mohammed was a murderer, was a pedophile, forced people to convert or die so stop saying they didn't as if non-Jews or Christians were less of a people, attacked peaceful tribes tribes without provocation, married his sons wife even though it was against their culture but justified his lust because he was the "prophet", Killing Jews and Christians.Books can be written about this guys evil acts and in fact have.

And do you think islam captured much of southern europe by peace? Don't you think this had much to do with the crusades

What you say about Christianity is true or at least some of it. This is where you keep erring, this was done by men supposedly in the name of Christianity not by Jesus who is the antithesis of violence. mohammed was all about violence and misdeeds which he somehow til today manages to justify in the eyes of people like you

Stop being an apologist and looking to excuse the behavior of some of these folk. The quran calls for violence many times for those that are "infidels", calls it for women.

That's my problem with Christians. To me - I don't think a lot are genuinely nice people. Meaning if it wasn't for the fear of God would they still be good people? I like to think of myself as a good person and I don't need the threat of hell or the bribery of Heaven to do it. I feel people that are good because they are good are better than people that are beholden to a big, angry guy in the sky. And even if there is one for real I doubt He'd send you to Hell if you were good just because you didn't believe in Him. That's the one thing I frigging hate about their doctrine. That a child rapist/killer can supposedly go to Heaven if he asks for forgiveness and accepts Jesus into his life but if I do good all my life and try to help others but don't accept Him then I go to Hell. Fuck that.

Wise, I was referring to the Arizona law where officers can check immigration papers of people they stop ... it has been implied this would be used against people that look like they are staying illegally in the US ... usually this would involve some form of racial profiling ...

 Dude... you really need to learn your history better from people that aren't full of hate. The Reforms that happened in  that region were many, people were generally happy. It was genearlly normal to marry people as young as Aisha at the time. Yemenii customs still have things like this. I don't agree with it, but it wasn't uncommon. He also had several wives as was custom at the time, and is a much loved figure in Islam. 

In Medina he set up a state with a Charter that helped bring peace to the city and included Jews, Christians and Pagans at the table. Making them political equals and granting freedom of religion. Including Jews and Christians among the believers.

During his life though he acted with the presveration of his authority in hand, he was never the first to act, and almost universally faced military powers larger then his own. In his life time he treated Jewish, Christian and Pagans fairly, and acted only in retaliation. (though it's not totally clear what happened with the Qaynuqa) 

He brought about reforms which continued after his death, and in general provided a great deal of peace in most places for nearly 300 years. It's expansion was no better or worse then any other empire expansion, from Roman, Ottoman, American, etc. At each point Jews and Minor Christian denomination gained freedoms. Catholic and Eastern Churches were no longer established in the theocratic manner they were under previous rulers but were allowed to hold their land, and practice their faith, without persecution from the Islamic state (usually). The Jews no longer suffered regular prescution from a Christian State and instead enjoyed much great freedoms. 

Though encourged to convert no one was ever forced to, Christian, Jew or Pagan. Freedom of Religion was provided as law. 

I have to this day have never had a poor discussion with a Muslim. I have never felt perscuted or belittled by one. I have never had a muslim suggest that any problems in my life are because of my faith. I have never been denied a job by a Muslim employeer. No muslim has ever stopped me in the street and pressured me to convert. No Muslim has ever outlawed my faith, or tortured my ancestors because they didn't practice the right type of faith. 

And really there wasn't any significant issues in the Middle East minus political conquest (turks, ottomans) until the British and French took over which of course was looked on in much the same way the Irish looked at the British. 

And the Crusades were all European Aggressions against the Middle East, Spain, and Pagan Europe. And Iberian Conquest happened very early. The Ottoman Conquest into the Balkans and Hungry was Political not Religious. 

In fact the most successful Crusade was lead by a excommunicate who nagotiated a peacful solution. 

This Western idea that Islam is some how evil is sad, and uneducated. 

Christianity and Islam come from the same tree. And both can and has been used to oppress the rights of others by violent and, or, other means. One is no better than the other in that respect. 

As for Card being boycotted, it all depends. If he has anti-gay opinions, that's his right to have them. But, if he has put those opinions into action and has sought to limit his fellow American's God given and Constitutionally protected rights in any way, then he deserves to be boycotted. You reap what you sow.

Well this got interesting. Seriously, as Chris Rock said, "Humanity took a good idea and as always built a belief structure on it."

The entire boycott thing is stupid. Period. Again, you have no idea who believes what, and as long as he does not use the comics as a forum to push those beliefs then who cares. Gee it seems when it goes the other way there is no outcry or boycott. In fact how about every time we see some comic that pushes a pro gay agenda we boycott it? Or better yet how about leave the entire gay/not gay thing out of the comic book altogether and just let it be a comic book. I remember after Obama got elected they did this really f*cking stupid comic with Spider man and Obama together on the cover. How f*cking stupid is that. Keep politics and crap like that out of comics. Especially endorsing political candidates. Really?

Oh and too all the morons who will come out and say "but gays need comics to provide role models for them". If your life role model comes from a comic book, you are really in need of a therapist. Seriously, get help. Comics are for entertainment, not to provide life role models. If you think they should be then please, find the nearest tall building, and attempt to jump it in a single bound. Keep repeating until you are successful or unable to continue. You will get the point soon enough. Or be dead, either way win: win.

Oh and Marvel, stop screwing with Wolverine. He is not gay. Period. He is more manly and awesome than Chuck Norris and Clint Eastwood combined. IN FACT having him kiss Hercules is like having Chuck Norris and Clint Eastwood kissing. NO. JUST F*CKING NO. Stop it. Douchebags.

Lazarus  - you act like they Christian Right doesn't boycott pro-gay things. They do. ALL THE TIME. There are even groups - I know because some of my friends are on them unfortunately (Catholics) - and they tell them who and what to boycott solely for gay issues. Hell, they boycotted Pepsi just because a commercial showed a guy look at a guy like he wanted him although the commercial clearly depicted the guy being interested in the Pepsi.

 lazarus - I agree, if your role models are coming from comic books, you're in need of a therapist...if you're an ADULT.  What, do you think that because people OUR age read and enjoy comics that kids never do anymore?  When I was a kid, I looked up to my dad, my great Uncle Charles, my Grandpa Vance...I also looked up to Jean Luc Picard.  Should I have gotten a therapist?  Just saying, kids will look up to fictional characters.  To deny positive personalities, that kids identify with, in any medium is not only elitist, but not good for sales when it comes down to it.  I mean, are you seriously telling us that you never looked up to Luke Skywalker?  Batman?  James T. Kirk?  Fictional role models may be silly, but you can't deny that a well written character can have just as much positive influence on a person's life as any real world counterpart.

SC while your argument is sound and I agree to seek a role model simply because of sexual orientation is stupid. That is the point. I am saying if the comic companies alter characters to be gay, or whatever just to pander to a child. Well that is sad. And yeah I get that kids need role models, that is why they have NFL, NBA, and other athaletes. LOL.

Do you think making a character gay makes him/her better well written? (I think I violated some English rules there). I get irked with the going out their way gestures that seems like gimmicks more than anything.

And MJE, Pepsi tastes like shit anyway. The Christian right is not a publicly vocal about boycotts. Tell me the last time you heard about one on the news? No doubt they do but it never makes national news. But God forbid that something anti gay comes out well hell there is a national emergency? How about just not cover it and provide it the same treatment Christian boycotts get. I think that is fair.

 When I was a kid, I didn't give a sh#t about sports...soooo, part of your thesis is that kids should have the same role models that you did?  Okay.  And no, making a character gay doesn't make them better or well written...well written, as always, depends on the author.  What is real is that kids as young as preteen are capable or realizing if they are gay or not.  If any of them are comic book fans, it only makes sense that a company would try to cater to every demographic, doesn't it?  I'm not saying they don't come off as gimmicky to the rest of us sometimes, but if it helps even one kid feel less isolated and provide some kind of validation, I'd say it's worth it.  And to be honest, part of me thinks it's a better idea to rewrite an existing character than to come up with a brand new character...I mean, look at how the comic book and entertainment industries have attempted diversity in the past:  Black Lightning, Dr. Voodoo, Apache Chief...I shudder to think of a new, gay character they would dream up to appeal to the gay demographic.