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Re:
lustor, I stopped attending church when I was 10 because I was disgusted by the hypocrisy and judgemental attitudes. My parents (amazingly patient people) listened to my reasons for not wanting to attend and agreed to let me make my own decision regarding God and my spirituality.
posted by
Mia890
on May 4, 2013 at 10:19 AM
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Re:
Jimmy, I would be very disappointed if people weren't already talking about it! I'm sorry to say I agree with your statement - it's hard to imagine an end to these conflicts. 
posted by
Mia890
on May 4, 2013 at 10:15 AM
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I dont like to talk religion or politics because I know little about both, but I agree somewhat about church, a lot of hypocrites can be found at church
posted by
Lanetay
on May 4, 2013 at 9:21 AM
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Believe it or not, this particular topic has been broached a few times before, at random blogs. I have to admit, I actually agree with everything you have stated, primarily because much of it is what I have stated in the past myself! I've always believed that organized religion was the worst thing that has ever happened to mankind, and we've been witnessing the bloody results of it for generations now! You're right . . . no one's hands are clean of the blood, and probably never will be! These differences and conflicts are now so deeply rooted and engrained in everyone's psyches that unfortunately this needless violence is probably going to continue until the end of time . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 9:20 AM
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Re:
Thanks! It's a touchy subject, and I hope anyone stopping in can view it with an open mind and join the debate!!
posted by
Mia890
on May 4, 2013 at 8:14 AM
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Re: Mia
Naut, I'll admit - I was a tad worried that you would be annoyed with me! I'm always up for a lively debate, but tend to stay away from religion because people get so sensitive about it!
If we were in court, I would not hesitate to accept you as an Expert Witness - clearly this is a topic that you know well!
My point, though, comes down to the fact that EVERY religious text is open to interpretation. The verse you quoted, for example: Those that make war against God and His apostle and spread disorder in the land shall be slain or crucified or have their hands and feet cut off on alternate sides or be banished from the land. (5:34)
To me, this is not an instruction to take up arms, but rather a warning of what will happen to those who go against God. "They shall be slain", instead of "you go and slay them".
Throughout the Koran (I've always used Qur'an?) Allah is described as being severe in his punishment. This, to me, seems an example of Allah's intended wrath.
If I recall correctly, the sections demanding the slaying of infidels are not part of the actual Koran, but rather an additional text meant to be read along with the Koran?
Christians believe that non-believers and sinners will be sent to hell. I don't remember the exact wording (and it's far too early for me to be flipping through the bible in search of the passage), but Hell isn't exactly described as a nice vacation. Christians might be more poetic about it, but they still have ways to punish those who go against their faith.
I don't agree with the teachings of either religion, but especially the extremist Muslim belief. They, more than any other, are a group that need to calm the heck down and learn to play nice.
My father worked and lived in Libya for more than 2years, and he found the Muslim people to be both kind and peaceful. Every family has an Aunt they would rather not discuss, and every religion inspires fanatics who will interpret the text to suit their evil ways. The Muslim "crazies" just have a bit more to work with in that regard....
I really should have eaten breakfast BEFORE checking in!!
posted by
Mia890
on May 4, 2013 at 8:12 AM
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Re:
Hahaha adnohr! Yes, it was. But he didn't mind...I picked a patient man on purpose 
posted by
Mia890
on May 4, 2013 at 7:39 AM
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I tend to agree with Naut on this one. Be it in religion, government, or even just community, there are always a few cruel people who will use whatever excuse to inflict their pleasure. However, Islam PREACHES it, incites those who ar NOT cruel to become so. Was the meal for hubby late?
posted by
adnohr
on May 4, 2013 at 5:29 AM
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It is interesting reading the different viewpoints.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 3, 2013 at 8:05 PM
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Mia
I see that we agree on many issues except one, and that could be the basis for a lively and interesting debate.
My position is based on a close reading of the Koran as well as much (though not all) of the Hadith, and a less thorough but nonetheless sufficient reading (I claim, LOL) of the New Testament and the Torah. In addition, I have on my side the view of scholars who were Muslims but are no longer, most prominently possibly Ibn Warraq (a pseudonym, for obvious reasons), but many others.
Whatever nasty things Christians (and very rarely Jews) have done in the course of the last 2000 years was often done in the name of their faith, though never literally allowed or dictated by it! There is nothing in the New Testament that demands the faithful to slay 'infidels', i.e. non-Christians. And while Christians have held slaves, there is nothing in the New Testament that allows that. Nor does the Bible permit men to beat their women, if 'lightly', with a 'miswaq' (a 'toothbrush' ), and we know how that ends, LOL...
Lastly, history shows (and yep, I'm a historian) tremendous changes in Christianity's Churches, certainly since the Renaissance. There's nothing even remotely resembling a Reformation to be found in the two main branches of Islam, Sunni and Shia, who have been at one another's throats ever since shortly after ol Mo's death in 632 (at least that's the date accepted by Islam, so we'll accept it as well)...
Okay, enough for today. I need a drink...LOL
posted by
Nautikos
on May 3, 2013 at 7:46 PM
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amen!
posted by
Annicita
on May 3, 2013 at 6:56 PM
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