[fporretto]

Once upon a time, there was a widely held belief that members of the Freemasons would never act against one another in any venue, civil, criminal, commercial, political, or personal. The idea gained support from a few lurid incidents in the 19th Century that could be interpreted unfavorably to the Masons. It resulted in an enduring distrust of anyone connected with the order, and a few ugly incidents where Masons were on the receiving end.

I'm certain there are Muslims who would call a "brother Muslim" to account for an offense against a non-Muslim. But the accumulating accounts of Muslims who hold brotherhood in Islam to supersede the demands of justice and all other obligations, as the abovementioned FBI agent is held to have done, is rapidly destroying the ability of non-Muslims to believe Muslims' integrity.

Two imperatives grow out of this:

1. If you are a Muslim, and are willing to act according to the dictates of justice even if a Muslim is the offender and a non-Muslim is the victim, make sure your friends, neighbors, acquaintances and colleagues all know it -- especially the non-Muslims among them. Do your best to get other Muslims to affirm the same fidelity to justice. Not enough of you have gained a share of the public eye.
2. If you are a non-Muslim, be careful what you believe. Be even more careful what accusations you make, and on what grounds you make them. The fate of many innocent persons might rest on your words.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com

[Terriergal]

I'm certain there are Muslims who would call a "brother Muslim" to account for an offense against a non-Muslim

Possibly... but I am betting they are being inconsistent with their religious teachings if they are.

[Terriergal]

If you are a Muslim, and are willing to act according to the dictates of justice even if a Muslim is the offender and a non-Muslim is the victim, make sure your friends, neighbors, acquaintances and colleagues all know it -

I'm guessing that for this theoretical Muslim that would amount to announcing his death wish.

[webstersII]

Once upon a time, there was a widely held belief that members of the Freemasons would never act against one another . . . .

A friend of mine is a Mason. He says that the reason the Masons put the decals and stickers on their cars is because lots of police officers are Masons and they won't write tickets to fellow Masons.

That's his story, anyway.

[PeterPrinciple]

" It resulted in an enduring distrust of anyone connected with the order"

Your posting has very good points and food for thought. I appreciate the well thought out comments.