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Back the truck up. I didn't say the German people never knew about the concentration camps, or the rounding up of the Jews, or any of that. I'm not even saying there wasn't suspicion by some of the population, I'm talking about widespread knowledge of the genocide--quite a difference. Just as there are sources that speculate the German people did know of the genocide, there are sources which contend that they didn't. I tend to believe the later considering the extent the regime went to try to keep it under wraps and the effectiveness of its attempts to sway public opinion. Without a doubt, there were small segments of the population that knew--but widespread knowledge is quite a reach and I am doubtful. Look at our own country--the Manhattan project is probably a great example of an enormous government program right under our noses that practically no one knew about. If you really want to hide something, it can be done, and the Nazi's could quite easily pull it off.
Regarding Islam, I guess the only thing I can say at this point is if you don't have an Islamic friend, get one, and then let's talk about how awful human beings they are. If all you're going to look at are governments of Islamic countries and Islamic extremist groups, and all but ignore the behavior of Muslims inside your own country, then any attempt at bringing a little tolerance, open-mindedness, and understanding to this thread is rather pointless and a waste of time. It sounds like we have a lot of avid readers on this thread (which is awesome), so if I may, I'd like to recommend "The Illustrated World's Religions" by Huston Smith if you haven't already read it. It's an excellent introduction to many faiths around the world, and a perspective on things that's a little different from what one is used to never hurt anyone. You might even find that in the attempt to understand other faiths, you'll strengthen your own.
Regarding Islam, I guess the only thing I can say at this point is if you don't have an Islamic friend, get one, and then let's talk about how awful human beings they are. If all you're going to look at are governments of Islamic countries and Islamic extremist groups, and all but ignore the behavior of Muslims inside your own country, then any attempt at bringing a little tolerance, open-mindedness, and understanding to this thread is rather pointless and a waste of time. It sounds like we have a lot of avid readers on this thread (which is awesome), so if I may, I'd like to recommend "The Illustrated World's Religions" by Huston Smith if you haven't already read it. It's an excellent introduction to many faiths around the world, and a perspective on things that's a little different from what one is used to never hurt anyone. You might even find that in the attempt to understand other faiths, you'll strengthen your own.
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