Well written Joy,
and l think that asking for apologies from centuries ago is pointless, since our world was fought over for a number of reasons and basically we rest on a bloody foundation.
Our humanity and the struggle is a shared history, and l think that to point fingers and demand apologies now is just adding friction.
The Pope only represents a portion of the religion that make up the multi-culturalism of the western world, so to ask for any apology form the crusades is pointless, and yet it was done, and l disagree with us being blamed by a conflict that had two players and l can completely sympathise with both sides, but mainly l can see the Christain side as being the one needing an apology.
I understand that there is really no one who can represent the Muslim community, as it is a completely different structure than what we are familiar with.
The current problem is that the Muslims that have immigrated to the western world or are a few generations here, are either fitting in nicely, or they are actively rioting, pushing the lessons of the Jihad, and sometimes being guilty bystanders rather than supporting our life style of freedom and democracy.
I enjoy the multiculturalism of our country and learning about the different faiths the different cultures, and enjoying in the richness of the experience. What bothers me is when our school system is being challenged by demands such as teachers of the Muslim faith wearing burkas and veils and masks to teach our children.
This is imposing a belief on others. You don't see Jehovah witnesses apporaching our schools, you don't see born-again christians imposing there beliefs on our children. You don't see Klu-Klux Klan members hiding there faces in shopping malls.
The videos l have submitted are a question, of how does this work with our society. I applaud those Muslims' who reported the threats made against them, and for those Muslims that are working within the very tolerant and democratic framework of our society and are not actively supporting the Jihad Muslims.
However, an example of being guilty bystanders is by not robustly denouncing terrorists, and by not robustly supporting the protective measures of our countries hold on peace and freedom.
An example is the Pope's speech. I have yet to see any Muslim read the entire speech and then go to his/her community and tell them of it's true intent and it's true message. l see rioting, burning effigies and murdering an old lady who was carring for sick children, l see demonstrations and complaint. But no where do l see that Muslims' recognize freedom of speech, and that even if the Pope criticized the Muslim, he can say this, he is entitled to his opinion.
However, he didn't, he tried to find something to inspire people, and he came back with one single quote from a revered emperor, that basically the law of Islam was not about violence. And with that was an opportunity for Muslims that had chosen to be part of the Western World, to chose a way of peace and dignity.
The reaction was violence and contempt.
When the Pope apologized, more contempt and further demands to appease the Muslim sensitivity.
This is one example of how the Muslims are continuing to show the Western world that they want special treatment, and basically are challenging our rights and freedom by showing discrimination. For example it is discrimination and against our social values to impair our children rights to schooling. How does a teacher, who is placed in a postion of trust, justify hiding her face in front of the little boys. That is gender discrimination, and it is religious discrimination, and it is intolerance for a social system that is in place to benefit everyone.
It is discrimination and anti-Western Society to publish teachings, such as l have provided here, and have them as part of the Mosques teachings for women who are muslim, or who are married to a Muslin, in order for them to learn that it is okay to allow abuse that we criminalize, because the scriptures support this. It is not okay within our society, and these Muslim teachings are against the rights and freedoms of our society.
So l would greatly appreciate your feedback on these issues l have raised.