Should American religious leaders be meeting with moderate Muslim leaders?
969821
Yes it does. Let's not forget that Jews, Christians and Muslims are all people of the Book, and share a common bond.
711121
They aren't.\nThe religion break down is: \nMuslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%
711183
well yes, since muslim extremist are typically conservative, though their brew of conservatism is radically diffrent from american conservatism.
270593
I do think that having a deeper understanding to the believes of "The Other" whether Muslim or of any other faith is Important. Dialogue helps clear out points that are not understood and will show that in truth we have more things in common than differences, it helps us realize that we are all human beings in the end... Yes dialogue and harmony will bring peace to the world because it will make us know that there are no stereotypes, that a whole Faith and culture can't be judged by a small group's actions and that all Faiths have more common grounds but we just focus on the differences.
523960
Muslims I am not certain about.  There is obviously no barrier for Christians since the vast majority of the world's Christains accept evolution.\n\nI don't think many Americans understand that outside of the US Bible-Belt nobody sees any conflict betwen Christianity and scientific thought. Go to England or Brazil or Ethiopia  and talk to Christains tehre and they consider it a complete non issue. Religion is religion, science is science and there is no conflict at all.\n\nThis percieved conflict is entirely a US phenemenon.
717561
There is nothing more dangerous than a political leader saying that "God spoke to me."  Kings have done that.  Despots have done that.  That's what Ayatollahs and Imams and muslim cleric/leaders do every single day ... "Allah spoke to me and said ... ."  \n\nI have no problem with a President having private prayers, and perhaps even private conviction that God answers his prayers ... convictions that he shares with his family and his minister.  Who am I to say God did *not* speak to him.  But the danger is not God talking to him privately *as a man* ... but him emerging from his personal sphere and declaring this private conversation with God openly *as the President of the United States*.  When he declares this private conviction openly to the American public ... appealing to their *faith* as justification for supporting him ... then this pits "our American God" against "their false God" ... our faith, our God, is the right one and any opponent who claims to speak to God must be a false.  It gives legitimacy to other religious leaders who do the same with their people.\n\n... and this is the precise recipe for a religious war between fanatical sides.  And there is nothing more long-lasting, or bloody, or unsolvable.\n\nThis is *precisely* why the founders wanted to keep religion as far away from power as possible.  Power, in the hands of someone claiming divine righteousness, is a deadly Holy War waiting to happen.
617659
I am not surprised.\nRecently, women have been confident enough to venture into the public and voice out their feeling of discomfort of their religion's and their leaders' command; Muslim women to be precise.\n\nFor example, Muslim Wake-Up. Remember Amina Wadud, the one who lead the Friday prayer if I am not mistaken in a church in the USA. I think it was held in a church. The controversial act sparked furor among the Muslim scholars and the non-participating Muslims.\n\nThat act, is undeniably, wrong because woman can never lead a prayer with men. There are actually a lot more of those people, seeking to oppose the fundamental teachings of their religion.\n\nNow, speaking in term of the picture, I am not sure of its authenticity but I think it may be right. Yes, I have also never heard or seen that kind of picture before, only the picture of the French Muslim girl who was directed to take off her hijab when in school and other more similar cases.\n\nIt is not wrong to make the hijab compulsory as long as it is towards the women who have reached menstrual period. Let me cite one hadith, one day, Asma binti Abu Bakar went to meet the prophet Muhammad s.a.w. in a thin attire, then  the prophet said to her, "O Asma! A woman who has reached menstrual period cannot display her body except for this," he signalled the face and the palm. \nI cannot guarantee you the hadith to be in total perfection but I am sure the hadith sounds almost like that. I think the one who reported the hadith is Abu Hurairah, I think. \n\nNow, concerning the statement of the Quran saying that there is no compulsion in religion. Rationally speaking, I strongly believe that Islam is one rational religion and undeniably, the most rational. Islam is a firm and tolerant religion. Refer to Surah Al-Kafiruun, the Quran stated that Allah told Muhammad to not follow the religion of infidels (Quraish) and to the infidels, to not follow the religion of Muhammad. In the last verse, it stated "For you, your religion and for me, my religion."\nThe surah told Muhammad to be firm with his religion and to not follow the suggestion made by the Quraish is that to practise their religion for one day, the next day Muhammad's and later theirs and etc.\nReturning back to the first subject, the Quran stated that the religion (Islam) is a blessing for all the universe therefore when talking about a blessing, there should not be compulsion. Of course, compulsion is very needed referring to the situation in order to balance the world.\nSimply said, that is why Islam teaches mankind to practise these in their lives:\n- Coolness or Calmness\n- Rationality\n- Honesty\n- Justice\n- Tolerance\n- Consistence\n- Faithfulness\n\nJudging by today's situation, how much people are reallt practising those above fully in their lives? That is why the world is not in a state of serenity; many people are being on the wrong side of the balance. \n\nWhat do I think?\nIslam is in the dark age currently as had been prophecied. Pressure from inside and outside is stressing the Muslim world. The greatest threat is of course, the inside one as to what happened in the world history.\n\nIt is foolish for Muslims to rebel Islam, do they not know that millions are heading to them with open hearts while some other people are attacking the religion and its faithfuls?\n\nIf you observe meticulously, you will see that Islam is the strangest in term of its condition. Christianity, Judaism, Bahai', Hinduism, Buddhism, atheism, and others, they are all are nothing much to matter in contrast of that of Islam.\n\nLast but not least, we cannot blame wholly to the rebels of religions, there are much more factors; direct and indirect. We are all connected in this world and we are somehow responsible for the state of our Earth and its inhabitants.\n\n"For want of a nail\nthe shoe was lost,\nfor want of a shoe\nthe horse was lost,\nfor want of a horse\nthe knight was lost,\nfor w
206387
First off, not all Islamic leaders have spoken out against it. If all had spoken out, and did not condone terrorism, there would be no place for them to turn, and there clearly is. \n\nSecondly, I know that not all Muslims are terrorists, and not all terroerists are Muslim, however the number of terrorists that are Muslim kind of outweighs the terrorists that aren't.\n\nLastly, one doesn't have to know a thing about Islam to know that the leaders who don't condem terrorism are condoning it.
802930
They do\n\nsee examples\n\nhttp://www.islamtomorrow.com/
41256
I doubt that is the case. There are hundreds of thousands of Muslims living in America (which is  a "non-Muslim" country...i'm not really sure what you mean by that)!
119565
Perhaps your question arises out of the current situation. The muslims can tolerate every thing, but making jokes about relegion is a no no. As they them selves never joke about the prophets of other relegions. Among them selves they make really sadistic and some times down right dirty jokes about their current relegious scholars, leaders, but never about any prophet. Be it Moses, Jesus, David, Abraham, Solomon or Mohammad. Any muslim who makes a joke or insults any relegious book or prophet or God, automatically becomes a non muslim.To respect and pledge faith about all prophets is a must in Islam. If any one makes a joke about the prophet of Islam, of course the muslims will react. Other than that I have had the chance to work with Hindus, Sikhs,(in fact we used to live in the same house),Buddhists, Christians, and many others, I don't remember a single incident when we did not get along. In fact we were and still are good friends.
111029
I think that the more church is separated from the state, the better. There are maters of religion, and matters of the phisical world. \nPhisical world should be sorted out by pure reason. \nReligion can not be (please anote that I don't mean that religion is something wrong or stupid - merely, that many things in religious matters are a matter of faith).\n\nOf course, religion always does influence the local culture, and that can't be avoided. \n\nIn the case of Iraq, I think it would be a good idea to separate the worldly and religious matters. As Julius Caesar once said, "What belongs to God, give to God. What belongs to Emperor, give to Emperor". \nHowever, taking into consideration the way Islam covers both mundane and religious issues (I'm not a Muslim, nor an expert on the topic, but got interest in the subject to claim that I have an idea of what I'm talking about :)), it would be very, very hard to divide those two matters. Not something that can be done quickly.\n\nNevertheless, I think it would be a good goal to go for.
742664
Nothing wrong with praying for our leaders.\n\nPrayer helps in many ways, plus I'm sure they would appreciate it!
862936
Why must the West provide an external solution to what is an internal problem?\n\nRadicalized Muslims can only dissuaded by fellow Muslims.\n\nThe West has had enough, and a peaceable context may  very well be impossible if they are attacked again--  force is what Islamic extremists will find from the Western countries.\n\nThe person below me is correct.\n\nIt's not that your suggestion is a bad one.\nExtremists have ventured beyond the bounds of reasoning-- it's what makes them dangerous.\n\nI don't wish conflict with anyone, but if it's  demanded of me, then I have no choice.
600416
Bush administration is following wrong policies.\nThey may not be on a crusade but all their present targets are unfortunately Muslims who are rich in natural resources but far behind in technology, hence an easy prey.\nIn the ultimate analysis/conclusion USA will never win since their stance is based on in-justice, inequality and double standards.
719428
You're preaching to the chorus my man.  If you want the west to accept Islam then you have to convince the dangerous radicals that Islam is a religion of peace.  Don't tell us, tell them.  The only thing we care about is not being blown up.
892406
Nagla- \nWow- This is a powerful question, and one to be asked.  I personally had to answer this for myself, but first let me say "Salam Malakum" (sp?) \nI am devoted Christian American Military Spouse currently living in an African Muslim country, and I don't think you can't get more diverse then that.  \nI agree with you that Americans look bad, because most do not know what a true Muslim is and only know what is report on the news.  (I could have been one of these Americans a year or so ago, and two tours in Iraq could do that to a person.) \nNeedless to say, I would like to end this on a positive note.  All the Muslims I have gotten to know what to live in PEACE.  There are extremes on both ends.  Just as the majority of Americans would disassociate themselves from the ones that are protesting grave sites because the US has gays live there.  \nI would like to encourage you to show these people what your all about.  Not is a IN YOUR FACE way, but a here it is thing.  The pilars of Islam prove that Muslims want Peace for all, that they do not look down on who is that persons personal Savior.  For me that happens to be Jesus Christ.  Yet I feel we can still love one another, and see where each other is coming from with resepect, and honor, in a way that would be glory to both religions.  \nGod Bless You-