Re: Tahir I. Siddiqui's Aug. 30 letter, “Thoughtful words,� a response to Yahya Merchant’s Aug. 28 letter, “Really, it’s not about religion�:
I found Mr. Siddiqui's words less than thoughtful. Basically, he is saying that Mr. Merchant's continual diatribes about the poor, maligned Muslims is right on, and the rest of us who cannot understand Mr. Merchant and the nuances of Islam should go ask our favorite imam to enlighten us.
Poppycock!
I do not care what religion you are. When the leaders and members of that religion condone violence as a means to an end, you are wrong! Dead wrong.
Mr. Merchant and Mr. Siddiqui would counter that Islam means submission and is a peaceful religion.
Poppycock!
There are Muslim leaders throughout the world calling for violence against Jews and Americans. Yet Islam is a peaceful religion. When Muslim leaders worldwide stop encouraging conflict and death by suicide bombers, then we can start to solve the problems instead of adding to them.
Talk is cheap, and though I am not from Missouri, show me!
Show me how peaceful Islam is. Show me how tolerant Islam is. Show me how non-violence breeds respect.
Right now, Islam is intolerant, and no amount of thoughtful words will change that. You change it with thoughtful deeds.
— Tim Robbins, Thousand Oaks
Don't panic!
If they were ALL that violent, you'd have 1,400,000,000 people after you.
Calm down, please.