QUOTE(kuys @ Apr 29 2009, 09:42 AM)

Well, that may be true now. One could argue that Christendom grew up but....look back a few centuries and most of those things could be said of Christianity in the Dark Ages. Islam is a young religion and usually cooler heads prevail, I say only give it time, don't be passive but don't be a shouting loony toon expecting people to accept and assimilate to your culture right away. It takes time.
You certainly haven't taken any of the news article links, videos, or comments of mine seriously at all or for that matter not even read or viewed them. If so, your answer wouldn't be so ''flip''. As for the "but don't be a shouting loony toon", I don't really understand that one.
Quoting you:
"Islam is a young religion and usually cooler heads prevail"
There again, you're not educated on the subject. Islam is not 100, 300, 500 or 800 years old. It is 1400 YEARS OLD. You can NOT call a religion ''young'' after 14 centuries!
As for your "usually cooler heads prevail" comment. Cooler heads, hmmm let's see. Where were the "cooler heads" centuries before as Islam expanded by FORCE its domination of all religions and cultures throughout its history? There were many "cooler heads" at this time who tried to bargain with, accommodate, write treatise, and make concessions with Muslim leaders through history. Didn't work as we can see today. Most of the Middle East is Muslim - it used to be Christian and peaceful. Many cultures and religions have disappeared because of the overwhelming domination of Islam. Much of history has been erased for this reason that the religion of Islam will not allow various, images, writings, historical documents, etc. to exist because of its "pagan" origins. The only saving grace Christians & Jews MIGHT have is to be ‘tolerated’, is the fact that the Koran (Qur'an) mentions them as "People of the Book" (Old & New Testament). But yet they have been persecuted and still are of second-class status with few rights and privileges. Christian and Jewish populations in the Middle East (except for Israel) have been decreasing for years. Because of Islam's hostile attitude toward them they've been "gettin' the hell outa there"!
You must understand these things without EXPECTING they will think and do as Westerners might do.
History does not lie. History's main purpose is to WARN us of what most certainly will happen if it is IGNORED.Before England entered WW2, many of the people and top leaders were in absolute denial as to what Hitler was doing and where he was going with his war program.
Winston Churchill knew - but he was belittled and laughed to scorn for his fear-mongering "ramblings" in the parliament. He was willing to "see" or perceive what was happening to Europe as Hitler invaded on country after another as he broke promises and treatise. But yet, England would NOT see it that way UNTIL Churchill (and others concerned) prevailed and began to get England on a war footing to prepare for what was to come. This is not unique in history - many other counties suffered the same "denial" complex before - and many suffered and/or lost a great deal for it.
Quoting you again:
"It takes time"
There is
NOT much time left! This situation is coming to a head very soon - the "it takes time" is years too late. NOW is the time for decisions that will be painful to say the least- but it must be done. Europe has suffered from very lax immigration laws for decades - and NOW it is hitting them in the face. Europe wanted cheap labor and the best place to get it was from poor immigrates who would work for much less - BUT live better at the same time. Not only have they let them in without much screening, they also let them bring their culture with them - the kind of culture that is in opposition to Western culture. Now throughout Europe (as I've mentioned BEFORE) MANY Muslims have not assimilated, learned the language, changed their dress (some Muslim women will NOT be seen in public without wearing a full burka over their entire bodies - with only 'eye holes' in the garment. That should NOT be tolerated. Just that one issue has caused a host of problems in European society - and none of has to do with discrimination either - but assimilation.
Time is NOT on Europe's side. Now there are more Mosques in MANY parts of Europe than there are Churches. Is that a problem? Yes and No. No if they are teaching peace and harmony with their fellow citizens. But many of the Mosques are TEACHING HATE against European citizens because their society is "decadent - and must be cleansed" - that is, the "Muslim" way.
Time is NOT on Europe's side - because birth rates are alarmingly high for Muslims that are not assimilating and also despise the "decadent" European society - and indigenous European birth rate are alarmingly low.
Time is NOT on Europe's side - because many liberal European leaders are "trusting", "hoping", "thinking", "believing", "wishing", "knowing", etc. everything will "work out" eventually because they are "optimistic" for a happy, happy Europe where everyone gets along just fine - NO MATTER HOW IDEALOGICALLY DIFFERENT people believe.
Time is NOT on Europe's side - because the swelling Muslim population is making more and more demands of European societies to change for THEM. Many government offices in the UK won't allow "Miss Piggy" or other such unholy 'pig' caricatures of any form (calendars, stuffed animals, notepads, etc.) in the building in which the employees work because it might 'offend' a Muslim. UK prisons are changing (if they haven't done it already) the position of the toilets so not to aim or point the toilets in the direction of MECCA - as not to 'offend' Muslim prisoners!!! The UK has defeated but will most likely pass some day soon the infamous "hate speech" bill. It would make it illegal to defame a religion or debate how stupid it may be - because in Islamic countries you CAN NOT defame Islam or the 'prophet' Mohammed which in many cases will cause you to be put to death (by law) if you could get away from those whom you've offended. Many times they are killed on the spot. There have been Europeans who have gone to trial for speaking out against Islam or Islamic practices. Some who have 'insulted' Islam have done time and some have paid fines. This is
NOT a joiking matter. We are talking about a people that love their religion and their culture MORE than they care for their "decadent" European country, which INCLUDES the governing democratic laws.
Time is NOT on Europe's side - when threat of violence is always just under the surface if an 'offense' is elevated high enough among Muslim communities. The fear of violence in many European countries has affected the way the police will handle 'suspected' Muslims for various crimes. Many times "kid gloves" are used so not to 'offend' their Islamic 'sensibilities'. Crime rates have increased dramatically in some countries due to Muslim violence in Europe but some will NOT identify the perpetrators as Muslim for fear of being labeled "Islamaphobic" or "racist". I'm not certain if it is being used now, but the British police were going to put 'dog booties' on their police dogs' feet if they were to enter a suspected criminal's Muslim home - because according to Islam, dogs are 'unclean'. Other such things are being done so not to enrage the 'sensibilities' of the Muslim's Islamic beliefs.
Time is NOT on Europe's side - because the European countries in the UN are now threatened by Muslim countries that might boycott European products if Muslims in Europe are not accommodated or appeased in some way. This has emboldened the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) to make more and more demands in the UN and has caused the OIC to gain more and more power as Europe weakens.
Much, much more could be revealed about the situation in Europe, but, I'm getting tired now. Really now, what more do you need to be convinced?
Not all cultures and religions are equal. That is a fact. Oil and Water do NOT mix no matter how hard you may try to shack the container, they will eventually separate.
Cultural Relativism is a sham. If you don't think so, go live with the Head Hunters. They might just show you how 'equal' you are. Europe's experiment with Multiculturalism is not working and is going to most certainly blow up in their face.
The question is: who will prevail? These are NOT opinions that I have given you - they are situations that have or are occurring right now.
Your opinion is that "it just takes time" which mean it'll all work out just fine. You've not presented any evidence or facts - just a "feeling" or opinion. My opinion (based on history and facts...and math!) is Europe will fail IF they do not act.
We should just leave it as that.