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If I wrote a book I would like to think I could talk about it here.
On the issue of Islam and Violence, it is not as black and white as the OP makes out in my opinion, but I also think a lot of Muslims and Western liberals duck the issue.
Of course there are Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Atheirst nutcases.
But in American the Christian nutcases are people like the Westboro Baptists
In Pakistan there are nutcases hanging rape victims out in the countryside, and in Saudi there are nutcases refusing to let female pupils flee a burning building with their faces uncovered.
Yes, you have to consider the context
Yes, you have to understand why the issues of religious violence are given high prominence in the Western media when they involve Islam.
But... yes, women who are raped have been executed for this "crime" in rural Pakistan and in Saudi in the last couple of years by the state. Thats a reality, and Islam as a global movement needs to face up to this and address it rather than hiding behind the claim that "these people dont represent us or our believes"
The Westboro Baptist church dont represent me, but they arent carrying out executions.
There is a significant and powerful minority movement in Islam that advocates violence against innocent people, the repression and abuse of women, and preaches hate to non believers. I am neither claiming that there are no human rights abuses in Western countries, nor that I believe these beliefs truly represent Islam - but I recognise that many crimes are committed in the name of Allah today.
Another example, Jerry Springer the Opera vs the Muhammad cartoons
in the UK the portrayal of Jesus in that stage show attracted a nationwide movement by Christians. The result was that they handed in a strongly worded letter to the people who ran the show and encouraged people to boycot it and asked the state to prosecute under blasphemy laws.
The Muhammad cartoons attracted death threats, arson, murder.
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Were I live now, I have a lot of Indian mates, and I appreciate there are a lot strong and sometimes volatile feelings with regards to Pakistan and Islam. I dont think that changes the fact that the Islamic community does have serious issues with radicalism and violent religious propoganda preached by some leaders.
Whether asking whether to rewrite or destroy the holy book of Islam is a helpful way to start the debate is maybe another question, but there should be a debate.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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