>>But it's not just a titbit with which to tar the rest, is it? It's people flying jetliners into skyscrapers, suicide bombers, stoning of adulterers (well the females), the wearing of burkas, female circumcision (not universal mind), the other titbits, et al, and, worst of all, the fact that they never get to taste bacon <s>
>
>But do all Muslims do, or even endorse, those activities?... Or is it some tiny minority that is out-of-whack with the rest? As Pat Robertson give Christians a bad name, so Jihadists/Taliban/sectX give Muslims a bad name.

Oh sure. I never blame the masses - just the fanatics who lead them - be it a religion or a totalitarian regime. I'm sure that if left to themselves, and not being constantly whipped into a frenzy, your average muslim would just get on with what he's doing. I've been to 2 muslim countries and got on really well with the people I've met, and found them to be really great people - good for a laugh, interesting, good company. But then religion can get in the way when you throw in a "mad mullah" to stir them up.

For instance, I'm sure the vast maj. weren't even AWARE of "The Satanic Verses" or the Mohammed cartoons till someone with an axe to grind drew them to their attention and started the demo's. But it's a very volatile and touchy religion and it doesn't take too much to spark it off.

>We KNOW Pat Robertson doesn't 'speak' for all Christians. Why can't we give similar quarter for Muslims?

Don't know who that is.

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>And I guess the price of bacon would go sky-high if Muslims ate it too < s >

Strangely enough, I used to work with an Iranian who'd come over to the UK in the days of the Shah. He told me that when he met his visiting brother off the plane, the 1st thing his bro wanted to do was have a bacon butty! :-)