Geographically speaking, Wherever there is Islam, there is war and hate Reader comment on item: [Fixing] Islam's Image Problem
Submitted by Eucevio de Silva(United States), Aug 14, 2006 at 01:22
Has anyone ever noticed that, if you look at a map of the world, you will see that whereever there is Islam, there is violence and immense hatred? You will see that Islam presides over Egypt, Arabia, Iran, Indonesia, Lebanon, Pakistan, much of Africa, and many other countries. In these places you will find poverty, or anger, murder, backwardness, envy, terrorism, drug use, corruption, barbarism, hopelessness, and despair, and in some cases all of the above! You will find hypocracy at its most sickening, including "honor killings" and "martyr suicides", very hypocritical phrases in an of themselves. You will see women and people of diversity (aka, non sunnis, non shiite, non muslim, etc...) treated and killed like animals. You will see the Dark Ages right here in our own 21st century! Interestingly, you will see the most sexually repressed populations on earth. I feel sorry for them. It feels as if Islam has infected the minds of the once-great civilizations of the middle east and turned them into a self-propogating virus of unending hatred, poverty and war. Though, it does seem Turkey and the EAU are exceptions, though it seems they arent really Islamic anymore.
However, whereever there is NOT Islam, such as in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, etc...) you will find flourishing civilizations with true and growing economies, wealth, stability, jobs, excellent educational systems, liberty, security, freedom, hope, a promising future, health, and general happiness. You will see them exploring the skies, learning about the world, and educating (truely educating, not indoctrinating) their children. most of all, you see them respecting human life and the pursuit of truth.
This is an undeniable observation. And should reinforce the civilized worlds view of the despair and tyrrany that Islam brings with it. But how could the Civilized world (as in us) eradicate this virus before it renders our great middle eastern brothers into something sub-human, without becoming a monstrosity ourselves? And without fulfilling the Islamic desire for a Holy war, or in their terms, a "holy eradication" of everything un-islamic?
It would be expected for those infected with the virus of Islam to claim their actions are justified because of someone else. It always is someone elses fault in Islam. Its always the fault of TV, the media, the EU, the US, Russia, India, Israel, etc... whomever is convenient. The devil always blames, and never introspects. Has the devil hijacked (a fitting verb with Islamic connotations) Islam?
It is also expected to recieve responses of anger and hatred to this commentary (not surprising given the hateful nature of islam), mostly because of the fact that the truth hurts. Islam dictates, but it is not true to truth. How would you feel if someone told you the religion you believed in for 20, 40, 60 years lends you to poverty, ignorance, violence, or the condonation of such, or that it is not true? Those (muslims or not) wishing to challenge the rather logical conclusion and observation of this commentary can tell the world here what good has Islam brought. Followed by a non-threatening explanation and solution to how those countries under Islamic precedent can join world society without spreading hatred and war, or Islam itself. Threatening or hateful responses if any shall only reinforce the perception that Islam is a source of and affective conduit of hatred, ignorance, and most of all, violence.
Expected responses from those who are muslim: 1. you are speaking only of radical muslims, most are muslims are good! - answer: although not all muslims are Radical, and many muslims are of unequivical integretity, those who are not blowing everything up somehow condone it through either silence or laziness. 2. Islam is a religion of peace! -answer: yeah right. 3. Infidels must be killed! -answer: so, whats new? 4. We have a right to develop Nuclear technology! - answer: Well of course! a typical Islamic endeavor. As you can see, it is hoped to get some constructive input on this matter, instead of the typical barter.
Cheers
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 for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but comments are rejected if scurrilous, off-topic, vulgar, ad hominem, or otherwise viewed as inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the Guidelines for Comments. For informational purposes, we identify countries from which comments are sent.