We're not terrorists, but we have little respect for Christians. Indonesia should be an Islamic country without the impurities of Christianity or Hinduism. There are no churches here. The beheadings of these schoolgirls suits the Christians. Perhaps they did it to show Muslims as monsters.'

And to many Muslims, it's never even Muslims killing Muslims, it's always those damned Christians or Jews, as we've recently seen in Jordan. This seems to be the prevailing mindset among even sincere moderate Muslims, in spite of great evidence to the contrary.

Back in 2001, there was an interesting article in The Guardian entitled, "Islam has become its own enemy," in which the author wrote that Muslims everywhere were in a deep state of denial, and that "from Egypt to Malaysia, there is an aversion to seeing terrorism as a Muslim problem and a Muslim responsibility." The issue has been with us since before 9/11, and continues with us now. What is it about Islam that makes it so difficult for it's followers to cast a critical eye on their beliefs, and have a willingness to take even the most preliminary steps to make needed reforms? Why is it that only after an incident involving the murder and maiming of innocent Muslims in a wedding, did Jordanian Muslims begin to vociferously attack terrorism?

Real tolerance and peace can only begin when a community embraces it from within! Just saying the words, doesn't make it so.

True dialogue within and between communities needs to begin, somehow, somewhere, some place.

Related:
The Blame Game Continues
Let's Blame Israel: Street Talk Tells it Straight
Muslim countries denying Christians religious freedom
Religious minorities fearful after attack in Pakistan

Just as a caution to our readers: it is not uncommon for the Indonesian army to engage in such tactics in order to gain concessions from the central government in Djakarta. When Muslims respond with the Christians are cutting off their own heads, there may be a kernel of truth in the statement. Though I doubt the Christians are cutting off their own heads, it would not be uncommon for the Indonesian army and local police to be in cahoots with the members of Laskur Jihad committing these crimes. Generous concessions from Djakarta to the Indonesian army and police in the effected region will appease the situation and make all the conspirators happy. This is an old game in the distant Indonesian provinces. Macheting victims to death usually speeds up the concessions.

For a guided tour of Indonesian savagery:

Barnes & Noble.com - Sialon - Justice Hawk - Paperback

Plan on skipping lunch!

With Aloha,

Harry

PS: Sialon means "Praise Be To God!"