On this Good Friday, it is a timely opportunity for this muslim to reach out to my non-muslim brothers and sisters in an expression of inter-faith goodwill.

I guess there are not many Christians here - maybe only Yadda and Sprint. But for all Christians who might read this - I hope you have a safe and happy easter in which ever way you spend it. For non-Christians, I hope you have a happy and safe break and enjoy your time with your families.

This easter of course is overshadowed by the horrific events in Kenya - where sick, demented animals slaughtered around 150 innocent and unarmed students. I will not try and hide from the fact that these terrorists were muslim, and that they believed their crime was a pious Islamic act. But I will not accept that this emanated from the authentic teachings of The Quran and our Prophet. I sincerely believe that the authentic teachings of Islam rejects this behaviour, and applied in this situation, would have prevented this act. In the spirit of goodwill, I don't expect to be able to convince you of the doctrinal case, only that you accept and respect my sincerity in this matter - and that I am not lying when I say I believe these atrocities such as in Kenya is *NOT* authentic Islam.

I hope, in a spirit of goodwill, that you can have the patience to try and understand and even accept my, and the majority of decent muslims points of view on these matters. We really are just like everyone else - just ordinary simple people. We don't march around demanding that sharia be imposed in society - either through our actions or the clothes we wear. We really just go about our every day business like everyone else. With that premise, it must be understood also that we are no different to any other Australian when it comes to Islamic Terrorism. We are equally abhorred by it when it occurs, and it is every bit as far-removed from our values and beliefs than it is to any non-muslim. That is a vitally important point - because it should help understand the stances we take against it. We absolutely condemn it when and where it occurs, but because we are no different to all other ordinary Australians, we shouldn't be expected to be "separate" from the rest of Australia when expressing our reactions to it. The "shared religion" argument is a cop-out - the reality is that on any meaningful basis of belief, we ordinary decent muslims are every bit as far-removed from the beliefs of the terrorists as any non-muslim. And furthermore, we ordinary, decent muslims have not done anything to warrant undue suspicion or targeting as somehow needing to be more apologetic than anyone else. That is the truth.

All that said, it is true that many muslims - just like many non-muslims - are interested only in the narratives of division and ill-will, and actively reject efforts to create unity and harmony. I acknowledge this, and I condemn it. And I want to, in the spirit of goodwill, emphasise that this is not what I am interested in. And I strongly believe the great majority of muslims are of the same mind on this too. I strongly believe in constructive dialogue to foster understanding and seek common grounds. This can be done here - and why not? For my part I acknowledge my own guilt in not doing enough here to generate constructive dialogue. There's not reason why we can't change - agree to disagree on our differences and work on what we have in common in order to find constructive ideas and solutions. As long as we can get over the idea that muslims or christians or non-muslims are simply not capable of being constructive.

So happy easter everyone, I hope you all have some quality time with your families and look forward to robust, but constructive debate in the future.

Have a happy and holy Easter, G. Remember, a Christian is a follower of Christianity.

And a Moslem == a follower of Islam.

+++

Have a good Easter everybody.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2015 at 10:32am:


Many atheists/agnostics celebrate easter, they might have Christian families or come from a family of disbelievers.
For atheists like me we usually give chocolate and enjoy lunch with family while saying happy easter and not doing anything religious.

There were other attacks by pious muslims on the same day,the Islamic state burnt halal chicken destined for Syrian refugees because it originated from the USA,this has resulted in Syrian refugees going hungry for easter.

Happy easter Gandalf.

Baronvonrort wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2015 at 2:20pm:


Typical Baron always negative.

damien wrote on Apr 4^th, 2015 at 7:14pm:


May Gud bless you, my friend. You are our guest here. Gud says we should welcome all who enter our house.

Oh, the Baron does G!  He does.  Of course, he condemns the victims who are Muslim as well!   

issuevoter wrote on Apr 5^th, 2015 at 4:21pm:



And this differs from other religions, how?