Goddess

Sometimes. In this case, certainly.

Churchill was a vampire??!!??

There are quite a few trying to promote some reform in Islam. They are the heroes in my opinion. i think West Coast Runner posted some links to other groups who are trying to reform Islam. They are frequently shouted down and threatened by their own Muslim community and by others who like to throw the Islamophobe label around.

And I criticise it for the same things. But becasue I don't agree with your assessment that it's just a tiny, barely perceptable, why worry about it?, everyone else is doing the same things, minority of Islam that share those beliefs, you interpret that as being "afraid of all Muslims". I think Fort Mac is more representative of Islam than you like to think. No, I don't think it's ALL of them, but I think there are a lot more Muslims who subscribe to these beliefs than you think. I had a lot of contact of with Muslims up there and few experiences were positive. Watching a group of about 30 random Muslims attack an Israeli girl and describe the horrific ways they wanted to see Jews die, was an eye-opener for me. Not one of the other Muslims said, "Hey, this is isn't right". They all joined in. And here we have Altai - same hatred of Jews, hatred of anything Western, promoter of Sharia law (but not for "herself" obviously from the profile pics) I've seen in most Muslims. A total hypocrite.

But you defend it every chance you get. And you get offended and don't allow anyone else but yourself to say it's not good for humanity or empowers women. I'm not sure what you're trying to convince me of. You are very contradictory.

Yes, "blanket over their heads" is the burka. Sorry but that's what it looks like and I'm pretty sure that's what it feels like too. Also sorry, but you're not going to convince me the burka brings any kind of good to humanity. You're not going to convince me that it is some kind of empowering "choice" made by women. Would I call it a "blanket" to a Muslim woman's face? No. THAT would be rude. But we are discussing it HERE. Only a dozen burka'ed women in Egypt? If you say so. There was at least a dozen of them in Fort Mac so........i haven't been to Egypt so I'll have to take your word for it. Your "nun's habit" argument has been discussed here many times and I think you know why some of us feel that's not a valid comparison. But you still trot it out. If you have to compare the burka to "medieval times" and nuns in the 1700 and 1800's......well, think about that for a minute. The hijab is less offensive to me. But it still prescribes a view of women that I do not agree with. And I also don't agree with the bullying that goes on to force women to "choose" to wear it. If you think hijabs and burkas are a boon to humanity and empower women, then knock yourself out. Support it all you like. I do not. But I'm also not as emotionally attached to the garment as you are. Yes there are other minority religious sects that do things similar to Islam. They are minorities and do not have the numbers or influence that Islam has. Just because some other group does something similar, it doesn't make it right in Islam.

When I see capricorn and bcsapper getting suspensions and bans and warnings, while they each post pertinent comments on threads, and at the same time a couple of others post nothing but insults and take over every topic to suit their anti-Western agendas and never receive any kind of warning, Yes, I agree with GostHacked. We can't discuss any topic here without HE busting it up with his anti-US nonsense. And Altai is the biggest troll I've ever seen on an internet forum. There is something seriously not right with that one.

This is not the first time you've shown your absolute hatred of Jews. First they were all future criminals and now they're all sick. Hmmm....I wonder where this comes from?

I guess the difference is that I don't view this as a "game".

I'm not here to "play" any of your games.

Just sayin'.......

This is one of the problems that I see. What's considered "moderate" in Islam would be considered "extreme" in any other religion or culture. A Muslim man who believes his wife should never leave the house without a blanket over her head - is that moderate or extreme? When Muslims do it, it's considered moderate, part of their charming culture. If anyone else had that rule, it would be considered extreme. For some reason with this religion, they get a "pass" on a lot of things that most of us would consider extreme, just because they claim it's the religion or culture.

Interesting.

Wow. Really? I hope you come back soon. I enjoy your posts, even when I don't agree with them.

1. I agree with this - in general. I think both genders contribute to society, though. When you're 85, and pissing your pants several times a day, you'll be more grateful for the 50 year woman who spent her whole life tending children and aging parents and in-laws, who now changes your diapers and does it in a way that allows you to keep your dignity. 2. I don't really agree with this part, though. "Many" women in traditionally male dominated roles took those roles under pressure? No. "Many" got here because they worked damn hard for it, just like a man. I don't know if you would consider the software industry a "traditionally male role" or not, but the majority of the company I work for is female - by a ratio of 3 to 1.

Saw this yesterday:

I realize it's the process of reform - I've read a lot about the civil rights movement in the US. No reform happens without growing pains. That's not the same as the attitude that it's not working or doesn't count. The civil rights movement was a bit different though.....the majority of blacks WANTED reform. And many white people worked with them to make that happen. I dont' see a lot of Muslims WANTING reform. And those that do are shouted down by the majority and others wanting to help them introduce reforms are shouted down and called Islamophobes.

I agree with this except very few Muslims want or think Islam is in need of reform. Look at all the death threats reformers get from fellow Muslims. Hirsi is just one example.

What I don't understand is how a person can see that a religion is male-centric (aren't they all, really?) and still deny that that worldview affects how they relate with females inside and outside of their families.

Unless you're using it to inflame hatred against aboriginals......

It's an excellent question.

I suspect that pretty much any study that showed a higher rate of violence amongst Muslims could be used to "inflame hatred". Conversely, it could also be used to come up with a plan to lower that rate. But that will never happen if we can't first admit there is a problem. Frankly, it's not just Islam. Any religion that teaches and inculcates from a very young age that women are lesser human beings will have a higher rate of violence against women.

I do think it is difficult to put a finger on this type of violence. As some point out, violence against women occurs in every society, religion and culture. The individual family, the culture, the religion, the community they are a part of - how can you tell what motivates this violence? In any one case, there could be multiple causes. There are always multiple systems of power at play simultaneously, not simply adding to each other, but also reinforcing and sustaining each other.

I read a research report from the UK that said Muslim women are 8X more likely to be victims of domestic violence. (I will try to find the info again, I don't have it in front of me at the moment.) If that is correct, then I think we can assume they are violent towards all women because of their beliefs about women. Yes, I know not all of them have those views, but I do believe there is a higher incidence of it amongst Muslim men and that it's because they grow up believing women are property, must be covered at all times and that their own masculinity is entwined with the behaviour of their women, daughters, sisters, etc. Thus, honour killings.