I found this on a silly anti-Islam site, which is supposedly a good tool to use to see who is an “extremist”. It’s kind of interesting, given how one-sided it is. I thought I’d publicly “answer” it, and give the other side a nice list of statements to make as well.

1. I recognize the right of Israel to exist in peace. YES.
2. I state that anti-Semitism is an affront before God–that is, before my God, and your God. YES.
3. I state that everyone has the right to worship, not worship, or change the religion of their birth without fear of recrimination or murder. YES.
4. I state that anyone who preaches religious hatred or foments terrorism should be incarcerated for a lengthy prison term. YES.
5. I state that women have the unfettered right to social, religious, and political equality. YES.
6. I state that Muslims must live in peace with people who are not Muslims. YES.

Now, to determine who is an “extremist” on the other side:

1. I recognize the right of Palestine to exist in peace.
2. I state that anti-Islam, anti-Muslim or racist sentiments are affronts before God, everyone’s God (there is only One).
3. I state that everyone (even Muslims) have the right to worship, not worship and change their religion (”convert” to Islam) without fear of anything.
4. I state that anyone who preaches, encourages or supports hatred of Islam or violence against Muslims should be incarcerated for a lengthy prison term.
5. I state that Muslim women (and men) have the unfettered right, in the United States and elsewhere, to social, religious and political freedom and equality.
6. I state that non-Muslims must live in peace with Muslims.

I feel confident in answering for them:

1. Palestine is not a state, and all Arabs are terrorists, therefore… NO.
2. Izlam itself is an affront to God and mo-HAM-id was a pedophile.
3. Converting to Izlam is as good as treason and all Muzzies should be deported.
4. Speaking out against the evil of Islam is part of our freedom.
5. Muzzies are not equal citizens in MY country. Muzzie women should wear bikinis.
6. Muzzies want us dead, so we cannot be at peace with them until they are all dead.

The interesting thing about these “anti-Islam” nuts is that they seem to cry out loudly for tolerance of themselves, their religion and culture, all the while totally disrespecting others and calling for the end of other cultures and religions. I’m not sure if they are able to see the similarities in the way they feel about Muslims and the way Muslims (allegedly) feel about them. I find quite a few parallels in their thoughts…

- That they should not be made to live among those who do not have the same culture or religion.
- That their culture is the only acceptable culture, all others are either sinful, barbaric, backward or indulgent.
- That plurality and tolerance are weaknesses, their way is the only way.
- Torture is great! (As long as they’re the torturers.)
- Religious laws should govern the country and override the concern of any minorities (should there, for some reason, be any still living among them). And so on…

It’s not actually extremists or Islamo-whateverists they hate, it’s just Muslims in general and that’s a shame. They even banned an ultra-liberal near-kafir Muslim like me from their forum, just awful. :-)