While I'm away, here's a little something for you guys to think about.
I'm fairly intrigued by this comment this anonymous reader left.
To all Muslim friends here,
Personally, I truly hope I can gain some intelligent response as I want learn....to me, some reasons why it is scary if the main religion of the world is Islam:
1) Most of world terrorism acts are carried out by Islamic extremists. This is a fact.
2) Muslim men especially originating from Middle Eastern countries are actively suppressing women's rights. Even Muslim men in Malaysia are known not to grant equal rights to their spouse in many marital and divorce cases. This is also a fact. Islamic laws are easily twisted by dominant male lawmakers to their advantage.
3) Beside Malaysia, none of the Islamic countries have shown to be progressive in terms of human rights, education, technology , art etc. And remember Malaysia is multi-ethnic, multi religious. A balanced religious+ secular nation always is better. Any Malaysian want PAS to fully take over Malaysia? You get my point.
4)The way Islam is being practiced varies from each countries. This depends on whether you are a Suni or a Shiites. This leads to a difficulty to unite the Islamic world in a way that benefits everyone.
5)Relating to #2. Muslim extremist men will not allow other culture to flourish or survive. There will be many restrictions leading to extinction of non Islamic cultures.
My questions are:
1) How does a non extremist Muslim can help to reduce religious-cased violence? What is really being done among the non violent Islamic intellectuals to solve this problem?
2)I have many Muslim male friends who are progressive, but there are also times they are under tremendous societal pressure to conform to some ridiculous Islamic laws. How can a religion truly be loving when it is forced by law or society?
3)Beside the point above, I like to point out Iran especially. I believe many Iranians will agree that Iran before the Islamic Revolution was a better country than it is now.
4)A dominant religion will benefits from a centralized administration. If the Islamic world has something like The Vatican it would be better.
5)If we look at a Islamic nation, frankly how diverse is other culture there? But if we look at a non Islamic nation, best example Europe or USA, I can see they do not stop anyone from practicing their culture or religion. Muslims are free to practice there. If it is reversed, would be Islamic ulamas truly embrace other cultures and religions to be practiced under their noses?
I am not of any particular religion . Islam is a beautiful religion, sadly what is mostly seen now are negatives. Big problem is the religious Muslims for some reason seems easy to get carried away, using religion to control instead of using their intellect to glorify the religion. They seems to glorify Islam only through 'converting' the whole world which is fundamentally wrong as everyone should have freedom to choose their beliefs. A true Muslim should not be angered by criticism, instead ask why we non Muslims ask such questions and how things can be improved. The problem is every time questions are asked they are being shut down and abuses are hurled. Keep saying 'This is a sensitive issue' does not solve anything!
Thank you and hope to get a meaningful reply.
I won't input any comment.
But yes, do share with me (or us) your opinions.
