1. Islam's Silent Moderates

Comment #95370 by lulando on December 8, 2007 at 7:19 am

"We hear that violence is not in the Koran, that Islam means peace, that this is a hijacking by extremists and a smear campaign and so on. But the evidence mounts up."

Yes. What a pity. What a shame. Even in circles, where one might expect a differentiated view on the matter - like in Sufi circles - no one will stand up and say: "NO!"

It was in 1995 - well before 911 - when I asked a German Sufi, a follower of a the All-mighty and All-compassionate and All-forgiving, why one should punish a thief by chopping off his hand, what good might there be in this cruel mutilation and so he answered,

"Let's not only look at this world, but also at the next."

I have not met one Muslim who would be prepared to accept a critical view on Islam as many Christians accept on their religion - let alone examine the Q'ran in a up-to-date scientific fashion.

I learned the Beauty of Islam when translating a book on Islamic architecture but I did never ever find that beauty in reality.

It is just the same with communism: the reality never matches the ideal...

Islam has entered it's Dark Age - let's hope for a reformer.

lu :: http://en.lulando.de

2. Why Science Can't Save the Republican Party

Comment #93440 by lulando on December 3, 2007 at 6:46 am

Is Death a Valid Concept?

Is death still a valid concept in our society? Or have all of us chosen to live in permanent denial? We do not want to loose our youth, do not accept illness, or old age. We ask more or less gifted surgeons design our bodies to our liking - often risking severe health damages and extensive costs. If ill, we demand instant and full repair and Old Age is almost politically incorrect. Does it ever occur to anyone, that health and life are not the most precious values we have? If we accept any action, in order to rescue one's own life, we will end up in a society, where the powerful will order their employees go hunting for the body parts they need and if found in a living human being defend their actions as self-defence. They will either offer a large amount of money for the heart/liver/lungs and promise to pay to the family ...or just take it. They will have lawyers arguing, the situation would be comparable to two castaways struggling over a life vest. No one can expect of you to give up your life voluntarily, can they?

Does it ever occur to anyone, that such is human life?

We are born, we live and we die.


.lu :: http://en.lulando.de :: lu [at] lulando [dot] de

3. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore

Comment #91565 by lulando on November 28, 2007 at 2:53 pm

Incidents like these proof how much a personality like the reformer Martin Luther is needed, to adjust this tribal religion and free it from customs, views and teachings derived from a long lost time. Without risking my life - at least in good, old Europe - I can discuss with every Christian I know, whether Jesus Christ is a God, the God or the Son of God or maybe simply a human being or maybe even didn't exist, but it is not possible to call an innocent child's teddy bear Muhammad?

.lu :: http://en.lulando.de