He hoped the network would balance negative portrayals of Muslims

[Onkel Neal]

I have to disagree with you regarding Christian teachings. To say there is no "moderate" version or form is just not so. If one were truly "fundamentalist" in a strict sense, you would not see the various denominations having discussions regarding things such as homosexual clergy and elders for example.

Allow me to use homosexuality as an example. Islam fundamentally teaches that a gay person should be killed. There is no moderate, forgiving attitude, no ability to reconcile the person. In Christianity (and again I am speaking protestant) - a person who chooses homosexuality can still be accepted, counselled, even embraced - while a pastor, church or mentor works with him to help him be convicted by the Spirit and turn away from his sin. If that person chooses not to turn from sin, that is their choice, but a Christian is taught to love the sinner - and hate the sin. Everything from living a Christian life as a light for the sinner to see, to working with the person should they choose it, we are called to remember that it is our role to embrace our brother while we seek to help him follow the path God has ordained.

I don't think I said there were no moderate Christians, I was saying that most Christians are moderate, they don't follow the word of God to the letter. If they did, they would not be moderate. If they followed Jesus to the letter, they would not have regular jobs, would not be futzing around on the computer, going to the movies, etc. They would turn their life completely over to Christ. Not many do that, therefore as I said, most Christians love their savior and their Dallas Cowboy season tickets in equal amounts (which is ok by me).

But it wasn't always that way, as you know. 200 years ago Christians took their religon as seriously as Muslims do today. There were no women bishops or pastors in the past, no gay leaders in the church. Unwed mothers were a big deal, as was drunkeness and other vices. Today, 95% of Christians don't even blink at these things.

I'm saying over time, people don't adhere to religon as strongly, and I think eventually it will be the same for Muslims. It already is for a lot of Muslims, they have their faith, the prophet's teachings, but they don't follow it as rigidly as the fundamentalist Muslim, the one we see in the ME on the news.