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Thus my point in starting this thread.
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I never cease to be amazed when I hear Americans ranting and raving about the murderous nature of Muslims when they in fact have never bothered communicating with any Muslims in the first place. I've had arguments with many peoplewho haverelied solely on theirminister/preacher/spouse/friend's opinions of Islam and its followers. Needless to say, it is from these people that I hear the most hatred.
There is absolutely no doubt that many Muslims live in countries, cultures, and societies that we would label "medieval" or "barbaric". But once you start talking to the average Muslim joe on thestreet, you begin to realize that not everyone is on the same page. Muslims have their political, religious, and personal conflicts just as any other society would. As I've illustrated before, calling all Muslims terrorists would be like calling all Americans Republicans. It's just BS.
Isolate and destroy those in the Islamic political and religious leadership who preach hatred, crime, and violence; but allow the people trying to make a living for their families a chance to explain themselves. So many are welcoming western culture and innovation because they can see the benefits. People from different parts of the worldwill never think exactly alike, but the vast majority of us simply want to go to work, go home to our families, and live in peace.
Many times Mrs. Six and I haveeaten dinners with a large Iranian familyon a ceremonial carpet while speaking Farsi and sipping hot tea, and despite the different backgrounds andcustoms, they treated us like family. I've traded jokes and had lighthearted discussions with Turks (some of the friendliest people you could ever know) while working here in the US and travelingoverseas. I've chatted with people in Pakistan for hours without even realizing they were in Pakistan until we said our goodbyes and asked where each other lives (the conversations were in German; I figured they were Germans). It doesn't matter where you go or who you speak with; the fact remains that most people are relatively decent and upstanding, and simply want to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
Geez, how could I forget? I have a Muslim employee standing less than five feet from me as I type. He is one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of getting to know, and he, like so many other millions, came to the U.S. to enjoy the exact same things we American want out of life.
Don't let the Islamic fascists out there sour your view of the rest of the religion's followers. It will hurt all of us in the end.
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