2451. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #195483 by al-rawandi on June 18, 2008 at 10:07 am
mesomodel,
Name this speaker:
"The nose is clearly designed for spectacles, so we wear spectacles, and the foot is clearly designed to be booted, so we wear boots."
2452. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #195402 by al-rawandi on June 18, 2008 at 7:04 am
Enlightenme...,
Well read "Guns, Germs, and Steel". Many a native population conquered through disease (Cortez and Atahualpa for example).
Anyhow, the presence of mega-flora and mega-fauna were instrumental in the development of peoples. I really don't like to suggest that people are fundamentally different, but they do often come from fundamentally different environments. In terms of race, there is no scientific data to suggest any biological difference between peoples. In fact genetic variegation can be as great within one race as it could be between races.
It is no coincidence that the Abrahamic faiths have so much in common and all come from roughly the same region. My trouble is that I really love Arabic, the Middle East and Arab culture, there is so much about it I like and enjoy, yet the nasty bits are so flagrant as to stand out beyond the niceties (more often than not).
RamziD,
You are right, I am growing weary of the things that come out of the Middle East. I think we need to get unhooked from oil and then let them sort themselves out. Any reformation will have to be because they want it and initiate it.
Fanusi,
PM for you.
2453. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #195377 by al-rawandi on June 18, 2008 at 6:16 am
epeeist,
You do not resemble George Galloway at all. I can't detect even a hint of a Scottish accent in your posts, so don't worry.
2454. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #195029 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 3:09 pm
RamziD,
When you have thousands of years of cultural history to sort through, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what the problem is.
I know you're waiting for me to spout off about something like oppression from the west, exploitation, the US is to blame
but you are also pretty absolutist by saying that Arab muslims can't be enlightened
2455. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #195019 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 2:34 pm
RamziD,
How do you know I am not an Arab? How do you know my parents aren't Lebanese?
But to answer your question, Arab tribal ethos was a nasty bit of business in pre-Islamic times. Islam codified this into a religion. So when other countries shed their tribalistic ethos, Arabs didn't because it was now codified in their religion.
Since there is no god, as you admit, then Islam is a product of the Arabs, is it not? Specifically Muhammad, and since there was not a system of forced conversion, Arabs chose this faith (for any number of reasons). So I fail to see how Islam is NOT a reflection of Arab tribal ethos. How then do you account for the more passive nature of Bosnian and Chinese Muslims?
or if people like me are just exceptions to your rule
What, inherent in them, makes them unable to achieve modernization?
2456. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194882 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 11:05 am
Steve,
I have noticed something. Evolution by natural selection is clearly explained, in well worded papers with copious evidence. While creationism is actually an ever changing amorphous pile of ad hominem, which isn't ever delineated in detail because anytime it has been, it was destroyed by scientists.
From a simply aesthetic perspective, evolution and natural selection are an organized blue print, while creationism is a heap of crayon sketched dinosaur saddles.
Striking differences.
2457. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194869 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 10:48 am
Karda,
In this new religion "Dudeism" there would not be "Altar Boys" only "Little Lebowski Urban Achievers".
2458. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #194777 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 9:03 am
epeeist,
Throwing a little logic at these people is quite a humorous adventure.
I always take the miracle approach. They love Jesus miracles, but not the ones in Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc... Those are fake miracles and only looney toons would believe in them. It seems too strange to be true.
2459. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #194764 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 8:45 am
ketch22,
I have actually read the Koran, and there are no miracles performed by Muhammad there. I actually read right to left as this was how the book was represented when I obtained it. All miracles come from Islamic tradition from so-called Hadith. This Islamic traditions comes hundreds of years after Muhammad's life and therefore isn't comparable to the gospels, which were written down within the first generation when the eyewitnesses were still alive.
2460. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #194718 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 7:56 am
ketch22,
And as far as miracles go, if you believe God exists, then you have no problem with believing He can perform miracles, either as a man or as God in heaven.
2461. Unlike Others, U.S. Defends Freedom to Offend in Speech
Comment #194660 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 6:29 am
Dr. Benway,
I like the Newspeak you throw in. Winston Smith would be proud.
2462. Report: Troubling texts at Va. Islamic school
Comment #194659 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 6:28 am
Naked Celt,
Excellent point on WWI Arab resistance. The Hashemites worked quite hard at their insurgency. All one has to do is read T.E. Lawrence, or hell, just watch the movie "Lawrence of Arabia".
I must also concur, the Crusades were a genocidal offensive "jihad" and the massacres perpetrated by the Crusaders belie their actually intent. It was not to do with "defense".
2463. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #194654 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 6:21 am
Fanusi,
This is a point I made earlier, about Israelis. And of course lastgreekstanding objected, but that makes me feel a little better (When the idiots start complaining.... push on).
Look at Israel and look at the history of Jews. Jews in the OT are mean sons of bitches, slaughtering, killing, stoning, hating. They spend a few centuries in Europe, undergo all the influences of an enlightenment and come back a secular group of civilized people (although far from perfect). Now, how many Jews do you see stoning people for cutting their hair to short? Or working on Saturday? None, zero.
And look at how social dynamics work in Israel. Ashkenazi Jews are the successful ones, they are from Europe. Mizrachi Jews (Oriental) are suffering and are largely the lower rungs of society, they never spent time in Europe, they remained in the Middle East... and what is their political party???? Shas, a party of religious whackery that does more harm than good to the ISraeli cause.
It is no coincidence that Bosnians, Huis, Uzbeks, and others don't stone adulterers or behead apostates... because they are removed from the Arab center. The problem emenates from the Peninsula.
Muslim society can undergo an enlightenment, just not an Arab Muslim society.
2464. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #194650 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 6:13 am
elephant,
Since religion isn't uniform, it is specific to the person. Most Muslims I know practice the faith in a way that reflects their personality, and since I only consider good people my friends, the Muslims I know all practice Islam in a way tolerable to me.
The people who get "radicalized" are often converts who have serious identity crises. Not all converts do so out of identity crisis, but those who do tend to become radical. They feel they need to staunchly defend their new faith and identity against the society which made a social outcast of them.
Christianity isn't the answer. There is no answer to radical Islam.
The issue with Nazism was that there was one man at the head, we could kill him and show everyone that Nazism is a bankrupt and failed ideology. Islam, as a social system, is a failed ideology already. We cannot show these whackos that their ideology is failed because it is in plain sight, they live in squalor and they see this as confirmation of their beliefs. The only option is to kill them, or allow them a state in which they can busy themselves stoning adulterers and beheading people.
The options don't look good.
2465. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194646 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 6:07 am
Frankus,
Jesus said:
"This is some bush league psych out stuff!"
"You try any of that shit with me, pull a piece out on the lane... I will take it away from you, shove it up your ass and pull the trigger until it goes.... click."
And thus spaketh Walter Sobchak:
"No he's a peterass Dude, he did 6 months in Chino for exposing himself to an 8 year old. Had to go door to door telling everyone he was a peterass."
2466. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #194636 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 5:50 am
Fanusi,
No thanks. There is a reason Bosnian Islam is mild compared to some of the stuff in Yemen. There is a reason why Uzbeks had long been moderates until Arabs showed up. There is a reason Hui Mulsims in Xianjiang were largely passive. The lack of Arab influence.
There have been Arab Christian suicide bombers, terrorists and other whackos. George Habash was head of the PFLP (responsible for hijackings)... he was a Christian.
I would want austere ass holes practicing any religion. Such radical dichotomists can easily turn Christianity into a nasty (*EDIT* even nastier) doctrine. So I must agree with Irate Atheist on this one.
2467. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194633 by al-rawandi on June 17, 2008 at 5:47 am
Karda,
Hey! Dudeism? I am in soooo in for that:
"Jackie Treehorn treats objects like women man"
We can drink the sacramental "white russian", and then go bowling.... And if anyone questions the doctrines????
"You are entering a world of pain Smokey.... Mark it fucking zero!"
2468. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #194437 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 7:26 pm
LGS,
You are correct, government housing encourages migration to settlements, but who would migrate to the settlements? If you watch "Palestine is Still the Issue" you can see plenty of interviews with settlers and see their fanatacism at work.
How do explain the difference between European Jews and the Jews of the OT? What accounts for that? No Jews are stoned for anything, yet Muslims still stone people. I am afraid a European vacation of many centuries can have a positive effect, don't you?
2469. Unlike Others, U.S. Defends Freedom to Offend in Speech
Comment #194428 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 7:11 pm
alvorin,
I should only have to repost your post #136 to make my point. Fucktard.
I didn't say free markets are utopian, I said they are better than the alternative. This is merely another example of your habit of spouting lies about other people and what they say. But I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are simply incapable of reading.
I never said our foreign policy was good. In fact I am one of the biggest and most persistent critics of US foreign policy, and have routinely suggested alternatives.
The problem is you are a simpleton. In your double digit IQ world, everyone who detests socialism is a believer in free makret utopias. And every American who believes liberty is better than Islamic totalitarianism supports an "idiotic foreign" policy.
You are just a simpleton that is all. Flailing away at strawmen, and lying to put other people in the scare crow outfit.
My suggestion, stop lying and people might start to take some of your stupidity seriously. Until then I am marking you with the "fucktard" button. You have certainly earned it, wear it with pride.
Liars disgust me.
2470. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194419 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 6:49 pm
RTG,
I am an American, you are a disgrace to our great country. You can take your rude posts about the British and shove them. The British are some of the bravest people on earth, and their new secular direction is a credit to their intellectual advancement. As an American I have nothing but respect for the British, you can thank much of their political thought for producing the Founding Fathers of our nation, who also thought religion was a pernicious cancer to be marginalized at all costs.
You are truly pathetic.
2471. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #194415 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 6:33 pm
ketch22
I simply came here wondering why it is so difficult to believe in evolution and a creator.
2472. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194234 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:45 pm
RTG,
asteemed
2473. Vatican bans Dan Brown film Angels & Demons from Rome churches
Comment #194227 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Fanusi,
Moore is so dishonest. He said in his 9/11 film that Saudis own about 1% of our economy. This may be true, but what about Japan, England, or any other country? China has billions upon billions in T-bonds and T-notes. They could potentially destroy our currency. So he is disengenuous by omission, which to me can be worse.
2474. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194223 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:39 pm
MPhil,
That is just a bunch of prebiased deceivement on your part.
|>:-{o
2475. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194210 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:30 pm
RTG,
What atheist screamed that?
I have a small volume on what religious women scream.... one I have compiled... don't ask me how I went about it, apparently Christian morals aren't all that strong after all.
2476. Vatican bans Dan Brown film Angels & Demons from Rome churches
Comment #194208 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:27 pm
FF,
Yeshua, Iesus, Yehoshua... something in that range probably.
Iesus being similar to the Arabic 'Issa, which makes me think the Arabic is gleaned from the Greek and not the Aramiac. Strange etymology for the Semitic languages.
2477. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194203 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:26 pm
RTG,
"Deceivement"
"Prebiased"
Drop the axe and step away from the English language! Do it now!
2478. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194195 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:18 pm
RTG,
Ridicule Kirk Cameron? Who are you and what is your accomplishment to society other than intentually contributing to the continued deceivement of Evolution theory.
2479. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194192 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:12 pm
RTG
With a display of 5 pieces of art, would not an art novice have the ability to determine which 3 were the works of Picasso? Why? The same creator and or designer.
2480. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194182 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Steve,
Ooooooh someone has been stockpiling their aresenal!
Well done sir, well done.
In a debate with Kirk Cameron, my sole tactic would be to remind him that he is in fact, Kirk Cameron, no person could survive such a comment.
2481. Vatican bans Dan Brown film Angels & Demons from Rome churches
Comment #194177 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 1:50 pm
FF,
His name wasn't Jesus, as Jesus is not a name in any of the languages present in the Levant at that period.
Try Apollonius of Tyanna.
2482. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194175 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 1:48 pm
ReceivedtheGift,
Narrow minded? Dr. Zara is the foremost authority in regards to Macroevolution. Who says? All others are quacks and stupid
A plant is still a plant. A dog is still a dog. So on and so on
2483. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194166 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 1:39 pm
KArda,
Like what pre-conceived notion? I am sure you can at least mention one of my "pre-conceived" notions.
2484. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194160 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Karda,
Well I have no pre-conceived notions I need to prove with carefully selected and dismissed evidence. Once you give up those notions life gets so very easy.
What material CD?
2485. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194132 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Karda,
Sea level rose by over 100m in a relatively short period of time. Assuming the ancient populations clustered on the coasts, near river deltas, they would see their homes consumed by the flood waters and the ocean.
2486. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #194124 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Steve, eppeist, rev. D,
The name "Received the Gift" reminds me of a bumper sticker they had a decade ago which said:
"I found it"
With all religious implications. Well my father's friend got a bumper sticker that said:
"I found it..... but now my finger stinks."
Makes me wonder what RTG's finder smells like.
2487. Breaking the Silence
Comment #194100 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Fanusi,
Excellent point. There is no official condemnation of Bin Laden (except for some Saudi Shaykhs) coming from the Muslim world. It is rather shocking when these shaykhs launched numerous verbal assaults on Indian tennis star Saniya Mirza for her "un-Islamic" dress.
BTW, it is boring around here when you disappear.
2488. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?
Comment #194091 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
epeeist,
The Tamil Eelam struggle is one of nationalism. Vallipulai Prabhakaran is a lapsed Christian and many of the bombers are secular Hindus, one soldier even saying she had never stepped foot in a Hindu temple.
Suicide bombing is largey an issue of Nationalism, specifically with respect to Tamil Eelam. Lebanon saw the same issue, in addition to Hezbollah there were Christian suicide bombers as well. Robert Pape does the best research on the topic, plenty of statistics, and a complete listing of all suicide attacks and the religion and profile of the bombers as well as the targets.
2489. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #194076 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 11:52 am
Look at you gentlemen. I am constantly amazed at the patience some people here show the benighted hoardes who constantly cycle through this place. I guess I don't fall under "helpful" or "educational" in my approach.
Such gentlemen you are, but me, in the duel I turn at 7 paces and fire.
MPhil,
You mean to say polite is better than the hack and slash approach to stupid arguments?
2490. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?
Comment #194055 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 10:43 am
D'arcry,
What right do you have to FORCE someone to give up the fruits of their labor for other people? That is what you are saying, people should be forced to live in your system.
You act, like MArx so blindly did, like there is no way for someone who labors to move up and become an owner. And of course you are ignoring every single business that has employee ownership. Why don't you start a business and implement an employee ownership system, maybe it will catch on.
The difference between current western systems and socialism, is that in western systems, you are allowed to change how things are, while in socialist societies there is no personal ambition. You could easily make use of your liberty by attempting to implement aspects of your proposed system, and perhaps one day you will get your dream of robbing people of their liberty.
I have said it once and I will say it again, people come to the US to pursue their dreams for a reason.
2491. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #194004 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 9:22 am
ketch22,
You tend to belittle those who say they know something different than you by saying they are the one's who are arrogant.
I am no more fake than you, except that I don't claim to know everything, only God. And for you to scoff at that sincere belief makes you fake.
If the truth is the truth, why would it change? It seems to me that science is changing all the time and finding falicies w/ past theories and developing new ones. Which one is the truth? The one that steadfastly doesn't change or the one that changes daily?
2492. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #193986 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 9:05 am
Vin,
Arizona can be brutal, no doubt about it.
It was 90 defrees (f) in Jeddah in December.
2493. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #193938 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 8:24 am
vinelectric,
The settlers are religious whackos... that is why the Israelis stick them in settlements. They do it because they don't want them in Israel proper, and also they will defend vigorously against any invasion.
2494. Gay brains structured like those of the opposite sex
Comment #193926 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 8:12 am
Dhamma,
Don't sell yourselves short... 9.2 million.
2495. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #193885 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 7:33 am
qomak,
Israel is proof that the Middle East is a screwed up place.
Read the Old Testament, a nasty and violent text. And Jews were nasty and violent. They then spent 2,000 years in Europe and came back a lot nicer than the people who remained in the region (Arabs). Even 2,000 years in the west didn't wash off all the fanatics and undesireables. Still so many whack job Jews... they send these to the occupied territories, arm them, and allow them to live on stolen land. That isn't particularly smart. 2,000 Sky daddy real estate contracts are a bad way to run a state.
2496. Saving Us from Darwin
Comment #193863 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 6:50 am
Steve,
I just hope he/she doesn't start thinking they can fly.
2497. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Comment #193845 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 6:08 am
rrazdan,
Let's not forget that after the "explosion" in Gaza which killed several civilians including a child, Hamas blamed Israel for a "strike" and in response launched al-Qassam rockets into the western Negev. But then last Thursday Hamas admitted that the blast was actually a bomb making shop which exploded and it wasn't Israel that "attacked" Gaza.
The problem is that Hamas will lie, lie, and lie some more. I too want to have the Palestinians realize a state, but that requires credibility, and the Palestinians have none at this point. I would also like to point you to youtube videos of Israeli soldiers shooting journalists, and international peace activists. The evidence is damning.
2498. Report: Troubling texts at Va. Islamic school
Comment #193842 by al-rawandi on June 16, 2008 at 6:01 am
Secularist,
I am growing extremely weary of your stupidity which you continue to shat upon this board.
You are the one lying:
It is not something that you denial in Wahhabis and accuse Judaism.
The problem is that while you told lie about jews and Judaism you reject the true about Wahhabis.
To be quite honest Wahhabis hate many type non-Wahhabis and not only Jews.
2499. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #192597 by al-rawandi on June 13, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Quine,
How about an interpersonal relationship? Isn't that ontologically untenable. It does not "exist" as a thing, however it can make someone happy or ruin their life. Strange is it not?
2500. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #192589 by al-rawandi on June 13, 2008 at 1:29 pm
MPhil,
You mean to tell me that "meme" has no ontological value.... I am shocked.... :-)