peaceful goal. Helping Muslims to realise that their religion can be applied peacefully and constructively in today's society should be the goal instead.

You ask how these 'documents' are upheld? Consider the many Muslims throughout the world, who on behalf of their faith, demonstrate actively on issues such as poverty, homelessness, international aide, charity and fair business practices. Those who help to provide services in their communities and their neighborhoods. Those abroad who work towards peace with others. Those who have a drive to do good deeds in their everyday life simply because it is a criterion of being a Muslim. Therefore is it Islam that has a fault, or the people who live today and follow it improperly.

Blaming Islam is a sidetrack. Instead blame the real sources of the problem. There are so many. Poverty, lack of knowledge, societal issues within communities. All this results in what? People will think they have nothing else they can do about their own situation other than fight for it. And thinking that terrorism is a valid output for that, they will commit themselves to it (whereas it is not valid).

Guidelines are usually thought over and made so that they will be perfect. If everyone in the US followed the Constitution, no one would have any problems with the US. If everyone in Islam followed their faith, no one would have any problems with Muslims.

And I'd rather be sensitive, thin skinned and open minded, than cold and blunt.

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