Thanks for the thoughtful response but you did not really address either of the questions.
So there are no text in the Quran that condones the killing of infidels?
Even if there was I think the more important question would be how is that text interpreted by greater Muslim society today? I would no more condemn Muslims for such text as I would condemn Christians for the harsh language in the Old Testament. Crrent views are much more important. And is the Muslim religion tolerant or intolerant of other religious views?
Several years ago, I remember a blurb in the news about how in Saudi schools the teaching of an attitude that if you were an infidel, a non-believer, basically you were less than human. Did that mean you were worth killing for your non-belief? Honestly I don't remember if that was mentioned, but the news report had something to do with religious based violence coming out of the Middle East.
I think most Americans are scared by the Muslim religion when they see daily suicide bombings carried out by intolerant extremists. It's easy to jump to conclusions and start thinking that all Muslims are the same but I know they are not. We've got lots of Muslims in the U.S. and not one suicide bombing I'm aware of.
In the Middle East, I see the answer of less conflict partially in religious tolerance and liberalism, in addition to Israel ironing out its differences with its neighbors, but I'm not holding my breath as there as been conflict in the Middle East ever since Israel was established.
And as long as there are militants of any religion who want everyone to believe as they do and who wants governments to be controlled by religious organizations, there is going to be conflict.
Let's not pretend that Christianity does not oppress women a lot. In the US, in some states, women are forced to wear certain clothing, and to act a certain way, and are not allowed to work in the work force (Especially).
Hmm, I am unaware of any dress code for the greater populace of women in the U.S., in any state as imposed by society or government. Some religions like Quakers or fundamentalist Jewish religions do impose dress standards. But membership is voluntary.
Are the dress codes required? I don't know. I would guess the standards are maintained by individuals in an effort to fit in.
I can concede that in certain job environments, if you want to get ahead as a woman or as a man you had better conform to "the standard", whatever that currently is. But my impression is that it is a fairly lenient standard mostly based on the current "fashion sense", and nothing like a uniform. And the standard is voluntary. At no time will you be chased down the street by fashion police.
Please don't give me crap about Islam being a fake because a couple hundred converted. That's what I call ignorance. Not researching your debaters, yet only present your argument, with nothing to defend it with.
I consider the Muslim religion as a strictly practiced dogma to have just as much basis for authenticity as any organized religion when it comes to knowing the truth of our existence.
