How objective is it when western scientists and journalists only consider Christianity and Judaism as reference points when discussing theolgical interpretations and understandings of the universe while excluding consideration of the world's second largest (and fastest growing) religion: Islam?

Doesnt sound like science or objectivity to me.

The point is that Islam comfortably explains the existence of the universe and our role in it in relation to The Creator of it. Unfortunately, most scientests and most Salon readers are too intellectually arrogant to conduct culturally independent sincere research.

I am frustrated at myself because it never ceases to amaze me how naive Americans are about the intentions of their elected officials. I submit that there has never been a war that america fought that did not have some direct financial gain at stake for those in power. Its the difference between Iraq and Dafur. Its why we (Americans) fight: To ensure the status quo of financial superiority which necessitates that we have the biggest military to protect "our" interests.

All this garbage about our founding fathers never intending this or that is bull. They were all a bunch of elitists who conspired to ensure that they would share power amongst themselves and their kind. Remember? - only land owners should vote, if your Indian then your land is mine, if your black then you are only 3/5 of a human, if you are woman you are part of my property, etc, etc.... What a bunch of great guys! Just like Bush and his cronies. The only difference is that modern americans are drinking the kool-aid thinking that we have always had history of being just and moral. History shows that has *never* been the case. Rather if one takes the time to analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding our moral acts of service we find that in every instance we have been one of the last players to the table when it comes to doing what is right and even then its only due to international pressure or embarrassment and/or with a, "whats (financially) in it for me?" attitude.

Thats why we will continue to have Dafurs and Rawandas and Bosnias, and Kurds/Sheites being killed under Saddam, etc, etc. Wake up America, it never has been about doing what is right. Its been about doing what will show us the money.

Guess which of Iraq's natural resources gets the most military protection from the US.

Capitalism at its best baby, gotta love it!!

Regarding the Holocust: I am sure it transpired, however in my opinion the hundreds of years of enslaving and oppressing of the (African and Native)-Americans are far more deseriving historical analsys as they seem to have done far more damage to these cultures than anything effected upon the Jews.

Regarding a Jewish State: The Palestinens have a right to get their land back, just as you all believe Jews who were victim of the holocust are entitiled to getting their wealth returned and seeing their oppressors brought to justice...

Regarding Homosexuals: We regard them as your culture regards pedophiles (ie: with disgust). Its simply a matter what is acceptable to different cultures. It wasnt long ago that homosexuals in the west were also treated with disdain and now they have more widespread acceptance with you than interracial couples. Remember its your own society that institutionally recognizes hate groups (eg: kkk, skin-heads, black-panthers, etc).

Regarding women: Whatever repressions they they experience are due to culture, not islam. We are working to educate the people that the solution is islam. Remember, islam gave women the right to vote, own property, have their own wealth independent of their husbands, over 1200 years before the societies of the west thought of such "liberations". We dont need femenism, we need to return to islam.

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I am not a fan of Ahmadinejad but the folks in the audience and the president of the Univ. need to get a clue and come off their high horses.

Robo,

I see your point about the folly of reaching back in history and comparing who was the worse victim. But that was not my point, and I did not state it clearly so I will attempt to do so now:

Historically, jews have had by far the most peace living under muslim rule than they have had living under the rule of the romans/europeans. Countries like egypt, yemen, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, etc that have historically had jewish minorities have not oppressed the Jews. The one group that have consistently oppressed the jews, ironically, have been the christians - at least up until the past 60 years or so. The jews were safe in muslim run Filisteen (palestine) during the christian crusades and hundreds of years thereafter.

I find it very Orwellian (in an "Animal Farm" sort of way) that the jews are now so hostile to muslims knowing that they had so many millenia of saftey under islamic rule. In other words: after having been oppressed by Christians for so long, the jews turn around and not only partner with the christians, they also turn on the muslims who were a source of protection for them!!

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And yes, I do like the term "native american". Carry on...