It's just funny that you want to focus on some people who dare to "judge" a religion rather than people who are doing actualy muredering out there. It's not like anyone is even trying to ban Islam.
Last I checked your religion and belief in Islam is the most important thing in your life right? Well you can bet your ass that if I had hundreds of thousands of my Christian brothers killing innocent people because of complete and utter ignorance I would do what I HAD TO to tell those bastards that they were wrong and far from acting how OUR GOD demands them to act. If you don't think that is important to do for your God then I guess you and I take our beliefs completely different... To me having belief in you religion should be the most important thing, above all else... even if it means getting fired for screaming from rooftops that not all muslims are like these violent morons... but hey, that's just me. I'm happy that you responded yes, but I'm not happy with your answer. You saying this is a "small minority" doesn't change the fact that HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of muslims world-wide openly protest, riot or perform other acts of violence a month so the issue is far from as small as you make it out to be. If this were Christians or Jews rioting you can bet your life on the fact that other Jews and Christians THE MAJORITY would stand up and tell them to shut the hell up and sit the hell down, because they were giving their religions a black eye... but to this day I don't see muslims doing that. As said countless times before this post Americans KNOW there are more peaceful muslims then violent ones but all we see or hear from are the violent ones because the peaceful sit silent... so if anyone is to blame for the "black eye" Islam gets in America it is the muslims that sit quiet more then it is the "ignorant Americans" that beleive everything they hear on TV. As far as your comments about muslims and Israel... that is just sad. To say that it is okay or to nonchalantly dismiss the seriousness of the majority of your fellow muslims cheer for the demise of an entire country and race of people is just flat out sad and pathetic. You may or may not agree with these people but that doesn't change the fact that it is just wrong to wish that much hatred and sorrow on anyone... and the completely WRONG idea that should be passed along by a "peaceful religion." No, I'm confused about Islam because here I am asking muslims themselves "what's up" and direct questions and I still get "bashed" for simply asking the tough questions... and your fellow muslims here would rather bash me for asking them then answering them. I am openly asking the questions because I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM MUSLIMS THEMSELVES! You guys sit here and complain that we are ignorant to muslim issues because of our "sources" but when questions are asked to muslims themselves (like you guys for instance, as well as that muslim leader on talk radio 950 last week) you don't answer the questions! Feel free to read the questions in these forums to Jews, Christians and Atheists, the tough questions about your beliefs aren't exclusive only to muslims, all of our beliefs get attacked or question but how you respond to those acts or questions is how people are going to percieve your beliefs... if you simply bash the questions and the asker or stay silent and only call them "bigots" how in the hell do you think they'll react? No one says having faith and sticking to your beliefs is easy, I get bashed all the time for my beliefs and faith system... but I still stick up for what I know is right and I sure as crap would rather respond to the people asking questions then just throw out a "bigot" or two... my religion tells me not to take the easy way out, how about yours?
Do you really believe that God literally picked out one animal out of millions and said "don't eat that one."? This is where I flat out call BS. I can understand it being a cultural taboo that became understood as the word of god, but that's it. And that was a long time ago.
I know my God didn't call out one that we couldn't eat... he did however tell Adam and Eve they couldn't eat one fruit
And the swine, though he divided the hoof, and be clovenfooted,yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. Leviticus (11:7-8). "And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. Deuteronomy(14:8).
That's pretty much how it went down. The general concept of "uncleanliness" in various religions outlined in Leviticus (and other texts) made sense for an itenerant desert tribe 2000 years ago. Not so much anymore.
This is seriously getting rediculous! What is wrong with these people. 3 More Die in Pak Cartoon Protests Azhar Masood, Arab News — ISLAMABAD, 16 February 2006 — Three people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed in Pakistan yesterday as violent protests spiraled against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), leaving Western businesses in flames. Two people died in northwestern Peshawar city when police fired tear gas and shot in the air to quell around 50,000 demonstrators who torched a KFC outlet and trashed a Norwegian mobile phone company’s offices. Riots also flared for a second day in the historic eastern city of Lahore, where another person was killed, and in at least half a dozen other towns across the world’s second most populous Muslim nation. Officials said more than 70 people including a policeman were wounded in the violence, sparked by the printing of the caricatures in a Danish newspaper in September and later in other Western countries, including Norway. As the cartoon unrest surged President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz appealed for calm and restraint. Musharraf vowed that the government would curb anti-social and criminal elements trying to exploit anti-cartoon rallies. “Violent protests are negatively impacting the country’s economy, civic amenities and creating undue hindrance in the normal life of peaceful citizens,” Musharraf said. Earlier, Musharraf called Aziz and the security chief at his Rawalpindi Camp Office and reviewed the overall law and order situation. The president directed security chiefs to protect public and private property. A citizen of Islamabad Dr. Nasir Ali filed a writ before the Supreme Court making an appeal to the apex court to take suo moto action against the Internet for circulating Danish cartoons. Later in the evening, sensing the gravity of the situation the prime minister himself attended the ongoing session of the National Assembly. He listened to angry speeches from members from both sides and then took the floor. “The question is not why we should not protest. We should protest but in a manner that it should be registered in a civilized manner. My government cannot allow destruction of property, arson and killings of innocent Muslims,” he said. Yesterday’s deaths brought the toll from the cartoon protests in Pakistan to five. Mobs rampaged through Peshawar’s dusty streets, torching two cinemas, petrol pumps and a police van. Around 500 protesters set fire to 16 buses and a bus terminal owned by South Korea’s Sammi Group. Around 200 protesters stormed the KFC restaurant and set it ablaze, badly damaging the building and the nearby offices of cell phone company Mobilink, witnesses said. The bodies of a boy who was shot in the head and a 28-year-old man killed in the riots were taken to the city’s Lady Reading Hospital, its deputy medical superintendent Yousuf Pervez told AFP, while others were wounded by tear gas shells. In Lahore, a youth died in cross-fire between police and protesters in Punjab University’s New Campus area after rioters started hurling stones at security forces and passing vehicles, a security official said, requesting anonymity. Protesters again clashed with police on roads near the Mall, Lahore’s main street — where rioters on Tuesday damaged two McDonald’s restaurants and a Pizza Hut, and torched another KFC. The riots also spread to Tank, a remote town south of Peshawar near Pakistan’s troubled tribal areas, where a policeman was wounded by a pistol shot as a mob torched some 25 video and music shops. http://arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=77877&d=16&m=2&y=2006
Then you must not worship the God of the Christian bible. God not only pointed out not eating swine, but also several types of seafood.
I am a Christian, and I don't follow all Jewish law. The point wasn't whether or not he followed the law, it was his claim that his God never instructed people to not eat a certain food. The God of the bible most certainly did place dietary restrictions on people. In Romans it speaks directly about this saying that some people may consider a certain food holy, while others eat everything. It says that each person should be allowed to carry out that practice as they see fit because it is to their own master that they will answer to. It instructs people who eat everything not to put a stumbling block before those who won't eat certain types of food. So basically one must search their own concience and understanding of religion and make a decision. But once they make a decision others shouldn't argue about it, or try and get them to cause others to change their beliefs on the subject.
I don't get this. Pictures of Mohammed are banned because of a concern of idolatry, ie don't want people to worship Mohammed instead of/over Allah. Yet people are killing each other because a picture of Mohammed is so important. Looks to me like some people are kinda chasing their tails on this one.
So you go around breaking the 10 Commandments? Ok, so do you really believe your God literally dictated to the world not to eat certain foods? Why would God declare them unclean, then declare them clean again? It's honestly a bit much for me.
Because the old testament required direct following of the faith... including live sacrifices. God wanted people to show him their faith directly by following the rules that he dictated something the sacrifice for his son remedied, the belief that he paid the ultimate sacrifice by having his son die for our sins shows all the faith you need. I'm still puzzled why the Muslims here haven't replied or opened a "dialogue to understanding" their faith.
I really dont even know what your talking about. You are changing the subject of one topic and trying to compare it with something that is totally different. Yes there are other problems, duh. this thread isnt about that, last time i checked. We have drug dealers on the streets every night, i dont see anyone bringing that point up and arguing that we arent protesting the drug dealers. Why not, well mainly because the thread isnt about that.
Having faith in your religion is indeed one of the most important things, but God also said support your family, earn money, eat, survive, etc etc. He didnt say go and quit your job if some people are misguided and spend your time correcting them, yes sure take some time doing that as well, but most people nowadays, especially in the western world where they have no contact with their misguided bro's in other parts of the world. there are tons of muslims that have said that violence is not the way, heck for the past 3 weeks every friday we get a speech about why violence isnt the right way in dealing with such topics, and why the people who support these rioters are wrong, etc etc. You dont realize it, but Muslims are preaching to other muslims about what is wrong and what isnt. I dont think you quite understood me. I dont think i said that most muslims would cheer the destruction of Israel. I mean to say that many muslims wouldnt sympathize with the pain of the israelis, simply because they feel that Israel is their direct enemy. I never once said that a majority of muslims call for the destruction and demise of any country, heck that would be directly against islamic beliefs simply because there are so many innocent jewish people living their, it would go against the teaching that innocents are never to be harmed in any battle or any other way. Especially people of the book (ie jews and christians) Let me use an analogy. Back when the USA was taking over and destroying the "native indian" lands. I doubt very few Native indians would side in the support of America and wouldnt feel too much if the US was destroyed by say england, or whomever else they were fighting. i disagree. There are many many muslims that do nothing but answer the questions of people that want to know, as ive said before talk radio 950 isnt the correct way of learning about islam. I wouldnt go to 950 and start asking random people about judaism, buddism, or christianity. Instead I would go to the temple, synagogue, or church. And even on this board any time Madmax or someone that asks a legit question, they get a promt answer from one of the muslims on this board. Ask me any question, Ill do my best to answer it, if I cant, ill go ask someone who knows more than me and answer. And, maybe we should start a new thread, so we dont drag this one on and on.
college, school, work... if this was a chat, then you can expect instant responses. But its a bbs, people post when they get a chance.
Don't be so synical... I think we all know that a person can get the word out WITHOUT having to quit their job or give up their lives. All it takes is an hour or two a night, get the backing of other like-minded individuals and it can all take off. With the power of the internet you have the potential to reach BILLIONS of people without much effort, and do you honestly for one minute think that there isn't ONE news channel, local or national that wouldn't salivate over hearing from a large group of muslims openly condemning the actions of the radicals? I can guarantee you that it would be ALL OVER the news and picked up by channel after channel because EVERYONE would want to see the reaction of other muslims, especially the radicals. Do you not understand that we don't know what goes on inside a mosque? I believe you should urge your leaders and all American muslims should urge their leaders to get the word out, because it isn't getting out. You are being overshadowed 100 fold by the radicals because once again your leaders do not speak out openly, your words stay inside the mosque where only you can hear them... if you can't see how that hurts the American muslim image, then I'm sorry but it does just that. All of the people bashing and calling me a "bigot" have posted all over these forums during the time these posts had been made. I made my original post 3-4 days ago in this thread... There was plenty of time during the day to call me a bigot, a moron and "a drone" that listens to everything spoon fed by the media... when I see something worth responding to I take the time to do it, ESPECIALLY if it involves my faith. Hell, it is 2:30AM right now and I have to be at work in 5 hours but here I am. I want muslims to stand up BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS GOOD IN THEM! Why in the hell do you think I have put hours and hours of responses into a thread that seemed dead so long ago? I know muslims personally and it kills me to know that a great number of my fellow Americans are losing more and more respect for my friends and their religion as the days go by. It is happening, you may be blind to it but I hear over and over "you hear about those idiots in Pakistan" and blah blah blah. I not only have respect for the muslim faith I feel that it is the duty of all Americans to help the peaceful Muslims get through these times of struggle... Any hostility towards muslims as a group can only help to deterriorate our society as a whole so this is a problem for all Americans, not just those of faith. God forbid someone asks the tough questions and demands actions by those who should be leading in your faith, but without them standing up for what is right loudly and clearly there will always be tension in the American society over this very issue...
All Jewish Law does not equal the 10 commandments. As far as whether God declared the foods unclean or not, according to the bible he did at that time. And given the knowledge(or lack there of) of disease, parasites, and seasonal good use for things like oysters, I would say those laws made good sense at the time.
I was joking about the commandment thing. I'm asking if you think God literally spoke and said not to eat those animals. Why would he only declare that only to the Jews? Why wouldn't he care what other people in the world were eating? The laws made sense but did god make them or did the jews? I think those certain foods could make them sick, so culturally it became a taboo to eat those animals. Then their culture became understood as the word of god in myth and legend. I just can not possibly believe that god literally spoke to one particular group of people and told them not to eat certain animals for a little while.
