ex-member DonaldTrump wrote on Oct 29^th, 2008 at 10:08pm:


I do live among muslims.

and people now use the term racist as a descriptor for those who espouse beliefs about cultural incompatability or who are anti-religion.

the term has evolved so it's inclusive of other things.

however often islamaphobia (prefer that word?) is coupled with racism, as people conflate muslims with arabs and derive their prejudice from each of these things

Gaybriel wrote on Oct 30^th, 2008 at 8:27pm:


I agree. That's the same mentality the Muslims use to side with terrorists - they refuse to give the west the same 'respect' until they earn it by giving in to whatever demands they make. It rules out peace. Just like that approach on a forum rules out meaingful dialogue. People deserve respect, upfront, as human beings. It is disrespect that must be earned, not respect. Only a very bitter man would go through life disrespecting everyone until they proved themselves. Who would bother trying to earn the respect of a man like that?

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 30^th, 2008 at 10:39pm:


and if I take your words as a truthful account of the situation- where does that leave us?

does forgiveness come into play? is your basic respect for others so easily swayed forever?

perhaps it would be better to try and work out a mutual accord whereby both parties start again? has this been tried? or are old grievances just continually brought forth?

Gaybriel wrote on Oct 30^th, 2008 at 8:29pm:


People also use the word, quite effectively I might add, to end a discussion because the amount of people that will run away. I'm not a racist or a runner.

As I have said in a previous post, phobias are irrational fears. The fact that an identifiable political/religious movement has a rational identifiable goal means that opposing that goal can also be rational. A healthy dialogue should allow witnesses to the conversation to check of a list of competing interests and see what suits them.

Gaybriel wrote on Oct 29^th, 2008 at 4:24pm:


You don't even hear how ridiculous this statement is.

Exposing extremism in and of Islam with respect?  Respect for what? Exposing a religion avowedly committed to re=primitivising the world with respect?

Can we now be openly antagonistic, suspicious, outraged, and hostile towards our own culture only? The 'cultural other', no matter how barbaric,  is to be respected?

How bizarre it would be if we demanded that muslims speak of western, lliberal, Australian culture only with respect. Yet few dare to bat an eyelid when faced with such outlandish and ridiculous demands by muslims.

Respect must be earned. That is the only way it is respect. Otherwwise it is submission (oops).

Gaybriel wrote on Oct 31^st, 2008 at 11:44am:


And I have trouble believing that you are not a muslim GAYBRIEL, WHO JUST THINKS THAT LYING WILL MAKE YOU SEEM MORE CREDIBLE.

So, where do we stand?

We have you as the non-muslim defender of Islam, who just pipes in with a lot of "be fair"'s, we have Malik, in absentia, who was the only muslim who used this site, that could construct any cohesive argument, but also a temperamental hothead, who is off studying the koran in the middle east.
We have Abu, who is passionate, but lacking in, credibility, authoritativeness, and experience, and we have( suppressed mirth) Lestat , who is ?( I cannot think of a description which will not attract the wrath of the mods for this, so you will need to supply your own) and I have never seen a comment critical of any aspect of Islam from any of them.

I have not even seen many response that could even be considered as open and honest.

So to focus on sprint's frustration, without examining how he came to that point, is demonstrative of your unfairness in judging him, as you challenge others for judging Islam.

I have given sprint, and christianity heaps, and he has never been anything but polite and honest to me, whereas the muslim posters have openly lied about me, and to me, I notice things like that, perhaps you should look a little closer, before jumping on your judgemental pony.

She's not Muslim.

Whatever she is, I think it's daft she's the mod in the Islam and Extremism forums. I think she's far too sympathetic to Islam to be a good mod in the extremism forum, it should go to someone else. She would be ok for the Islam forum, being the muslim sympathiser.