I only read the first few pages of this topic, and became instantly disgusted enough to post here.
First of all, I am appalled my the mistreatment we are all giving each other here, we are all equals in the eyes of God, and we are to treat each other as such.
No matter your belief, you should be respectful, and just because we Catholics think we are correct, does not give us the right to bash the Islamic faith and their followers.
I can see your point and where this is problematic.
I will not single out anyone, but has anyone thought for a single instance, that the Islamic faith is the only one to have extremist groups? What about the Salem Witch trials in Protestant New England, the Inquisition in Christian Europe, or the Catholic Crusades?
Extreemism is a real problem. But, providing inadequate or poor examples certainly does not help present your position. For example, the Salem Witch Trials lasted about 15 months beginning in 1692, with about 30 people being brought to trial on the charge of witchcraft. While there may be some real questions about the validity of the charges, the use of the Bible and how well the accused were represented at the trial and how well the judges conducted themselves - it should be noted the towns people of Salem did not strap explosives to themselves in an effort of killing the accused and themselves so that the former would go to hell and the latter would go to paradise.
For the accused who were convicted, only they were punished - not their family, friends, neighbors and any passers by who would have been murdered by the explosive device.
So, while there were extreems in the Salem events - even eventually judged by the authorities of the time! There is no comparison in this series of events and someone taking it upon themselves to simply murder as many others as possible while perverting one’s own religion to call suicide martyrdom.
I am guessing you are referencing the Spanish Inquisition as opposed to the Roman Inquisition. In all cases, however, the distinctions I made with the Salem Witch Trials applies here - just in a different time period and context. People were accused, tried and judged accordingly. Were there abuses? Yes. But, there is no evidence of individuals seeking to murder the accused while killing themselves. This, in my opinion is the crucial distinction between the events you have identified and the way Islam is being evaluated.
Denmark recently arrested several individuals who had taken upon themselves the task of killing innocent non-combatants in a newspaper office that had years ago published cartoons about Mohammad. Many lives were saved by the proper actions of the police - and this should not go unrecognized. The radical Islamist view is that Mohammad was somehow disgraced in these cartoons - and the penalty is death! Can you imagine Pope Benedict XVI coming out on the balcony of St. Peter’s and declaring those who deface pictures of Christ, Mary and the Sanits should be killed by Catholics strapping on bombs and blowing up whoever is in the area?
Ask yourself why it is hard to imagine this of the Pope? But, is it so hard to imagine a similar call for mass murder from someone quoting the Qran?
Ultimately, there must be common elements for any dialogue to begin and then to progress. If there is no basic respect for the lives of innocents, how does one try to speak of peace and love?
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All of these actions were carried out in the name of God, and none of these actions were holy or righteous, you treat suicide-bombers and terrorists as if they represent the entire faith that is Islam, and you are wrong.
I think such a generalization has an element of validity because those followers of Islam who claim to be peaceful - NEVER condemn the actions of their suicidal fellow believers who think nothing of murdering as many as possible. If the terrorists are such a minority and unrepresentative, why does Islam grant them such liberty to kill others and intimidate those who would condemn such senseless carnage?
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There are many, perfectly peaceful Muslims who do not hate America or Christianity.
Their silence is deafening.
God bless.
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