Check out this latest poll. I've copied content too? Now i guess some morons will say this poll is bogus, it does not matter bcoz Quran justfies violence, blah, blah....
WASHINGTON - Those who think that Muslim countries and pro-terrorist attitudes go hand-in-hand might be shocked by new polling research: Americans are more approving of terrorist attacks against civilians than any major Muslim country except for Nigeria.
The survey, conducted in December 2006 by the University of Maryland's prestigious Program on International Public Attitudes, shows that only 46 percent of Americans think that "bombing and other attacks intentionally aimed at civilians" are "never justified," while 24 percent believe these attacks are "often or sometimes justified."
Contrast those numbers with 2006 polling results from the world's most-populous Muslim countries - Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Terror Free Tomorrow, the organization I lead, found that 74 percent of respondents in Indonesia agreed that terrorist attacks are "never justified"; in Pakistan, that figure was 86 percent; in Bangladesh, 81 percent.
Do these findings mean that Americans are closet terrorist sympathizers?
Hardly. Yet, far too often, Americans and other Westerners seem willing to draw that conclusion about Muslims. Public opinion surveys in the United States and Europe show that nearly half of Westerners associate Islam with violence and Muslims with terrorists. Given the many radicals who commit violence in the name of Islam around the world, that's an understandable polling result.
But these stereotypes, affirmed by simplistic media coverage and many radicals themselves, are not supported by the facts - and they are detrimental to the war on terror. When the West wrongly attributes radical views to all of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims, it perpetuates a myth that has the very real effect of marginalizing critical allies in the war on terror.
Indeed, the far-too-frequent stereotyping of Muslims serves only to reinforce the radical appeal of the small minority of Muslims who peddle hatred of the West and others as authentic religious practice.
Terror Free Tomorrow's 20-plus surveys of Muslim countries in the past two years reveal another surprise: Even among the minority who indicated support for terrorist attacks and Osama bin Laden, most overwhelmingly approved of specific American actions in their own countries. For example, 71 percent of bin Laden supporters in Indonesia and 79 percent in Pakistan said they thought more favorably of the United States as a result of American humanitarian assistance in their countries - not exactly the profile of hard-core terrorist sympathizers. For most people, their professed support of terrorism/bin Laden can be more accurately characterized as a kind of "protest vote" against current US foreign policies, not as a deeply held religious conviction or even an inherently anti- American or anti-Western view.
In truth, the common enemy is violence and terrorism, not Muslims any more than Christians or Jews. Whether recruits to violent causes join gangs in Los Angeles or terrorist cells in Lahore, the enemy is the violence they exalt.
Our surveys show that not only do Muslims reject terrorism as much if not more than Americans, but even those who are sympathetic to radical ideology can be won over by positive American actions that promote goodwill and offer real hope.
America's goal, in partnership with Muslim public opinion, should be to defeat terrorists by isolating them from their own societies. The most effective policies to achieve that goal are the ones that build on our common humanity. And we can start by recognizing that Muslims throughout the world want peace as much as Americans do.
* Kenneth Ballen is founder and president of Terror Free Tomorrow, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding effective policies that win popular support away from global terrorists.
RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 04:37 AM Permalink
In your competition to show which is worse Christianity and Islam, you seem to have missed the point that as far as Indians are concerned, it's got nothing to do with them. Ek hi thaali ke chate vate. All you've succeeded in demonstrating is that Indians should view with suspicion the claims of bot Christians and Muslims. They are both trying to outdo each other in brutality simply both believe that they are the custodians/inheritors of the only way.
RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Shenidh on Feb 28, 2007 04:49 AM Permalink
All along you been attacking Islam in this forum. Now when you don't have anything talk about Islam, now attacking both christianity and Islam. What a jerk you are.
RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 06:02 AM Permalink
Have you read the article ? It was about Aurangzeb and his destruction on Hindu temples and killing of Hindus in the name of Islam. And so, we ended up discussing why.
Then you put up some article that claimed to show Islam in good light and I simply pointed out that comparing Islams tracks record with Christianity is of no relevance to Indians. We are not interested to know which is more brutal, we fear the zealotry of both.
So I fail to understand how that has upset you so much that you have resorted to name calling.
RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Shenidh on Feb 28, 2007 04:47 AM Permalink
That's the response i expected from you. Gud keep it up. I've heard these comments so many times. Keep on repeating same stuff again & again.
RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Mar 01, 2007 05:50 AM Permalink
Show me one post where you've admitted that Aurangzeb was cruel and a tyrant. The forced conversions of Hindus to Islam the destruction of the Hindu temples is documented, in fact in his own court records. Now, please (again) answer this simple question, was he or was he not doing the right thing. It's not too much to ask is it ?
RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Bhaskar Chattopadhyay on Feb 28, 2007 07:04 AM Permalink
Fact of the matter is, if frree and fair election is held in Muslim countries, its Islamists who will come to power IN ALMOST ALL ISLAMIC COUNTRIES.
Why there is NOT A SINGLE MUSLIM COUNTRY WHICH IS SECULAR?
RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 08:37 AM Permalink
Well actually Turkey is but it's not really democratic, the actually power is still held by the military. It become secular only after Ata Turk had to brutally suppress the muslim clergy. He shot all that opposed him changed the script from Arabic to Roman and forbade the teaching of religion in school among other harsh penalties to curb the influence Islamic clergy. It seems the experiment is not going to last into the next century though. all indications are that they will revert back to their old ways.
RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Bhaskar Chattopadhyay on Feb 28, 2007 08:16 PM Permalink
Secular Indian : Re-read Turkey's recent history and you will see Turkey is on the verge of becoming Islamic nation again.
NOT a SINGLE ISLAMIC NATION OUT OF 55 ODD COUNTRIES ARE SECULAR. Its a fact which we cannot ignore.
India today is a vibrant, democratic, secular (with whatever limitations) IS BECAUSE ITS OVERWHELMINGLY HINDU.
POLITICISNS, SICK SECULARS MUST UNDERSTAND THIS AND PAY RESPECT.
RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Mar 01, 2007 07:48 AM Permalink
I don't deny that Turkey is not regressing into a theocratic state but for the moment (it can claim a separation of Church and state). It may be a form of Secularism that is peculiar to Turkey. From wikipedia:
"... some doctors,lawyers, teachers etc who insisted on showing their religious orientation, usually by opposing to fundamentals of state, were fired. Furthermore, the Army officials whose family members bear Islamic cover were expeled without any pension, on the grounds that one who applies to be an army member is a priori accepting these rules."
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Mar 02, 2007 05:05 AM Permalink
Samuel Huntington has summed it up very well"
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Perv Sharma on Mar 01, 2007 07:57 PM Permalink
Secular
Hindus speak so many different languages from different states worship different gods (for muslims so many many gods) but for the past 50 plus years are living as one Country. Don't U think these Islamic countries rather Our islam preachers on rediff should form one country from Arabia to Pakistan to show that they all really worhsip one God and want to only live by his one book only.
RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by david on Feb 28, 2007 12:51 PM Permalink
do we have any body like ata turk in india who is ready to take on the hindutva terrorists. turkey should teach us a lesson.
RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 01:25 PM Permalink
What a wonderful Idea, since he created a secular legal code, which once introduced completely altered laws affecting women, marriage, and family relations. Why don't we have a uniform legal system that does away with Muslim personal law.
The Six Arrows of Kemalism are republicanism, nationalism, populism, reformism, statism, and secularism. Which of these are missing in India, except perhaps one uniform legal code.
RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 01:28 PM Permalink
I also forgot to mention this little gem, Populism encompassed not only the notion that all Turkish citizens were equal but also that all of them were Turks.
Hmmmm...are you sure you still want the Indian AttaTurk ?
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by chaitanya kumar on Feb 28, 2007 02:59 PM Permalink
ata turk in India? well most of the prospective ata turks are appeasing Muslims or filling their bellies for what it's worth. If Hindutva spirit is negative and against something good, ata turk will be born. One can only wonder why the best for Hindus has been Modi and not something more enhanced in vigour. Your comparison is absurd. Like comparing two different entities which have seen different growth and Hindus have taken the brunt. Islam has been aggressive since a long time and changed many things in India. Your name tells many things. You are most likely a Hindu hater and a missionary worker dwelling in devious methods to forward your causes. Hinduism is the easier prey ain't it.
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by chaitanya kumar on Feb 28, 2007 03:08 PM Permalink
terrorists eh. Now your mask is out church fundoo. I have an idea of what length you people will go to to. You don't have many good things to say about Hinduism but some of them will be raised to the pedestal of terrorist which is propaganda of false nature. It only tells you hate the adherence of majority community in many ways. You call yourself an Indian.
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 03:09 PM Permalink
Are you replying to my post or the the post that I replied to ?
RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 03:26 AM Permalink
Which part is a revelation ? Islam & Christianity are part of the same Abrahamic tradition. At their core they share the same deep hatred towards non-believers. They both claim to be the custodians of the truth. They both have the either you are with us or against us mentality. Tell us something new.
RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Shenidh on Feb 28, 2007 03:32 AM Permalink
Now you are showing your true VHP/ShivSena colors. That's what even they speak. I donno why you are pretending to be secular though you speak VHP/Shivsena language. Remove that "secular" screen name. You will get even more support from VHP extemists for your views.
RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 03:50 AM Permalink
Are you suggesting that because the RSS/VHP/Shiv Sena and my opinion aligns on some points, which BTW are not disputed it makes me an RSS member. That's like claiming that we are all Nazis because look, we all breathe oxygen like them. Dr. Zakir Naik has taught you well young Jedi. LOL.
RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Shenidh on Feb 28, 2007 03:59 AM Permalink
Not some points, your opinion align with all RSS/VHP points. If don't know what to talk don't brig Dr.Zakir Naik crap here...Just accept that u ra RSS/VHP guy. Why r ashamed of accepting that??
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 04:31 AM Permalink
Why shouldn't I bring Dr. Naik here, you are the one who hailed him to be the shining light of Islam. That he had all the answers to the questions people have about Islams fascist tendencies etc. Since I've shown the childishness of his arguments, why are you trying to distance yourself from him.
I'm not a member it's as simple as that, as far as I'm concerned they are like the "fast food" of Hinduism and for your information, I know that and they know that because of the plurality that Hinduism encourages they will not issue a fatwa for my objection to some of their rhetoric and policies. I hope that answers your question.
I would advise you to show me the equivalence in Islam now.
RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Shenidh on Feb 28, 2007 04:21 AM Permalink
What's wrong with u? why r u comparing me with Dr.Zakir Naik? He is a scholor. Just go and attend his seminars. Then u will know how much of knowledge he has. you are becoming insane. All i can say is may God help you.
RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:The myth of Muslim support for terror
by Secular Indian on Feb 28, 2007 04:33 AM Permalink
Dr, Naik a scholar (hahaha) just like Aurangzeb was a just and kind ruler and a good muslim. LOL.
