|
| Author | Thread |
|
|
11/30/2006 04:23:11 PM · #176 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Saddam versus Castro - no rules fist fight to the death! |
Winner gets to live on the moon. |
|
|
|
11/30/2006 04:50:23 PM · #177 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
We're already "chopping off their heads" only we don't do it one at a time with a knife, we use machine guns, grenades and guided missiles.
How does that make us right and them wrong?
If I were them, I'd hate us too |
I have no idea what you mean by "WE" and "US". I seriously doubt that either Eugene Armstrong ( a Journalist ), Nick Berg ( a telecommunications consultant ), Paul Johnson ( a helicopter engineer ), Kim Sun-il ( a translator ), Jack Hensley ( an engineer ), Kenneth Bigley ( another engineer ), Shosei Koda ( a Japanese civilian ), Fabrizio Quattrocchi ( a security guard ), or Daniel Pearl ( another Journalist ) ever used a machine gun, grenade, or guided missle. I also doubt that 99.9% of the people working in the WTC on 9/11 ever did, and I surely know that I haven't.
What makes "us right and them wrong" is that "WE" ( the aforementioned ) have never done anything to make "THEM" hate "US", yet "THEY" do, and "THEY" either have done, or intend to do "US" great harm.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2006 06:20:30 PM · #178 |
Ron, I would add to your list, Larry and Jean Elliot (from Cary, NC) and two others who were killed in a "drive by shooting" in Iraq in 1994 (I think it was '94) while digging wells so Iraqis could have fresh water. Oh yea, FWIW, the "shooter" (what he/they were called in the American media) used a grenade launcher. :/
Why exactly were they gunned down? One can only speculate, but I seriously doubt it was because the Iraqis didn't want fresh water, or wells. . . . |
|
|
|
11/30/2006 07:22:38 PM · #179 |
Originally posted by RonB:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
We're already "chopping off their heads" only we don't do it one at a time with a knife, we use machine guns, grenades and guided missiles.
How does that make us right and them wrong?
If I were them, I'd hate us too |
I have no idea what you mean by "WE" and "US". I seriously doubt that either Eugene Armstrong ( a Journalist ), Nick Berg ( a telecommunications consultant ), Paul Johnson ( a helicopter engineer ), Kim Sun-il ( a translator ), Jack Hensley ( an engineer ), Kenneth Bigley ( another engineer ), Shosei Koda ( a Japanese civilian ), Fabrizio Quattrocchi ( a security guard ), or Daniel Pearl ( another Journalist ) ever used a machine gun, grenade, or guided missle. I also doubt that 99.9% of the people working in the WTC on 9/11 ever did, and I surely know that I haven't.
What makes "us right and them wrong" is that "WE" ( the aforementioned ) have never done anything to make "THEM" hate "US", yet "THEY" do, and "THEY" either have done, or intend to do "US" great harm. |
Hmmmm, lets see, puppet regimes, destabilizing governments, war for oil, Abu Ghraib, kidnapping (renditions), not to mention the fact that the US led "liberation" of Iraq has killed many many thousands of women and children in Iraq. The entire creation of "Iraq" itself was a fabrication of the West. The whole idea of Iraq was to prevent a significant power from developing in the Middle East and keep the balance of power in the West.
The US may have gone to Iraq with some very misguided notions of liberating the Iraqi people, freeing the world of Saddam's WMD's (where are those WMD's anyway?) and his aggressive posturing, but now, the US is an unwelcome occupying force of invaders.
In the 80's the US used Afghan fighters to fight a proxy war against the Soviets, then we left them hanging out to dry.
No wonder they hate the US, at best, the US is nothing more than a fair-weather friend to them.
I seriously doubt that many of the young, Iraqi children maimed and killed by US ordinance ever used a gun, grenade or missile either. Are their deaths somehow justified by the deaths of others before them? |
|
|
|
11/30/2006 08:21:06 PM · #180 |
Fair weather friend is better than no friend at all. The afghans preferred our help over Soviet rule. Why is it our fault they couldn't get their shit together afterwards? The iraqi's preferred our help to Saddam staying in power. Why is it our fault they can't get their shit together afterwards?
Pull the troops out, let Iran take over the Middle East. At least then we'll have a blatantly maniacal regime (which I guess Sadaam really wasn't according to the revisionists) as an enemy and our next action in the region won't have to be draped in do-good notions catering to a bunch of people who will just piss on their own country afterwards and claim there was no good intentions at all.
Give it to Iran, continue to let them develop nukes, pray to Allah that they lob one at Israel and then let's settle the problem once and for all. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 06:21:59 AM · #181 |
Originally posted by RonB:
For all of your words, it is apparent that you do not know that of which you speak. To state the Christians and Muslims ( adherent of Islam ) have "substantially the same book, beliefs, prophets and concept of God" is proof of that.
The Christian book is the Bible; the Muslim book is the Koran ( Qur'an ). The two books are NOT "substantially" the same.
The Christian belief is that Jesus Christ was the son of God, and the incarnation of God - that is both God and Man in one being; the Muslim belief is that Jesus was just another prophet. The two beliefs are NOT "substantially" the same.
The Christian prophets, for example, do NOT include Adam, or Noah, or Lot, or Muhammad, and DO include Sarah, Miriam, and Esther; the Muslim prophets DO include Adam, and Noah, and Lot, and Muhammad, and do NOT include Sarah, or Miriam, or Esther. The two sets of prophets are NOT "substantially" the same.
The Christian concept of God is a Triune God - Father, Son ( Jesus ), and Holy Spirit; the Muslim concept of God is a singular God - No Son, No Holy Spirit. The two concepts of God are NOT "substantially" the same.
If you truly believe that Christianity and Islam represent only a "slightly different take", then it is appears as though you haven't spent time looking into the differences between the two.
Know your enemy, if you are determined to defeat them. It shouldn't be hard. |
Well, there are rather a lot of similarities. Comparing Christianity with other religions, it is clear that it is far closer to Islam than, say, Hinduism. Many of the details are different (though some are not), but a lot of the major concepts are the same.
One God, creator, omniscient and omnipresent, in heaven with angels where people will be judged based on their acts of faith and repentance, people with free will, who are encouraged to pray, fast and go on pilgrimage. Many stories are similar (creation, several old testament stories, history of Jesus). The fact that there is a long list of prophets who are common to both books (and some who are mentioned in both with different status) is evidence for the similarity of the religions, not distinction.
The differences relate to whether Jesus was God or whether he was a prophet, and the validity of Muhammed as a subsequent messenger prophet, the extent of original sin, certain rites and rituals, and whether the holy book is a mediated interpretation or the actual word of God.
Comparing Christianity to Hinduism, how many similarities are there? Islam was for centuries regarded as a sect of Christianity. With Judaism, they are referred to as Abrahamic religions for their common origin. Common origin = a good degree of common belief.
From the starting point that no religion is "right", I would venture that Christianity and Islam are closer than any other two world religions. However, I don't find it surprising that Christians would not accept this: after all, Christians are pretty good at warring between sects over a different interpretation of exactly the same book...
Message edited by author 2006-12-01 06:23:46.
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 06:26:21 AM · #182 |
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
I live not 20 yards from my country's largest mosque. Should I be worried?
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 06:38:25 AM · #183 |
Originally posted by RonB:
What makes "us right and them wrong" is that "WE" ( the aforementioned ) have never done anything to make "THEM" hate "US", yet "THEY" do, and "THEY" either have done, or intend to do "US" great harm. |
Do we have to list the occupations of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilian dead in order to demonstrate their innocence, too?
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 06:55:19 AM · #184 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Fair weather friend is better than no friend at all. The afghans preferred our help over Soviet rule. Why is it our fault they couldn't get their shit together afterwards? The iraqi's preferred our help to Saddam staying in power. Why is it our fault they can't get their shit together afterwards? |
[sarcasm] yeah - we didn't ask to be involved. It's not like we wanted to invade them. We had no choice. Why do they have to make it so hard for us?[/sarcasm]
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Pull the troops out, let Iran take over the Middle East. At least then we'll have a blatantly maniacal regime (which I guess Sadaam really wasn't according to the revisionists) as an enemy and our next action in the region won't have to be draped in do-good notions catering to a bunch of people who will just piss on their own country afterwards and claim there was no good intentions at all.
Give it to Iran, continue to let them develop nukes, pray to Allah that they lob one at Israel and then let's settle the problem once and for all. |
[sarcasm] yeah - we should just admit defeat. No point trying to talk to these terrorists who hate us despite all the love we show them. After all, we invaded their region for their own good, and they just cannot see it.
Those terrorist and evil Arabs and Muslims, they are all the same: simpleton religious fundamentalists with a death wish against me personally. I despise THEM for their attitude towards white Westerners: how dare they all hate us for our nationality, religion and skin colour. How despicable. [/sarcasm]
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 08:44:00 AM · #185 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
I live not 20 yards from my country's largest mosque. Should I be worried? |
Are you a member of the Mosquedom? |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 08:49:51 AM · #186 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
From the starting point that no religion is "right", |
I see your problem!....Sorry, I don't think I can help you. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 09:02:33 AM · #187 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Fair weather friend is better than no friend at all. The afghans preferred our help over Soviet rule. Why is it our fault they couldn't get their shit together afterwards? The iraqi's preferred our help to Saddam staying in power. Why is it our fault they can't get their shit together afterwards? |
[sarcasm] yeah - we didn't ask to be involved. It's not like we wanted to invade them. We had no choice. Why do they have to make it so hard for us?[/sarcasm]
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Pull the troops out, let Iran take over the Middle East. At least then we'll have a blatantly maniacal regime (which I guess Sadaam really wasn't according to the revisionists) as an enemy and our next action in the region won't have to be draped in do-good notions catering to a bunch of people who will just piss on their own country afterwards and claim there was no good intentions at all.
Give it to Iran, continue to let them develop nukes, pray to Allah that they lob one at Israel and then let's settle the problem once and for all. |
[sarcasm] yeah - we should just admit defeat. No point trying to talk to these terrorists who hate us despite all the love we show them. After all, we invaded their region for their own good, and they just cannot see it.
Those terrorist and evil Arabs and Muslims, they are all the same: simpleton religious fundamentalists with a death wish against me personally. I despise THEM for their attitude towards white Westerners: how dare they all hate us for our nationality, religion and skin colour. How despicable. [/sarcasm] |
You used to reply intelligently. So having lost that, now I guess it's misguided and unable to debate.
Once again you don't see, don't understand, or simply dismiss the fact that all countries take actions in their own best interets. Yes, we had reasons for invading Afghanistan. Yes we had reasons for invading Iraq. Whatever your judgement about the morality or merit of those actions, they were certainly prompted by leadership's opinion of what was best for the US.
That does not let the native population off the hook for building a society capable of protecting its own and formenting the structures of a modern civilization. So, to use a popular phrase, fuck them if they are so ignorant that they can't see a good opportunity and run with it. And choosing to be an apologist for such a sorry lot is foolishness.
Message edited by author 2006-12-01 09:04:03. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 09:05:29 AM · #188 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
I live not 20 yards from my country's largest mosque. Should I be worried? |
Yes! |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 10:49:34 AM · #189 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Fair weather friend is better than no friend at all. The afghans preferred our help over Soviet rule. Why is it our fault they couldn't get their shit together afterwards? The iraqi's preferred our help to Saddam staying in power. Why is it our fault they can't get their shit together afterwards?
|
In the '80's, the US made the promise to the Afghanis of "friendship" between the US and Afghanistan, with the promise of long-term foreign aid, military assistance etc. All of which evaporated once the Soviets withdrew.
Silly Afghanis, expecting the US to actually keep its promises.
Message edited by author 2006-12-01 10:50:21. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 11:01:26 AM · #190 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
You used to reply intelligently. So having lost that, now I guess it's misguided and unable to debate.
Once again you don't see, don't understand, or simply dismiss the fact that all countries take actions in their own best interets. Yes, we had reasons for invading Afghanistan. Yes we had reasons for invading Iraq. Whatever your judgement about the morality or merit of those actions, they were certainly prompted by leadership's opinion of what was best for the US.
That does not let the native population off the hook for building a society capable of protecting its own and formenting the structures of a modern civilization. So, to use a popular phrase, fuck them if they are so ignorant that they can't see a good opportunity and run with it. And choosing to be an apologist for such a sorry lot is foolishness. |
I was mocking your suggestion that the current position in Iraq is the fault of the Iraqis. They did not ask for US aid in taking over the government. The coalition invaded for extremely questionable reasons. These things take hundreds of years to stabilise naturally, but a powerful force can demolish them very quickly. It is our fault that we failed to institute effective forms of control after dismantling the old.
Your suggestion (which I took to be sarcastic, to which I was responding, but scarily might represent your genuine view) that Iran be given the bomb so as to start a nuclear war with Israel, is laughable. But very sad if genuinely held.
You also appear to combine blatant racism with, ironically, disgust for their perceived racism in hating the US. Your intense nationalism, combined with xenophobia and complete disregard for the value of human life, does not so much represent an argument as an unwavering point of view. Given the apparent lack of rational thought going into your responses, it is hard to maintain an opposing rational argument.
Message edited by author 2006-12-01 11:02:02.
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 11:03:54 AM · #191 |
Originally posted by bcoble:
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
I live not 20 yards from my country's largest mosque. Should I be worried? |
Yes! |
Thank goodness you warned me. Should I also disassociate from my muslim friends, and put off my plans to visit Dubai early next year? It sounds like they might turn on me at any moment. I am obviously now afraid to leave my door (I can hear the muezzin call to prayer/call to kill the infidels as I type)...
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 11:07:09 AM · #192 |
Originally posted by David Ey:
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
From the starting point that no religion is "right", |
I see your problem!....Sorry, I don't think I can help you. |
Ah - maybe you have not encountered "other religions" - I should warn you, they have evidence just as good as yours that their beliefs are accurate and that you will be going to their equivalent of hell... you cannot all be right!
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 11:39:14 AM · #193 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by David Ey:
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
From the starting point that no religion is "right", |
I see your problem!....Sorry, I don't think I can help you. |
Ah - maybe you have not encountered "other religions" - I should warn you, they have evidence just as good as yours that their beliefs are accurate and that you will be going to their equivalent of hell... you cannot all be right! |
Aaah, but they are not trying to send me there before my natural time. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 11:42:45 AM · #194 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by bcoble:
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
I live not 20 yards from my country's largest mosque. Should I be worried? |
Yes! |
Thank goodness you warned me. Should I also disassociate from my muslim friends, and put off my plans to visit Dubai early next year? It sounds like they might turn on me at any moment. I am obviously now afraid to leave my door (I can hear the muezzin call to prayer/call to kill the infidels as I type)... |
One difference between you and I is you are not listening and believing and I am. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 12:30:37 PM · #195 |
Originally posted by David Ey:
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by bcoble:
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by David Ey:
You won't think that way when they come to chop off your head, unless of course you wish to convert to Islam. |
I live not 20 yards from my country's largest mosque. Should I be worried? |
Yes! |
Thank goodness you warned me. Should I also disassociate from my muslim friends, and put off my plans to visit Dubai early next year? It sounds like they might turn on me at any moment. I am obviously now afraid to leave my door (I can hear the muezzin call to prayer/call to kill the infidels as I type)... |
One difference between you and I is you are not listening and believing and I am. |
You are listening to a fundamental minority and placing undue weight on those words. You are not listening to or placing any weight on the majority, moderate voice.
I have the small benefit of having travelled and met thousands of people throughout the region. I don't need to watch the news (which is only interested in reporting discord) as the sole source of my information.
I would strongly recommend a trip somewhere like Egypt or Jordan - great photo opportunities and you would be pleasantly surprised at the fantastically welcoming reception you would have.
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 12:44:30 PM · #196 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Originally posted by routerguy666:
You used to reply intelligently. So having lost that, now I guess it's misguided and unable to debate.
Once again you don't see, don't understand, or simply dismiss the fact that all countries take actions in their own best interets. Yes, we had reasons for invading Afghanistan. Yes we had reasons for invading Iraq. Whatever your judgement about the morality or merit of those actions, they were certainly prompted by leadership's opinion of what was best for the US.
That does not let the native population off the hook for building a society capable of protecting its own and formenting the structures of a modern civilization. So, to use a popular phrase, fuck them if they are so ignorant that they can't see a good opportunity and run with it. And choosing to be an apologist for such a sorry lot is foolishness. |
I was mocking your suggestion that the current position in Iraq is the fault of the Iraqis. They did not ask for US aid in taking over the government. The coalition invaded for extremely questionable reasons. These things take hundreds of years to stabilise naturally, but a powerful force can demolish them very quickly. It is our fault that we failed to institute effective forms of control after dismantling the old.
Your suggestion (which I took to be sarcastic, to which I was responding, but scarily might represent your genuine view) that Iran be given the bomb so as to start a nuclear war with Israel, is laughable. But very sad if genuinely held.
You also appear to combine blatant racism with, ironically, disgust for their perceived racism in hating the US. Your intense nationalism, combined with xenophobia and complete disregard for the value of human life, does not so much represent an argument as an unwavering point of view. Given the apparent lack of rational thought going into your responses, it is hard to maintain an opposing rational argument. |
How is what I have said racism? It is clearly possible for the people sof the Middle East to build thriving, modern civilizations. Qatar and Kuwait come to mind as does Israel. Resources and technology are readily available. It is their cultures and customes that hold many of these countries back - and those cultures and customs are a direct result of a backwards belief that a religion should be the determining factor in all aspects of life.
So again - why is it the fault of the US or anyone other than the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, etc that they continue to live in such a backwards manner and take every opportunity to perpetuate strife among themselves rather than better their nations? Why? You purport to have the pulse of the region - what do your countless friends in the area have to say? Or perhaps they have nothing to say as they've likely left the area for greener, Western pastures?
I'm not joking about Iran. It is very clear that a large group of so-called 'moderate' will accept nothing short of outright murderous aggression as an excuse for Western involvement in regime change policies anywhere on the planet. Iran, Iraq, N Korea, China - you name the country that is both a problem for its own population and a problem for the Western world and there is a large group of people who have, do and will continue to cry 'let well enough alone'. So because Western governments cater to the shortsighted, self-righteous mewing of these people taking action to resolve these issues is a scary prospect and one that does nothing but fuel a popular wave of nationalistic self-hate that prevents these problems from being adequately addressed and weakens the powers that want to clean things up.
I have no respect whatsoever for people who continue to cry foul every time a Western country makes some attempt to straighten things up in the Middle East. These same people offer no alternative besides 'understanding their culture'. what do you need to understand about cultures who have oppressed the female half of their populations for millenia, continue to place religious beliefs above every semblance of rational governance, and show zero, ZERO, tolerance for the cultures of other nations themselves.
It is laughable that you suggest a trip to Egypt as a mechanism for understanding the so-called muslim street. The radical muslim groups which you try so hard to minimize are very happy to gun down tourists in Egypt and have done so before and the so-called moderate muslims which you continue to champion do absolutely nothing to prevent it from happening and to address the problems in Egypt which cause these groups to thrive. Egypt's government stands on the backs of a very large, and extremely poor population whose hatred for the West is fueled by their religious leaders. The problem with Egypt is the Egyptians. If they had any sense at all they would revolt against their government, tell their religious leaders that their powers are limited to theology and not politics, give their female population the same rights as the males, and attempt to turn their country into a thriving nation that exists to better its people.
|
|
|
|
12/01/2006 01:13:19 PM · #197 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
I have no respect whatsoever for people who continue to cry foul every time a Western country makes some attempt to straighten things up in the Middle East. These same people offer no alternative besides 'understanding their culture'. what do you need to understand about cultures who have oppressed the female half of their populations for millenia, continue to place religious beliefs above every semblance of rational governance, and show zero, ZERO, tolerance for the cultures of other nations themselves.
|
You seem so outraged and indignant by other cultures trying to "straighten out" Western culture. Why should they be any less indignant at the attempts of the West to "straighten them out"? |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 01:16:27 PM · #198 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by routerguy666:
I have no respect whatsoever for people who continue to cry foul every time a Western country makes some attempt to straighten things up in the Middle East. These same people offer no alternative besides 'understanding their culture'. what do you need to understand about cultures who have oppressed the female half of their populations for millenia, continue to place religious beliefs above every semblance of rational governance, and show zero, ZERO, tolerance for the cultures of other nations themselves.
|
You seem so outraged and indignant by other cultures trying to "straighten out" Western culture. Why should they be any less indignant at the attempts of the West to "straighten them out"? |
I'm, rather obviously I thought, talking about people within Western nations decrying the actions of their own, |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 01:20:27 PM · #199 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Well, there are rather a lot of similarities. Comparing Christianity with other religions, it is clear that it is far closer to Islam than, say, Hinduism. Many of the details are different (though some are not), but a lot of the major concepts are the same. |
Well, comparing Man with other animals, it is clear that Man is far closer to a pig than, say, a duck. Many of the details are different ( though some are not), but a lot of the major concepts are the same.
I'm sorry, but that argument is rather meaningless.
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
One God, creator, omniscient and omnipresent, in heaven with angels where people will be judged based on their acts of faith and repentance, people with free will, who are encouraged to pray, fast and go on pilgrimage. Many stories are similar (creation, several old testament stories, history of Jesus). |
Sure, except for the parts that portray Him as the incarnate God, or the Son of God.
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
The fact that there is a long list of prophets who are common to both books (and some who are mentioned in both with different status) is evidence for the similarity of the religions, not distinction. |
So is the fact that there is a long list of body parts that are common to both pigs and men evidence for the similarities of the animals, not distinction?
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
The differences relate to whether Jesus was God or whether he was a prophet, and the validity of Muhammed as a subsequent messenger prophet, the extent of original sin, certain rites and rituals, and whether the holy book is a mediated interpretation or the actual word of God.
Comparing Christianity to Hinduism, how many similarities are there? |
Quite a few, actually:
a) Both believe that there is but ONE God, but that He manifests Himself in multiple personas.
b) Both believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. That He is infinite, eternal, and immutable.
c) Both believe that God and men can have a personal relationship
d) Both believe that God has become flesh and dwelt among men
e) Both believe that the human soul is eternal
f) Both believe that salvation depends solely on God's grace
g) Both believe in reincarnation
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
Islam was for centuries regarded as a sect of Christianity. |
Really? By who?
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
With Judaism, they are referred to as Abrahamic religions for their common origin. Common origin = a good degree of common belief. |
True. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are all Abrahamic religions. But common origin does not logically lead inconclusively to common belief. My cousins and I have a common origin ( my grandparents ) - but that does not mean that we, therefore, must share a common belief - not even to a "good" degree.
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
From the starting point that no religion is "right", I would venture that Christianity and Islam are closer than any other two world religions. |
Actually, Christianity and Judaism probably have more in common than Christianity and Islam. Christianity and Judaism share the foundational books, though by different names; the Christian Old Testament is, in Judaism, called the Tanakh. They share the same prophets. And the only significant difference between the two that come to mind are:
1) the Christian belief in a triune God vs. the Jewish belief in a singular God ( same difference as Christianity vs. Islam )
2) the Christian belief that Jesus was the Messiah vs. the Jewish belief that Messiah has not yet come ( same difference as Christianity vs. Islam )
3) the Christian belief that the Messiah ( Jesus ) is God incarnate, vs. the Jewish belief that Messiah is/will be fully human ( same difference as Christianity vs. Islam )
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
However, I don't find it surprising that Christians would not accept this: after all, Christians are pretty good at warring between sects over a different interpretation of exactly the same book... |
It would appear that Muslims are also good at warring between sects ( Shiites vs. Sunnis ), and the atheists and agnostics are not immune from warring between sects, either. And over the same exact books - e.g. the report of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Remember, there are only two kinds of people in the whole world - those who think they're right. |
|
|
|
12/01/2006 01:32:14 PM · #200 |
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
You are listening to a fundamental minority and placing undue weight on those words. You are not listening to or placing any weight on the majority, moderate voice. |
I find it amazing that people like you who criticize President Bush for not listening to the minority of intelligence reports in deciding to enter Iraq, are now saying that one should not place "undue weight" on the words of the minority. It is also amazing to me that the only time a majority should matter is if it is "moderate". Should non-moderate majority voices be dismissed? As in the majority of the Congress who authorized the President to take action against Hussein?
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
I have the small benefit of having travelled and met thousands of people throughout the region. I don't need to watch the news (which is only interested in reporting discord) as the sole source of my information. |
Then why is it that your posts rely so heavily on reports of discord while ignoring the ( few and far between ) reports on the good things that are happening in Iraq?
Originally posted by legalbeagle:
I would strongly recommend a trip somewhere like Egypt or Jordan - great photo opportunities and you would be pleasantly surprised at the fantastically welcoming reception you would have. |
Egypt, Jordan, perhaps. Iraq, perhaps not. You certainly can't ask Shosei Koda what kind of welcoming reception he received - because he had his throat slit. |
|
|
|
Current Server Time: 06/20/2025 06:59:17 AM  |
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 06/20/2025 06:59:17 AM EDT.
|
