Should we Stop Discussing whether Islam is Peaceful ?

[BlueMTexpat]

57. I lived for eight years

in a Muslim culture. I am a woman. I was never "subjugated," mistreated, or persecuted by Muslims. And yes, I spoke out against what I perceived as injustice.

Yes, there are women who are indeed treated badly. But that is more because of bad individuals who interpret their religion for their own ends. There are also many - men and women both - who spoke out against such subjugation and have been working tirelessly to improve the situation. They are indeed heroes.

There are battered and subjugated women, not only in the US, but everywhere. Some use religious beliefs to justify such treatment. Others are simply thugs who do as they damn well please.

Frankly, subjugation of women and persecution of gays were - and in many ways still are - part and parcel of the Catholic religious culture that I was raised in. In fact, I was more "subjugated" by Catholics than ever I was by Muslims.

Do you actually know firsthand anything about what you are talking about? I would bet that most of those who post the most strident anti-Muslim posts here do not - it is all either anecdotal or seen from outside.

Bigotry is simply wrong. Be against those who use their "ism" - whatever their "ism" is - to harm others.