I don't know about that. I can get as mad as some of you but 15 minutes on a thread such as this destroys a lot of diplomacy our government has worked very hard to achieve. Not that we have achieved a whole lot.
The religion ought to be trashed, because it is the source of intolerance, suffering, torture, revolution, oppression, dictatorships, kidnappings, and other unpleasantries around the world. Islam needs to go the way of Kali worship, Aztec paganism, and canabalism. The rest of the world's religions get along much better.
Maybe if we try to set a better example they will learn faster. We have to go after the terrorists. That is a given. Anything else is begging for more; HOWEVER, we still need to be kind to those who have done us no harm.
I was trying to think of some good things about Arabs because the lady said they weren't blessed. They have been blessed with black gold. They have good looks and robust health for the most part. I was wondering if any studies have been done about their incidence of breast cancer, tooth decay, sexual diseases, other health problems.
The invented our numbering system. This board would be quite different without that.
They made great strides in medicine while Europe was wallowing in the Dark Ages.
They have beautiful calligraphy.
They have delicious food.
And they invented ebay. That was pretty progressive, don't you think? I'm told it was two Pakistani's who developed it but now I'm told a woman runs it, Arab I believe. If I get a chance I'll try to find out more about that.
I think the hope is that as they come more into the 21st century and achieve a nice lifestyle, they will leave behind some of their warrior ways.
Time will tell. Time is not on our side though.
As for kissing a rock, I don't get too upset about that. We do some strange things sometimes, too. Like bungee jumping.
Absolutely. We cannot let savages lure us into acting like savages.
"They have been blessed with black gold.
They have good looks and robust health for the most part."
Not exactly traits they can take credit for, but true nonetheless.
" The invented our numbering system."
I'm not so sure of that. I've read that it comes from India, and the Arabs learned it while raping and pillaging there.
" They made great strides in medicine while Europe was wallowing in the Dark Ages."
I'm none too sure about that, either. Most of the science, medicine, and philosophy they're credited with has its roots in cultures they conquered. There were a lot of them.
"They have beautiful calligraphy."
True. Some of it, like that encircling the Dome of the Rock, is intentionally inflamatory and would be considered blasphemous to Christians. But the text itself is very nice.
" They have delicious food."
Really? I have no experience or knowledge in that area.
" And they invented ebay."
Okay. If you say so, but they had to wait for AlGore to invent the internet, first.
" I think the hope is that as they come more into the 21st century and achieve a nice lifestyle, they will leave behind some of their warrior ways."
The poverty, warfare, and stoneage lifestyle can be attributed to the koran. They'll have to leave it behind. That would be a relief to the rest of us.
" Time will tell. Time is not on our side though."
You got that right.
" As for kissing a rock, I don't get too upset about that. We do some strange things sometimes, too. Like bungee jumping."
True enough - but we don't kill others for bungee jumping, either.
The first part is subjective and the second part is not true.
From the 38 countries I could identify quickly as Moslem in Grolier's Encyclopedia:
Male life expectancy averages 60.3 years (Low of 41 in Ethiopia, High of 73 in UAR and Libya, median of 59.7)
Female life expectancy averages 63.9 years (Low of 42 in Ethiopia, High of 77 in Libya, median of 67.6)
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 averages 62.6 (Low of 3.4 in Brunei, High of 150 in Afghanistan, median of 48.9).
The U.S. logs in at 72.9, 79.7 and 6.3, respectively.
As for the food, that is subjective, also. (Not to my taste; but a lot of foods aren't).
Are you serious about ebay? Did 2 Pakistanis invent ebay while living under the social, economic and "religious" constraints of Pakistan or while living here? Besides, 2 Pakistanis don't a culture make.
It's sweet of you to try so desperately to find something nice to say about Moslems; but don't turn your back on them when you're saying it.
No, they did not, the Hindus did. The Arabs learned about the Hindu way because of the trade and spread it to Europe also via trade.
Not true, the Moghul invaders stole it from the Hindus
Pakistani's are not Arabs,and derive the benefit, such as it is, of British educational and cultural influence. Plus being somewhat humble after ruling the Indian Subcontinent for some year, of having their tushes kicked first by the Brits, and now several times by the Hindu and Sikh Indians. ALthough that seems to be wearing off, time for another ash kicking? Let's hope not, since large numbers in the region might end up as radioactive ash in the process.
It's not the rock kising itself, tourists to Ireland, including my daughter, do that. It's the hypocrisy of doing that while at same time claiming to forbid idol worship and graven images and blowing up other people's religious and cultural icons that bites.