Islam, gays, abortion, womens rights and tolerance

[JerrySeinfeld]

So letfies:

gay marriage, abortion, women's rights and tolerance

what do these things all have in common? Islam hates them.

I dare u to say otherwise

[Michael Hardner]

So does Catholicism, Orthodox Judaism, and evangelical Protestantism to a degree.

[YankAbroad]

And most righties of the social conservative stripe as well.

So social conservatives = Islamic fundamentalist extremists?

[Argus]

And most righties of the social conservative stripe as well.

So social conservatives = Islamic fundamentalist extremists?

Perhaps, but the "hate" of most social conservatives is pretty much limited to not wanting same sex marriage, or perhaps, not wanting homosexuals to be teachers and that sort of thing.

Ain't too many social conservatives who want to torture them to death while shouting out how great God is.

[Argus]

So does Catholicism, Orthodox Judaism, and evangelical Protestantism to a degree.

Yes, a helluva lot less of a degree.

If Stockwell Day were an Iranian he'd be castigated by his fellows as a bleeding heart, ultra-leftist queer loving liberal.

[Drea]

And most righties of the social conservative stripe as well.

So social conservatives = Islamic fundamentalist extremists?

Perhaps, but the "hate" of most social conservatives is pretty much limited to not wanting same sex marriage, or perhaps, not wanting homosexuals to be teachers and that sort of thing.

Ain't too many social conservatives who want to torture them to death while shouting out how great God is.

'Cept Jerry Fallwell....

Did you watch Barbara Walters' special on "heaven"? Two religions have basically the same philosophy -- the extremist Islamist and the Evangelical Christian. They are the ONLY two religions that say "If you don't believe and follow EXACTLY what the bible/koran says then you are most certainly going to hell."

Although the Evangelical Christian has not (yet) strapped a bomb to his body... he is just as adamant that his belief is the "truth" as the misguided young muslim who straps on a bomb...

Ever notice it's NOT the extreme muslim CLERIC strapping on the bomb? It's usually some poor young kid led to believe he's doing the right thing... He's been fed religious pap his whole life and knows nothing different -- he personally cannot be blamed, his religious leaders are to blame.

If you have been taught your whole life that 1+1=3 you are going to believe it, even if it's wrong.

All religions are a farce - they are simply based on unknowable information (until we invent a time machine).

If there is a "God" (and I have serious doubts about that) -- it really oughta get down here and set everyone straight, no? If I terraformed a planet, I'd stop in and check on it every once in a while to make sure my "creations" were doing ok.

[JerrySeinfeld]

And most righties of the social conservative stripe as well.

So social conservatives = Islamic fundamentalist extremists?

The only difference being: if your the islamic, left wing socialists will apologize for your beliefs and defend them under the banner of multiculturalism, but if you're the social conservative you are criticized as a neocon fanatic.

HAHA you fell right into it.

[August1991]

Although the Evangelical Christian has not (yet) strapped a bomb to his body... he is just as adamant that his belief is the "truth" as the misguided young muslim who straps on a bomb...

Has not (yet)?

Your apparent (and perfectly permitted) dislike for Evangelical Christians should not blind you to the differences between life in Western society and life in an Islamic society.

[Drea]

Although the Evangelical Christian has not (yet) strapped a bomb to his body... he is just as adamant that his belief is the "truth" as the misguided young muslim who straps on a bomb...

Has not (yet)?

Your apparent (and perfectly permitted) dislike for Evangelical Christians should not blind you to the differences between life in Western society and life in an Islamic society.

Thankfully we live in a largely secular society where religious extremism is frowed upon (at the very least).

In the Middle East there is (sadly) no secular society for checks and balances of religion.

If the Jerry Falwell's of the west had their way -- they certainly would be much more harsh with "non-believers" IMO. Thankfully, (again) fundies are a very small portion of our society.

Imagine if all we ever were allowed to read was the bible? If we used it exclusively for history and geography, heck even literacy... would we be the same as the Islamic fundies then? Probably.

It's society at large that keeps religion in check, not religion itself.

[betsy]

And they deal with them harshly. Imagine, if they give lashes to women who dared show their faces...what do they do to unwed pregnant women, abortionists, gays and other sexual orientation, and feminists?

[geoffrey]

And they deal with them harshly. Imagine, if they give lashes to women who dared show their faces...what do they do to unwed pregnant women, abortionists, gays and other sexual orientation, and feminists?

It's funny that the left is quicker to defend this set of beliefs. I actually can't see why. They should see Islamic oppression as a win for their supposed cause for dignity for women and minorities. Interesting eh? Could it be a marriage of convienience, political desperation makes for strange bedfellows, no?

[scribblet]

And they deal with them harshly. Imagine, if they give lashes to women who dared show their faces...what do they do to unwed pregnant women, abortionists, gays and other sexual orientation, and feminists?

It's funny that the left is quicker to defend this set of beliefs. I actually can't see why. They should see Islamic oppression as a win for their supposed cause for dignity for women and minorities. Interesting eh? Could it be a marriage of convienience, political desperation makes for strange bedfellows, no?

I find it strange too that the left will defend them while castigating Christians who today, (to my knowledge) don't stone women and all the other 'good stuff' the left seems to support.

[Drea]

Again.

It's our largely secular society that keeps religion under check, not the religions within our society.

I am not sympathizing or agreeing with Islam.

They don't have a secular society.

It wasn't religion that "brought in" equal rights for women/gays/children. Religion in the west is "controlled" because there are people out there who don't believe in it. We have the "option" NOT to believe. In many muslim countries they don't have an "opt out" option.

A while back I was chatting with my friend in Iran and she said "We have to face Mecca and pray five times a day -- but sometimes I don't pray, sometimes I just think".

Gotta love her... if she is representative of the youth of her country, she is the start of the "secular" society in Iran.

Currently, the youth of Iran (at least from my friends point of view -- being and 18 yo Iranian woman) WANT to be "westernized". They are questioning their religious leaders and trying to carve out a new way of life -- a modern way of life.

BUT, and that is a great big BUT. If the west goes into Iran to "free" them or "bring democracy" to them the youth will turn on us. And the Imams can say "see we told you young people that the west was evil -- look they've invaded our country!".

[crazymf]

To me, all religion is mere brainwashing of the masses into believing blindly that there's an afterlife and it's going to be great. Face it folks, nobody can say that and know for sure. There's no proof.

Religion is used to ease our minds from worry about the unknown while we're alive.

Realistically, when the lights go out, you're just dirt of the earth again.

I'm not an atheist, but I am skeptical.

Especially when 2 religions cause wars and people believe in different gods etc.

Faith is good, religion is bad.

People are stupid that way, like sheep.

[betsy]

Well, non-believers may say it's brainwashing....but then, who haven't been brainwashed nowadays? By Oprah....the media...best-seller books...hollywood! They say, "hey, it's the new age now!" And a lot, like sheep follow. Mystical fads boomed. It's definitely not fashionable these days to be a follower of the old religions! They've got too many rules...and are too restraining for the now generation whose priority is "gratify me."

Religion for some, is a "crutch"...that keeps them up even when they're feeling down.

Some have the need to talk to a psychologist/therapist...while for others, Faith provides the same service...and it is for free.

It's all about Faith. And of course one would question...but you cannot see it! There's no proof! And we say, but that's it...you've got to have faith!

[margrace]

Well, non-believers may say it's brainwashing....but then, who haven't been brainwashed nowadays? By Oprah....the media...best-seller books...hollywood! They say, "hey, it's the new age now!" And a lot, like sheep follow. Mystical fads boomed. It's definitely not fashionable these days to be a follower of the old religions! They've got too many rules...and are too restraining for the now generation whose priority is "gratify me."

Religion for some, is a "crutch"...that keeps them up even when they're feeling down.

Some have the need to talk to a psychologist/therapist...while for others, Faith provides the same service...and it is for free.

It's all about Faith. And of course one would question...but you cannot see it! There's no proof! And we say, but that's it...you've got to have faith!

My daughter was a mental health liason person in a small provincial town with a lot of fundamentalist type churches. She found that most of her patients were members of those churches.

[Drea]

Well, non-believers may say it's brainwashing....but then, who haven't been brainwashed nowadays? By Oprah....the media...best-seller books...hollywood! They say, "hey, it's the new age now!" And a lot, like sheep follow. Mystical fads boomed. It's definitely not fashionable these days to be a follower of the old religions! They've got too many rules...and are too restraining for the now generation whose priority is "gratify me."

Religion for some, is a "crutch"...that keeps them up even when they're feeling down.

Some have the need to talk to a psychologist/therapist...while for others, Faith provides the same service...and it is for free.

It's all about Faith. And of course one would question...but you cannot see it! There's no proof! And we say, but that's it...you've got to have faith!

I don't watch Opera or Dr. Phil. I don't see a therapist or counsellor. My Sunday ususally consists of laundry and housecleaning, getting prepared for the week ahead. (After I'm done here of course LOL)

Why is it that the religious people say "Your atheism has become a religion" (oxymoron btw) or "You are brainwashed by Oprah!" or "you MUST have SOMETHING that replaces religion".

Nope, nada, nothin'. Sorry.

I'm not dissin' those who believe -- go ahead believe with all your heart if that's what you need to do to get through this wonderful, beautiful, incredible, too short, life on earth.

[scribblet]

Well, non-believers may say it's brainwashing....but then, who haven't been brainwashed nowadays? By Oprah....the media...best-seller books...hollywood! They say, "hey, it's the new age now!" And a lot, like sheep follow. Mystical fads boomed. It's definitely not fashionable these days to be a follower of the old religions! They've got too many rules...and are too restraining for the now generation whose priority is "gratify me."

Religion for some, is a "crutch"...that keeps them up even when they're feeling down.

Some have the need to talk to a psychologist/therapist...while for others, Faith provides the same service...and it is for free.

It's all about Faith. And of course one would question...but you cannot see it! There's no proof! And we say, but that's it...you've got to have faith!

My daughter was a mental health liason person in a small provincial town with a lot of fundamentalist type churches. She found that most of her patients were members of those churches.

More likely because they came from a small town where people might be less open minded than those in the big cities. They also might have an inherent jealousy of people who have a bit more than they do, and it drives them nuts.