Discussion Forums > General Chatter
Gaza massacre
Andy Battaglia:
We all have problems in our native countries. The US has plenty of discrimination and Muslims are one of the targets, but only one, because a certain percentage of Americans are small minded enough to hate just about anyone who isn't them. Jake, I don't know about you, but I hear the term "towel head" just a bit too much and I live in a fairly liberal area of the country. Let's not be blind to the obvious. Which of course leads to, please don't be blind to the fact that terrorist attacks have originated in Pakistan that were aimed at India. Of course, there are plenty attacks against Muslims in India too. What is common to both? These attacks are not supported by 99%+ of the population in either country. Be honest. The average person just wants to live his or her life and wishes extremists would get a new hobby.
And if anyone is really attacking religion here, they're doing an awful job of it. I think we all have different views (I have no religion but was brought up Christian. I believe one can be very spiritual without embracing any religion. Anyone want to convert me? Fat chance. :rotfl ) I can respect your religion and regardless of what anyone thinks, they should be able to tolerate anyone else's religion. What bothers me in this whole thing was mentioned earlier in this thread. Why is it, that we always hear reports of Muslim terrorists etc. but never Jewish terrorism or Christian terrorism and on? A terrorist's religion probably has little relevance as none of these religions teach violence. Once you label someone Muslim, it does create a public perception that we see exhibited in Jake's post. Although Jake was right about some things in his post, he got off track by using the Muslim label, when nutjob extremists would be more appropriate. What does the supposed religion have to do with it? Nothing. These idiots may try to justify themselves with religion but they are not supported by fact or belief. Muslims do not support these people and most Muslims wish the terrorists would go away, as they have made it bad for all. Please don't label terrorists by a religion. It's a joke. They have no religious credibility regardless of what they try to claim.
And while everyone was arguing this nonsense last night, I stayed up until almost 4 am posting several new topics that I came across while learning more about iron measurement. Any chance that we can get back to the topics related to thalassemia?
Sharmin:
Was I fooling myself when I thought that we were a group of people who were above all of this? That we did not care about which country we are from and how our leaders using dirty politics would prefer that we dislike one another?
During the partition in India - friendly neighbours who happily co existing began killing one another. I used to wonder how that could happen, now I know.
I also know that my grandfather hid many muslims in his home during the partition because he remembered that they were his friends and he did not care what religion they were. To this day my family members cross the border to visit these families - and the pakistani families treat our family with such love and respect that I cannot wait to go visit them one day.
I have utmost respect for Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Judaism, (especially Buddhism - although I am Sikh) - and all others. These are religions intended to make us live good lives and to love and respect one another. Religion is all much bigger than me and above me - how can I ever condemn religion regardless of who practices it? Please guys - let's not go there.
We are here to discuss something that transcends all of our borders - Thalassemia - thalassemia does not care if you are muslim, hindu, sikh, christian - or what country you reside in. If educated people like us can not see above the dirty politics, spreading of hate and propaganda then who will? Obviously we all have allegiance and patriotism toward our own countries - as we should if we want them to be better - however what about our neighbours? How is anyone going to be safe in their homes if they don't learn to feel compassion toward their neighbour - regardless of what our govt's tell us?
I look forward to the day that I can visit both India and Pakistan - and experience the beautiful people and culture. We are all friends - I am not willing to accept a division amongst our friends here. We were able to discuss all of this in a much friendlier way when it first started - let's not move away from that. I have learned a lot from our muslim friends lately, I am accustomed to Western points of view - this has been a real education.
Sharmin
Sharmin:
Andy,
I did see your posts - thank you for finding the valuable information. :thankyou2
Sharmin
Lena:
One last word and if you -all- wish let's finish this topic. Allow me that, as I was the one who started it.
On my visits to many Arabic countries, I realised that religion dominates a Muslim's life. Every action, every intention, every perspective in their lives has to be seen and dealt with under the prism of religion. Apart from being a religion, Islam is a way of life. Their way of life. I respect that. This made me compare their way of life and our western way of life and it seemed to me we are lacking in being serious with our lives, always pursuing material things. Religion is left behind in western societies and people who follow it are considered to be picturesque.
And all this comes from a person who is not much attached to religion, who respects though true faith when she sees it.
Lena.
Narendra:
Lena and others,
I am sorry, but after reading some part of this post - I would like to post. I usually don't post on topics like this - but as this post has somethings which have really offended India - I would like to post for those who don't really know about India. While Poirot has mentioned some part of what I want to say, but I would like to point out.
The most hurting point was someone talking about India being so-called Secularism. I am proud to say the following, which not a lot of people might be aware of
In India, we had a lady born a Catholic (Sonia Gandhi) stepping aside so a Sikh (Manmohan Singh) could be sworn in by a muslim president (Abdul Kalam) to lead a nation that is majority Hindu and the biggest democracy in the world.
Former President Abdul Kalam of India said the following (who by the way is a muslim - which I would not have pointed out but as this post has some harsh comments on India - I would like to point)
In 3000 years of our history people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards - The Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. But, we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. - Why? -> "Because, we respect the freedom of others"
So, as most of the people have mentioned - Let's Stop Going off track and use this website for what it is for and let Andy and his team support the thals - they are trying to help.
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