Isn’t that what the purpose of the forum was that was disrupted?

As Americans, we aren’t responsible for what other countries have as their laws and how their citizens behave. We ARE responsible for our own government. That’s what the “freedom” the right wing is always screeching about MEANS. What you’re suggesting is that since (some) predominantly Muslim countries have bad laws and unjust persecution of speakers, we don’t have to do anything about our own behavior becasue it’s not as bad as that. I don’t think that is the standard we want to aspire to.

You are one of the most confusing people I’ve ever dealt with. You seem to adore the people who despise you.

By all accounts, you seem to be a massively self-hating gay conservative. Why else would you follow these people?

AND NOT MOVE TO A STATE MORE AMENABLE TO YOUR LIFESTYLE????

You insult my home state of Marxachusetts, but you have conveniently forgotten we have some of the most gay-friendly legislators in the country.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Provincetown? It is a paradise both for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. (Not as wonderful as Martha’s Vineyard, from which I am writing this comment. Of course;)

You’re a smart guy. I think if we were to meet in real life, we would probably be friends. But as someone who genuinely likes you, I urge you to rethink your political philosophy.

You’re better than that.

Surely, you are familiar with The Fellowship, the evangelical lobby in DC? And how they are helping to craft laws in places like Uganda that make homosexuality a crime punished by death? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.....anization) )

Turn off Fox News, do some reading and come back to engage in a reasoned conversation. You may find that your fellow evangelicals are just as bad as those evil mooslims that have you so frightened.

When you have lived and worked amongst gay people it becomes increasingly difficult to understand why people would want to hurt them just because of their lifestyle choice.

Not to say that there are not unpleasant people from all walks of life who we may find greatly distasteful but not just based on religious beliefs, color of skin or two loving adults of the same sex.

Nasty people transcend all of those paradigms they are nasty despite what they believe or what they may look like.

I was just in London and it was wonderful. Can Muslims turn my home city into London, please?

“I’ve been to Paris twice, and I thought that I was in Baghdad, instead of Paris, France.”

Obviously you are quite confused. I’ve been to London, Berlin, etc. and while the Muslim population is noticeable I wasn’t so stupid as to mistake it for say, Turkey.

I think it is possible through the marvel of online community to interact with people of all faiths, even if situated in a locale where Muslims are poorly represented. Your argument, while reasoned, seems to suggest that minority groups deserve what they get from mainstream bigotry (Sam, I don’t mean you) because they are minority groups.

Your point about the Jewish faith seems has something to it, since yes of course going out and stopping someone to say “Wow I always wanted to meet a Jew!” seems a little uncouth. But let’s not overlook the material fact that the U.S. is at war — declared or not — with various Muslim countries and that anti Muslim bigotry is at an all time high.

I think Aron’s comment can be reduced to the notion that stereotypes tend to crumble when there is interaction between people of different values, faiths, races, sexual orientation, etc. What’s the problem with that?

That is not to suggest someone who never or seldom interacts with a different kind of person is a bigot. It means people who are basing their worldview on completely ignorant stereotypes should broaden their perspectives a bit. If you agree with that idea, what method do you propose might work beyond personal interaction with Muslims?

As an aside, it is unlikely that an immigrant from mainland China would be a Buddhist unless she started practicing outside of China. Buddhists were persecuted during the Cultural Revolution and only very recently has tolerance been re-established. It is not unheard of for immigrants from China to have their first encounter with Buddhism in the United States.

Based on his comments, Sam is very much bigoted against Muslims.

And I am very willing to bet there is either a mosque or Islamic Center within driving distance of his home in Kentucky.

I am not advocating that everyone meet everyone. But just like the stories about Christians meeting Jews for the first time, and asking to see their horns (I have seen it happen), familiarity breeds understanding.

It may be a simplistic solution, but I have been dealing with Sam for quite some time now. And sometimes simple is the only way to get through to him.

As an atheist, every time I see an American Christian they are always abusing someone who is different, be it for skin colour, belief or sexual preference.

I never see the American Christian community speak out against these people. I think it is safe to assume that they tacitly support such extremists.

Uh, even in Iran there are widescale public protests. Where are you getting your data, from talk radio? Simple kneejerk opinions? I doubt you have actually even been to a Muslim country, and yet here you are, sharing your expert viewpoint on the matter.

Meanwhile, right here at home, with the “valor theft” law just signed by Obama, people can now spend a year in jail for lying about having a medal. Jail time for speech crimes. Forget Muslim countries. Where is freedom of speech in America?

Now, I’m not going to talk about whether Sam is right or wrong in what he’s saying, but Aron, you do realise there are places in the US where they’re aren’t any Muslims. Do you expect people to go to other towns just to meet a Muslim? Would you tell Christians who have never met Jews (and I’m sure they do exist) to go out and meet a Jew? Both ideas sound a bit simplistic and even bigoted to me.

I happen to live in a university town where there are quite a few Muslims. I have met some people whom I know to be Muslim and others who might be. An example of the latter is a Turkish guy I know who is an avant-garde musician and composer. That’s what I know him as. A musician. I know him from a group of other musicians. I don’t know if most of these (mostly Anglo) musicians are Christians or not, but there is one man who might be Jewish, based on his name, but then again maybe he’s not. There is also a woman in this group from mainland China. Is she a Buddhist – an atheist – a Communist? I don’t know, nor do I particularly care. I know these people as musicians, and the subject of religion never comes up.

My point is, some people in one group may very well never meet people in another. It is unlikely that I will ever encounter people from the Mian or Mekeo tribes of New Guinea. That does not mean that I am bigoted against them, and that would remain true if someone told me members of those tribes were in my town and I just didn’t feel the need to meet them.

I don’t know whether Sam is a bigot or not, but telling him (or others) to go out and meet a Muslim is not the solution for these problems.

Every part of the world does not live by American standards and laws. And really it’s not our place to force them to do so.

And I thought the Tea bag klan believed in the US Constitution ? But, it appears they only like it you believe only in their religious brand.

I am thankful they don’t get to select the President for the rest of us :-)

Of course, they’re justifying an old injustice to inflict a injustice on a new “enemy.” They are evil and must be opposed 24/7.

Begone, neo-Fascist scum. Scoot on back to VNN.

Really? Where were antifas heckling people for practicing their religion.

“Also in many perhaps most Muslim countries, the people being heckled would also be manacled and stoned for straying from the politically orthodox path. Where is freedom of speech in Muslim countries?”

Sorry, not in “most Muslim countries” but in fact very few. But the bottom line is that it doesn’t matter what rights people have in other countries when it comes to this case. These people aren’t trying to impose those traditions on the US and they are Americans who enjoy the same 1st Amendment rights of everyone else.

In finding that common ground he may also find that very few are jihadis, despite what Faux News may tell him. He may discover that they are real Americans, just like himself. Maybe, if we are lucky.

Huh? You lost me.,