Why not stand up to them? Why not openly condemn them?
When this Bush administration announced its intentions to invade Iraq, I stridently and vociferously objected.
I thought I was right then.
I believe history has validated my position. I sincerely believe the U.S. was better off with Saddam in power. Gasoline cost ~half as much. Our economy was doing better. The Middle East was more politically stable. Terrorism was on the run.
We'll pay over a $Trillion, only to have made matters worse.
I do....I did...and I will do in the future. I have never supported the likes of Bin Laden or any other terrorist group. The ONLY opinions I have offered up in the way that someone might consider as 'support' is that I understand the mindset of the Palestinian people and their struggle for their own nation. The Palestinian people support Hamas simply because it is and has been the ONLY leadership they have had.

I have never supported the Iraq war. I have never supported Bush, Inc. Nor will I ever. If you have read my posts here in the past, this would be abundantly clear.

Have I?
Rosey, I tried to be clear.
My first post was intended to be sarcastic. That must have been lost in the translation.

But I sincerely would like to know; why if the majority of Muslims oppose the extremists in the minority, why doesn't the Muslim majority make their objections prominent and clear?
If they are, why is it that this important news hasn't reached a news junkie like sear?
Once again, I repeat: It is not 'news worthy'. It is more 'news worthy' to report the radicals and idiots as it incites the people and turns the public opinion in the favor of those in power. Even in Muslim countries, the outcry of the Islamic citizens against the radicals has gone largely ignored. Just as here, there in Islamic countries, the people have been told that we are the 'great Satan'...."Americans want to kill you".....tit for tat. GOVERNMENTS are the biggest fault in this.....so do not blame the ordinary people. They are just like us....our voices are ignored...so wouldn't it be logical that their's would be too?


Excellent point Rosey.
And the fact is, I undertook to do precisely that. And when I did, I encountered an alarming caveat.
And that caveat warned that no English translation of the Qur'an is regarded as authentic.
The Qur'an was not originally written in English. I've forgotten which language the caveats cited; Arabic perhaps. But it warned, if you want to study the Qur'an, the only authentic version of it is written in that original language, not English.

The truth is Rosey, I'm not likely to become fluent in Arabic, or in Aramaic for that matter.

Anyway, when I look for an authoritative Bible, I usually turn to the King James version. I realize the vulnerabilities.
But what English translation of the Qur'an can I turn to? I welcome your guidance. And in particular, I seek a Qur'an, perhaps on CD or DVD, or some other way so that I can get it on my computer. I find that best suited to the type of study I'm interested in.
Yes. The Qu`ran is originally in Arabic. For the true meaning, one must know and read it in Arabic....for which I am still learning. But, Sear, I find that people are NOW afraid of the simple language, Arabic....because of 19 idiots. The Arabic language is a beautiful language. Also, one must note that there are words in the English language that does not appear in the Arabic language....and vice versa. This is apparent in all languages.

Also, please note that ALL Muslims are encouraged to read the Holy Bible along with the Qu`ran as Allah's words are contained in both books. To get the true meaning of Allah, one must read all.

If you would like a copy of the Qu`ran in English....you can go to http://www.freequran.org and they will send you....totally free. It is paperback...and in full English. Translated as closely as possible from the original Arabic. Please note...again...that there are words in each language that does not appear in the other.

A web site that I frequent is called Islam Today. There is much to read there, including fatwas issued on questions submitted by visitors of the site.

Islam Today

And I apologize for assuming that you have had your mind made up. That is the translation that I understood when I read your post. However, I do apologize for that. Apparently, I am wearing my feelings on my sleeve today. image