Some interesting reading

A few months ago, I mentioned a website called Faithfreedom.org. And I mentioned it again here. Faithfreedom is run by an individual who goes by the name of "Ali Sina." Some might find that name familiar. Abu Ali Sina (also known as "Avicenna") was a major Persian philosopher and prolific author who lived about a thousand years ago. Our current Ali Sina is obviously a pseudonym. It would proably be extremely imprudent to use one's own name on a website dedicated to exposing Islam's darker side.

As I've suggested before, Dr. Sina can be a little over the top in his animosity toward Islam and his English is sometimes a bit weak, but he's obviously put a lot of thought and research into his work and much of it seems to be well grounded in his own intimate experience. The look and feel of his website have toned down in the last few months, as well. Gone are the photos of the Twin Towers burning, captioned by violent exhortations from the Koran. But the debunking of the myth of "peaceful Islam" is still front and center, along with links to a number of fascinating articles and debates he's undertaken with defenders of the faith. (He currently has posted an open invitation to John Esposito to publicly debate with him the compatibility of Islam and Western civilization. I'll be watching for that one).

There's a lot here that will offend true believers of every faith. Dr. Sina is skeptical of all religion, to say the least, although he concentrates the bulk of his criticism on the faith in which he was raised. But his crusade (if I may use that word) seems to be fueled by genuine concern, not hate. Particularly revealing is his response to a FAQ asking if he believes that all Muslims are terrorists.

Of course all Muslims are not terrorists. This is an absurd statement. My grandmother never missed a prayer but I am sure she was a saint. I never met a woman as self-sacrificing, kind and loving as that pure soul. Do you really believe I think my beloved nana was a terrorist? I have met so many wonderful beings among Muslims that I met nowhere. There is something especial about us Middle Easterners that one cannot find anywhere else. Our hospitality is unmatched. We honor our words. We are warm and friendly people. You visit the house of an Arab, a Turk, an Afghan or a Persian and you are showered with so much love unparalleled in any other part of the world. It takes an idiot to call these people terrorists. You might have heard in the news when the Americans were bombing Afghanistan the Afghans were shielding American missionaries with their own bodies to make sure if there is a mishap they are not harmed. Are these people terrorists?

Our people are not terrorists just because they are born in an Islamic country and they think they are Muslims. Terrorists are those who follow the teachings of Muhammad. Quran is a book that inspires its followers to hate the non-believers, to kill them, subdue them and treat them as second-class citizens. But not all Muslims follow what Quran teaches. The majority of Muslims are not even aware of what Quran teaches or how Muhammad lived.

Oh and, by the way, www.faithfreedom.com, the website that appeared a few months ago in opposition to Dr. Sina's message, is still mostly "under construction." So we'll have to wait a while longer for the benefit of their wisdom on "Christian Bigotry" and their exposé of the supposedly evil Hindutvadis (on a par with Zionists! in arch-villainry, it seems). But their responses to Dr. Sina are up and running. For a different perspective, do check them out, as well.