I believe those questions were perfectly answered by someone else, but i would like to give my own similar opinion just in case some of you still don't get the message.
1.
Like the other guy said we are not quiet, its just if the only place where you get your information from is the media, you would think your view of the world would be slightly subjective. I do not think it is proper for anyone in a "free country" to be obliged to keep banners and posters under their beds just incase of some wacko, so we can apologise on their behalf.
At the end of the day, like people of all faiths have been doing for so long. it is called RATIONALISING. These terrorists are using religion as an excuse for their blood thirstiness.
Why would the media need to play some old footage of a wedding during september 12, in a fake attempt to make it look like they were celebrating the death of americans.
We do not know the reason for the terrorist's actions. SOme of them are nuts, but some of them are probably just a bunch of desperate slobs, with their entire family killed by an "accidental" American bombing of their wedding, and suddenly all they can think they can do is strap a bomb to them and kill some more inocents to make their voices heard.
Anyway, religious leaders are the ones to talk to, not the general public. They have more influence. The heads of mosques that I go to only advocate peace and nothing about hate and violence. The trick is to stop those lunatics that teach hate and killing.
2.
At the end of the day, muslim palestinians are the ones being killed. An entire family is burnt alive by a helicopter missile because the distant cousin may have links to terrorists.
These people believe that by slaughtering innocents they can bring about some good in their own country, it is an act of desperation. When you are living below the poverty line, are illiterate, half your family blown away in mosques, what else can you do. To make matters worse, your religious leader is a lunatic, and he tells you that blowing yourself up will make the country a better place.
3.
"Free", what is "Free". Half the time "free" is just a buzz word used by Bush administration to make the public see their point. same with "weapons of mass distruction" which were not in Iraq.
What is Turkey not free? At the end of the day, free would just mean democratic. And these people would not count democratic countries as muslim countries. Why is that? When your in a country of majority muslims, and your elected prime minister and you and all your party members are Muslim, aren't you counted as a muslim country.
4.
Because they can use Islam to justify their actions. The same way President Bush can look at one side of the Constitution and ignore other parts of it, just so he can spy on American Citizens.
Its stupid, but the reason is obvious. Even though it is forbidden be unjust to your wife, some of these corrupt men would only notice the part that says wives should be loyal to turn their wives into slaves.
Corruption isn't bound by religion, and most of these atrocities are people trying to still look at themselves in the mirror by deluding themselves into thinking they are allowed to slaughter women and children.
About IRAN, none of the people in Iran actually take it seriously, even the JEWS that live in Iran. Its just a ploy for the President to some what unite the government. I think its stupid, but i certainly don't think they are asking for the people to be exterminated, but probably the government to fall, afterall the isreali government is also corrupt.
5.
Persecution is apparent in many cultures and religions. At the end of the day it is not right and completely stupid (what you want me to march with a banner saying that or it doesn't count?)
Don't generalise, the Taliban would also charge women that have been raped with adultery. There was nothing Islamic about that government, it beats me how you can abuse women and children and then come home to pray 5 times a day.
I don't see why Saudi Arabia would not allow churches and synagogues, even though the Prophet would be very peaceful with Christians and Jews. If I ever meet a Saudi official i would like to ask them that.
Christians would butcher muslims during the crusades in the name of Jesus, apparently we killed him and he asked his dad to forgive us for killing God (sorry i am thinking outloud). Anyway, there have been heaps of attrocities by christians and jews. No normal muslim would condone such acts, so whats your point? do you still want me to parade against it? Saddam Hussein would kill his own people that were also muslim. Its called corruption and it is present in many places.
The media usually portrays only one side to the story, Muslims would condemn these terrorist acts, but why are we obliged to go march when ever someone does something evil in the name of God. I didn't see any Anglo-saxons marching for peace when whites at cronulla would bash passing women for looking middle eastern. Am i to assume all anglo saxons would endorce and condone the gang bashing of people for looking middle eastern?
And whats all this hu-bub about democracy...there are other systems you know. What is China also evil for being communist? What type of democracy are you offering if Muslims have the choice of comforming to western democracy or being branded evil and "not free".
There are lots of controversial questions, but the media does not want to answer them, they just want to have a field day.
Why would Sasha ask such questions on a site like this. There are muslim sites run by educated individuals that know much more than I. There are 3 pages so far, but apart from me only 1 or 2 muslims replied to answer your questions.
If you really want answers, you know where to look, all your doing is creating more doubt in the minds of non-Muslims by claiming you can never get a straight answer.
Did you watch that 30 Days thing by that guy who made that movie about McDonald's...Super Size Me. They made an American Christian live with a muslim family and to do what they do. At the end of the show I was surprised at the ignorance of so many people, that guy asked much of the same questions you asked and he got answers.
Ultimately most the people who ask these questions are misinformed or just ignorant. There are terrorists who claim they are muslims, but there are also muslims undercover helping agencies like the FBI and CIA to stop any more killing of innocents.
