Thank GOD for Islam.

[farawaysaint]

Some of you are ridiculous calling the protesters ill bred savages. What about the anti Islam backlash in America post 9-11? If the West is so highly educated then why do they still have religious wack-jobs as well? How is pastor Terry or whatever he was called's Quran burning any better than the protesting and torching of flags?

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

well thats easy. Let me answer with two more questions:

1) Why does everybody celebrate Christams in the Uk... even atheists, muslims, jews etc (not all but many)? Answer because being English it is cultural heritage.

2) Why do many people STILL believe Church of England or catholic schools offer the best education? Answer because traditionally schools with religious background are better.

Thats exactly how those people think. They are wrong ( for one) and you can argue that if they feel like that why are they over here... but that is not the topic here is it?

Muslims often celebrate Christmas because they regard Jesus as an important prophet. I wouldn't imagine atheists adhere to the tradition of Christmas and I've never known a practicing Jew to celebrate Christmas.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Some of you are ridiculous calling the protesters ill bred savages. What about the anti Islam backlash in America post 9-11? If the West is so highly educated then why do they still have religious wack-jobs as well? How is pastor Terry or whatever he was called's Quran burning any better than the protesting and torching of flags?

America has Ill-bred savages too. Doesn't mean that some muslims are not also very misguided.

 

[farawaysaint]

Muslims often celebrate Christmas because they regard Jesus as an important prophet. I wouldn't imagine atheists adhere to the tradition of Christmas and I've never known a practicing Jew to celebrate Christmas.

All my atheist friends observe Christmas. A public holiday and gifts, what's not to love?

 

[martyn20]

Muslims often celebrate Christmas because they regard Jesus as an important prophet. I wouldn't imagine atheists adhere to the tradition of Christmas and I've never known a practicing Jew to celebrate Christmas.

I love Christmas and I get frustrated with people always trying to drag religion into it..................

 

[Wilko]

If you ever get the chance I thoroughly recommend reading 'God Is Not Great: The Case Against Religion.' by the late Christopher Hitchens, its not only a decent read but it completely cemented my anti-religion beliefs and proves with countless examples how all religion is an out of date concept and is the root of the majority of the worlds larger social problems and wars.

Yep, a good read. Also the film religolous is worth a watch too.

 

[abc]

I used to struggle with region and all the contradictions that many people have alluded to here. Then someone gave me their view:

'Faith' is about the love of you God and is a personal thing to you. All people with Faith fundamentally believe in the two tenements of love and peace to their fellow man whether their faith is of a Christian, Muslim, etc.

Religion is the politicisation of Faith by Man. Religion is not the same as Faith. Religion creates dogma, breeds violence and divisions, is often typified by greed and abuse and has dogged history for many centuries. Many people who have their own political, racist or bigotted objectives hijake faith in the name of religion.

Understanding this was a big thing for me.

 

[BHAFC_Pandapops]

Nah, people would just find other excuses to be self-righteous morons.

As Bono once said, 'Glurrrrbal Wurmin''

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

All my atheist friends observe Christmas. A public holiday and gifts, what's not to love?

We've probably got different definitions of the word 'celebrate' which is the word I quoted. Fair enough though as it's the traditional holiday time.

 

[farawaysaint]

We've probably got different definitions of the word 'celebrate' which is the word I quoted. Fair enough though as it's the traditional holiday time.

It's an arbitrary date chosen for the birth of Jesus anyway so really it's just enjoying some turkey and family time on the 25th

 

[bernster]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-VkW-cjlME

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

Muslims often celebrate Christmas because they regard Jesus as an important prophet. I wouldn't imagine atheists adhere to the tradition of Christmas and I've never known a practicing Jew to celebrate Christmas.

Not true GCCM... yes Jesus is recognised as a prophet but muslims know 25th is a random date.... however it may be an excuse they use. I celebrate Xmas because Im English..... cant think of another reason... apart from the prezzies and turkey (and remember I am a Muslim... though maybe not a very good one )

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Not true GCCM... yes Jesus is recognised as a prophet but muslims know 25th is a random date.... however it may be an excuse they use. I celebrate Xmas because Im English..... cant think of another reason... apart from the prezzies and turkey (and remember I am a Muslim... though maybe not a very good one )

Would muslims celebrate Christmas if for example it was a celebration of St. Paul's birth etc? Surely you celebrate Christmas because it doesn't compromise your Islamic belief? My answer was based on personal evidence from a visit to Morocco. I was quite surprised that many of the people i spoke to, who whilst being good practicing muslims, celebrated Christmas. When i asked for the reason, time and again i was told that Jesus was the third most important prophet only Mohammed and (i can't remember the second prophet) had higher ranking.


I suppose this thread demonstrates our nation's strongly multicultural nature and also the plural nature of its beliefs.

 

[SULLY COULDNT SHOOT]

I used to struggle with region and all the contradictions that many people have alluded to here. Then someone gave me their view:

'Faith' is about the love of you God and is a personal thing to you. All people with Faith fundamentally believe in the two tenements of love and peace to their fellow man whether their faith is of a Christian, Muslim, etc.

Religion is the politicisation of Faith by Man. Religion is not the same as Faith. Religion creates dogma, breeds violence and divisions, is often typified by greed and abuse and has dogged history for many centuries. Many people who have their own political, racist or bigotted objectives hijake faith in the name of religion.

Understanding this was a big thing for me.

Nail..... head. This is why I diverge from the more fundamentalist tenets of Islam (actually some of the basic ones too)... religion is man-made... faith is god-made (or rather an individuals decision to believe in the view of their godhead which may be similar in parts to a religion but is never entirely the same) and whilst even the atheists mix up the two there will never be any understanding. When your faith is driven by other people's faiths rather than your own this is where fundamentalism starts IMO. Calling myself a Muslim or anyone calling themselves a part of a religion is like labelling children autistic....... the size of that spectrum is so enormous and hardly anyone within it is exactly the same and the word hardly gives any of them justice. That is why this thread doesnt work..... labelling all Muslims the same is just as ridiculous as saying all christians share the same beliefs as pious members of the KKK or that all priests love little boys.

But this is what people do. They love labelling whole groups regardless of the potential for catastrophe that creates. Maybe (and lets be clear I am being hypothetical here)there were jews in germany who were rich and manipulated the economy (as there may have been many non-jews who did the same too but they were not such easy targets) but what may have started out as an innocent social comment may well have led to labelling all Jews and the next minute we are at the final solution. A small pebble that starts an avalanche because of our desire to pigeonhole everyone into groups. Have we not learnt yet?

Almost enough to make me an atheist Sweet dreams... Ill get down off my soapbox now.

 

[drew]

Some of you are ridiculous calling the protesters ill bred savages. What about the anti Islam backlash in America post 9-11? If the West is so highly educated then why do they still have religious wack-jobs as well? How is pastor Terry or whatever he was called's Quran burning any better than the protesting and torching of flags?

There were many protests in the US but how many people were killed in those protests. There is a difference between protesting and rioting.

I used to struggle with region and all the contradictions that many people have alluded to here. Then someone gave me their view:

'Faith' is about the love of you God and is a personal thing to you. All people with Faith fundamentally believe in the two tenements of love and peace to their fellow man whether their faith is of a Christian, Muslim, etc.

Religion is the politicisation of Faith by Man. Religion is not the same as Faith. Religion creates dogma, breeds violence and divisions, is often typified by greed and abuse and has dogged history for many centuries. Many people who have their own political, racist or bigotted objectives hijake faith in the name of religion.

Understanding this was a big thing for me.

You talk about faith being the love of your god. Are you sure it is love and not fear! Those that believe in a god surely believe he has power over everything and therefore is responsible for all the death and suffering in the world. Someone who does that does not deserve my admiration! Is it also fear of what happens when you die. Some people can't handle the concept that that is it and there is no other 'existence'.

 

[danish seagull]

f***ing hell

The whole religion is a joke, I'm sorry, anyone who defends these animals is even worse

Fully agree mate, they are simply not right in the head.

 

[BHAFC_Pandapops]

Dipshittery on both sides. I like that word....dip...shittery...

Billy Connelly's anecdote says a pilot gad to bail into the sea. His seat jettisoned but his parachute and reserve chute failed.

"Allah! Allah! Save me!" Said he,

And a big brown hand caught him and placed him gently in the water.

He then said "thank christ", and a big brown hand smote him.

 

[Drumstick]

Grouping things makes life easier to understand.

Everyone's individual. Regardless of what groups they par take in as part of their lives.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

I don't care what anybody believes in religion...it is their choice.....as long as they don't try and force their ideals on me. I recieved an email today which I will post,some of you will disagree with it...some will agree. But why all this gnashing of teeth and pent up anger about a film...be honest...was any christian on here upset by the 'Life of Brian'.....ok there's always one.......so did we all go out and burn effigies of Monty Python.
Anyway....the Email...The Muslims are not happy.

They're not happy in Gaza.
They're not happy in Egypt.
They're not happy in Libya.
They're not happy in Iran.
They're not happy inIraq.
They're not happy inYenem.
They're not happy in Pakistan.
They're not happy in Syria.
They're not happy in Lebanon.

So where are they happy?

They're happy in Australia.
They're happy in Canada.
They're happy in England.
They're happy in France.
They're happy in Italy.
They're happy in Germany.
They're happy in Sweden.
They're happy in the USA.
They're happy in Norway.
They're happy in Holland.
They're happy in Denmark.

So basically they're happy in every country that isnot Muslim and unhappy in every country that is!

And who do they blame ?

Not Islam.
Not their leadership.
Not themselves.

They blame the countries that they're happy in!

And then they want to change those countries that they are happy in, to the country where they came from to one where they were unhappy.

Mind boggles.

To be honest not all muslims are like this...but this is how the fanatics come across.

Religion has a lot to answer for.

 

[redhill seagull 66]

did the irish catholics go on the rampage over father ted?