Any conflict is good for business, even better for big business. Nothing gets a flatlining economy humming better than a war. The Stock Markets boom, mining booms. Somebody's got to replace all the trashed military gear and ammo,etc. Then, after it's all over, there's billions to be had in rebuilding contracts. These days the casualties of war,the PEOPLE have been dehumanised into just collateral damage, just a loss to be written off. They don't figure in the broader picture. Does anybody know the Iraqi civillian death toll? Does anybody care? Welcome to Globalisation. Bow before the God of corporate greed.

Plantagenet,

Enjoyed your posting.

Aspro,

There is a lot of truth to your posting although individually we need to care and make a difference. I will tell you a sample of my actions to make a difference:

If I get into a mum and dad petrol station, I fill the car and buy few small items.
If I have to use a multi-national greedy petrol station, I do the following:
- I only buy 10 litres of petrol (increase their cost of transaction).
- I pay cash (preferably coins) to increase their cost of cash management.
- I buy nothing from the store.

You might think its stupid but that’s my personal way of changing the world.

Boazy,

Please re-read wobbles posting: its all into context.
If you are so hot under the collar about few verses of the Quran, please ask the church to dismiss the whole OT especially Leviticus.

Salams,

For those who doubt Boaz's exegetical skill, perhaps this will help
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=24592

Or maybe this piece
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20460114-28737,00.html

which quotes the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdel Aziz al-Sheikh, saying he "issued a statement on the official Saudi news service, defending Muslims' divine right to resort to violence: "The spread of Islam has gone through several phases, secret and then public, in Mecca and Medina. God then authorised the faithful to defend themselves and to fight against those fighting them, which amounts to a right legitimised by God. This ... is quite reasonable, and God will not hate it."

Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric also explained that war was never Islam's ancient founder, the prophet Mohammed's, first choice: "He gave three options: either accept Islam, or surrender and pay tax, and they will be allowed to remain in their land, observing their religion under the protection of Muslims." Thus, according to the Grand Mufti, the third option of violence against non-Muslims was only a last resort, if they refused to convert or surrender peacefully to the armies of Islam."

Open your eyes before you reap the consequences of your ignorance

Dear C.J.

if anything is 'enshrined' in the constitution it is the reliance on the 'guidance of Almighty God' (pre-amble).
What IS also enshrined in the constitution is that government cannot make a law which 'promotes' a particular religion (in historical context with Catholic/Protestant issues read "denomination" for 'religion') Also, if I'm not mistaken parliament cannot make a law which 'hinders' any Denomination. (all of which in the context would mean 'Christian') Example. Parliament could not make a law forbidding Catholic schools.

Planta...

I think you are misreading me moit... I don't advocate a theocracy. You give the distinct impression you think I want one. Please clarify.
Regarding those in Christ and non believers. Refer the Bible rather than blasphemous insulting web sites, you might gain a more balanced picture.

Of one thing we can all be sure. We get the eternal destination we "vote" for. (with our hearts). For the issue of those who have not heard, or had a chance to hear, please read Romans 1 in full, carefully. But dare I say it..'you' have heard.

When you understand Islamic history and expansion, you will fully appreciate that even if we were not in Afghanistan or Iraq... they would find a reason to be at war with Dar Ul Hab.. (thats us)

Wobbles. My context was ok. (see previous post)

F.H.

see above. Of all people F.H. you must be aware that the example of the Prophet is what gives meaning to the Quran ...right ?
Who can interpret it better than its author ....unless of course he simply used it as a convenient tool of mass manipulation, and took a "do what I say not what I do" approach :) I still am totally amazed that you blokes cannot see his 'convenient' and 'selfish' "revelations" for what they are. How many ayats simply serve the purpose of bolstering his position, and influence ? I would like a buck for each one.

Fellow Human, speaking from the Greek, appreciate your reasoning - or from a liberal Christian, our faith respects your wisdom and understanding.

It is so interesting that these could be phrases from Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu, whom Margaret Thatcher scorned, her son trying to help form a right-wing white mercenary brigade not in Mandela or Tutu's interests.

So keep up the good work, Fellow Human, may we pray that philosophies of peace like yours will help Let in the True Light.

Dear Boazy

Out of fairness I recant - You do not support theocracy.

Out of balance I present this:

IRAN AT A GLANCE - PRE 2003 INVASION FACT SHEET

KEY FACTS: 437,072 sq km of barren desert wasteland. Sworn enemy of the United States and white people everywhere. Inhabited exclusively by Arabiac terrorists and unsaved Islamoids, who shamelessly conspire to withhold the vast reserves of American oil held hostage deep beneath their worthless nation.

POPULATION: 23,331,985 (July 2001 est.)

RACE: Arabiac/Brown

RELIGION: Our Lord and Savior His Holiness Jesus Christ is not welcome in Iraq. Worship of the moon god Allah is compulsory. Bibles are used routinely by the populace as fireplace logs.

SPORT: As with most inferior nations, "soccer" is popular.

GEOGRAPHY: Iraq consists of little more than tens of thousands of square miles of sun-baked dirt mountains, in which reside countless muslamic savages, who engage in ferociously indiscriminate breeding to fill the ranks of Iraq's vast armies of pre-teen terrorists.

FOOD: The dietary staples of Iraq include camel meat, lentils, and yogurt. In addition, 53% of Iraquians are practicing cannibals.

HISTORY: Present-day Iraq occupies the greater part of the ancient land of Mesopotamia. History tells us that the Mesopotamiacs were human rights advocates of bestiality, who - millenia before the discovery of the US - labored intensively to weave Aussie flags from human hair and tumble weed fibers, and BURN THEM!

LANGUAGES: English (though they pretend not to understand it), Arabiac

Highest of the High: September 11th, when the entire country enjoys smug smiles hidden under burkas and filthy beards and secretly celebrates its cunning ingenuity in making the world think that the Saudis, Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda were responsible for what your President now knows was a 100% Iraquian plot.

ECONOMY: Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, and while a decade-long UN embargo has done much to weaken the Iraquian economy, a deal with the Texas-based Halliburton and AWB has pre-bought the lot.

More see http://www.whitehouse.org/iraq/facts.asp

Nothing like proof ;-D

Pete