I think people here really need to calm down, and not jump to conclusions whenever someone questions certain beliefs, however dear those beliefs may be. Frankly, I don't see any flaw in agnostic's argument at all, but I do reckon people are overreacting, terribly so.
A proper response to Agnostic's post would go something like this:Dear Agnostic, very good questions. To say that the bible/torah doesn't encourage violence would be a politically correct statement, though not a factually correct one. So let's suppose for a minute that they do encourage this sort of behavior. In what way is it then different from Islam, which also believes in the same thing?
The difference is, Christians/Jews have learned their lessons from history (dark ages etc.) that superstition doesn't pay, it doesn't help toward progress. So most of them have abandoned the old ways of life, which revolve around attacking other religions, and all the rest of that bigoted outlook. Hence, the C/Jews of today are modern and progressive, unlike their Semitic cousins who, to this day, haven't adapted to the changing world.
This, I believe, is the major difference, the willingness to change and evolve, in tune with the circumstances.
But yes, there are fanatics in these religions too. This can
NEVER be denied. It would be foolish to assume that fanaticism is an exclusive property of the Islamic religion. No, Sir, Christian fanaticism is alive and well, but luckily, these fanatics are few and far between, and are usually shunned by the majority of Christians. So it's my firm belief that fanaticism in these religions will die a natural death, sooner or later, because like I said earlier, people are willing to reform themselves and their religions. So it's nothing to worry about. But you're right about the fact that fanaticism is present in C/J as well, and it's not restricted to Islam.
The difference, however, is in degree, and I hope you see why it's very important to consider that above the rest.
This concludes my response to Agnostic.
As to other people who argue that atheist communism has destroyed nations/cultures, well, two wrongs don't make a right. Besides, extreme and militant forms of atheism are simply a reaction to the fanatical grip that the Church had exercised over the government, masses, and their ways of life.
Again, the blame falls on religious people, it's their bigotry that pushed more and more people into militant atheism, communism, and such ideologies.
Does all this mean we have to ignore the threat of Islam? Obviously not. The two are not related in any way.
Just because we acknowledge the atrocities committed by C/Js in the past, it doesn't mean we must turn a blind eye to the present crisis, to Islamic terrorism, in particular.
As one can see, it's possible to fight Islam, without losing one's liberal values, without becoming a religious bigot oneself. One doesn't have to believe in the foolish, conservative agenda to see the dangers of Islam or communism.
As a liberal, it's quite easy to perceive the danger Islam/Communism might pose to liberal values.
