gypsyman wrote: 



Again, I find it hard to believe such ignorance persists at RP - where so many people demonstrate enlightened musical tastes. But are you suggesting Gypsyman that all Muslims are terrorists? Or that all terrorists are Muslim? Both staements are so factually incorrect as to be obsurd. Terrorists are poilitical, not religious actors. They have stated political goals and they use the tactic of terrorism to try and achieve those goals. Terrorists pervert the tenets of their religion to recruit new members and justify their horrible acts to garner support for thei political agendas. Don't blame Muslims for being Muslims. Just as we wouldn't blame the Catholic church for IRA bombings.

 aelfheld wrote: 



Your ignorance on the subject of Islam is regrettably all too common an occurrence these days. So you'll have to allow me this short lesson:
First off, Yusef Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) would most likely abhor the practice you reference as a western educated man if Greek dissent. But more importantly, islam's proliferation around the world owes as much to it's adaptability to the traditional cultures that adopt it as it does to it's primary religious tenets. The customs westerners recoil from are more likely descended from tribal practices and not the result of Islam's teachings. This is arguably one of the primary reasons why Islam's practitioners are slow to adopt the more modern ideas of the west. Certainly the Arab Spring is demonstrating that western ideas about rights and democracy have permeated Islam and over time, the religion is proving once again that it can adapt and thrive in any environment.

Bill-thanks for this. High school was (yikes) 40 years ago!