So our leaders should be targeted for assassination because they advocate a violent response to further their cause?
So-called "Islamic terrorism" is what...thirty-odd years old? Of course, that means that Islamic theology encourages terrorism (i.e. the intentional targeting of civilians) but their forefathers were a bunch of idiots who didn't figure it out. I mean, the whole idea of 'chivalry' and the rigid 'conduct of war' doctrine Muslims instituted were clear indication of a religion that encourages terrorism.
I think that's a false connection to make. This has less to do with religion and more to do with a culture that dominates the region. If the Middle East was dominated by Christians and you had terrorists coming out of the region, I'm sure you would agree that it's ludicrous to make the connection between the two as well. The Middle East is stuck back in time with antiquated governments that have used oil money to maintain corrupt and inefficient regimes. But that has nothing to do with Islam whatsoever. In Saudi Arabia, you have double digit unemployment that has created a class of society that has gone through education but has no job. Because of a failure to extend growth beyond the elite, an underclass of unemployed individuals has beocme a breeding ground for Islamic Fundamentalism. Oil has become the biggest curse for the region that has r****ded the natural progression of society in the region. The few examples of areas in the middle east that are ridding themselves of their reliance on oil (Dubai and Baharain for starters) are incredibly moderate and are rapidly moving toward a more modern and secular society. Dubai for the first time allowed the construction of churches on governmetn land and allowed for federal subsidies for the construction of these churches. Not to mention, the clothing restrictions and antiquated social traditions are not to be found in Dubai. Economic growth based on other sectors besides oil and a fairer distribution of wealth has led to a modern society that has become a model for what the middle east should be. On the flipside, a country with no resources, Jordan, is another interesting case. The kings power has been greatly diminished in comparison with other countries. Parliament has the power to override vetoes and a more representative system of government. not to mention the king is western educated and honestly if you heard the guy you'd have no idea he's not from the US. While that is somewhat of a coincidence, the bigger issue is the lack of oil and resources in Jordan and the fact that the government has had to adapt and answer to the population rather than throwing subsidies and oil money around like the bread and circuses of Ancient Rome. Islam has become a justification for violence and terror but it is not the REASON for this. It is the culture and the conditions of the region that has made it a hotbead for terrorism and extremism. The oil there has become a curse that has left the Middle East with 19th century governments in a 21st century world. Hopefully, things will change but american foreign policy shouldn't make things worse than they already are.
A terrrorist is a terrorist and not a representative of any religion. Was McVeigh a BAPTIST terrorist? NO....it doesn't matter what a terrorist believes that convinces him that his actions are warranted. If there is a peaceful religion and someone subscribes to it but doesn't practice what he preaches then he is a hypocrite and is no longer a representative of that religion. IMO the governments in the middle east are using ISLAM to control the people while they make money and progress at the expense of their people. IMO American Christians do not want to undersatnd the Islamic faith because they believe these Muslims like every other religious parties are damned for hell. FEAR is used to control people in the Middle East in Europe in Africa in Asia in Latin America and now in America. I used to wonder about the intentions of secret institutions such as Council of Foreign Relations and when I learned that it is not ideology that drives these hidden policy makers but instead it was MONEY....ever since I have come to the conclusion that we are distracted from the raping of humanity and earth by issues such as this when in reality we should all be using morality to convict the people in this world who keep us from progressing socially which is much more important than economically.
the most important thing we need to do to stop religious and ethnically intolerance... is to buy HDTVs.
On the electronic television they were reporting a church was burned down, and a nun was raped and killed over the comments made by the Pope. That sounds like a perfectly reasonable response, I'm sure if a Muslim leader said something inappropiate about Christianity, there would be riots in the streets as well. Let's just say it, look at them, they are acting like animals. They should be treated like animals. People need to take their desentivity pills, they are crying over everything. For example, my last hooker called me a b****. Did I kill her? NO, that's insane. I beat the hell out of her, and treated her like a woman.... tipped her well and left. See, you CAN handle it like a normal human being.
Its amazing that you can smell his breath on a photo. So if he was clean shaven you would be OK with him? These comments sound like the kind of claptrap that people said about Vietnam war and Civil Rights posters.
Then why bring up appearence in the first place? If you're making fun of them for their appearence you're clearly stating that there is something offensive about that particularly look.
Reading through this whole thread I don't think that that the Pope is a racist / religionist. I think this was an unfortunate choice of words on his part and that he has apologized. I understand why Muslims would be offended but think the violent acts committed by them are way overboard wrong and should be condemned. That said just because Muslims extremists are violent doesn't justify stereotyping of Muslims. Islam has a lot of issues to deal with but drawing blanket stereotypes of Muslims based on appearance or how angry their protests are isn't right either. If I was a Muslim and I felt a world leader was glorifying or agreeing with a highly negative and innacurrate view of Islam I would be offended. I wouldn't get violent about it but wouldn't be OK with it either.
Eh you did read my last sentence?? Ofcourse that is overreacting, It is unbelievable that people could do such things. The people who are doing that are terrible people.
I wouldn't either. No man knows the heart, but God... I also don't know what lies between the individual and eternity. How could I ever offer hope though, unless the opposite (based on what I believe as the Word of God) were presented? In other words, the can be no "good news" (the Gospel), unless there is first the "bad news." I see MB's point too... we may not say it directly, but most Christians do indicate that Hell is a real place that non-believer's will wind up. As for just coming out and saying "You're going to Hell!" - Well it's just not that simply put if there is to be any chance at sharing the Gospel.
this is a good HDTV example, this would be HDTV. For non HD, the picture would have cropped off that dude picking his nose on the right cause NON HD is 4:3 aspect ratio not 16:9. HD would have the entire banner: MUSLIM LEAGUE JAMMU KAHMIR Non HD would say "LEAGUE JAM" You won't have the full story if it was Non HD.
Not all pastors believe Muslims and Jews are going to hell. There are pastors who don't believe in hell at all. Hell is not such a bad place. Many Christians and non Christians dismiss the whole idea of hell. William Booth the founder and leader of the original Salvation Army said this-"The chief danger of the 20th Century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without Hell." I don't know if his prediction came true, but I do know that the Salvation Army began by preaching the Bible in front of English Taverns in the 19th Century and today they ring bells in front of Wal Mart. People used to curse their preaching and throw rocks at them, today people toss a dollar in the bucket. If there is a hell that is as bad as Jesus said it was, we pastors are trying to keep it a secret less we offend someone.
I try not to, though. And that, to me, is a prerequisite in searching for truth. Believing what I want to believe is not.
