Islam and Politics

I'm told that one should never discuss (in a public forum) politics sex or religion. I'm not sure why. Anyway, let's talk about religion: RELIGION Here, the Qur'an says: So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks ... and here it says: Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. yet we read here: ... whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Seems inconsistent, eh? So, does Islam promote violence in order to promote the religion? How about these quotes: Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. click And fire came forth from the presence of the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. click Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. click Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock! click Conclusion: Ignore violent components of any religion and examine those who currently practise it -- not the radical proponents, not the wierdos, not the extreme fringe groups, but the vast majority of proponents. Okay, now on to sex politics, eh? POLITICS How about a government where: 1. Politicians don't make promises they won't keep. 2. They don't support legislation meant to improve chances of being re-elected. 3. Don't make public statements which are the converse of private statements. 4. They don't sling mud at opponents to win popularity among the feeble-minded. 5. They exercise political power for the benefit of the whole population rather than exclusively for their own self-interest. 6. There is no need for re-election funding. 7. There is no need for lobbying. Hmmm ... how about a benevolent dictatorship? Alas, where does one find benevolence -- in politics? P.S. Plato (427-347 BC) said of democracy: "... brings to politics all kinds of power-seeking individuals, motivated by personal gain rather than public good. Democracy is thus highly corruptible. It opens gates to demagogues, potential dictators, and can thus lead to tyranny. Plato’s main charge against the democracy he knows from the ancient Greek political practice is that it is unstable, leading from anarchy to tyranny, and that it lacks leaders with proper skill and morals." and "Most people, corrupted as they are, are for him fundamentally irrational, driven by their appetites, egoistic passions, and informed by false beliefs. If they choose to be just and obey laws, it is only because they lack the power to act criminally and are afraid of punishment" I especially like this one: "Opinions overcome truth in everyday life. " Love that guy!