Category: Islam

separation of Church & State

On By Rick McIn ethics, GOP USA, government, humour, Islam, philosophyLeave a comment

Yep.

That’s a no brainer.

Church and State

The separation of church and state is the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state.

If you value freedom, including religious freedom, you should support the separation of Church & State.

The government should have no involvement in your religion as they should have no involvement in your sex life. So long as you abide by the secular laws of the land.

If your religious practice breaks the law, you go to jail. If you cannot live with that, you must leave the nation. Immigrate to a theocracy, perhaps.

Some American Christians are intolerant.

The kind constantly quoting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of fealty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942.

The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The last change in language came on Flag Day 1954 when the words “under God” were added.

Here’s the original version (1892) of the start of the pledge:

“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

I got on to this topic after seeing right wing Americans irritated and hateful over this incident from Jan 2013.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

 
A school Cultural club read the Pledge of Allegiance in different languages, one of them Arabic. In that one replacing “God” with “Allah”.

To me the Pledge is just words on paper. Not sacred. Even less a sacred cow than the U.S. Constitution.

Here’s the funniest commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance I’ve seen.

The Whitest Kids U’ Know – Pledge of Allegiance

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

if Syria’s Assad was taken out by a drone tomorrow

On By Rick McIn ethics, government, Islam, things getting worseLeave a comment

Would innocent Syrians be safer? Would the region be more stable? Would Syrians thank the USA? Would a Democracy follow?

No. 😦

Andrew J. Bacevich is a retired career officer in the U.S. Army having served in Vietnam and the first Gulf War.

Today he’s Professor of International Relations and History at Boston University and author of Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country.

Bacevich simply looks at the facts.

Since U.S. military interventions began in the Middle East, they’ve made a long series of foolish decisions. That includes supporting bin Laden and the Mujahideen against Russia.

What has been achieved over the past 30 years?

The region is less stable.

Democracy has not flourished.

The standing of the USA is much diminished.

There’s more potential for anti-American terrorism than ever before.

I heard an interview with Bacevich on DeCode DC audiocast. I agree completely.

If your heart goes out to innocent Syrians, send your donations to humanitarian relief. Support the 1.75 million Syrians in refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.

Taking out Assad with a drone — perhaps at dinner — will almost certainly make things worse for Syrians.

John Kerry and wife dining with the Assads 2009
John Kerry and wife dining with the Assads 2009

Old City – Sana’a, Yemen

On By Rick McIn Islam, photos, travelLeave a comment

I visited the Old City three times while in Sana’a.

Haunting, evocative architecture.

The old fortified city has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years and contains many intact architectural gems. It was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1986. Efforts are underway to preserve some of the oldest buildings some of which, such as the Samsarh and the Great Mosque of Sana’a, are more than 1,400 years old.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Surrounded by ancient clay walls which stand 9–14 metres (30–46 ft) high, the old city contains more than 100 mosques, 12 hammams (baths) and 6,500 houses. Many of the houses resemble ancient skyscrapers, reaching several stories high and topped with flat roofs. They are decorated with elaborate friezes and intricately carved frames and stained-glass windows.

It’s an active neighborhood. No museum.

… more photos

on Arab anti-Americanism …

On By Rick McIn economics, government, Islam, things getting worseLeave a comment

OK … it’s time to leave the Middle East
.
Cost benefit analysis for the interventions in …

• Iraq
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan

Too much cost. Not enough benefit.

In the so-called, War on Terror, it’s time to bring home all troops from all nations. Phase out financial aid.

Arab Muslim nations find their own way. Sink or swim. They are not ready, collectively, for western style democracy.

If you’ve followed this blog, you know I’ve been a big defender of Islam, so often wrongly demonized.

But I’m pretty pissed off by this.

US ambassador to Libya killed in rocket attack

Chris Stevens was a good guy, legitimately trying to help the Libyan people. His motivation was not to “steal the oil”.

Chris Stevens is only one of hundreds of thousands killed over the past 10yrs. But he’s symbolic of how much of the Middle East is not ready for democracy. Not deserving of help from the West. Not valuing help from the West.

The large number of Iraqi people today preferred Saddam. They will have someone like him returned soon, I predict.

Also, the USA cannot afford to continue as policeman to the world. They don’t have the money.

The West should have no boots on the ground in the War on Terror. Instead use technology, including drones, to protect. The priority must be Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

I feel badly for innocents who will suffer when foreign invaders leave, but they may be better off — long term — than by continuing what we’re doing now.

prayer mat lights up when facing Mecca

On By Rick McIn IslamLeave a comment

GREAT idea.

There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, many of whom direct daily prayers toward the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. One designer from the U.K., Soner Ozenc, would like to bring some tech innovation into the prayer space, by creating a prayer mat that lights up when it faces Mecca. …

Mashable

Jesus Loves Me

On By Rick McIn Islam, product endorsements1 Comment

… bought me lunch today.

I was walking past City Hall, looking conspicuously affluent, en route to the Airport.

The wafting aroma of salvation and steak on the grill enticed me to see what was happening out front.

A street church (wanting to go un-named) was providing Boxing Day lunch for one and all. Hey … I’m both homeless and unemployed.

Close enough I reckon.

Recently I find myself defending organized religion, especially Islam. This was a perfect example.

Everyone who attended this holiday dinner would agree it was a win-win-win for God.

The meal was fantastic. Highest quality. That set a festive tone.

Young people walked the line offering Christmas presents. (I declined.)

The volunteers, most new Canadians, were endearing. I spoke a long time with a Russian lady who lived for Jesus. This was one of her favourite events of the year.

Me too.

This event was likely the highlight of my very quiet weekend.

Merry Christmas. Happy holidays to everyone.

burqa to be banned in France

On By Rick McIn ethics, government, Islam1 Comment

While France is the most wonderful nation on the planet, I find this trend disturbing.

Paris, France (CNN) — France’s lower house of parliament Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a ban on any veils that cover the face — including the burqa, the full-body covering worn by some Muslim women.

The vote was 335 to 1.

The measure must still go to the French Senate before it becomes law. The Senate is expected to vote on it in the week of September 20.

Amnesty International immediately condemned the vote.

“A complete ban on the covering of the face would violate the rights to freedom of expression and religion of those women who wear the burqa or the niqab in public as an expression of their identity or beliefs,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s expert on discrimination in Europe.

French people back the ban by a margin of more than four to one, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found in a survey this spring.

Some 82 percent of people polled approved of a ban, while 17 percent disapproved. That was the widest support the Washington-based think tank found in any of the five countries it surveyed.

Clear majorities also backed burqa bans in Germany, Britain and Spain, while two out of three Americans opposed it, the survey found. …

CNN – Burqa ban passes French lower house overwhelmingly

Proponents argue that it’s a security issue. Opponents say it’s a veiled slur against freedom of Religion.

I should say that even I was startled at the number of ladies wearing burqa in Germany last summer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in public in Canada.

Businessman Rachid Nekkaz has committed to a €1m fund to fight the French ban.

world’s tallest building opens today

On By Rick McIn Islam, travelLeave a comment

When I was in the Dubai airport a couple of weeks ago, the place still looked to be booming.

Despite the much reported financial crisis in Dubai, some investors are already predicting a turnaround. My guess is that Dubai’s still a great long term investment.

The Burj Dubai – which means Dubai Tower – opens Monday with a fun-filled ceremony complete with fireworks and a hair-raising parachute jump.

The skyscraper, now the world’s tallest building, soars a half mile into the air, can be seen from 59 miles away and has 160 floors. …

Read more

what do you know about Bangladesh?

On By Rick McIn economics, government, Islam, travel, uncategorizedLeave a comment

I thought I was “worldly”, … yet I knew almost nothing about Bangladesh before going there as a volunteer this Fall.

Bangladesh

The first thing people talk about in the capital Dhaka, is the traffic.

You might average 20km/hr. Walking is sometimes faster.

Actually, if you can get off the road, the countryside is green and lush. It’s one giant flood plain.

Bangladesh is a fast growing economy (growth 6-7%/yr), devoutly Muslim … but with few security problems. The nation is focused on economic growth, looking to bring millions out of poverty. Agriculture and clothing manufacture are the main industries.

It’s surprisingly progressive, the first Muslim-majority country to establish an all-women United Nations peacekeeping force. They have a woman Prime Minister.

Instead of blaming problems on the U.S.A. as a distraction, leaders in Bangladesh are “seeking five billion dollars of foreign investment for power and gas projects to end a chronic energy crisis”.

I think they’ll get 5-10 billion. Bangladesh is a good long term investment.

Happy Victory Day, Bangladesh!

Bangladesh celebrated Victory Day Wednesday, heralded by a 21 cannon salute that rang through the capital at dawn, while the president laid a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar to commemorate those who gave their lives for independence.

On this day in 1971, the Pakistan army surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India at Ramna Racecourse Maidan in Dhaka, ending the painful nine-month war that saw a new nation emerge.

National Parliament building (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban)

more Bangladesh photos

Terrorist – John Updike

On By Rick McIn books, Islam, product complaintsLeave a comment

John Updike was one of our greatest living authors. He died in January.

Updike chose to write an important book on an important subject.

The central character is age-18, the son of an Egyptian exchange student who married a working-class Irish-American girl. The young man agrees to become a suicide bomber for Allah. He will blow up the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River in New York.

Of course the novel is skillful. Insightful.

I learned more about Islam from this short novel than from anything else I’ve ever read.

terrorist-updike-lg

Amazon

I’d read other Updike books and expected not to enjoy this one.

Like most Updike novels, most other literature, this book is depressing. With a very negative world view.

American culture in the eyes of a devout Muslim is disgusting. (The terrorist has some very good arguments.)

The ending surprised me. It was not what I expected.

That surprise redeemed the book for me. Somewhat.

I still don’t recommend you read Terrorist, unless you want to better understand what might motivate an intelligent, thoughtful fellow human being … to want to kill you.