jwstum00

I did a quick google search and found this website http://www.islam101.com/index.htm it's a website that, from what I gather, is trying essentially to do what I'm trying to do with this thread. Get people thinking and get rid of some of the preconceived notions that people carry. These are some of the quotes that i found interesting. The Holy Quran: "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression." (5:2). "And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness" (5:8). This is actually a message from Mohammed himself. "This is a message written by Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, far and near, we are behind them. Verily, I defend them by myself, the servants, the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be changed from their jobs, nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they (Christians) are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, this is not to take place without her own wish. She is not to be prevented from going to her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation is to disobey this covenant till the Day of Judgment and the end of the world." That just doesn't seem like a violent religion to me. From what I've learned so far. I consider myself a Christian, but I try not to let my beliefs blind me and prevent me from learning about other people and their ways. I guaruntee you that if you were to look at Christians from afar the only picture you would get would be of the bigoted extremists that are the loudest of them all. People need to start opening up, and let go of some of their biases. We might learn something new, theres never anything wrong with that.

It seems to me that when it comes to issues of government control and interference in the lives of people, liberals support it for the most part when it is used to help those in need. When it comes to government restrictions that are meant to protect, Liberals seem wary. Conservatives on the other hand are all for government restrictions to protect society (casino gambling, prohibition in the 1920's, marijuana etc...) When it comes to helping the needy it seems that Conservatives are less sympathetic than Liberals (welfare, healthcare etc...) Just from my observation that seems to be one fundamental difference between Liberals and Conservatives.

The word Islam means "total submission of onesself to God". That is what is at the root of the religion. Islam WAS NOT born of violence. Mohommed's re-capture of Mecca was nearly bloodless. I guess I have a problem with people who claim that Islam is a violent religion, and try to differentiate the violence commited by Muslims from the violence commited by Christians in order to demonize Muslims. It just seems unfair to do that. Looking at the histories of both religions, they have the exact same roots (Old Testament God, and prophets etc.. ) and it appears that they've followed a very similar path.

I doubt it will.

Fair enough. :thumb: I still have a problem with the article equating slot machines to crack. I didn't read the entire article, but I'm doubting the author has ever tried slots or crack which would make it hard for them to make such a comparison. I could make an argument that BGP is the crack of internet message boards. Poor individuals who spend all of their time posting and skipping work eventually lose eveything, and the fall of society comes soon thereafter. Ofcourse my argument holds no water, but thats how I see the argument against casino gambling.

I think it's a bit misleading to equate casino gambling to crack cocaine.

It seems like we aren't giving people in general enough credit here. People in general are not stupid, and know how to indulge themselves in moderation. I don't think that casino's are going to rip the moral fabric of our nation or state to shreds. As with any indulgence, you have those who will overindulge, but I think that those individuals are the ones who are going to do it with or without the casino's. Same as with sex, drugs, and alcohol.. etc.. I feel that the presence of a casino in Louisville, Nky, or Lexington would provide a nice boost to the economy.

As far as the Iraq war goes, I think that goes back to the British colonization of the area. The British purposfully carved up the different ethnic groups when they drew the boundaries of the different countries. Those boundaries still exist today and the conflicts between the different ethnic groups still exist. My opinion is that the boundaries of the countries need to be re-drawn giving the Kurds, the Shi'ites, and the Sunni's their own countries for them to rule. There is no way in :fire: that will happen though, so my solution doesn't work. Thats off-topic though.

From what i've learned Islam was relatively very peaceful in the beginning. They were very tolerant of "people of the book" what they called Christians and Jews, allowing them to stay in the lands the Muslims had conquered as long as they payed a tax. It seems like, as Superfan said, the violence comes long after the death of Mohommed, and that alot of it was between two different sects of the religion. To me that sounds just like the Protestants and Catholics who killed eah other in Europe.

Mohammed, from what i've learned, was a merchant in Mecca who around the age of 40 married a rich widow. This gave him free time and in this free time he started to have his revalations. After a few years he was banished to Medina because Islam was becoming to popular. He eventually re-took Mecca and established it as the capital of Islam. Mohammed didn't do too much more spreading of Islam because he died shortly after. Islam spread repidly after his death but people's of the conquered land were not forced to convert, Muslims were very tolerant of Christians and Jews, the only catch was that they had to pay double taxes. From what i've learned there was relativley little violence in the founding of Islam. Islam and Christianity are in fact very similar, essentially "branches" of the same religion. Muslims, like Christians and Jews, even consider themselves to be decendants of Abraham. They share all of the same Old Testament prophets and figures and God, the only difference coming when it comes to Jesus who they see as an important prophet not a diety. Then ofcourse they have Mohammed who is their last prophet. sort of a lengthy reply, but that is what i've learned so far.

I've read several people's opinions on this board about the differences between Islam and Christianity. Lots of people had opinions, but much of what I read was just that... opinion. If I could, I'd like to start a fact-based discussion about the in's and out's of the religion, and it's relationship throughout history with Christianity. We can keep the discussion pretty open, as long as we bring facts backed by hard evidence. The reason I bring this up is because I am currently in a Middle Eastern history class, and from what i've learned so far about the actual history of Islam they seemed far more accepting of other religions than anyone in Europe at the time of the founding of their faith. I've heard alot of people call Islam a faith based in violence, but I have a hard time really beleiving that. Everyone just tell me what you think, and again try and bring some evidence. Thanks

I agree there does seem to be somewhat of a "Centre Bubble" effect going on in Danville. I think something should be done to help with the relations between the College and the town.

Centre seems to be playing their best ball of the season right now too!

I think the All-Americans get atleast a game, especially considering the use of aluminum bats. I don't remember exactly when it was but I know a few springs ago I saw highlights on ESPN of I think it was the Florida Marlins losing to the Florida Gators in an exhibition game.

I personaly enjoy fried baloney, a fried egg, a slice of american cheese, and mayo on toast. ( never had it with lettuce ) Another favorite of mine is the rueben.

I didnt meet her, but i saw (walked past) a bald Natalie Portman while walking the streets of London a few years ago.

I agree, but the fact that they picked up Moss, who is known as somewhat of a team cancer when things arent going so well, shows a bit of desperation on the part of the Patriots. If it works out things can be great for them, but right now i think the key part to that is if. It could get ugly. They are taking a bit of a gamble.

Thats a great fit:thumb:

pretty much any Lyfe Jennings song. Lets see, "lord they really think they foolin you, by comin to church on sunday prayin and layin hands on folks, stompin around and fakin the holy ghost...." This is just a good song

I voted for other, but i love them all. Did everyone catch the end of Family Guy last night? haha

Does anyone think that the Patriots may become the Yankees of football? Stockpiling talent in search of another title that will not come? Just food for thought. The two teams are in the same part of the country

Centre College

That is pretty rediculous. Imagine being one of those players, that has to be awesome to have 92,000+ at the spring scrimmage.

Most of the rap music with the language everyone complains so much about are the songs that college kids dance to on the weekends. If you really listen to rap music you know that there are a countless number of songs that send out positive messages. I dont know, this whole thing about rap music the past few years has really been bugging me alot. This is off topic, but if you go after rap music, you need to go after pop culture in general not just rap.

This has to be the most random thread that i have ever read on here. It sounds like it was a totally random act that happens, unfourtunatly, all too much in this country today. If it would have black on black, white on white, or even white on black, the majority of us would have never heard of it most probably. I personally think that this country is experiencing a sort of civil rights "backlash". Thats just my opinion though I dont understand the crusade against Rap music either. Just like all forms of music there are different types of rap songs. For the most part, the ones who complain about it are people who dont listen to it. I dont listen to country, now how correct would i be if i said that all country music was about my dog died, my women left, my truck broke down. I would be wrong, thats my perception of country music though. I dont listen to it much, so i havent been able to experience the full spectrum of it.