Peaceful Discussion

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by Bob Clasen

Why is it okay for Islam to insult Western Religion, but not okay for westerners to question Islam? If Islam does not want to be criticized, it should not issue threats and condemnation about us. If it is going to threaten and insult the west, then turnaround is fair play, as far as I am concerned.

The truth is that Western religions did murder people commonly about religious issues . . . . . five hundred years ago. Nowadays, religions and religious icons are commonly subjected to comedy and satire. In the West we believe that a free and open discussion of issues, including religion and politics will shed light on the darkness and help people to make a bettter choice among the options. In American, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Moslems, agnostics and atheists freely debate religious questions, publish their books and appear on television preaching their gospels.

Fundamentalist Islam is still living in the fourteenth century. It prohibits people to think certain thoughts or say certain things. Under Fundamentalist Islam a Modern Inquisition still thrives and spreads its tentacles. Competing religions are not permitted to speak freely. Building competing churshes or temples is forbidden. Why is Islam so afraid of competition? Does it think that if people are given a choice, they will not choose Islam?

A religion may threaten to kill you for saying something prohibited, but it cannot force you to believe anything in your heart by force. To believe that any god is worthy of worship requires a free assent of the mind, and this respect is not likely to be given to a god that murders innocent children and women in random acts of violence. We love a god that represents principles that we love, such as honesty, peace, kindness, creativity, and love. A god of violence, murder and terror only provokes one response in a normal human being's heart: fear. That aspect of religion which prospers by threat of torture and murder does not win the love of anyone, but only fear. Fear may remain quiet, in order to avoid death, but fear does not evoke love or worship.

What kind of god is it that demands fear of its worshippers as the primary obligation. What kind of religion promotes fear over love or truth?

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