freediver wrote on Oct 20
th, 2011 at 7:01pm:
Is this what is 'really happening' whenever someone criticises Islamic ideology?
Well, you are the one chasing Abu around the place, and then not happy with the answers you get.
However, in my own limited understanding, I disagree with Abu that Islamic "ideology" has always been there. I think what's happened over the last 50 years is it's become political - like Christian fundamentalism in the US.
I don't know where Islam sanctions suicide killers, for example, but they're out there. I don't know where it sanctions honour killings, keeping girls out of school, or even wearing the veil.
These things are not simply the fault of Islam, but there is a very black and white ontology in Islam which encourages them - just as there is in Christianity.
Suicide bombers are in all religions. The bomb vest was invented by Hindu Tamils in the Sri Lankan civil war. Child soldiers are recruited by Christian and Muslim warlords alike in Africa. War is war, and I'm sure the Prophet had many things to say about the rules of engagement.
In times of war, people forget their prophets.
This doesn't excuse slippery answers, by the way. If you can't justify Islam, Abu, you shouldn't feel compelled to. It is what it is, and you have every right to practice it.