Yes, This is about Islam

New York Times ^ | Nov 02, 2001 | Salman Rushdie

[G.Mason]

Re:" Where are the MODERATE Muslims?"

Dead.

[Oschisms]

Rushdie's close to unreadable- and I don't mean that as a compliment, a la James Joyce- but he's dead right in this mercifully short article.

[AlGone2001]

It seems to me that Muslims are attempting to get around the "coversion" idea, and go straight to a militant Islamic in your face kind of religion. Some who called themselves Christians in the past tried this approach, and it's a failure.

[rebdov]

Oh,oh I smell a new fatwa coming. Any fatwas yet against OBL ordaining his murder?

[rebdov]

Cowed? Like the Germans were cowed? They loved Hitler, and the Muslims love Osama. I don't believe for one second that their hearts aren't glowing with pride thanks to OBL.

[rebdov]

Like the Imam in Cincinatti who was caught in the lie of 'tell the stupid infidels one thing and the Muslims the truth'? Or like the Imam who was playing kissy-poo with the Jews in NYC, and then took off overnight to Egypt and let loose that the Jews did the 911 attacks? These were moderates to the face of the dumb Americans but told it like it is to fellow Muslims. These were hot stories right here on FreeRepublic when was this week, last week? I am sure plenty will remember. But for all the protestations, not one fatwa ORDAINING the murder of Osama. Why not? The Muslims had no problem with a fatwa against Rushdie for mere words, but for Osama's actions no demand for HIS head, why? I think that most of the Germans under Hitler were not active Nazis, but they sure loved what Adolph was doing. I think our local Muslims also are full of Islamic pride that Osama brought the great Satan low, he is standing up to Shaitan. The only thing they don't like is that people talk against Islam. That is why the average Muslim on the street fervently believes that the Jews were guilty for committing the 911 massacres, not Muslims. If not for fear of counter attacks. I'd bet you could sell a million OBL sweatshirts right here in the US to Muslims.

[GOPJ]

Yeah, I know moderate Muslims who roundly condemn Osama. There's lots of them. Osama and his gang of thugs go after anyone who disagrees with them. That includes Muslims.

Where are the MODERATE Muslims? Have you heard any of them condemning OBL?

[GOPJ]

You're right on this. The fundamentalist have created a religion that works well if you live in the year 1000. All creativity and easy flow of ideas has been squashed by this bazaar form of Islam. Religion works best when it's not the law of the land. When Christianity was married to state power, we had the same disaster. It's time to move on. Separate the powers of church and state. Reform now.

Many commentators have spoken of the need for a Reformation in the Muslim world.

[semaj]

Good post. I agree with the author's premise that religion needs to be a personal and individual matter and not something enforced and compelled by the state or any other organized entity.

[RnMomof7]

I am amazed the liberal rag printed it.

[semaj]

"This isn't about Islam" simply means we haven't got a genuine dialogue going with the Muslim world. "

The War Against Terrorism will never be won if we continually refuse to identify the enemy.

[the_alfalfanator]

Bump

[FreedomPoster]

Yeah, I know moderate Muslims who roundly condemn Osama. There's lots of them. Osama and his gang of thugs go after anyone who disagrees with them. That includes Muslims.

Where? Here in the U.S.?

I sincerely doubt bin Ladin can send thugs after "good" Muslims here. They are either with us or against us, and silence looks like "against" from here. If they need help defending themselves from local Islamist thugs, I'm sure there are many that can help.

[Cacique]

This thread will get pulled. You're supposed to link to NY Times articles rather than post them verbatim. Don't you know these bozos have a suit against freerepublic ? Next time read the disclaimer at the front page.

Though I find the Rushdie article intriguing it's a pity it appears in the Times.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Posting of NY Times articles is allowed. It is the Washington Post and the LA Times which can not be posted in their entirety.

[AgThorn]

Don't you know these bozos have a suit against freerepublic ? Next time read the disclaimer at the front page.

Looks like one of the two of us needs to read it .... and it ain't me!! ;-)

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I heard President Bush say "Islam is a peaceful religion." Where is the proof of this?

[AgThorn]

I think it's called being "politically correct"! ;-)

[Cacique]

My mistake, I guess the Times dropped out of the suit. I do remeber at one time we couldn't post NY Times articles, I had assumed that ban was still in effect. My mistake.

[Helms]

Zarathustra and Nihilism is knocking on the Doors of Islam.

I would like to steer clear of this, however it is diffficult. Europe in the 19th and 20th centuies went through this with untold death and destruction.