Lash wrote:FreeDuck wrote:Re: art. The link you posted is very informative and explains a lot about Islamic art and it's lack of idols. I recall that Christianity also forbids idols.
Quote:Then, I guess Michealangelo, Titian, et al are figments of my imagination as well. Because Christianity forbade art...? I had hoped you'd be honest here, but I can see you have no intention to look at this objectively. ..
Oh boy Lash, this is too much work for me. Christianity, or maybe that's Judaism, or both forbid idols. They don't forbid art. Neither does Islam. Capiche?
Quote:Where are their portraits? Pictures of people? Where is anything except geometric patterns? More importantly, where is their freedom to paint what their spirit leads them to paint?
Did you look at the links? A lot of them are impressionistic, as is a lot of western art, but there are depictions of people and things on those very sites I linked to. I had hoped you'd keep an open mind and at least have a look.
Quote: You approve of oppression[/color]?
This is one of your typical ploys and I'm not biting.
Quote:As to the Koran, there was no link so I don't know where you got your info. I looked
here and did not find the verses you mention. That's not to say they aren't there, but if the people who practice the religion are as illiterate as you say, they can't read them anyway so doesn't really matter.
Quote:It matters to the thousands they're killing. It will likely matter to you one day.
To the thousands that who are killing? Lash, can you see that there is a difference between terrorists, who may be Islamic fundamentalists, and the rest of the Islamic world? Do you have any idea how vast "Islam" is?
Quote:We aren't talking about normal Muslims. Do you plan to avoid the growing fundamentalist faction of Islam?
No, I'm waiting for you to make the distinction. You say Islam is the problem, not the growing fundamentalist movement. In one breath, you say muslims, in another you suddenly act as if you were talking about terrorists and fundamentalists all along. Then you go back to generalizing. Look below for an example. It's very sloppy.
Quote:They would modernize. They would open their minds to new thought. They would expand their horizons. Their religion would experience it's much overdue reform. They would have no need of terrorism, and the hierarchy in the church would denounce it.
Do you think this is something we can do for them? Something we can force on them by invading and destroying their countries? What exactly is the heirarchy of the "church" you refer to? Islam is not like Catholicism.
Quote:I'm not going to waste my time. You'll find some ridiculous reason to deny whatever I bring.
That's a convenient excuse. What refutations of mine have been ridiculous?
Quote:I was unaware (and still am) it was associated with Israel. It said Middle East something...but was linked to articles. If it wasn't a good source, so be it.
So was I until I went to the home page and saw the video. The articles and pictures are very disturbing, but they have a very clear agenda and I'd be careful not to form any lasting opinions based on what they present.
Quote:I'll bring the other and maybe you can understand how Islam screws up progress. I find it hard to believe you don't already understand.
Again, is it Islam that is srewing up progress, or is lack of progress screwing up Islam? I find it hard to believe that you can't see past a simplistic explanation that is found wanting to explain all of the problems in the Arab world. You're not even trying to understand or learn anything. You have an idea in your head about people and places you know very little about based on what somebody else has written. That's a great start, but if you want understanding you're going to have look a little harder and closer. If you want to feel comfortable in your anger and condemnation, then dig in and enjoy the ride.
We are talking about what's wrong with the Arab world. Your answer of "Islam" doesn't cut it by your own argument and your own linked articles. Do you have any other suggestions?
I don't pretend to understand Islam or the Arab world, but I'm trying damn hard to. And if I came at it from the perspective you have I think I might never understand.
