"Add faithophobia to my crimes: I have no respect for religions that have little respect for me"

[kwassa]

57. I disagree in this regard.

There is a multiplicity of viewpoints in certain countries in the Middle East.

Lebanon is made of made of highly-diverse civilian population of many different religions, or sects, including Christians. Syria has differing ethnicities, for a long time ruled by the Alawite minority. Other countries have both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Many Middle Eastern countries have historically both Christian and Jewish populations that were tolerated in them.

But within totally Muslim nations, there is still a vast range of belief from liberal to conservative. Pakistan has the complete range, from a free press and independent judiciary, to the most fanatical religious and oppressive conservatives in existence.

and I would point out that Nigeria, not in the Middle East, has huge sectarian conflict between the Muslim north and the Christian south, and both sides are extremely homophobic. On the other hand, the mostly Christian South Africa has legalized same-sex marriage. This is why I suggest the separation of culture from religion.

It can come down to a chicken-and-egg argument. Which came first? Is the interpretation of the religion done through the pre-existing culture? I would say that it is.