[CptSternn]

Originally Posted by Drake Dun

It depends on what you mean by "biased" and "bigoted". I'm trying to figure out what you want to say, here. As near as I can tell, it's intended as a kind of general admonishment for the unapologetic contempt I show to Islam. The effectiveness of such an admonishment relies, however, upon an ethic of automatic deference to religious opinion which I do not share with you.

What most westerns do not realise is Islam is not just a religion. It is a way of life. It encompasses relgion, culture, and a lifestyle choice all in one. To attack it as a 'religion', as many westerns these days try to do is to outright attack people who live in such countries. Unlike Christianity in America, where people choose it and choose to abide by (or not) the moral laws that they follow is completely different.

Also, you must note that their culture is directly tied to their religion. To say that Islam has certain faults, is also saying this whole race of people has these faults.

I'm not willing to say that, as I feel, like with *all* cultures, that there are many distinct differences. Some aspects I might like or agree with, others not so much, but I never directly attack a race of people for their culture.

The comparison to racist organizations is, in addition to being inaccurate, irrelevant. Either my ideas have value, or they don't. What some lanky shaved-headed kid in Oklahoma thinks is quite beside the point.

True, however, posting such statements is what makes the backbone of such organisations. When the republicans in congress post stats that show 80% of people in American jails are black, it fuels that racial fire and gives ammo to the same groups. I am only saying that if you post such comments here, you need to temper them with a point, not just a blatant attack on their culture/religion (i.e. your comment about Allah) else you come off as someone just adding more fuel to this growing, racist fire.

That's the line, but there is much less hay to make out of it than people seem to think. I notice gender discrimination here primarily in one context - the business context, in which there is a clear discrepancy between men and women (more than in the States, for example). That's obviously significant, but it's about as far as things go.

The whole geshia thing? Women walking behind men (not that this is still practices as much)? Women in a sub-servant role in society in general? How many women hold high ranking positions in Japanese corporations? Women are not treated as a material object?

Women in Japan are treated with immeasurably more respect than any woman living under Sharia law. That observation brings us full circle, doesn't it?

Well, once again thats a matter of perspective. When it comes to crazy sex, underage sex, r.ape, and the like - the Japanese are the ones selling this sort of thing worldwide. I know - my video collection - anime and other - contains lots of outlandish shite that I have NEVER seen in any other culture. So women under Sharia law might have to wear a burka. Does that make them more repressed than ones having sex with 12 cocked aliens, wearing a horse harness, and simulating a violent r.ape?

Being held as second class and kept as a reverent item as compared to being held as second class and used as a tool for obscene sexual amusement for the whole world - which one is better? Given the choice - which one would women pick?

Maybe we should ask a few here!