It's getting to me. I'm getting angry.

[FatSlob]

I'm starting to feel it. I'm starting to believe that Islam is an evil religion. All I hear about is Muslim terrorists targeting this, or murdering more people in Israel, or blowing up airplanes in Russia, or taking over a school and murdering those inside, or plotting to kill, or murdering 12 Nepalese, or beheading a journalist. It is really starting to get to me. Cognitively, I know that I should try to remain open and realize that only a small number support this convoluted view of Islam. However, my anger keeps growing, and I am associating the animals who commit these crimes with the rest of Islam. I am becoming angry and hate filled, and I don't like it. I see an Arab-looking man out in public, at the mall or where ever, and I keep an eye on him. I visually examine him for weapons. It's getting to me. I need your help. Tell me that I'm not the only one feeling like this, tell me that it is temporary and goes away. Tell me that by recognizing my emotions, that I will be able to overcome them. If you have any advice, please give it. Thank you, all, for your help.

[demnan]

1. Make a friend -

a moderate Islamic friend. That way you can distinguish in your mind between the majority of Muslims who are like your friend and the few nutsoids.

[GOPisEvil]

2. That's what the administration wants.

You think the vast majority of Germans in the 1930s had enmity towards Jews? Don't fall for it. Don't go by what you hear, go by what you see.

[BJ]

3. Try living their lives.

If you can mentally step outside your American perspective and see the world through the eyes of a Palestinian man or women in their early twenties. You'd begin to see that, for them, there is no hope. There is no peace. There is no justice. There is only violence and vengeance.

Add to that the nearly two-hundred year domination of Islamic civilization by the West and you just might begin to understand the Islamic world's desperation.

[apnu]

4. Relax and realize that this is what the GOP wants.

Like in Orwell's Novel 1984, the GOP wants/needs an endless "hate week" to keep the voters in line. At least until the election where, if they win, they will have a president who will be able to ignore all polls and do as he likes.

And if you think that some extremist terrorists are bad, check this out: http://www.iraqbodycount.net/
and
http://costofwar.com/

And ask yourself who doing more damage to the planet.

(At least that's how I keep myself from getting all freaked out and insulated from the product the GOP is trying to sell us)

[Bertha Venation]

5. It wasn't so long ago that Christians murdered in the name of Christ

for just one example, the Crusades.

Even more recently, millions were murdered by a man who proclaimed his Christianity (Hitler).

[rhino47]

6. I get so angry too.

I dislike the message of hate and fear the pukes spew.I truly think the funder views the puke takes is outrageous.Fundamentalism I feel is the downfall of any society that lets it take root in their political process.When there is no hope for people they turn to religion.They like to believe there is a higher being to blame for their faults or situation.That or believe a greater being will rescue them.They look for a better afterlife knowing this life is so unfair to them.They have nothing to lose.That is what needs to be addressed not islam as a religion .Give those extreme muslims hope for a better life here on earth and they will become more moderate.Islam is not in itself a religion of hate any more then Christianity is.All faiths teach love.But sadly people use religion as a tool to hate,suppress , or isolate.If the fundamentalist christians had their way in this country that would be the end of all hope here.

[Richardo]

7. FatSlob - read this article

The government is overplaying their hands and contributing to the hysteria. Don't be played.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x792597

[FatSlob]

8. Thanks for the replies, guys.

I'll be gone for a bit, I'll catch up after the game. Thank you.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Relax. Breathe deep.

Islam is not evil, it just gets perverted by a few extremists.

There are even liberal Muslims out there in the world. :^)

Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

[tjwash]

10. You can start by...

...reading and researching to form an opinion, and realize that the major media outlets are all owned by large corporations, of which a majority, give substantial money to conservative special interest groups. IOW turn off the TV news, and don't trust the major newspapers, because they are nothing more than unpaid advertising for the White house.

Why the hell do you think a significant percentage of the people think Saddam had WMD's when he didn't, and they still think the war in Iraq is going well? All the real stories are suppressed or voluntarily censored from or by the corporate mainstream media. You do not have to travel far beyond the mainstream to find the real story on what is going on over there. Our "news" reports tend to supplant the photos of dead babies, bloodied battered little kids and the slaughter of innocent men and women, with photos of blue-eyed, smiling marines, or distance-shot building explosions. Then they provide all the ignorant masses with Viagra commercials between the propaganda.

[miss_kitty]

11. one thing you might want to keep in mind...

this gov't has shown itself to be the biggest bunch of liars and cheats seen in a while. and the corporately-owned media is there to back them up.
a few guys, mostly Saudis, did 9/11. so we bomb Afghanistan and Iraq, because 9/11 happened. why did people get behind this? apparently, we were lied to.
this gov't has totally rigged the game in their favour. even though depriving people of due process, right to counsel, free speech, one man one vote, right to privacy (and much more) goes against the basic precepts and tenets upon which this country was based, this gov't is violating them all, with impunity. and the drumbeat of the media, whoring for these liars, is filling up your ears.

i guess that was more than one thing. i have included a couple of links here, i use every day, and have for years. they are good. if you don't know them, FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) points out media bullshit and if you stream, or live in a city where it is on their Radio show 'Counterspin' is great.
Democracy Now! i cannot say enough about...you need to stream or be in a city where it is carried-radio and some telly.

http://www.fair.org/
http://www.democracynow.org/

what is spurring your feelings is not news based on the truth. these people are no more responsible for what people they probably don't know did, anymore than you are responsible for what the cheney-bush junta does in your name.

i wish you luck in discovering the truth.