IP: Re: The Real War

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "Bob Rosenberg" <bob () bobrosenberg phoenix az us>
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> Subject: Re: IP: The Real War
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 22:30:00 -0700
>
> Dave
>
> This is a very interesting essay.
>
> I am in *total agreement* with the statement in the first paragraph that, 
> "We're fighting to defeat an ideology: religious totalitarianism."
>
> The remainder of the first six paragraphs appear to be factual, although I 
> have not personally confirmed any facts therein.
>
> However, paragraphs seven and eight lack credibility.
>
> Paragraph seven says, in part, "Islam has not developed a dominant 
> religious philosophy that allows equal recognition of alternative faith 
> communities."  This is not accurate.  In fact, the Qur'an recognizes other 
> religions as legitimate ways to follow G*d.  Usama bin Laden is an 
> abberation, not only within Islam, but also, within his own family.
>
> Many Muslims hold pluralistic views about other religions.  However, 
> frequently, and in many places, for them to "go public" is to put a target 
> on their own backs.
>
> Paragraph eight says, in part, "Christianity and Judaism struggled with 
> this issue for centuries..."  Well!  Where to begin?  Jim Jones, in 
> Jonestown, in the name of Christianity.  The Ku Klux Klan has done, and 
> continues to do, its work in the name of Christianity.  An Israeli Jew, 
> Yigdal Amir, assasinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin.  Baruch 
> Goldstein entered the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron and massacred 29 people 
> who were at prayer.
>
> To put the Christian or Jewish jihad (the word jihad means struggle) in 
> the past tense seems a bit simplistic, at least to some of us.
>
> Shalom, Salaam, Peace,
>
> Bob


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