NEWSMAKER - A call for Muslim change

Internet Jerusalem Post ^ | Dec. 9, 2003 | Melissa Radler

[Phil V.]

Here's a fun read, Jack.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[Killborn]

May she succeed in her mission.

[ovrtaxt]

Wow, that's a trip. Unleash the queers on Islam!

Some people were throwing around the idea of dropping millions of Victoria's Secret catalogs all over Afghanistan as psychological warfare of sorts. Maybe gay porn would be more effective?

[mykdsmom]

Sounds like a book worth reading.

I put it on my list of books to read, when it comes out that is.

I've been on the conservative book kick lately so far reading in the past 2 months:
Treason: Ann Coulter
Terrorist Hunter: Anonymous
Attack on America: Flight 800
Dereliction Of Duty: Lt. Col. Robert 'Buzz' Patterson
Losing Bin Laden: Richard Miniter
Arrogance: Bernard Goldberg

I have here to start next.
Shut Up And Sing: Laura Ingraham
No Excuses, Closing the Racial Gap in Learning: Abigail Thernstrom and Stephan Thernstorm

MKM

[browardchad]

It has to be hammered home by Muslims of good will that the Koran allows for the sovereign existence of a Jewish nation

Uh, where in the Koran? I must have missed it...

[Phil V.]

("Your joy is your sorrow unmasked." --- GIBRAN)

I like your tag

Good and Evil

FROM "The Prophet"

By Kahlil Gibran

AND one of the elders of the city said, Speak to us of Good and Evil.

And he answered:

Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil.

For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst?

Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts it drinks even of dead waters.

You are good when you are one with yourself.

Yet when you are not one with yourself you are not evil.

For a divided house is not a den of thieves; it is only a divided house.      

And a ship without rudder may wander aimlessly among perilous isles yet sink not to the bottom.

You are good when you strive to give of yourself.

Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself.

For when you strive for gain you are but a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast.

Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, "Be like me, ripe and full and ever giving of your abundance."

For to the fruit giving is a need, as receiving is a need to the root.

You are good when you are fully awake in your speech,

Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose.       

And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue. 

You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps.

Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping.

Even those who limp go not backward.

But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.

You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good, 

You are only loitering and sluggard.

Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles.

In your longing for your giant self lies your goodness: and that longing is in all of you.

But in some of you that longing is a torrent rushing, with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest.

And in others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends and lingers before it reaches the shore.

But let not him who longs much say to him who longs little, "Wherefore are you slow and halting? "

For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where is your garment?" nor the houseless, "What has befallen your house?" 
 
 
 

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Thank you. I do, too. :)

I like your post. More people should read Gibran.

[Phil V.]

. . . but it is not the food of a "good" FReeper

[Pan_Yans Wife]

What do you mean?

[Cacique]

BING BANG

[rmlew]

Let the Marcusians kill Islam.

[Phil V.]

What do you mean? [[. . . but it is not the food of a "good" FReeper]]

I should withdraw that statement. My cynicism has clouded my perceptions. Many "good" freepers have "died" on the ME threads . . . "died" not so much for seeing that there can be a better Islam, but, rather, have "died" for arguing the evil of SOME Christians and Jews.

Too often the war on terrorism (good vs evil) is portrayed in black and white. It as if the solution to improving a garden with weeds is to plow under the garden. Weeding is difficult, sweaty, tedious work. Many "good" freepers avoid the ME threads.

Your question moved me to examine Good and Evil ^ that I posted over a year ago. There was, in fact, more positive discussion than negative.

I need to reexamine my "reality"!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Your words give me encouragement.

As a Christian I believe that having the freedom to believe in God, is the greatest freedom for man. So, my wish is that the spread of democracy, be it in Africa, Asia or the Middle East, will allow people to find God. It isn't my place to berate the faith of others, but I can hope that peace will bring an opportunity for some to find Him.

The Middle East is much more complex than black and white, as you suggest. I think we haven't even scratched the surface yet. We have much to learn. And, I am willing to LISTEN first.

Keep up the good work... don't worry about what others think. It is your understanding that is of importance, right?

Best wishes.

[philosofy123]

Queer Moslim eyes for the infidels. They will teach us to wear rags on our heads...tres chic mon amis!

[Valin]

bump and bookmark

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Of course Gibran, a Christian, did not write the Koran.

My goodness, what is your point?

[Augustinefan]

Wow! Great article. I knew there were Muslims out there who saw the contradiction between the Koran and the actions of the extreme fundamentalists, but it's nice to hear someone address it head on from the inside! I'm glad she didn't leave her faith to challenge it. It gives her more credibility to stay within and fight. I just hope she isn't killed in the process.