She wore a hajib...

Sad to say, it will happen. If the perpetrator/s are Muslim, most people will feel their opinions have have validated. If the perpetrator/s are akin to Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold or James Holmes or Adam Lanza, they will have to look for another reason for the evil acts.

That said, I fully agree that the Muslim extremists are the very essence of evil in the name of "God" and their goal IS world domination.

 

Yes and they have to be destroyed, and Muslim armies will be in the forefront of that destruction. There are extremists in most ideologies, you can't let them define the whole. I am a Christian, but the Wesboro Baptist Church idiots, Jim Jones, David Koresh, seedline theologians, do not speak for me, do not represent me or the majority of Christendom. To lump everyone of any group into a blanket statement is ludicrous and intellectually dishonest.

 

Religious Extremeism is rampant thru ALL Religious persuasions.... Even among the most structured Religions of the World. The moderates in each case, decry the use of their Religion, by the Extremists... But that doesn't stop the Crazys.... In most cases, it is POWER and Greed, driving the Extremists.... Take away their Money, and they are just another CRAZY bunch, with No Power.... Isn't it interesting that ALL Religious Extremists, have the same agenda, to Excersize Control over the lives of others... All in the name, of their brand OF GOD....

 

As to your original post RH I have to admit that,even though I am surrounded by people in Hajibs, When I am traveling and see a bunch of them about to board the same plane as me I get a bit apprehensive. Especially young males. But I have found that if I acknowledge them, especially in Arabic, it breaks the ice and they are usually quite friendly and appreciative of simple courtesy. It is not wrong to be wary, but to simply be cordial goes a long way in any culture.
A story I like to relate is when my wife and I first moved to Saudi Arabia. We got a taxi and went to a mall. We were waiting outside for our taxi to pick us up and he was nowhere to be seen. A young Saudi man in traditional garb, walked by us and was eyeing us as he walked past. My radar was instantly on full alert. I watched him walk across the parking lot and stop. He turned back to look at us again and started coming back towards us. I told me wife to get behind me and was in full on defense mode. He approached and in very good English asked us if we were OK. I explained we were waiting for a taxi. I told him we did not have a cell phone due to just arriving in country. He got out his phone and offered it to me. I told him I didn't know the number. He called information, got the number for the taxi driver, called him and found that he was at the wrong entrance. He told him where we were and waited with us until our taxi arrived. He wished us a good night and left. I felt bad for my knee jerk reaction, as understandable as it was. I have had many of my Arab friends tell me about experiences they have had in the US and Europe. Being eyed suspiciously everywhere they go, having insults and snide remarks made about them. They are usually just as apprehensive as we are. A simple Saalam Aliekum, a friendly nod, just simple courtesy, goes a long way to making them, and us more comfortable.

 

This has been a really interesting discussion and I have appreciated all of the various responses. The difference in opinions range from agreement to mild or strong disagreement but all of the posters have been courteous as they express their points of view and experiences. I think this is a model thread - a hot button topic, strong opinions, diverse individuals and yet courtesy reigned for the past 3 pages. Well done community

 

I don't hate the individual, the human being who is just as lost as any other --I blame the religious doctrine itself.

This doesn't mean every religion is inherently bad or destructive, but when you get enough people together to form an institution and standard of belief, it's only a matter of time until those people will insist you convert or die. Most will say this is "extremism", and to be fair, it is extreme. However, it is also just one likely, perceived solution to the problem introduced (others who will not conform), and often results in violence. In countries where we see the dominant religion growing, it takes over increasing amounts of society to the point in which it also becomes the government. For those who think it hasn't happened to us, I argue it has, to a lesser extent already happened. Perhaps you may recall the 700 Club ordained Bush Dynasty, which heavily relied upon neo-conservative, religious right-wing beliefs to usher in not one, but two of the Queen's guard into the White House. The only things separating our previous situation from becoming total control like we see in the Islamic world, is the fact that we are inherently diverse, possess a belief in the Constitution, and have a large number of gun owners. The first, offers us protection through diversity, which also becomes a very unique trait we should cherish. Our diversity does not come from differences of creed or family origin, but rather, the thoughts we choose to incorporate into our mind. The second, is more of a deterrence factor than anything else. Sure, millions of gun owners across America will proclaim, "only from my cold, dead hands!" but in reality, it will only be the three percent who will be in a position to act. The third, our Constitution, which limits government and also enshrines the most basic and critical rights of the people, is clear for all to see. It is only enforced by the people, who are its teeth.

If you want a sure-fire way to destroy freedom and liberty, all you must do is insist on a single religion and add time.

 

Actually, in pagan and other occult circles, white denotes cleanliness and positive energy, light and all things good and innocent. Gray would be neutral, obviously. Black is for the darkness, not just for style, camouflage some think, but the opposite of white. Then, there's the KKK which throws a wrench into the whole system...nothing is sacred any more. *shakes head*