Thank you very much. As a matter of fact, I believe everyone (if not mentally defective) has the potential to do whatever they desire, however I see superstitions as a factor that can prevent you from achieving your dreams. There are millions of people with untapped talents that are wasting their lives because of religion, the lack of stability in the middle-east has roots in the religion and extreme ideologies, and I'm not bashing a particular religion, I think that they all have their own equal share of misery for the humankind.
Not that I'm aware of, but there are plenty in Boston (where my university is at).
You seem to be a reasonable person, and you're definitely articulate which shows that you have broader view of the world and capacity to at least listen to the opposing views, however I would definitely had my head on a platter somewhere if I voice my opinion among majority of Muslims, Iranians are not excluded, the difference is that they might hang me instead of beheading me.
Best of lucks to you. And I wish you success.
If I got ban too bad, if not, we will further discuss thing later.
That is correct. But I fail to see what superstitions you are referring to? Millions of Muslims from all backgrounds and ethnicities are achieving great academic success her in Europe.
Let me give you an example. Here in Denmark one of the most educated, prosperous, equal, safe, happy etc. countries the foreigners and so-called backward Muslims and especially the girls are outnumbering the "native Danes" with a ratio 3:1 at the universities and schools of higher learning. In fact the universities are full of girls wearing the hijab. I don't see them believing in Islam being a hindrance at all. Rather it seems to me that it gives them the discipline that many natives lack. While many natives are going out each Thursday, Friday, Saturday night to get completely wasted they are studying hard or at least many do. They obviously also take part in the society, their communities, have a social life but just in another way. Not everything is centered around alcohol, drugs, money and sex in this life. Hell, many of them are even married and have children and are WAY more mature people. Islam has a role to play here. No doubt about it.
Islam is not a extreme ideology at all. In fact I don't see any of the major religions as extreme at all. At most SOME of the adherents and THEIR interpretations are extreme.
Eh, I am not sure how Muslims in the US are (can't judge from just a 1 year long stay) but in KSA and Europe most of the youth are tolerant and embrace all kind of elements from cultures that are not their own. You just never hear about them since it is normal and it is not interesting for the news stations to write about NORMAL people.
Besides why is religion the root to all problems? How about political ideologies, philosophies? Do humans need to believe in a religion to be irrational or evil? We are that FROM THE NATURE already. At least some are. And that's where the main problem is. Those same individuals can take any religion, ideology etc. and spin it in a negative way that suits their violent agenda etc.
You can also claim that cults and gangs are "religious groups" or at least groups that share the same goal.
Thanks and I wish you all the best too.
Also I really belief that you would change your view about Islam if you visited a sufi monastery in the mountains of Yemen etc. and many other Muslim communities that are doing a lot of good work. Or just read about Islam from a non-radical and non-biased source.
Or any other religion for that matter.
