She has shared some startling statistics in the book. I would be very appreciative if there is a Muslim woman who can speak to her experiences compared to the author’s experiences.

Thanks for all the comments!

I invite you to peruse my latest blog. I hope this provides more context.

Frankly, I must dissent from your apparent view that a lack of religious conviction means better people, and agree with Dennis Prager. Seeing a group of tough-looking kids approaching me on a ghetto street would make me nervous, but I would–justifiably–feel relieved if I saw them carrying Bibles.

When I was in the Middle East, I also felt relief–again, justifiably–whenever I saw people carrying copies of the Holy Quran.

so-called moderates like CAIR, ISNA, et al say NOTHING denouncing the terrorists? Or have you not read in the quran the use of the word jihad, and how in over 90% of its uses it is used to denote violence against infidels?

I don’t presume that the “so-called moderates” speak for all Muslims. It doesn’t match the experience that I have had personally with them.

The number one searched topic on the internet in the middle east? Why that would be sex, followed closely behind by sodomy.

I expect that sex is probably the number one search for anywhere with the internet. That’s a human problem, not a Muslim one.

I don’t for a minute thing all Muslims live their religion, or are admirable. But, this is a thread about what is admirable about Islam, and there is a great deal that is.

And of the 2.5% alms, most of that goes to fund terrorists.

Call for references. How on earth would you know what several hundred million Muslims do with their alms?

That sentiment is wishful thinking at best. Or have you not noticed how everytime there is a terrorist attack, so-called moderates like CAIR, ISNA, et al say NOTHING denouncing the terrorists? Or have you not read in the quran the use of the word jihad, and how in over 90% of its uses it is used to denote violence against infidels?

As for muslims caring about personal morality, they are even more hypocritical than Christians. Human trafficking, prostitution, and slavery all run rampant in the middle east. The number one searched topic on the internet in the middle east? Why that would be sex, followed closely behind by sodomy.

And of the 2.5% alms, most of that goes to fund terrorists. Just look at Gaza, where Hamas cries that people are starving, running out of fuel, yet they seem to have plenty of money to buy rockets, launch them at Sderot, and shoot farmers across the border in Israel.

…don’t mention jihad

“Jihad” is a term that is, as I understand the matter, much debated among Muslims. Not all (and, I would venture to guess, MOST) do not see it as an invitation to armed conflict against others (e.g., “the west”)

Many see it as the command to struggle against evil within themselves and the world. Christians have similar rhetoric (“put on the whole armor of God”) that could be likewise (mis)used to justify violence.

Muslim readers can doubtless correct me if I’ve gotten that wrong.

Greg

Interfaith dialogue is so important. Keep up the good work.

Steven Danderson: I recall President Hinckley, during the Southern Baptist Convention in Salt Lake City, UT, telling Larry King that there were some Latter-day Saints who had lost their faith, and maybe the Baptists could salvage some of it.

Would you happen to have the exact quote or know where I can find it?

The paradox for me is, and I quote AEP above:

I’m struggling to admire Islam — I’m willing, but struggling — since a young relative converted a year or so ago. All I can see is how the conversion has narrowed her view of who she is and who she can become in the eternities, and how the outward markers have narrowed her life.

I’m really not sure if this is a wise trade-off. You are a nice, benevolent person, charitable and kind, and you love God (Allah), but with all that charity, I see a narrowness that pits one religion against another, one claim against another (often encourages fanatics, and fanatical worldviews), and I really have to wonder if this healthy in the long term (insert Jesus’ saying about relatives turning against each other here). Do I, as practising Heathen, feel charity and compassion for others? Just as much as my Muslim friend, and I completely echo his sentiments in being fair, honest, and dealing justly with others, but I don’t believe “my God can beat up your God”. This is where, in my probably misguided opinion, religion fosters unhealthy exclusivity, bias and judgement which is not conducive to true tolerance and openmindedness. (Do we really have to paint all gay people with the same brush? Some of them really think “Gay-Pride” marches are ridiculous, too)

Do charity and good works only follow strong religious/theological beliefs? If they do, then what happens when a person loses that exclusive belief? Does it necessarily become Dostovesky’s idea that without a belief in God there can be no morality or charity? I think not. I think this is an individual thing. But what say ye?

One other thing: While I believe that the LDS position is usually better off than the Muslim position (though Muslims disagree! ), we must also see where the person is coming from. If a person converts to Islam from atheism, that is a good thing. If a person converts from devout Christianity to Islam, then I’m not so sure.

Now, if a person who was a devout Christian loses faith and is about to retrogress to atheism, then I would think that we owe Islam a debt of gratitude for salvaging that person’s faith in God.

I recall President Hinckley, during the Southern Baptist Convention in Salt Lake City, UT, telling Larry King that there were some Latter-day Saints who had lost their faith, and maybe the Baptists could salvage some of it.

Perhaps we ought to have the same attitude….

Thank you so much for the good wishes! Most Muslims are indeed devout people trying to please God, as we Christians are.

I know that we’ve had some differences in the past, and I hope you understand a little more why I think I do, and, when I differentiate Islam from its violent, pharisaical fringe, I hope you will understand more.

God bless you all!

AEP, I think Seth is quite right about Islam being a religion more of behaviour than theology. That said, there is also a Muslim mysticism movement.

Like Catholicism and some Protestant denominations, Islam has set, ritualised prayers that must be uttered–in Arabic. I’m not sure what practical, day-to-day significance those prayers have for non-speakers of Arabic, but it is a musical, poetic language, and there may be some mystical or emotional impact in the phrasing that tone-deaf me cannot begin to appreciate. However, my Branch President from the first time I was in the Middle East, Terry Smith, is much more knowledgable about that subject than I!

David, thank you SO much for the link! I am always glad to learn more. You may be right about the alms being 2.5% of assets rather than income, but Middle Eastern Muslims have all told me the latter. Of course, that may be similar to the LDS conundrum of tithing 10% of gross or net pay….

The good news among Christians is that we pretty must marginalised the terrorists among us. We still have our share of jerks, but they are quite unlikely to use terror.

The bad news is that Islam is now facing its moment of truth: Can it overcome its terroristic extreme fringe? I hope so, because if 900 million Muslims cannot assert true Islam to prevail against its lunatic fringe, what chance do the rest of us, especially a dispirited, soulless Christianity, have to live, let alone thrive?

http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/Zakat/ This site also includes a zakat calculator.

You are an honorable man. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your thoughtful and charitable post.

I have not been to the Middle East, but I have had the opportunity to work with and around followers of Islam, and in every case I have found them to be considerate, pious individuals.

At the time the Newport Beach Temple was being built, a Muslim coworker asked me if I would take him to the open house. I did, and it was a wonderful experience. We favorably compared the LDS temple experience with the Hajj, in that both are expected of observant followers, and both are life-changing initiatory experiences that bring us closer to God. That conversation is one of the sweetest experiences I have had.