cesspool jones wrote:
ok, well, lemme see what ya got. hit me with yer rhythm stick.
That's a fair question. I'll illustrate what I was looking for by addressing some of Rumitoids points.
1) Recognize that the nation of Islam has very real and legitimate grievances against our nation.
I think Rumitoids choice of nation of Islam is an unfortunate one. My guess is he is referring to the body of believers around the world, and maybe specifically in the Middle East. In general I think progress comes when one truly tries to see the issue from the others point of view (not required to agree with it, just try to understand it.) That having been said, it would be more productive to know the specific grievances to which Rumitoid refers.
3) Clearly and freely remember how many countless times in our history that we "righteously" violated the 1st Amendment for "safety" or other rationalized concerns.
Probably a good idea to review the basic tenants of the 1st Amendment:
The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.
Because this discussion is centered on Islam I suspect the free exercise of religion is Rumitoids Amendment reference. I think (as it seems clear our Founding Fathers did) Muslims should be as free to practice their religion as Christians, Jews, Wiccans or wh**ever. But within the limits of a law-abiding society. All religions seem to be susceptible to fringe fanatic behavior that is somehow justified by religious texts (remember the Crusades and Inquisition). One of the teachings of Islam (currently being ignored by Muslim terrorist/extremists) is that differing religions should coexist peacefully something that worked well in Spain among Christians, Muslims and Jews until the Catholic monarchs came to power.
6) Love not only thy neighbor but thy enemy as yourself.
7) Turn the other cheek, go the extra mile to resolve this growing conflict, taking no thought for yourself.
Im surprised no one commented on these, which are near-direct quotes from Jesus himself. How do they apply in the context of terrorism? These are difficult directives that have no easy answer, on either side.