A Rational View of Islam

A friend posted this over on FB.  It may just be the most rational statement regarding Islam that I've seen.  Amidst all the hysteria, scare tactics, denial, and inaction that has come to symbolize Obama's head in the sand approach, it's nice to finally see someone stand up and tell the truth.

"There is not a problem with Islam... But there is a problem within Islam, and we have to put it on the table and be honest about it. There are, of course, Christian extremists and Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu ones. But I am afraid that the problematic strain within Islam is not the province of a few extremists. It has at its heart a view of religion – and of the relationship between religion and politics – that is not compatible with pluralistic, liberal, open-minded societies. At the extreme end of the spectrum are terrorists, but the worldview goes deeper and wider than it is comfortable for us to admit. So, by and large, we don’t admit it. This has two effects. First, those who hold extreme views believe that we are weak, and that gives them strength. Second, those Muslims – and the good news is that there are many – who know the problem exists, and want to do something about it, lose heart." --Tony Blair