A recent poll by Pew Forum shows that compared to 2005, the American public has a less favourable opinion of Muslims now – 30% favourable now compared to 41% favourable in 2005.  Their view that Muslims are more prone to violence dropped slightly from 38% to 35%.  However, 51% said the Islamic centre and mosque should not be built near the World trade Center compared to 34% who think it should be allowed.  Attitudes to Muslims depend on your age and political views. The older (and I say wiser!) you are, the less favourable;  41% of democrats view Muslims favourably but only 21% of republicans.

It's hard for me to believe, but there are actually people who think that God created the world 6400 years ago - "Just like the Bible says".  Further, they believe that there really was a flood that covered the whole world. (Where did the water come from?  Or did God shrink the mountains for a while?)  Further, Noah built an ark to save all the animals!  (Did he travel to Australia to collect the kangaroos?)

Maybe I'm too isolated here in Canada and I don't talk to people like this.  Mostly I think that this is funny - but I suppose people living in the Bible Belt think it's serious - these people really do exist.

There have been several honour killings over the past few years in Canada with the worst one involving four murders at once in Kingston.  But can we blame the religion of the murderers for their crime?  People in other countries and other cultures believe things that are more characteristic of any human than religion as such.  Many cultures, especially macho Latin cultures place a high value on keeping face and even WASP Canadians will refuse to admit an error to avoid  having to "eat crow".   So if a common human attribute is "saving face" or wanting to preserve one's honour, how is that different to an honour killing?  The obvious answer is that keeping quiet or bragging is quite different to killing someone - especially someone in one's own family.