Yadda wrote on Dec 6^th, 2008 at 3:27pm:

I assume you are referring to the dialogue I quoted above. Islam is that which you believe to be evil, the child is the innocent. If that is so, then you’re begging the question, so I will leave that one for you to answer the only way the premises will allow.

My point about the dialogue is that the most sincere practise of religion is extremely difficult.

The true practice of a philosophy or theology of compassion requires that you be prepared to abnegate your instinct towards revenge or wrong action even if it is easier or ‘feels more right’ to act according to other drives.

A theology of compassion requires that you surrender the will to seek revenge and the impulse to diminish the lives of others you despise to satisfy one’s ego. It demands that you empathise with the suffering of others and seek to relieve it whenever you can. It demands that you uphold the dignity of the other (hence Ghandi’s suggestion that the devout Hindu raise the child in the faith that was his birthright).

That you seek common ground with your enemies by ‘building bridges and not walls’.

That the practice of compassion leads to self-respect which will lead to the revelation that all respect is self-respect.

calanen - hahha, that's a great post.
Yes, it's a sign of an evolved society to be reasonable, just and considerate.

But to unreasonable, inconsiderate, intoleratant people, they will run you over without even asking.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 6^th, 2008 at 9:02pm:

As I suspect may be true of you.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 6^th, 2008 at 9:32pm:

I'm sure. Particularly when the 'free speech' is advocating hate and intolerance towards those you don't like.

Seriously Sprint, when was the last time you were run over by unreasonable, inconsiderate, intolerant people whether they asked you or not?

You display the characteristics of all that is contemptible in Christianity, a theology of compassion. You're a scripture quoting hypocrite who barely wastes a second praising the denigration of those you despise. The more inflammatory the post, the more you encourage it.

I doubt it's the opportunity to practice compassion that you look for... More the chance to be accepted by a wider group, even compromising your beliefs to do it.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 6^th, 2008 at 4:45pm:



helian,

Thank you for your considered reply.




Does TRUTH have an equal place, alongside compassion?

Considering the example from the movie again,

Let me put it another way,

A man [the Hindu] says,
....."I've done a terrible thing, i've killed a child. I'm going to Hell."

In response, the movie 'Ghandi' says, "You have done done a terrible thing. But atonement for the evil you have done is available."
....by raising a child in a hateful philosophy, to believe that he can kill people, if they refuse to worship, or submit to, his god.

Of the two men above, who is the man further along the path to enlightenment?

Is it the one who [repenting,] acknowledges that he has done a terrible thing, and acknowledges that he deserves to go to hell for his sin?

Or is it the one who counsels, that though a person has done a terrible thing, he will not go to hell, if he will atone for his own sins?
.....And atonement takes the form of teaching a child a hateful philosophy, which condones the murder of those who will not submit, to that philosophy.
.....[can you imagine, that Ghandi, a man on the path, didn't know what ISLAM teaches / promotes among its adherent's? I find that difficult to believe.]





++++++++


But perhaps Ghandi's ignorance of ISLAM is not so far fetched???


Dalai Lama Defends Islam As Peaceful Religion
13 July, 2008
http://www.dalailama.com/news.274.htm


If on first blink, you really, really, believe this assertion, from noble and wise Buddhist, the Dalai Lama,
.....read up on the history of Buddhism in Afghanistan,

"Buddhism in Afghanistan has a long history. Many monuments, such as the famous Buddhas of Bamyan, testify to the Buddhist culture in Afghanistan. It was during Ashoka's reign that Buddhism was introduced to what later became Afghanistan.....Many of the Iranian forebearers of the Pashtuns, including the Scythians followed Buddhism UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF ISLAM. Currently, there are a few Buddhists in Afghanistan, PROBABLY NUMBERING 0.3% OF THIS ISLAMIC COUNTRY."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Afghanistan


Google,
Buddhism afghanistan
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Bu...





If true religion, is the [a] search for TRUTH....

And if Buddhism is a religion based on TRUTH....

If the Dalai Lama then comes out, and asserts ISLAM is a peaceful religion, then i would suggest, that for the Dalai Lama to make such a statement [in the face of irrefutable facts to the contrary], the Dalai Lama is clearly telling an un-truth.

And this circumstance [the 'broadcasting' of this un-truth to the world], i would suggest, is probably because the Dalai Lama HAS AN AGENDA, which is not  being revealed.

Why not???

And what is that agenda???

And, are these at all improper questions, which i pose???




And i ask, that if the Dalai Lama is portrayed as a wise, truth speaker, why would such a man promote such an obvious falsehood to the world?

It seems that once again [in our PC dominated world],

BLACK IS WHITE, AND WHITE IS BLACK.
UP IS DOWN, AND DOWN IS UP.

Where will all of these lies, all end up?

Where will they take us?

For a possible answer to that Q.,
.....look at Afghanistan today.




Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance
Robert M Pirsig

Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 7^th, 2008 at 12:18am:

I don’t intend to post anti-Christian sentiments for the sake of gratuitous denigration. I don’t believe the Jesus myth is true, but I believe that the message can be rescued from religiosity.

Islam, like all religious expression, does not stand up to close scrutiny. Religious legends and stories are all hopelessly flawed with inconsistencies and absurdities. But if as an atheist you went to the Vatican with the goal of enlightening the Pope, Cardinals and minor clergy to the inconsistencies inherent in Christian dogma or perhaps the atrocities committed in the name of Jesus, you’d soon be shown the door and not because these ancient clerics aren’t up for debate.

Given your intransigent hostility towards Islam and the utter disrespect you display towards all Muslims, I’m not surprised you get a hard time at MV. Nobody likes to be treated with contempt or to have their deeply held beliefs derided. No doubt you start up there like a drunk in a church raving at everyone that Islam is this and that. Follow the dictates of your faith, Sprint. Build bridges not walls and don’t kid yourself that denigrating the faith and beliefs of those you wish to engage in dialogue is bridge building.

I don’t think you are confused at all about the rest of my posting, that’s why you haven’t asked me to clarify what I mean.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 7^th, 2008 at 12:18am:


If only you put as much energy into loving and respecting your fellow human beings as you put into hating Muslims.

All religious people are intolerant when you attack the central tenets of their religion.

I don't know if you go to a church or not, but if somebody stood up during a religious sermon and started making assertions that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalen and had a child called Sarah, maybe somebody might rather intolerantly arrange for him to be thrown out.

In the same way, if somebody started denigrating cats at a cat show, by loudly demonstrating and saying that they should all be put down because they destroy Australian Wildlife, then just maybe he might be expelled too.

So, it might just be a tad difficult for you to understand this, but criticising Mohammed as being some kind of feral pedophile who murdered people might just maybe elicit a similar response from a Muslim group. Do you think they might possibly be offended, or consider you to be a (perish the thought) lunatic?

NorthOfNorth wrote on Dec 7^th, 2008 at 8:35am:



helian,

I believe that as humans, we have the 'Golden Rule', so to speak, in our hearts.

I believe that a search for TRUTH, will lead us to, and keep us on, the correct path.



This life presents all of us with choices.

I believe that if we open ourselves to lies, those lies can turn us away from the correct path.

If we ourselves turn away from TRUTH, that is a choice.

And every choice we make has a consequence.




To become a devout muslim, requires certain choices too.

You may believe that there is nothing wrong with [someone else] choosing to be a devout muslim.

I believe that it is very wrong mistaken.




+++++


One of my favourite Koran verses....

Isn't it a beauty!!!

ALLAH'S DUPES.....

"Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but satan's promises are nothing but deception.
They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in Hell, and from it they will find no way of escape."
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/004.qmt.html#004.120