The Trouble with Islam

[rancid]

since i have never even hit or touched another human being in anger, even in sport, i seriously doubt that would be me.

the fact that you keep coming back with insults instead of information suggests that perhaps it is you with anger issue. a little self-reflection might be in order for you before you go on the attack again.

also, the middle east is not a one people or one way of life. much like america. so if you ever have the chance to meet someone outside of your white suburban neighborhood, please try and remember that, as much of what you say is very racially and culturally offensive to some.

What information would you like?

 

[mf]

So are you not saying that you believe in killing the Islamic Extremists? I'm not reading back through four pages of craziness, but I believe that someone was talking about that, and it is very possible that it is not you, but I didn't use your name specifically.

um, no. that's not me.

here's a helpful lesson in peace and tolerance for all the hypocrites on this board. if you're going to take the time to insult me and accuse me of things, you can take the time to read through the posts.

k, honey?

and as far as i saw, that wasn't anyone else. many people have posted articles and ideas of others. i have not seen anything that suggested a person on this board wanted to murder muslims. i'm not sure where you'd get such a violent idea. probably from the same person "rancid" who suggested that 6th gen and i were potential terrorists.

as for what i would do personally, i am engaging you on a purely intellectual level. i have not allowed my personal beliefs into the discussion because i don't really think anybody here needs to know, nor would i be so self-absorbed as to devolve into a 3 hrs discussion about the evolution of my principals.

suffice it to say, i'm not as violently hate-filled as some of the responders have been to me.

 

[30gAy]

I believe they are wrong, for the same reason I believe that the Church should not have an openly adulterous minister at the pulpit.

Adultery, as defined by the bible, includes anyone who is divorced and has remarried.

Should we chuck out all the pastors on their second marriage?

 

[Smiling JOe]

the prior post was asking about judaism in comparison to islam. christianity was not involved in the question. i based my assessment on both from reading both biblical texts and studying with a rabbi and imam.

as for which christian denominations accept homosexuality among ministers, episcopalians (a major protestant denomination) actually have gay bishops.

I had no idea about the Episcopalians allowing homosexuals to be Bishops. According to the Southern Baptists, those Bishops are going straight to Hell. Seems very confusing to me. Another twist is that the same Southern Baptists believe that if you accept Jesus Christ as your saviour, that you will go to heaven, a conundrum, if you ask me.

I now understand that you you were not comparing Christians in your thoughts, but since it is here, why do you think that many denominations (I'm guessing that some do) do not encourage discussion or debate of the religion?

 

[mf]

The ultimate display of patriotism is to criticize one's own malignant behavior. I have traveled the world, I suspect, as much or more than you in the service of my country, and I can tell you, there's more to consider than your obvious hatred of Muslims. Israel will be at war, in my opinion, forever, because of the intractability of both sides. You have multiple citizenships, but choose to live here, because of what reason? The quality of life, freedom, and opportunity is here. You are here for the money available and lifestyle. If you want to try hell on for size, go live in the Middle East. There's more potential for affluence in the Middle East than anywhere on earth because of the availability of oil, yet it is the most consistently violent place because of mutual religious and ethnocentric hatred. Each and every side believes in it's own infallible rectitude, and the result is never ending anger. America is anything but homogenous, and I believe we've come a long way in a short period of time by shedding much of the "my way or the highway" attitude you so freely sling around. You don't have the market cornered on suffering.

honey, why on EARTH would you say i hate muslims? are you kidding me?
i actually raised $3million to save bosnian muslims. are you kidding me?
you people have clearly lost your minds. and i'm going to stop posting here. there is no point in having an intellectual discussion with people who small-minded and rude.

please do not direct your hate-speech at me again.

 

[Bob]

"There are people who can see , accept, and understand differences in others and those that cannot. MF and 6thgen cannot."

He also said that I'm about to lead a suicide death squad, someone else compared me to McVeigh. I don't take him seriously, because I think he's dumber than a sack of hammers. Bob told someone to take me overseas with a roll of ductape and you don't hear me whining about that. If we want to upgrade the level of discourse you should start with some other folks. "Jackass" is pretty harmless.

6thGen, The duct tape was to keep your mouth shut. You don't want foreigners hearing your true thoughts , do you? Duct tape also facilitates better listening skills.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Adultery, as defined by the bible, includes anyone who is divorced and has remarried.

Should we chuck out all the pastors on their second marriage?

and that is why many Southern Baptists preachers refuse to allow second marriages ceremonies in their church.

 

[6thGen]

Adultery, as defined by the bible, includes anyone who is divorced and has remarried.

Should we chuck out all the pastors on their second marriage?

No, but you knew that. Think Jim Bakker. That's what I meant. I don't believe that the Church should have a pedophile at the pulpit either, but that's where I diverge from the Catholics (watermelon smash).

 

[6thGen]

6thGen, The duct tape was to keep your mouth shut. You don't want foreigners hearing your true thoughts , do you? Duct tape also facilitates better listening skills.

I've had discussion with students in France about their politics, over drinks. We bought them a round and it confused the hell out of them since it's not common over there. They thanked us about 50 times, then bought the next round. Point is, if I can co-mingle with French students, I should be good with any group you all think I hate.

 

[mf]

I had no idea about the Episcopalians allowing homosexuals to be Bishops. According to the Southern Baptists, those Bishops are going straight to Hell. Seems very confusing to me. Another twist is that the same Southern Baptists believe that if you accept Jesus Christ as your saviour, that you will go to heaven, a conundrum, if you ask me.

I now understand that you you were not comparing Christians in your thoughts, but since it is here, why do you think that many denominations (I'm guessing that some do) do not encourage discussion or debate of the religion?

thank you for your thoughtful answer

it seems worth my time when folks are willing to read my response!

i realize that for many people on this board their only exposure to christianity is the local flavor of southern baptists, but that's certainly not the only flavor in the bunch worldwide and like lots of religions, if you're not a believer, some of their beliefs can seem confusing or even conflicting.

as far as whether debate is encouraged in a religion that has to do with its traditions. one of the most important traditions in Judaism is to QUESTION everything. while in Taoism one must NEVER question the master. but in Buddhism it is not authoritarian at all, but very introspective.

it all depends on the nature of the religion. and often the denomination of the religion. while Judaism encourages debate, some denominations very devoutly follow their rabbi, the same is true for some Chrisitians and Muslims too. Currently, Muslisms have experienced a resurgence a "revival" if you will, in fundamentalism. Many muslims are following the commands of imams that have a violent agenda.

and like christians, muslims are evangelical. they promote and encourage conversion of others who do not follow their faith. the difference being, if a christian can't convert me, he'll pray for me! if if muslim can't a holy order has been engaged by many prominent imams to murder infidels. i'd rather be prayed for thanks

while we also have some kooks like that in Christianity, like Phelps, our governmental laws and societal norms keep him in check. unfortunately, the fundamentalists have reached a majority in many parts of the world. an because it's authoritarian, even when it's a minority, like say in Iran, many young people are struggling against an oppresssive authoritarian minority who are ruling the majority who do not want fundamentalism.

this is truly revolutionary. but in many cultures being revolutionary is not encouraged. we have a country based on being revolutionary, so we really encourage that!

religion is the cultural interpretation of a spiritual experience. so whether we like it or not, it's a human expression of spirituality. it will evolve as it has done in the past. whether you like it or not, people feel strongly about their faith and i believe it's important to allow them to express that faith, as we have done here but without infringing on the rights of others.