Comments on: freeSpeech: Irshad Manji

Best-Selling Muslim Author Says Pope Was Calling For A Dialogue With The Muslim World

[kailumego1]

We have had enough destructiveness in the name of %u201Creligion%u201D from the Catholic inquisitions to the Christian Crusades, for the purpose of religious domination.
So-called men/women of GOD[Allah] have self-centeredly tired to force their religious beliefs on others, whether they are Christians or Muslims.
I think both religious groups have a lot to learn.
Christian missionaries have spread their insidious ideology to North/South American tribes as well as to Africa, China, India, etc., while Muslims[Ottoman Empire] have done very much the same to spread their religious ideology to Africa and Eastern/Southern Europe.
In which, by the way, neither group had ever stopped to consider whom they were encroaching upon, if their beliefs were warranted.
I%u2019m quite sure Native American tribes existed quite well before European settlers encroached upon America. And likewise, I%u2019m quite sure people%u2019s of Africa existed quite well too before Islam.
All this religious dogma sounds so hubris and of no resemblance of GOD[Allah], or what the goodness of GOD.
People, individuals, groups, etc. have a right to religious freedom[autonomy] and it should not be the encroachment of other%u2019s ideas, philosophies, or ideological beliefs.

[sekashi010]

I think Ms. Manji missed the reason the Muslims appear to be so upset with the pope. The words used by Pope Benedict are historically inaccurate and disregard all the good that Muhammad brought to the world, whether you practice the Islamic faith or not. Muhammad managed to unite Muslims, Jews, and Christians under Islamic rule, something the ruling leaders of the time weren't able to do. I believe her interpretation of the events are not adequate. Furthermore, one (i.e. the Pope) can gain dialogue with the Muslim world the same way Pope John Paul II gained dialogue with the Muslim world - by showing compassion and care towards your fellow man. Remember, it was the last Pope visited the esteemed Great Omayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria. He was the first to do so and took off his shoes upon entering to show respect to his fellow Muslims. That is how you engage people, not by ridiculing them.

[kailumego1]

Ms. Irshad Manji is right on point; this is the point of "free speech".
Have you ever heard the quote: "I knew you were a fool, but when you spoke, you just removed all doubt".
These blatant violent acts by Muslim extremist in retaliation only served as confirmation to what the Pope had stated.
If some Muslim leaders as well as converts would learn table their emotions then maybe these insidious remarks would stop.
She is correct these remarks should be a forum for dialogue to dispel negative assumptions about the religion and not a weapon to substantiate one%u2019s fears about Islam.
I think it is sad that these remarks should draw upon the degradation of individuals%u2019 actions instead of promoting enlightenment for those ignorant about Islam.
When are you going to learn; %u201Csticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me%u201D.
I%u2019m a quite sure some Islamic leader and followers have some pretty sordid things to say about Christianity, but you don%u2019t see them stooping to primitive emotions to settle disputes.
While I don%u2019t agree with the Pope%u2019s comments, I think resolving disputes by savagely murdering innocent people is not the solution.
Some people need to less reactionary and more focused on the %u201Cprize%u201D
If you are that firm in your belief who cares what surreptitious comments are made from others.

[snashin]

Irshad Manji, Muslim, author, and feminist, shares much in common with Wafa Sultan, a female Syrian psychiatrist and former Muslim. Where are all the denouncements by the Muslim men, so far, I haven't heard any clear denunciations from men, only doublespeak. Bravo to these brave women.

The only comment I didn't like was the one at the end. Surely she must be referring to the Muslim Clerics, and not the Pope? While I'm not a Catholic, it should be obvious that Catholicism is leaps and bounds ahead of Islam when it comes to feminism. Also, I hope she is not referring to the feminism of the Jane Fonda sort - we've already been there, done that, it failed.

The Free Speech segments are great! While I view the news through a moderately conservative lens, as opposed to the liberal lens of CBS, I am enjoying the new format.

[atlteacher]

You are a voice of reason in the middle of all the chaos! What a refreshing segment given in a calm, reasonable manner! My only wish is that everyone would listen to your segment as they have listened to the people fanning the hatred! Maybe we could get somewhere. Thanks!!!