Those cartoons

What is it with the Muslim faith? A few cartoons printed overseas causes marches in London with representitives saying things like 'kill anyone who insults the muslim faith' and '7/11 was only the beginning' etc etc.

If something as intangible, as all religions certainly are, was having such a profound effect on me and my friends, I'd be thinking of ditching the whole vibe for something more enlightening and peaceful - something like Buddhism.

Mmmm, your final statement:

' which frankly need to be dealt with'

sets alarm bells ringing in my ears when it comes from a Muslim, these days!

Can't you see that the world is becomming so untrusting of your religion to the point of panic!

Your hierachy/leaders of your faith need to get their PR sorted out - never mind a few cartoons, which, in fact, satirised Christianity as well but I didn't see any christians in London on the news.

Ok, Ismail, hear this:

Part of my job is now working on the transport systems:

Why do I feel a pang of terror in my heart when a male Muslim walks on the train or bus with a rucksack?

I'll tell you why. It's not my, or anyone's 'biggoted' views (which I don't have) that are on trial here. what is, is the way the Muslims are conducting themselves, and particularly young muslims who have probably been indoctrinated by that muslim cleric who got 7 years in prison yesterday for inciting racial hatred in this country.

These are facts not 'biggoted views' as you like to put it, because you won't own up to what's happening. You're in denial.

'youths are influenced by someone they admire'

Oh, I see. Even if he utters evil damning words through and on the back of your religion?

Here's my point. You and the rest of the ones who live their whole lives through religion - any religion - are powderkegs surrounded by sparks. I like many believe there a good religions and there are bad religions. Some are 'internal' religions and channel their forces internally; others seem 'external' and the energies are channeled outward and often violently. We have to be careful of any 'external' religion.

I ask one thing from the people With views like Mel's.

How do you feel about the Crusades choreographed and executed by the Christian faith? The main point of which was "Convert or kill all heathens."

How do you feel about the Jews crucifying Jesus? Just because they did not believe him to be the Messiah.

How do these fit into your views of the "evil" or "bad" religion?

Timothy, it is acually pointless to ask Mel anything like that because he is against all...how did he say it?...oh yes, external religions. So in his eyes they are all 'evil' or 'bad'. To him the only safe ones are those that are 'internal' such as Buddhism.

That's why I don't even bother trying to reason or defend my religious views with him.

My point:

Stop the teaching of religion - all religion. let it go; let it die. This way we save ourselves - truely save our selves and the planet.

Marx said that religion was the opiate of the masses. so true

Hold your horses here. I aint called anyone 'vermin'. I expressed a view and because I expressed a view that collides with the indoctrination of your religion (yes indoctrination) you can't even conceive that I might have a point. That's how badly indoctrinated you all are or should we call it brainwashed?

If one of your clerics is on the streets of London preaching hatred to the young Muslims and getting them to fight anyone who knocks your god, then I for one am gonna get alittle bit suspicious of you and your religion in fact I'm gonna be well pissed off! Or should I just bite my lip and say nothing because it goes against your beliefs?.

And Ismail. Your 'tradition' (religion) that you speak of above, is based on ideology and fallacy - like all religion. Sorry to spoil the party.

i think everybody is a little confussed about exteemists and regular muslims.
i have several good friends who are muslim and they are the most peaceful people i know. when people think of 9/11 or any such disaster they immediatly jump on muslims, when in fact it was down to extreemist parts of the religion which is probably so far away from the teachings it would be silly to call them muslims. and one point to mel you said you are scared when a muslim man walks past with a backpack on. Damn thats YOUR problem not theres you are the narrow minded one who can't see the fifty million white british catholic men walk past with backpacks on. i am not saying that the london bombings wern't religious i am saying you are being very racist by not allowing muslims the same freedom as non muslims.

Though I am not a muslim, I do not shudder at those that are. Not every person of the muslim religion has created this downfall. The same is said for every religion, including Christianity and even Athiest. No matter what "religion" you classify yourself as there is a bad apple there somewhere.
Instead of hating others we should actual embrace them and learn about their religion and culture. Wake up folks! Until we start treating each other as an equal and learn about each other we are only giving the enemy more ammunition to frighten and terrorize us with.
In this I do not mean that muslims, christians, or whatever are enemies, but those that use our fear to control us are what I consider an enemy.

--Sher

To be honest, I haven't got a god damn clue what you religious junkies have been saying in the last five or so posts. Your language is so shrowded in your beliefs it reads like a manifesto.

Ismail: you talk of 'truth' this and 'truth' that. There isn't one religion or God based on any fact.
They are all grand narratives - works of fiction/ideology/ways of controlling people enmass. If we'd all spend more time looking out for each other as a whole instread of beng on our knees praying to some non existant deity, then the human race might stand a chance! sheesh

If we all spent more time on our knees praying then maybe there would be less crap flowing from mouthes of those who know squat, in return less fighting....mmmm.....

mel who do you think you are telling people that there whole life teachings are just a bunch of lies, i presume you are a devout atheist correct me if i am wrong. when have you actually sat down and tried to learn about religious teachings? i am not religious however if you spent more time learning and less time hateing then perhaps you would see that most religions are based on fact and make perfect scense. if you think science has all the answers in life then it is plain to see that you are very niave.

aaron:

(i) I'm not the one doing the 'hating' here. How strange it is. I contest religion and its roots and people think I'm a hateful person. Truth is the majority of wars and hatred in this world are religious in origin. That's where the hatred is, my friend.

(ii) 'most religions are based on fact' Ahahahahahahaha. Point me in the direction of your facts, then. Sheesh.

The fact is mel that religion can be used for any purpose In my opinion it is not the people that are humbly on their knees that are fighting wars. I believe, as many anthropologist are saying, that modern humans have left evidence of religious ritual and coexisted with the Neanderthals, but modern humans survived. It seems contradictory to blame a non-existing entity for the woes of mankind. Religion is a path and not a destination. Most major religions have been subject to human error. War is not caused by humility