[dragoon500ly]

I've always tried to maintain a neutral stance whenever the discussion turns around to politics and religion, both tend to tick off just about everyone!

My own views on Islam is colored by my personnel experiences. First, while stationed in Oman as part of a Military Assistance Program. The year I spent there was most enlighting in so far as teching me on just how badly the US is hated in the Middle East. Our support of Israel, our dealings in supporting too many governments that, frankly, placed human rights well below that of those enjoyed by racing camels.

To see a woman, stoned to death, her crime, she walked to the market with a man who was not her husband or one of his relatives (he was her brother, but that doesn't count); tends to not leave a high opinion of the religion.

Converstations with Omani soldiers simply confirmed their viewpoint on America. They call us the Great Satan for a reason. And please remember, Omani has been a US ally for sometime, and thier own citizens believe that "Crusaders must be killed."

Care to take a wild guess on who they consider to be Crusaders?

To be sure, there are moderates; but then these are not the ones using the religion to murder innocents. The sad fact of life is that most of the famous Islamic leaders of the 20th Century, are terrorists.

In my office there are two Moslems, and the difference between the two is eye-opening. One is a moderate, has lived in the US for over twenty years (has been a citizen for over fifteen years), is married to an American and has five children, all born and raised in the USA. He faithly practises his religion and is an example of the good that Islam can produce.

The second, now a former worker, was a shining example of the popular example of Islam. He contributed part of his paycheck to an Imam known to support Al-Quida. He certainly enjoyed cruising their websites and was finally arrested after finally coming to the attention of the FBI. Converstations with this person, where to say the least, eye opening, hence my original posting.

A religion, that allows its members to restrict their female followers to the status of fifth-class citizens, that demonizes anyone who does not believe as they do; that considers itself to have a mandate from God-given to convert by sword and flame, is a religion that generates mistrust, fear and anger.

It is even a greater shame that this same, extremist atitude can be found in Christian sects as well as Islamic sects. But then, haven't we been cheerfully killing each other "In the Name of God" since the beginning of recorded history?