Ibrahim -

I just noticed your post -

I did not move here at all from anywhere.

I was born, raised, educated and married right here in America.

:-)

If we are real Muslims in its true sense, may Allah give us the courage and ability to look around to find out many such Saberis who need our assistance? (AMEN)

http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=231708&Itemid=67&cattitle=Featured%20News

Victoria sans Veritas-

Here is an example of "what islam actually is" from Afghanistan. Take a good look and then turn your head and pretend it isn't true..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvavRR9UU7U&eurl=http://www.youtube.com/rawa77

sans veritas-

for someone who claims to respect muslim women with "free souls"

then chastises mischka and i for being those examples of free souls, (comparing us to the "muslim women you knew who were silent and subservient, as if subservience confers "goodness" and your misconception of islamic behavior for women)

then claims in some distant future to intend to hope to help abused women(when some of us have done it for years, possibly longer than youve been on the planet)

you certainly seem to hate free muslim women like mischka and myself.

what it actually comes down to is this-

you only use the suffering of these women to further your own agenda of islamophobic slander

you dont care one bit about these women

are personally indoctrinated and confused about what islam actually is

and when confronted with the reality of real living free muslim women with intelligence and knowledge about their religion-

revert to simply casting about for defaming news articles to support your prejudice

if you really actually and sincerely cared about thew plight of these women you so opportunistically use without conscience to further your own biases and hatreds of islam-

you would take the ooportunity to ask questions about WHY islam gives us our rights,

that info could be relayed to the women you pretend to want to help-

o yes- you are actually not helping anyone in real life, are you.

you are full of contradictions and hypocrisy-
and your only motive is to spread your own islamophobic fears and project those fears into the public arena.

if you were honestly concerned about the oppressions of some muslim women- you would be interested in speaking respectfully with muslim women who have already arrived at the destination you claim you want these women to arrive at.

or quite possibly, you want to evangelize to these women and use their weakness to push your own religion down their throats while they are vulnerable

in either case, you seem to neither respect us, or any muslim women.

i cant imagine who you think you can "help" when you are so confused to begin with

straighten out your own ideas, ask us questions of pertinence-

despite your attacks, we are here and will respond with consideration if asked.

Miscka:
You tell Lux that "Islam does not oppress women...". Maybe you do not feel oppressed because you live in a non-Muslim country. In fact the fact that you have moved from Pakistan to this country is a proof that you voted with your feet against oppression and for women's liberation.

Being Honest with yourself is necessary and should always include a broad picture. Having said that it should include the orignal teachings of Christanity & Judaism. Have you ever wondered Women Dress Code in early Christanity & Judaism (or) even today you see Sisters in Church.

Every Parent has the responsibility to teach their children the Good & the Bad. Congratulations to the parents of Mishka who have given her good education & courage to practice religion freely.

On the oher hand, Western Society in the name of unlimited Freedom easily manipulated & reduced susceptible women to objects desire and lust.

Unlike some people think, Islam is a religion of moderation & does not periscribe death for people NOT wearing Hijab.

However there are other people who seem to pick isolated cases & blow them out of proportion to attribute family problems to ISLAM instead of indiviuals.

Being Honest with yourself is necessary and should always include a broad picture. Having said that it should include the orignal teachings of Christanity & Judaism. Have you ever wondered Women Dress Code in early Christanity & Judaism (or) even today you see Sisters in Church.

Every Parent has the responsibility to teach their children the Good & the Bad. Congratulations to the parents of Mishka who have given her good education & courage to practice religion freely.

On the oher hand, Western Society in the name of unlimited Freedom easily manipulated & reduced susceptible women to objects desire and lust.

Unlike some people think, Islam is a religion of moderation & does not periscribe death for people NOT wearing Hijab.

However there are other people who seem to pick isolated cases & blow them out of proportion to attribute family problems to ISLAM instead of indiviuals.

Being Honest with yourself is necessary and should always include a broad picture. Having said that it should include the orignal teachings of Christanity & Judaism. Have you ever wondered Women Dress Code in early Christanity & Judaism (or) even today you see Sisters in Church.

Every Parent has the responsibility to teach their children the Good & the Bad. Congratulations to the parents of Mishka who have given her good education & courage to practice religion freely.

On the oher hand, Western Society in the name of unlimited Freedom easily manipulated & reduced susceptible women to objects desire and lust.

Unlike some people think, Islam is a religion of moderation & does not periscribe death for people NOT wearing Hijab.

However there are other people who seem to pick isolated cases & blow them out of proportion to attribute family problems to ISLAM instead of indiviuals.

Mishka-

Consider this taken from a Canadian paper following the murder of Aqsa Parvez:

"Mohammad Iqbal Alnadvi, a marriage counsellor and religious expert at the Al-Fatah Islamic Centre in Oakville, said he believes it's important for parents in Muslim families to give their daughters a choice when it comes to decisions of dress.

"My daughter, she's going into Grade 11, and she's taking the hijab,'' Alnadvi said.

"I never asked her to take the hijab, but I DEVELOPED A MENTALITY IN HER TO CHOOSE" (he made it clear- she must comply)

ALSO-

"The comments came at a tense news conference at the Islamic Society of North America Canada headquarters in Mississauga, held three days after the alleged strangling death of 16-year-old Aqsa Parvez. Her father, Mohammad Parvez, is accused of killing her, and friends say the family had argued over the girl’s refusal to wear the hijab, or traditional Muslim head scarf.

While stressing the sanctity of human life, denouncing the crime and describing it as a case of domestic abuse, religious leaders yesterday INSISTED on the hijab’s importance, even if a daughter rejects it.

“They were believing that part of their culture was hijab, and it is their duty to convince their kids that this is part of their culture,” said Mohammad Al-Nadvi, who sits on the Canadian Council of Imams, adding that if the daughter opts out, then they feel THEY HAVE FAILED.

Still, Imam Al-Nadvi said that judging from the information he received, the hijab was only one of the issues.

“This girl, she refused to stay at home,” he said. “There were feelings that she is going in some wrong direction … going with some other boy or some other thing.” (victimizing the victim)

After he made those comments, two women in hijabs INTERUPTED HIM AND STARTED TO DISAGREE, before ABRUPTLY LEAVING the gym where the conference was being held.

In an interview afterward, the women -- a mother and daughter -- said they had taken Aqsa into their home on various occasions, but WOULD NOT OFFER ANY MORE INFORMATION.

The convener of the event, Sheikh Alaa Elsayed, said that one of the KEYS to getting daughters to wear the hijab is teaching them about religion at a young age. The other, he said, is “a proper spouse.”

In his introductory remarks filled with religious references, Arabic flourishes and abundant blessings, Sheik Elsayed STRESSED that parents should teach the BENEFITS of the religious clothing. “We have to be successful teachers,” he said, adding later in the dialogue that parents should encourage daughters “to DO THE RIGHT THING.”

These women/girls are dying because they are choosing freedom and not submitting to the dictates of the religion they were born into.

You are able to think freely and disagree openly with your Islamic leaders and community? Or are you just easily manipulated and susceptible to comply? What you post on this board doesn't matter. but be honest with yourself.

Lux -

"When you say their "honor killings" have nothing to do with Islam- your faith further dishonors them and you heap shame upon your own head."

No I actually do not. What you are doig is blaming Islam for everything JUST because it seems to be a popular scapegoat right now. There is power in numbers right????

Here is the problem with you - you think that honor killings are actually ok in Islam when they are FORBIDDEN. These are rituals practiced by people who have seen only this for generations. This is a *culture* problem and you need to be able to separate the two before anything else. Islam does not allow honor killings, oppression of women, etc. Middle Eastern culture can be very strict on women. On the other hand, you have my own mother. She was born and raised in Pakistan. She went to college in Pakistan, got married, came to the states, had kids, went to school again here, worked, raised us, etc. She has never asked my father if its okay for her to do ANYTHING. And she never will. I have never asked my husband for permission. And I never will. Islam empowers me to do as I please.

I am an educated WOMAN - not a man. Victoria is also an educated WOMAN. Both of us choose to be Muslim because the RELIGION itself provides us with something we didnt find anywhere else. Being born and bred in USA I have got to be crazy to throw myself into oppression and in service to my husband for the rest of my life. I dont serve him - he takes care of himself.

Mischa writes-

"Islam does not limit anyone from anything"

Tell that to Amina and Sarah Said. Tell it to their weeping mother who tried to protect them but could not. Tell it to Aqsa Parvez, Samaira Nazir, Heshu Yones, and so many, many more. Not all women born into Muslim families are compliant and easily led. Some women have free souls and they pay for it with their blood.

When you say their "honor killings" have nothing to do with Islam- your faith further dishonors them and you heap shame upon your own head.

Another Anonymous writes -

"Mr Patel, your parents are Indian; you were born and raised in the US. Your practise of Islam is greatly influenced by the culture and political freedoms of the country you were raised in and live in."

WRONG - In Islam and all over the world - you are a Muslim before you are anything else. I dont care if you put a pig stuffed with gold in front of me - I will not eat it. I dont care if my neighbor is lying outside in her bikini with everything hanging out to her knees - I will not do that to myself.

"Countries in which Shariah Law prevails tells a different story about the social impact of Islam."

This is what happens when you watch too much CNN. Again, Shariah Law is different from the cultural limitations of the Middle East. Its like the North and the South in America. Its a culture shock for people when they move from Alabama to New York.

"Islam would seem to support the restriction of the freedom of expression of all non-Muslims no matter where they live."

Islam does not limit anyone from anything. Sorry to disappoint you in your smear campaign. It simply does not. I am expressing myself quite openly being a woman, married, Muslim, Pakistani, etc. Imagine that! A Muslim woman on these blogs that can type too!!!! Who would have ever thought???? (For those of you who dont get it - I am being sarcastic)

"It takes only a few fanatic Muslims, who are reading their Quran faithfully and following in the steps of Mohammad, to keep the rest of the world in terror."

I read the Qur'an all the time - and I live near some pretty big buildings too. I never blew a single one of them up. LOL.

"Your comments?"

Get a life and stop making me laugh so hard!!!

AnonyMOUSE writes -

"is boo boy just so upset that no one but die hard islamic terrorists beleives his garbage that he has to shut down the comments?"

Hunh? Where did this come from?? Who did Eboo shut down? Are you okay?

"anything to shut off comment is ok in islam, if the comment is not what is desired.
SAVAGES."

Hmmm...interesting that you should call other people savages while attacking their religion in the process. You make no sense...hypocrite.

CCNL - If your unfortunate state of mind is a result of your five step mutilation process then I disrespectfully decline.

Go find someone else to listen to your garbage.

is boo boy just so upset that no one but die hard islamic terrorists beleives his garbage that he has to shut down the comments?
anything to shut off comment is ok in islam, if the comment is not what is desired.
SAVAGES.

Prophet Mohammed Said "Reason is the Root of my Faith"

Mr Patel, your parents are Indian; you were born and raised in the US. Your practise of Islam is greatly influenced by the culture and political freedoms of the country you were raised in and live in. Countries in which Shariah Law prevails tells a different story about the social impact of Islam. Islam would seem to support the restriction of the freedom of expression of all non-Muslims no matter where they live. It takes only a few fanatic Muslims, who are reading their Quran faithfully and following in the steps of Mohammad, to keep the rest of the world in terror.

Your comments?

Hmmm, Mischka returns and still is brainwashed in the stench of Islam.

Again we offer the five step decontamination process:

Using "The 77 Branches of Islamic "faith" a collection compiled by Imam Bayhaqi as a starting point. In it, he explains the essential virtues that reflect true "faith" (iman) through related Qur’anic verses and Prophetic sayings." i.e. a nice summary of the Koran and Islamic beliefs.

"1. Belief in Allah"

"aka as God, Yahweh, Zeus, Jehovah, Mother Nature, etc." should be added to your cleansing neurons.

"2. To believe that everything other than Allah was non-existent. Thereafter, Allah Most High created these things and subsequently they came into existence."

Evolution and the Big Bang or the "Gib Gnab" (when the universe starts to recycle) are more plausible and the "akas" for Allah should be included if you continue to be a "creationist".

"3. To believe in the existence of angels."

A major item for neuron cleansing. Angels/devils are the mythical creations of ancient civilizations, e.g. Hittites, to explain/define natural events, contacts with their gods, big birds, sudden winds, protectors during the dark nights, etc. No "pretty/ugly wingy thingies" ever visited or talked to Mohammed, Jesus, Mary or Joseph or Joe Smith. Today we would classify angels as fairies and "tinker bells". Modern devils are classified as the demons of the demented.

"4. To believe that all the heavenly books that were sent to the different prophets are true. However, apart from the Quran, all other books are not valid anymore."

Another major item to delete. There are no books written in the spirit state of Heaven (if there is one) just as there are no angels/"pwtfft"s to write/publish/distribute them. The Koran, OT, NT etc. are simply books written by humans for humans.

Prophets were invented by ancient scribes typically to keep the uneducated masses in line. Today we call them fortune tellers.

Prophecies are also invalidated by the natural/God/Allah gifts of Free Will and Future.

"5. To believe that all the prophets are true. However, we are commanded to follow the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) alone."

Mohammed spent thirty days fasting in a hot cave before his first contact with Allah aka God etc. via a "pretty wingy thingy". Common sense demands a neuron deletion of #5. #5 is also the major source of Islamic violence i.e. turning Mohammed's "fast, hunger-driven" hallucinations into horrible reality for unbelievers.

Accept these five "cleansers" and we guarantee a complete recovery from your orthodox Islamic ways!!!!

Nikki your thoughts are echoed in this youtube done of Daniel Pearl's parents in his memory:

"Danny's parents, Judea and Ruth Pearl, reflect on his life and last words in this webcam video shot 1/18/2007 in the kitchen of their Encino, CA home."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5NRksR1trI

Please read the comments..

Mischka writes: "Muslims want nothing more then to be left alone to worship how they choose - just like the rest of us."

That would be true if you had said "Most Muslims" because we would be having all the suicide explosions , and Kafirs being threatened in Russia, China, India, Philipines, Israel, USA, etc. if a significant number were not wanting a lot more and a lot more different "stuff". The New Year celebration in Belgium would not have been canceled if a significant number did not want something different than to be left alone to worship how they choose. Let's be real and let's be honest.

CCNL -

Here you are again - acting like you have no life. Were you here on NYE too? I bet you had nothing to do except stare at your bottle of pills.

AnonyMOUSE writes -

"boo boy likes to put a happy smiling face on the cult of death. does he read the koran to his family? does he tell them that his god commands them to murder, rape, kidnap, cut off body parts. does he tell them that sex with a 9 year old is ok because moho did it?"

What wierd little planet do you live O Demented One? Wake up! Muslims want nothing more then to be left alone to worship how they choose - just like the rest of us.

"he is the worst type. he pretends to be a friendly islamic when anyone who reads the koran will see the hate contained therein."

Have you read the Qur'an or someone else's version of it? Have you ever been persecuted for your religious beliefs? If so - why would you be hypocritical and do that to someone else? It seems as if you are telling the world that Islam is intolerant and here you are being a bigot yourself. Get a life!

http://famousmormons.net/

http://famousmormons.net/

boo boy likes to put a happy smiling face on the cult of death. does he read the koran to his family? does he tell them that his god commands them to murder, rape, kidnap, cut off body parts. does he tell them that sex with a 9 year old is ok because moho did it?
he is the worst type. he pretends to be a friendly islamic when anyone who reads the koran will see the hate contained therein.

mohommad was a child rapist not a prophet. only a child rapist marries a 6 year old - has intercourse with her at 9, and only god know what that little girl went through between 6 and 9.
he was into profit not a prophet.
only moho talked about god talking to him, while jews christians and others had many people telling them the word of their god. no third parties were involved. what ever gave moho an edge is what he alleged his fake god said to him.
moho knew about israel but only after his death did islamics pretend he rode a white horse to heaven from there, he never said it.
there is no proof that this thief and murderer was a decendent from abraham except his saying it, 3,000 years after abrahams death. and he only said it when he tried to get the jews to say he was the missiah. when they refused he killed them,
according to islam, which is no religion at all, the god of islam, who is supposed to be the god of christians and jews told this child rapist to go out and murder the only two groups in the world that believed in him. yea right.
islam is the same asw being a nazi, a low life murdering form of quasi human that needs to be put out of its pain.

Quran 9.111

PICKTHAL: Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph.

Let us hope Allah hates the kafirs a little less this year so there is less blood. It is a convenant he makes with his followers, kill the kafirs or be killed and end up in Heaven either way. What an easy way to get to heaven ... tie a bomb around you and go boom!!

Eboo, why does your Allah hate so passionately a Kafir like myself?

Other recommended reading by B. Russell -
'Why I don't believe in God'.

Good Article. Dont wory about some comments.

It is B.RUSSEL who said "Few people can be happy

unless they hate some other person,nation or creed"

I have to agree with Georgiason in a general sort of way in that people of faith living by a literal interpretation of their holy scriptures are ultimately inflexible and unyielding on matters of religious belief. They can be extreme in their behavior. We see this with regard to Islam, and it can certainly be found elsewhere among Christian fundamentalists and observant Jews. It's all about the power of emotion vs reason - comparing the force of gravity to the power of electromagnitism. One is very weak, and the other both overpowering and irresistable.

Practitioners of the ancient Zoroastrian faith can still be found in Iran, and they exemplify the exclusive nature of religious faith, down to the point of preventing marriage outside of existing clans of the faithful in order to preserve the purity of that tradition. What this will eventually mean in a very small group of course is the ultimate end of that ancient religion as the 'gene' pool disappears.

This practice is not dissimilar from say, the Amish here in the USA - obviously such exclusivity is so encompassing as to be both societal and cultural in the broadest sense.

These groups are very small, peaceful albeit resistent to assimilation, and are not yielding up suicide bombers by the truckload. Their fundamentalistm is not the fundamentalism of Islam.

Muslims living in the USA and elsewhere in Europe are absorbing western culture to the point of being completely westernized in a generation or two. This, however, can be quite superficial, and does nothing to prevent (would-be) radical acts of terrorism as seen recently among the small group of physicians and highly educated young Muslim men in England and elsewhere.

Apparently a literal interpretation of the Koran can still greatly influence minds that should be invulnerable to such influence based on education an westernization. How is this so??

The point has been made in many places that since theorcracy prevails in most settings where Islam is found we will find an authoritarian orientation even when accompanied by secular governments - unfortunately those secular governments are all to often military dictatorships (India being a notable exception, but then Islam is not the dominant religion - now look at neighboring Pakistan in contrast).

True democracy is virtually unknown in the Muslim world. This authoritarian/fundamentalist mindset is obvously not bred out of some individuals despite full enculturation in western society - to the contrary the West is still perceived (covertly) as the enemy.

Muslims that want to escape the domination of a totalitarian way of life or that are simply drawn to a western lifestyle immigrate to the West, and who could blame them?? While I personally feel very fortunate at not being pursuaded by the emotionalism of religion, I'd like to be convinced that most Muslims in the world don't harbor the religious purist's feelings of superiority toward us less fortunate infidels.

I'm wondering if a single self-declared atheist could even be found in a Muslim environment. Well no, I would think not - and when there are no exceptions to the rule, then that 'fact' becomes something more than religion and we've finally arrived at our destination. In this case such complete homogeneity is not necessarily a good thing, and may even be maladaptive. I'm thinking that is exactly how much of the non-Muslim world views Islam these days and that is most unfortunate. I hope for a change in the future.

Thank you for introducing young folks to good poetry. Thank you for reminding me how good Billy Collins is. Thank you for being a positive voice, not a negative one. Shine on!

Att: "ONE-MORE" Happy Every Day! aka H.E.D use 1st, and heart 2nd & ass-uming 3rd! ya ya!

I enjoyed your message. I had a poetic moment yesterday. I also had a house full of teenagers over the holiday. My nearly 15 year old son beat me in tennis yesterday on our neighborhood court. At one moment in the first set, as I reached for a cross court shot of his I tripped and went totally horizontal feeling suspended in the air for a moment before I fell flat on my front side, skinning my thighs, and my wrists and landing of all things flat ON the tennis ball I was reaching for, or possibly another ball left on the court from earlier play. This has left me with a bruised stomach and so sore I could exercise this morning. But, I am happy that my son beat me. He'd lost to me several weeks in a row. Yesterday, he found the determination and called upon the skill he has to prevail, with his top spin working on his forehand and backhand, keeping the ball down in the windy conditions. My balls, less skillfully hit, frequently flew outside the box. I feel good about the contest and that he won. We were both left shining, and me also bleeding and bruised a bit, but with new confidence in my son's ability to win life's contests.

VOTE: ((( Peace Love Rock nRoll nRap Mitt_ROMNEY for Prez 2008 YEA! )))))))))

Thank You , me fellow Eclati-On(s) & not Off(s)! Ya Ya!

Romney Romney Romney Romney!

America is in good hands Mit Romney!

artistkvip wrote-

"it is possible that the bullys and the warriors will be gently imprissoned by hugs and goodwill and will never escape to do harm again."

In light of what is happening in Pakistan now, you post has made me remember Daniel Pearl. He made a huge mistake thinking he could walk away unharmed from a meeting with people who made no secret of the fact that their ultimate goal is to destroy everything he believes in.

Daniel bled more and got the story. To honour him we must listen and not misunderstand our enemies resolve as he most likely did.

Once again a reminder of the facts for the "new guys on the block":

A synopsis of the flaws in the foundations of today's contemporary religions:

1. Abraham founder/father of three major religions was probably a mythical character. If he was real, he was at best a combination of at least three men. 1.5 million Conservative Jews and their rabbis have relegated Abraham to the myth pile along with most if not all the OT. http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/ConservativeTorah.htm

2. Jesus, the illiterate Jewish peasant/carpenter possibly suffering from hallucinations, has been characterized anywhere from the Messiah from Nazareth to a mythical character from mythical Nazareth to a mamzer from Nazareth (Professor Bruce Chilton, in his book Rabbi Jesus). Analyses of Jesus’ life by many contemporary NT scholars (e.g. Professors Crossan, Borg and Fredriksen, On Faith panelists) via the NT and related documents have concluded that only about 30% of Jesus' sayings and ways noted in the NT were authentic. The rest being embellishments (e.g. miracles)/hallucinations made/had by the NT authors to impress various Christian, Jewish and Pagan sects.

The 30% of the NT that is "authentic Jesus" like everything in life was borrowed/plagiarized and/or improved from those who came before. In Jesus' case, it was the ways and sayings of the Babylonians, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Hittites, Canaanites, OT, John the Baptizer and possibly the ways and sayings of traveling Greek Cynics.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/theories.html

3. Mohammed, an illiterate, womanizing, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, also had embellishing/hallucinating/plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.

This agenda continues as shown by the recent assassination of Ms. Bhutto, conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the Islamic train bombers in the UK and Spain, ththe Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani koranics, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, and the Filipino koranics.

And who funds these acts of terror? The Islamic Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.

4. Luther, Calvin, Joe Smith, Henry VIII, Wesley et al, founders of Christian-based religions, also suffered from the belief in/hallucinations of "pretty wingy talking flying fictional thingie" visits and "prophecies" for profits analogous to the myths of Catholicism (resurrections, apparitions, ascensions and immaculate conceptions).

5. Hinduism (from an online Hindu site)-

"Hinduism cannot be described as an organized religion. It is not founded by any individual. Hinduism is God centered and therefore one can call Hinduism as founded by God, because the answer to the question ‘Who is behind the eternal principles and who makes them work?’ will have to be ‘Cosmic power, Divine power, God’."

The caste/laborer system and cow worship are problems when saying a fair and rational God founded Hinduism."

6. Buddhism- "Buddhism began in India about 500 years before the birth of Christ. The people living at that time had become disillusioned with certain beliefs of Hinduism including the caste system, which had grown extremely complex. The number of outcasts (those who did not belong to any particular caste) was continuing to grow."

"However, in Buddhism, like so many other religions, fanciful stories arose concerning events in the life of the founder, Siddhartha Gautama (fifth century B.C.):"

Archaeological discoveries have proved, beyond a doubt, his historical character, but apart from the legends we know very little about the circumstances of his life.

Bottom line: There are many good ways of living but be aware of the hallucinations, lies, legends,embellishments and myths surrounding the founders of said rules of life.

We all should shine more, and bleed less. A very noble resolution. I like it.

REPLY TO Wordbird:

It is amazing, isn't it, how many bigoted backwoods people use this forum to espouse their radical Islamic faith. I sometimes think that extremist non-Muslims write comments and claim that they are Muslims speaking for Islam.

Eboo Patel says: "I could shine more, and bleed less. And that, in short, is my New Year’s Resolution."

Wow. Does that mean that 2008 will be the year that Mr. Patel lets us know whether or not he ever bothers to read the comments on his commentaries? Or will we have another 12 months of a dialogue of the deaf, during which Mr. Patel will preach to us his goody two-shoes version of Islam, while all responses disappear into a big black hole, never to be seen or heard from again?

After months of visiting this site, I concluded long ago that Mr. Patel has revealed more about the true nature of Islam than he realizes. Muslims essentially preach to the choir. According to his example, Muslims love to tell the rest of us about their religion, but turn a deaf ear to any differing viewpoints. Muslims love to talk but never listen. They dismiss out of hand anyone who dares to differ. Muslims have nothing but contempt and disdain for a genuine dialogue. No wonder that orthodox, mainstream Islam remains locked in a seventh century mentality.

Too bad. I had hoped that this forum might offer the chance for a genuine dialogue between Muslims and the rest of us. How sad that a Muslim spokesman given a forum on a major newspaper's web site uses it simply to display his ego.

Since neither Mr. Patel nor any other Muslim has bothered to reply in any meaningful way to my five questions that go to the heart of Islam's compatibility with liberal democracy, I will pose them again--knowing no Muslim will dare to reply, but just to set the record straight about that fact.

I ask any Muslim what the most authoritative voices of Islam would say in answer to the five questions posed below.

Here are the questions:
1.Does Islam allow for the separation of church and state?
2.Does Islam allow for the full legal equality of women?
3.Does Islam allow for religious pluralism? For example, if a Muslim male married a Christian female, would the husband and wife be able to say to their children, “We will attend the mosque on Friday and the church on Sunday and consider ourselves a bi-religious family. When each of you is 18 years old, you will be free to choose. You can continue of bilateral approach; or, you can choose one religion over the other; or, you can choose another religion altogether.”
4.What does Islam say (according to the above authoritative voices) should be the fate of heretics? For example, if a member of the Egyptian soccer team got up tomorrow morning and announced he was converting from Islam to Christianity and changing his name from Mohammad Ali to Cassius Clay, what do the authoritative voices of Islam say should be his fate?
5.Does Islam allow for the publication of a scholarly book alleging that Mohammad was a fraud?

(Alternatively, instead of posing the questions to the authoritative voices of Islam, you might ask your Muslim interlocutor to imagine the question was, “What would Islamic textbooks used in the teaching of Muslim students in America say in answer to the following questions?”)

What do Muslims believe the most authoritative voices of Islam would answer in reply to those five questions. Or what answers you would find in an Islamic textbook.

The answers to those questions will determine whether even orthodox Islam can be accommodated to a Western liberal, pluralistic society.

Wow. I came to comment on how I liked the essay (funny, true and inspirational) but got sidetracked by the weird venom in the comments. These are the people who read the Washinton Post? Or just a cadre of backwoods bigots who troll the internet for things written by people other than Mike Huckabee on which to vent their misplaced anger? Yikes, people!

Prophet Mohammed was sent by Allah to Guide Humanity towards the righteous path - Just like Prophet Moses & Prophet Jesus. I don't know why people fail to understand this simple truth. Infact all Prophets share the same list of principles.

Islam is a religion for whole mankind not Just Eboo (or) Arabs. Lets be fair and accept what is fair & Just.

Well done Patel and keep up the Good work, enjoyed excellent qulaity litrery piece after a long time.

What!!!! a column from Eboo Muslim Patel and no singing the glories of the Arabic faith called Islam, Muhammadanism etc. Wont your Arab masters be outraged that you missed an opportunity to spread Arabic imperialism?

Since Mohammed started Islam as a religion for the desert Arabs of Arabia, why would anyone else want to be a muslim? It's an ethnic specific religion for Arabs just as Judaism is an ethnic specific religion for Jews.

i cant help butt notice that the highly creative highly imamagininative person... the poet himself... is contemplating stopping many of the tools that will earn him his living in the futurebecause he is turning ten..... just think of the wonderous unimagininable by people who do not understand the indespencible role played by imagination and dreams and day dreams and wishes and fantacies and what happens when inevitably... science and mmath. and even creative writing, these things and reality combines in a way that makes progress and invention possible....maybe inevititable...he, at the age of ten limits were self imposed by who i wonder.... was it truely self or is it the misconception spread by people who are not blessed with the ability to see what is not here yet in front of them, but possible... if we only take a leap of faith.....yes he had blood when he scraped his knees turning ten means you acknowledge your humanity with its inherant frailities and barriers, but he also had a shimmering spirit beneath his skin that allowed him to create....neither blood, nor a persons life nor a group of peoples or even huge numbers of people cannot i think stopp creativity or peace only delay it...these are gifts from God not man... what tyrants mistake for aquiesance and surrender is merely a rest until streanth is gathered to peacefully march insistantly forward.... it is possible that the bullys and the warriors will be gently imprissoned by hugs and goodwill and will never escape to do harm again. this may be the only true way to make them suffer is to live in a world full of love and creativity...where they are not allow to harm others ffor whatever reason or excuse....then mankind will build instead of destroy and build.... its a lot more efficient and cost effective... not to mention .... right eyr think but i'm just an artis double check me on this

how is this for a newyears resolution. never trust an islamic, the koran and hadith gives them permission to lie, kidnap, murder, torture, rape, hold for ransom, and any other vile act they want to do, when ever they want to do it.
i once thought that if i could go back in history i would want to see Jesus. but i would forego that privilege to be present at the birth of mohommad, so that as he came out of the biach that bore him, i would slit his throat and burn his bleeding body in the closest fire and rid the world of the curse of islam.

Very uplifting. I too will try to shine more, bleed less. Thank you.

I dont understand the anger in the comments, but I hope they read the article too.

Nice. Thanks.

Response to A. Kafir writes:

"I think you are missing the key point of all of Eboo Patel's work. He is a pluralist - who believes in active interfaith community building. Many Muslims agree with him, that there is a pluralist and tolerant core in Islam. Clearly as you have noted, there are some Muslims who believe differently. This is a key struggle within Islam - and you would be well served by giving us pluralists support, rather than using this blog thread as an Islamophobic tool of hate."

I do not doubt he is a pluralist who believes in interfaith community building. As you note there is a key struggle within Islam and I am trying to give the pluralists the support. But I keep getting called an "Islamophobe". Now Islamophobe words itself is meaningless and an invention of Tariq Ramadan. It is deceptive and dishonest. The more this word is used the more it tells the Kafirs that the "pluralist" muslims have no desire to be honest. Let us have some honest dialog and not a pretend one, shall we?

Since you note that there is a struggle within Islam, are the ones who differ from Eboo and your prespective not muslims? Do they not understand Islam at all? Is there understanding of Islam not rooted in the Quran and the Sunnah of Muhammad at all? You know and I know that is not correct. They are muslims and they have a vast and deep scholarship that spans centuries of islamic thought that supports their position. Why pretend that they do not exist? Why tell the kafirs on this blog that their Islam is not of relevance at all? Why not deal with that conflict within Islam truthfully? Instead of any real discussion, a pablum built on lies is being fed in the name of interfaith harmony. This pablum does not even last a few seconds when the real discussion between muslims begins. You want to talk about real issues in Islam, let us start with the entrenched and deeply embedded hate for the kafir in the Quran? Tell me how do you build a genuinely pluralist situation when the very fundamental teaching and command of Allah in the Quran is to hate the "other", the kafir. The sign of victory of Muhammad in Mecca was to go and destroy the Gods of Pagans. That is the core of Islam. The roots are not pluralist at all. Go ahead tell me that I am wrong. Go ahead show me one example where Muslims have ever accorded "equality" to the non-muslims. Grinding under the laws of dhimma for survival is not multipluralism, is it?

Thank you, I needed that as a reminder.

I think you are missing the key point of all of Eboo Patel's work. He is a pluralist - who believes in active interfaith community building. Many Muslims agree with him, that there is a pluralist and tolerant core in Islam. Clearly as you have noted, there are some Muslims who believe differently. This is a key struggle within Islam - and you would be well served by giving us pluralists support, rather than using this blog thread as an Islamophobic tool of hate.

Thank you brother Patel for sharing your thoughts. When I was child, I used to see my farther always read. He tried to get me interested in reading but never really pushed. Now as I approach my forties, I am discovering the joy of it. The first revealed words of the Quran was were "Read." There is great wisdom in that.

Thank you brother Patel for sharing your thoughts. When I was child, I used to see my farther always read. He tried to get me interested in reading but never really pushed. Now as I approach my forties, I am discovering the joy of it. The first revealed words of the Quran was were "Read." There is great wisdom in that.

I loved what you wrote.

A Kafir - who is this Paki Baboon that's got your feeble mind brainwashed? When your Jihad comes I'll be waiting with a pea-shooter to blow your brains out. Idiot!

Eboo-massa you are a major snooze. I will never again wast my precious time reading your tripe. You are a waste of electrons.

Washingtion Post Management: Wake up please! Why are you wasting space with Jr. High-School level writers like Patel? Why are you hiring William Bloody Crystal who has been wrong about EVERYTHING for the last 5 years? Consider my susbscription cancelled.

Eboo-massa you are a major snooze. I will never again wast my precious time reading your tripe. You are a waste of electrons.

Washingtion Post Management: Wake up please! Why are you wasting space with Jr. High-School level writers like Patel? Why are you hiring William Bloody Crystal who has been wrong about EVERYTHING for the last 5 years? Consider my susbscription cancelled.

Eboo,

Your New Year's Resolution should be, "I will delineate and correct the flaws in Islam in a major effort to remove the current stench in said religion".

Should read- BREED less.

I enjoyed the essay very much, but understood few of the posted comments. The one I did understand and echo: "shine on you crazy diamond" I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, but that would certainly be a worthy one! thank you!

What a thoughtful and well-written piece! These days, it is a lot easier to slide in a dvd than to pull out a good book, but I'm pleased to see that everything went well. Kids don't exactly have a long attention span, so I'm impressed. And as a teacher and a prospective parent, I'm inspired!

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us!

Eboo Patel says "shine more, bleed less"

But Billy Collins' 10 year old has discovered "when I fall on the sidewalks of life.. I bleed."

Western thought has long understood to maintain our cultural standards of freedom and democracy, peace and prosperity- we must be prepared to defend it:

"Nostro dirimamus sanguine bellum" VERGIL

(Let us set aside war with our blood.)

We are at war. Our enemies seek to destroy us.

This year while Eboo tries to shine more, our young men and women will continue to bleed more to maintain our way of life and restore peace.

The sentiments of the kafirs were well expressed on that youtube link before. Nice song for wishing peace.

For the "shine" from the other side:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrDCfYp05x8

This is the 3rd part of the 10 part posted for the believers. For the Kafirs who cannot understand the language, they better become aware of what is being preached and posted on Utube. The 10 part talk on Jihaad Fe Sabee lillah ( Jihad for Allah's path ) by the founder of a party in Pakistan is truly an "enlightening" message for the new year. No kafir has a reason to say that they did not know later ... there it is on youtube for all to see and hear and learn.

brother patel- shine on you crazy diamond

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6YvAAa3OAc

Happy New Year and may the Blessings of the LORD's presence be with you in turbulent times.

HERE A LITTLE MORE "SHINE" (LIGHT):

FYI

-The Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order)
Known in France as the Company of SION. This Order was created by Spanish Gentile and Knight of the Virgin, Ignatius Loyola who lived in the castle Casa-Solar in the Biscayan Provinces. A co-founder was a dreaded Borgia known as Don-Francis from the upmost powerful Black Nobility, Borgia family. The Order was created in 1534 to destroy the Reformation and Saracens. They quickly become the world's most feared Order and eventually gained control of the Vatican. The most powerful person in the world is the Superior General who at this present time is Peter Hans Kolvenbach. Jesuits dominate almost all of the World especially the U.S & U.K with their powerbases at Georgetown University & Stonyhurst College. Hitler, Himmler and numerous others highly admire the power, organisation of the Order of Orders.

-The Order of Illuminati & New World Order
The Order was created by the Jesuits utilising their sheep-dipped priest and GENTILE Adam Weishaupt. This creation was one of the biggest contributors to the Counter-Reformation. The Illuminati consists of The Council of 13 degrees of the Bavarian Illuminati, The Committee of 300, The Grand Orient, The Supreme 33rd degree Council & high level B'nai B'rith. All these are controlled by the Vatican and its Hierachy the Jesuit Order. Their Agenda is a One World Government/religion along with a microchipped enslaved and dumbed down population lacking any freedom just like when the Papacy openly ruled before the Reformation. The Pope will become the Universal Monarch controlling the world under orders of the Superior General from Jerusalem. The `Holy Roman' 14th Amendment American Empire will be its strong arm enforcer and eventually destroyed when their use is over.

-State Sponsored Terrorism
The Jesuit ELders need to advance their agenda amonst the public. They know the public will not accept their agenda so they create a crisis. This crisis utilises `fear' as the weapon which makes the public buckle up and follow the agenda. This is known as `Ordo Ab Chao' amongst the hierachy leadership secret societies, meaning `Order out of Chaos.' Its also known as problem-reaction-solution and the solution is always the Jesuit hidden agenda. Try to check out `Operation Northwoods' for more information. 9-11 was carried out by the CIA, British SIS & MOSSAD all working in conjunction under the orders of the Archbishop of New York and SMOM leader for the Americas, Cardinal Egan whos ultimately controlled by Jesuit Georgetown and Fordham Universities.

And here is a cheerful New Year Message from the other side of the Jihad coin. Kafirs who do not understand the two sides, the smiling pleasent and very very reasonable among the kafirs and the other willing to Nuke, really really should take the time and read the Quran for themselves.

Anyway .... HAPPY New Year Everyone. Here's to many more years before the Kafirs in Europe have to pay the jizziya feeling "wilingly subdued".

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article634210.ece

A FANATICAL Pakistani cleric told The Sun yesterday of his chilling dream to turn the world Muslim – by force if necessary.

Qari Hifzur Rehamn, 60, spoke openly of imposing Islamic law’s stoning and beheading on Britain – as Pakistan was rocked by unrest over the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

He warned: “We want Islamic law for all Pakistan and then the world.

“We would like to do this by preaching. But if not then we would use force.”

Rehamn, 60, spoke in the Pakistani town of Kahuta as the call to prayer echoed over the dusty streets.

He is Imam of the town’s fundamentalist religious school or madrassa, where classes for kids as young as nine include Jihad or Holy War and barbaric punishments.

His teachings are frightening enough. But his mosque lies in the shadow of the secret bunker where Pakistan produces nuclear weapons.

And when asked if it would be right to nuke British infidels, he laughed and answered: “Probably.”

...

Ya Ya!

"...there was nothing under my skin but light."

Why that's positively... ECLATi-On! Just what we need during this season of PHOTON-DEPRIVATION!!!

I can't recall ever thinking I was made of light or my insides were nothing but light but learned early on that skinning my knee or elsewhere lead to bleeding. And. Instinctively no doubt I was terrified I would bleed to death well before I came to any understanding of death. Made of light is an interesting thought - metaphor of some kind no doubt that provokes a thought.

Few are aware that matter never touches matter. That's a hard sell when one ponders the baseball bat turning a 95mph fast ball around and sending it out of the park - the ball actually flattens out during the presumed contact with the bat. Never the less, all is made of small particles of matter that "keep their distance" from each other.

GABY, maybe if people would act more like matter and less like light, "keep their distance" from each other your wish might come true. Come to think about it, Einstein said light was the finest of particles of matter, photons that exit a light source like bullets out of a machine gun. And. They are verifiable as such by noticing that light beams are used to "move" electrons in photo electric generators.

The bottom line would seem to me to be that we are actually made out of light - if large particles, electrons, protons etc are themselves collections of light particles that never touch each other of course.

So we can end the year by saying that everyone is correct. And, again Gaby has a really good idea that might be possible if people better understood what light really is. The blood from a skinned knee is a collection of light particles. I wonder if photons ever touch each other or do they do the sensible thing and keep their distance from each other.

((((Happy New Year All))))

"HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!"

If it could happen, even if only for one single day, I would have PEACE everywhere, FOOD and WATER for every being, and HAPPINESS for all.

Just once!!!