09-29-2006, 07:15 AM
The problem is that the definition of oppression is far too elastic. For you, oppression may mean where innocent babies are being shot. For someone else, it may mean where Buddhists are building a new shrine where a mosque was before. Either way, that definition of oppression is used, by Muslims, right or wrong. My concern is not that Islam was spread by the sword. My concern is that there are still many Muslims out there who think that it's a crackerjack idea to do so. This, as we have seen from the information I have brought forward, is out there as fact, not opinion. Sects of Christianity have nothing to do with it. Having said that, the presence of people in this world who believe it is acceptable, or even possible, to spread religion through force is exactly what the Pope, and indeed you yourself, would disagree with, and speak against. I hope.
And as regards your quote, a vital word was missing. You have inserted it now. I inserted a different word, trying to make sense of your quote. It was the wrong one. But as far as putting words in your mouth, in agreeing with the fact that this is information by Muslims, and that you cannot change it, then it is true that this is a group of people, speaking on behalf of your religion, whose words you cannot change. Unless you can, but in that case, I would have expected you to do so already.
Non-Muslims have a 'skewed' view of your religion primarily because there are many people out there, speaking on behalf of your faith, who kill, maim, murder and assassinate. All in the name of Islam. It is one thing to decry the Pope. It is quite another to decry those who hijack your religion, and twist it to be something that it is not. What I have gathered from your answer is that the people from Islam Question and Answer are ignorant. Not enemies of Islam. I'm sure that would surprise them. But somebody should let them know the truth. I'm not a Muslim, so I'd be a bad choice, since I only know what I've seen in passing. Would you like to tell them?