This isn't one lone Muslim, or some tiny group of fanatics. It's a theocratic government of one of the largest countries in the Muslim world acting according to their interpretation of their sacred texts. I spent a long time googling this yesterday and was unable to find a single instance of a Muslim anywhere being critical of it. The story isn't even being covered by Al Jazeera. There's no getting around it, this does not speak well of their culture.
Their government doesn't allow for such freedoms. And you won't find our government being too critical of Saudi Arabia, either. They are happy enough with how things are being ran over there...the last thing they'd want is a Saudi Arabia actually ran by it's people.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Their government doesn't allow for such freedoms. And you won't find our government being too critical of Saudi Arabia, either. They are happy enough with how things are being ran over there...the last thing they'd want is a Saudi Arabia actually ran by it's people.
But you rarely hear any Muslim clerics in the middle east criticise Saudi Arabia. And while you are right about the US government's relationship with Saudi Arabia, it still doesnt excuse this type of behavior. Lets be honest, our government doesnt care what type of society they have, we care about our business relationship. So, again, I agree with you that we shouldnt be dealing with them, but I hardly think you can hold our government responsible for the Sharia law.
Their government doesn't allow for such freedoms. And you won't find our government being too critical of Saudi Arabia, either. They are happy enough with how things are being ran over there...the last thing they'd want is a Saudi Arabia actually ran by it's people.
Shit, I don't expect our government to criticize anyone ... which is probably a good thing, they're in no position to be pointing fingers. And I know that Saudis don't have freedom of speech. But I could find NO instance of a Muslim anywhere in the world criticizing this action ... not in the Middle East, not in the US, not in Europe. And if you were getting all your news from Al Jazeera, you'd never know it was happening. Are they embarrassed, or is it such a common occurance that it's not even news?
Again, if this were a one-time deal it would still be tragic, but I wouldn't be talking about it as a Muslim issue. It's not a one-time thing though, stories like this crop up all the time from throughout the middle east and Asia. Only Muslim countries repeatedly do things like this, and I don't recall once hearing a Muslim anywhere denounce it.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
Well there's Fuziyah al-Ouni (mentioned in the article) who critisizes the House of Saud. And there's the Saudi Gazette brave enough to publish her (the victim) story.
But you rarely hear any Muslim clerics in the middle east criticise Saudi Arabia. And while you are right about the US government's relationship with Saudi Arabia, it still doesnt excuse this type of behavior. Lets be honest, our government doesnt care what type of society they have, we care about our business relationship. So, again, I agree with you that we shouldnt be dealing with them, but I hardly think you can hold our government responsible for the Sharia law.
I'm not saying we should. And I'm not making excuses for this. I'm saying that as far as speaking out about things like this, our government is at fault for supporting them and turning a blind eye to these disgusting human rights violations in the name of money. I can't be too disgusted by their governments actions and their peoples lack of a dissenting voice without also taking a long, hard look at my own country and it's indifference as long as the money is flowing. Both piss me the fuck off.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
But like Hippiemom said, shouldnt this type of thing be at the forefront of the Muslim world? And Al jazeera doesnt even cover it because it is such an accepted practice. And no, I am not condemning Muslims on an individual level, but I have no problem condemning Sharia Law and Islam in general. This type of practice is just barbaric, and it seems the more rational Muslims and clerics would show some sort of out rage over it.
It's a sick practice and of course other muslims should not allow such things to happen in the name of islam. But again, this practice is not islam. Saudi arabia goes on about being a muslim country with muslim laws but the truth is they are not, islam does not even allow royals like the kings and princes living in palaces while it's people face so many struggles. If saudi arabia was a true muslim country they would not have the royals. women would not have to sit outside while men sit inside and eat lunch. saudi arabia is a backward country. a US backed backward country.
For example Look at the face covering for woman, it's not islam. it has nothing to do with islam. it was a practice created many years before islam. Yet it's all over saudi arabia. If anyone should be whipped it should be the royals and the clerics.
Shit, I don't expect our government to criticize anyone ... which is probably a good thing, they're in no position to be pointing fingers. And I know that Saudis don't have freedom of speech. But I could find NO instance of a Muslim anywhere in the world criticizing this action ... not in the Middle East, not in the US, not in Europe. And if you were getting all your news from Al Jazeera, you'd never know it was happening. Are they embarrassed, or is it such a common occurance that it's not even news?
Again, if this were a one-time deal it would still be tragic, but I wouldn't be talking about it as a Muslim issue. It's not a one-time thing though, stories like this crop up all the time from throughout the middle east and Asia. Only Muslim countries repeatedly do things like this, and I don't recall once hearing a Muslim anywhere denounce it.
Maybe the people, though, do denounce it, and we just don't hear it. Look at how our media covers our own outrage and then multiply that by 1000. And most of these people don't have internet access, I'm guessing...at least not on the scale we do and they are also fearful, I'm sure, of speaking out and being punished for it. Keeping these people in a state of fear is quite beneficial to the Saudi govt.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Maybe the people, though, do denounce it, and we just don't hear it. Look at how our media covers our own outrage and then multiply that by 1000. And most of these people don't have internet access, I'm guessing...at least not on the scale we do and they are also fearful, I'm sure, of speaking out and being punished for it. Keeping these people in a state of fear is quite beneficial to the Saudi govt.
I don't hear the Muslim populations of Europe or the US making a peep.
I understand what you're saying about our own government, and I agree 100%. But I'd be having a conniption if some bunch of Christians were doing anything close to this, and I'd be expecting Christians everywhere to denounce it ... I'd have a lot of company on this board, too. I'm not going to make excuses because it's Muslims.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
I don't hear the Muslim populations of Europe or the US making a peep.
I understand what you're saying about our own government, and I agree 100%. But I'd be having a conniption if some bunch of Christians were doing anything close to this, and I'd be expecting Christians everywhere to denounce it ... I'd have a lot of company on this board, too. I'm not going to make excuses because it's Muslims.
I've been to saudi arabia, the arabs do not like any of these practices. They wan't change. But change is hard when you have such a powerful force (sauds) pushing you down. also they dislike america for it's support of the royals which keep them living in those palaces.
I don't hear the Muslim populations of Europe or the US making a peep.
I understand what you're saying about our own government, and I agree 100%. But I'd be having a conniption if some bunch of Christians were doing anything close to this, and I'd be expecting Christians everywhere to denounce it ... I'd have a lot of company on this board, too. I'm not going to make excuses because it's Muslims.
I'm simply saying they don't enjoy the freedoms we have and they live in much more fear and oppression than we could ever imagine. I'm not making excuses for these actions but I'm not going to be quick to condemn a whole people and their culture for the problem, either when I don't think they have much power over the situation.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I'm simply saying they don't enjoy the freedoms we have and they live in much more fear and oppression than we could ever imagine. I'm not making excuses for these actions but I'm not going to be quick to condemn a whole people and their culture for the problem, either when I don't think they have much power over the situation.
I know a number of Muslims at my workplace. I highly doubt they would approve of such a thing, but I can find out.
It is rather odd, though, as Hippiemom points out, that there is nothing out there in print from the Muslim publications saying anything about this.
How can this not be at least somewhat critical of Islam? This is done in a country ran by Sharia law.
And it's the reason it's critical of religion. No good can ever come out of having ties between a religion and the state. Religious leaders and thinkers cannot be required to be rational enough to create laws, their train of thoughts often override basic human rights. I don't want to go in a Christianity vs Islam debate, but when Christians were making up laws they used to burn women for unclear reasons. Both of these religions, if given the latitude, prove to have extremely negative views towards women.
This story is surreal in a way (I mean really, I had to read it twice just to be sure I had just read that) and is a strong argument for the separation of church and state.
As for no Muslim in the region condemning this, it's normal. A few days ago I read an Egyptian blogger will serve 4 years in prison for "criticism towards the government and the religion". In fact I did not hear any one condemn this at all, that's scary.
I've been to saudi arabia, the arabs do not like any of these practices. They wan't change. But change is hard when you have such a powerful force (sauds) pushing you down. also they dislike america for it's support of the royals which keep them living in those palaces.
I find that quite easy to believe, and I'm not criticizing those that live under a dictatorship. I realize that even if they spoke out, word of the protest would probably never get out of the country.
But just imagine for a moment that the hypothetical nation of Christiania were doing this. I would expect U.S. and European Christians to protest. I would expect the leaders of the major denominations to speak out against it. And you know what? I think that's exactly what would happen. You'd have Christians all over the place yelling "This is not Christianity!" I don't see that happening here, I don't hear a damn thing from any Muslim anywhere in the world ... just like I didn't hear it when similar stories have come out of other countries in the past.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
I find that quite easy to believe, and I'm not criticizing those that live under a dictatorship. I realize that even if they spoke out, word of the protest would probably never get out of the country.
But just imagine for a moment that the hypothetical nation of Christiania were doing this. I would expect U.S. and European Christians to protest. I would expect the leaders of the major denominations to speak out against it. And you know what? I think that's exactly what would happen. You'd have Christians all over the place yelling "This is not Christianity!" I don't see that happening here, I don't hear a damn thing from any Muslim anywhere in the world ... just like I didn't hear it when similar stories have come out of other countries in the past.
It's a human rights issue, everyone should be protesting this and of course I understand your point.
I find that quite easy to believe, and I'm not criticizing those that live under a dictatorship. I realize that even if they spoke out, word of the protest would probably never get out of the country.
But just imagine for a moment that the hypothetical nation of Christiania were doing this. I would expect U.S. and European Christians to protest. I would expect the leaders of the major denominations to speak out against it. And you know what? I think that's exactly what would happen. You'd have Christians all over the place yelling "This is not Christianity!" I don't see that happening here, I don't hear a damn thing from any Muslim anywhere in the world ... just like I didn't hear it when similar stories have come out of other countries in the past.
Their press isn't exactly free though. Also, they are aware of the amount of animosity towards their culture as it is. It's undertsandable not wanting to give the rest of the world more fuel against them....especially when it's being portrayed as their religion and culture thats the problem and not their leadership.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
It's a human rights issue, everyone should be protesting this and of course I understand your point.
I agree they should, as well. But I want to try to find understanding before I condemn these people for just accepting this kind of behavior. I don't know that they do just accept this as being part of their culture, so I want to look at their circumstances before passing judgement.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Their press isn't exactly free though. Also, they are aware of the amount of animosity towards their culture as it is. It's undertsandable not wanting to give the rest of the world more fuel against them....especially when it's being portrayed as their religion and culture thats the problem and not their leadership.
Wouldn't they be better off if they spoke out against it and separating themselves from it by saying "This isn't really Islam"? By not saying anything it gives the affect of, if not agreeing, just not caring, which is bad.
you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
Wouldn't they be better off if they spoke out against it and separating themselves from it by saying "This isn't really Islam"? By not saying anything it gives the affect of, if not agreeing, just not caring, which is bad.
Hey, I'm all for them speaking out and protesting...hell, even overthrowing their leadership. But I do know that they live in fear and are severely punished for such things and I can't say how quick I would be to protest if my life was at stake. I would like to say I'd die for the cause but I also like living.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Well there's Fuziyah al-Ouni (mentioned in the article) who critisizes the House of Saud. And there's the Saudi Gazette brave enough to publish her (the victim) story.
Hey, I'm all for them speaking out and protesting...hell, even overthrowing their leadership. But I do know that they live in fear and are severely punished for such things and I can't say how quick I would be to protest if my life was at stake. I would like to say I'd die for the cause but I also like living.
I'm not talking about the people in Saudi Arabia. I'm talking about the Muslims outside Saudi Arabia in Europe and America and everywhere else.
you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
I'm not talking about the people in Saudi Arabia. I'm talking about the Muslims outside Saudi Arabia in Europe and America and everywhere else.
I'm talking about condeming their culture and religion as the problem. As I've said, there is already so much animosity towards their religion that maybe they don't want to fuel it any worse than it already is. I don't know for sure. These people are the ones who wind up demonized not their governments.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I talking about condeming their culture and religion as the problem. As I've said, there is already so much animosity towards their religion that maybe they don't want to fuel it any worse than it already is. I don't know for sure. These people are the ones who wind up demonized not their governments.
They don't seem to have any problem making their feelings known when they think they've been insulted ... witness the worldwide protests over the cartoons. If they don't find it insulting that the governments of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, etc. are oppressing and brutalizing women in the name of Islam .... well, that does tell me a lot about their culture.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
And it's the reason it's critical of religion. No good can ever come out of having ties between a religion and the state. Religious leaders and thinkers cannot be required to be rational enough to create laws, their train of thoughts often override basic human rights. I don't want to go in a Christianity vs Islam debate, but when Christians were making up laws they used to burn women for unclear reasons. Both of these religions, if given the latitude, prove to have extremely negative views towards women.
This story is surreal in a way (I mean really, I had to read it twice just to be sure I had just read that) and is a strong argument for the separation of church and state.
As for no Muslim in the region condemning this, it's normal. A few days ago I read an Egyptian blogger will serve 4 years in prison for "criticism towards the government and the religion". In fact I did not hear any one condemn this at all, that's scary.
You are the second person to address me about CHristianity which I have neither mentioned, or defended. It is possible to discuss Islam on its own accord, and not as a comparison to Christianity. ANd yes, there are terrible periods of Christanity and terrible practices throughout history done in the name of Christianity. But in the modern world, it isnt an accurate comparison at all. You get a few attacks on abortion Clinics and you get Jerry Falwell pointing out the gay teletubby. That is a far cry from public beheadings and lashes to someone because they dared to get raped. There are many current issues where I think Christianity over takes common sense in some people, such as the whole sex ed and abstinance issue. But in reality, that is a minor issue compared to what happens in Saudi Arabia.
I talking about condeming their culture and religion as the problem. As I've said, there is already so much animosity towards their religion that maybe they don't want to fuel it any worse than it already is. I don't know for sure. These people are the ones who wind up demonized not their governments.
I know, and then I said, wouldn't it be better for those Muslims, outside of Saudi Arabia to say how bad that is, separate themselves from it by saying "Thats not really Islam". If they (the Muslims outside Saudi Arabia) remain silent it gives the impression of not caring about how other Muslims act, and that this is an acceptable part of Muslim religion/culture.
Wouldn't they be better off if they spoke out against it and separating themselves from it by saying "This isn't really Islam"? By not saying anything it gives the affect of, if not agreeing, just not caring, which is bad.
you couldn't swing if you were hangin' from a palm tree in a hurricane.
It's a human rights issue, everyone should be protesting this and of course I understand your point.
You are right about that. But dont you think it would have a bigger impact and probably create more dialogue in the Muslim world if it were Muslim's standing up and doing most of the protesting?
You are right about that. But dont you think it would have a bigger impact and probably create more dialogue in the Muslim world if it were Muslim's standing up and doing most of the protesting?
Of course, but also, I've seen muslims groups protest injustices done by the sauds many times. But it almost seems only symbolic. nothing will change.
Even here in america, how many millions protested the iraq war? but it still went on, look at the huge amount of human rights violations done by the US, in america we can protest all we want, but hey, gitmo still is open and the patriot act still exists. It's get's to a point where people just give up and carry on with their own lives. perhaps that's the case?
I spent a long time googling this yesterday and was unable to find a single instance of a Muslim anywhere being critical of it. The story isn't even being covered by Al Jazeera. There's no getting around it, this does not speak well of their culture.
I just finished doing the same thing. I do not like any culture or religion being smeared by the actions of a few. Unfortunately, my search only turned up more civil rights abuses against women. I think there are a few that are outraged, but I'm saddened that there is not more outrage by Muslims in counties where they are free to speak out against this.
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance,
but the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel Boorstin
Only a life lived for others is worth living.
~Albert Einstein
They don't seem to have any problem making their feelings known when they think they've been insulted ... witness the worldwide protests over the cartoons. If they don't find it insulting that the governments of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, etc. are oppressing and brutalizing women in the name of Islam .... well, that does tell me a lot about their culture.
The reason they protested over the cartoons was in defense of their culture. They see the demonization of their religion constantly all over the world. They are probably tired of seeing it, it gives justification for the agression towards them. They are almost always portrayed as hostile and crazed lunatics. I see it as very possible that they don't want to add to the the already huge amounts of bad press their people receive. If our govt or our press would actually blame their leadership for these faults instead of condeming the people and their culture for these problems perhaps more would speak out.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Comments
Are you kidding? Didn't Bush get caught tongue kissing one of their sheiks?!
No, but I think he was on film giving the sheik a reacharound.
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Their government doesn't allow for such freedoms. And you won't find our government being too critical of Saudi Arabia, either. They are happy enough with how things are being ran over there...the last thing they'd want is a Saudi Arabia actually ran by it's people.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
But you rarely hear any Muslim clerics in the middle east criticise Saudi Arabia. And while you are right about the US government's relationship with Saudi Arabia, it still doesnt excuse this type of behavior. Lets be honest, our government doesnt care what type of society they have, we care about our business relationship. So, again, I agree with you that we shouldnt be dealing with them, but I hardly think you can hold our government responsible for the Sharia law.
Again, if this were a one-time deal it would still be tragic, but I wouldn't be talking about it as a Muslim issue. It's not a one-time thing though, stories like this crop up all the time from throughout the middle east and Asia. Only Muslim countries repeatedly do things like this, and I don't recall once hearing a Muslim anywhere denounce it.
naděje umírá poslední
I'm not saying we should. And I'm not making excuses for this. I'm saying that as far as speaking out about things like this, our government is at fault for supporting them and turning a blind eye to these disgusting human rights violations in the name of money. I can't be too disgusted by their governments actions and their peoples lack of a dissenting voice without also taking a long, hard look at my own country and it's indifference as long as the money is flowing. Both piss me the fuck off.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
It's a sick practice and of course other muslims should not allow such things to happen in the name of islam. But again, this practice is not islam. Saudi arabia goes on about being a muslim country with muslim laws but the truth is they are not, islam does not even allow royals like the kings and princes living in palaces while it's people face so many struggles. If saudi arabia was a true muslim country they would not have the royals. women would not have to sit outside while men sit inside and eat lunch. saudi arabia is a backward country. a US backed backward country.
For example Look at the face covering for woman, it's not islam. it has nothing to do with islam. it was a practice created many years before islam. Yet it's all over saudi arabia. If anyone should be whipped it should be the royals and the clerics.
Maybe the people, though, do denounce it, and we just don't hear it. Look at how our media covers our own outrage and then multiply that by 1000. And most of these people don't have internet access, I'm guessing...at least not on the scale we do and they are also fearful, I'm sure, of speaking out and being punished for it. Keeping these people in a state of fear is quite beneficial to the Saudi govt.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I understand what you're saying about our own government, and I agree 100%. But I'd be having a conniption if some bunch of Christians were doing anything close to this, and I'd be expecting Christians everywhere to denounce it ... I'd have a lot of company on this board, too. I'm not going to make excuses because it's Muslims.
I've been to saudi arabia, the arabs do not like any of these practices. They wan't change. But change is hard when you have such a powerful force (sauds) pushing you down. also they dislike america for it's support of the royals which keep them living in those palaces.
I'm simply saying they don't enjoy the freedoms we have and they live in much more fear and oppression than we could ever imagine. I'm not making excuses for these actions but I'm not going to be quick to condemn a whole people and their culture for the problem, either when I don't think they have much power over the situation.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I know a number of Muslims at my workplace. I highly doubt they would approve of such a thing, but I can find out.
It is rather odd, though, as Hippiemom points out, that there is nothing out there in print from the Muslim publications saying anything about this.
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And it's the reason it's critical of religion. No good can ever come out of having ties between a religion and the state. Religious leaders and thinkers cannot be required to be rational enough to create laws, their train of thoughts often override basic human rights. I don't want to go in a Christianity vs Islam debate, but when Christians were making up laws they used to burn women for unclear reasons. Both of these religions, if given the latitude, prove to have extremely negative views towards women.
This story is surreal in a way (I mean really, I had to read it twice just to be sure I had just read that) and is a strong argument for the separation of church and state.
As for no Muslim in the region condemning this, it's normal. A few days ago I read an Egyptian blogger will serve 4 years in prison for "criticism towards the government and the religion". In fact I did not hear any one condemn this at all, that's scary.
But just imagine for a moment that the hypothetical nation of Christiania were doing this. I would expect U.S. and European Christians to protest. I would expect the leaders of the major denominations to speak out against it. And you know what? I think that's exactly what would happen. You'd have Christians all over the place yelling "This is not Christianity!" I don't see that happening here, I don't hear a damn thing from any Muslim anywhere in the world ... just like I didn't hear it when similar stories have come out of other countries in the past.
It's a human rights issue, everyone should be protesting this and of course I understand your point.
Their press isn't exactly free though. Also, they are aware of the amount of animosity towards their culture as it is. It's undertsandable not wanting to give the rest of the world more fuel against them....especially when it's being portrayed as their religion and culture thats the problem and not their leadership.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I agree they should, as well. But I want to try to find understanding before I condemn these people for just accepting this kind of behavior. I don't know that they do just accept this as being part of their culture, so I want to look at their circumstances before passing judgement.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
Wouldn't they be better off if they spoke out against it and separating themselves from it by saying "This isn't really Islam"? By not saying anything it gives the affect of, if not agreeing, just not caring, which is bad.
Hey, I'm all for them speaking out and protesting...hell, even overthrowing their leadership. But I do know that they live in fear and are severely punished for such things and I can't say how quick I would be to protest if my life was at stake. I would like to say I'd die for the cause but I also like living.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I think this is the first time I have ever quoted myself:
naděje umírá poslední
I'm not talking about the people in Saudi Arabia. I'm talking about the Muslims outside Saudi Arabia in Europe and America and everywhere else.
I'm talking about condeming their culture and religion as the problem. As I've said, there is already so much animosity towards their religion that maybe they don't want to fuel it any worse than it already is. I don't know for sure. These people are the ones who wind up demonized not their governments.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
You are the second person to address me about CHristianity which I have neither mentioned, or defended. It is possible to discuss Islam on its own accord, and not as a comparison to Christianity. ANd yes, there are terrible periods of Christanity and terrible practices throughout history done in the name of Christianity. But in the modern world, it isnt an accurate comparison at all. You get a few attacks on abortion Clinics and you get Jerry Falwell pointing out the gay teletubby. That is a far cry from public beheadings and lashes to someone because they dared to get raped. There are many current issues where I think Christianity over takes common sense in some people, such as the whole sex ed and abstinance issue. But in reality, that is a minor issue compared to what happens in Saudi Arabia.
I know, and then I said, wouldn't it be better for those Muslims, outside of Saudi Arabia to say how bad that is, separate themselves from it by saying "Thats not really Islam". If they (the Muslims outside Saudi Arabia) remain silent it gives the impression of not caring about how other Muslims act, and that this is an acceptable part of Muslim religion/culture.
You are right about that. But dont you think it would have a bigger impact and probably create more dialogue in the Muslim world if it were Muslim's standing up and doing most of the protesting?
Of course, but also, I've seen muslims groups protest injustices done by the sauds many times. But it almost seems only symbolic. nothing will change.
Even here in america, how many millions protested the iraq war? but it still went on, look at the huge amount of human rights violations done by the US, in america we can protest all we want, but hey, gitmo still is open and the patriot act still exists. It's get's to a point where people just give up and carry on with their own lives. perhaps that's the case?
I just finished doing the same thing. I do not like any culture or religion being smeared by the actions of a few. Unfortunately, my search only turned up more civil rights abuses against women. I think there are a few that are outraged, but I'm saddened that there is not more outrage by Muslims in counties where they are free to speak out against this.
but the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel Boorstin
Only a life lived for others is worth living.
~Albert Einstein
The reason they protested over the cartoons was in defense of their culture. They see the demonization of their religion constantly all over the world. They are probably tired of seeing it, it gives justification for the agression towards them. They are almost always portrayed as hostile and crazed lunatics. I see it as very possible that they don't want to add to the the already huge amounts of bad press their people receive. If our govt or our press would actually blame their leadership for these faults instead of condeming the people and their culture for these problems perhaps more would speak out.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde