[sammyg2]

OK, like I said I'm not familiar with alfred or his posts. I asked for some examples, now it appears from the last few comments he did give justification for the race card.
I don't approve of that. I am a bit jaded because I think the race card is too often used as a political tool in our society for people to get their way but when it is deserved, blamo they should get it.

Todd, I read your post carefully a couple of times and don't find anything to argue with.
A little clarification maybe, but not disagreement.
Yes I have spoken out against the violence brought forth in the name of islam and i will continue to do so.
Much of what the Koran says is similar to the old testiment. If I interpreted the old testiment as fanatically and literally as the muslim extremists interpret the koran, i would not act much different than they do.

But I like to think I've bad-mouthed the violence and the extemists who do it in the name of the religion, not the religion itself.
I do get kinda ticked off when I see the rest of the muslim world watch the violence and don't speak out against it, in my mind that is demonstrating approval.

What is offensive depends on who you ask. In this case, what is offensive to the moderators or to the members who report the posts to the moderators is the measuring stick and that's just fine.
I personally find jokes and ridicule towards Jesus every bit as offensive as others find racial slurs, but that just reminds us why I am not a moderator. I would not be a popular one at all.

I promised myself I will try to tone it down a bit and will try to keep my personal religious beliefs out of it unless that is what the topic is about. I would suggest that others do the same but thats up to them. Often it comes up because I defend my beliefs when someone has been disrespectful of them, but that is besides the point. In the future if someone makes an uncalled for intentional and unappropriate slam on my religion, I'll try to demonstrate enough self control to report it to the moderators first. Then if nothing happens, the gloves come off and we'll be back to square one.