Hi Fractelle.

There is something you miss in all that love and warmth and community spirit that you spoke of.

Out of the hundreds of stalls and stands at the MBS event, there was only one from what I gather which has a holy book which names me and all those like me and singles us out for 'special treatment'.

(Dear Foxy.. the New Testament does not do this it implores love for the lost.)

So, I understand your position, and realize you don't share mine.
But having a different view from me, ...should that result in you doing to me the very thing you accuse me of in regard to others?

Could you warmly shake my hand if we met?

Think about that for a bit.....or.. is there 'hate' in your heart?

Could you do so out of concern for my well being? I could toward you, and I did with these fellows. How we treat others in person is one thing. How we discuss others beliefs is entirely different. Presumably you don't accept child marriage..(specially by old codgers) so, even though you don't see evidence of that kind of thing happening among those of this faith you meet in daily life, and no one of that faith has asked for your 8 yr old daughter as wife, does not change the fact of it being an accepted value 'in' that faith.

I've never advocated hating Muslims, I've pointed out some Islamic beliefs that are of serious social concern and dangerous to me and mine. (and moreso to you)

Strange as it might sound, have a read of the brief history of Ankor Wat.

(Less than half a page, maybe 3 paragraphs)

http://goasia.about.com/cs/azsiteindex/a/aa031700_3.htm
There are lessons there for all of us about how human society functions. Note especially the date 1431 in relation to earlier immigration of the Thai's.

I can imagine 'Fractelliwan, Periclayavan, and CJ Khmergan all attacking Boazithan at the Temple, and telling him he is up himself about the 'threat of the Thais' :)

Your discombobulation is beginning to show, Boaz.

>>Hopefully one day, you will take the time to study some of these things and not just use bluster and blabber to down those you disagree with<<

Bluster and blabber, eh? Mighty fightin' words, coming from your good self. And where do I do this?

>>you don't actually dispute 'what' I say, but babble about 'solutions/problems' etc.<<

Oh, but I do dispute what you say, Boaz. I'm rather surprised that you hadn't noticed.

I dispute - constantly - your personal, idiosyncratic interpretations of snippets from someone else's religious guidebook, and your blanket refusal to countenance any alternative.

I also - perpetually - dispute your right to then use these personal, idiosyncratic interpretations of someone else's religious handbook to incite fear, loathing and hatred in simple souls, in order to further your own evangelistic - one might almost say apocalyptic - ambitions.

>>Perhaps you havn't been discriminated against because of your beliefs?<<

Absolutely I have.

Not, of course, for my religious beliefs, because I have none. But I suffer my share of discrimination for my political beliefs, in that I don't always get my own way.

Because that's ultimately what this boils down to, Boaz, isn't it?.

You, getting your own way.

You believe that the world should revolve around your religion. All our laws should reflect this, and we should all bow down to the God of your choosing.

Fortunately, our society here in Australia does not operate along those lines. Otherwise we'd be no better than those fiercely Islamic countries where you've virtually no choice but to conform.

And we wouldn't want to live like that, Boaz, would we?

Oh, hang on, I rather think you would, wouldn't you?

Ban Islamic schools, tear down the mosques, expel those who will not recant and take up Christianity.

That's pretty much how you'd like it all to pan out, is it not?

Am I wrong?

Dear David,

I'd not only shake your hand but give you a big hug as well - were we to ever meet. And I certainly don't have hate in my heart. That would have a negative affect on my psyche - which I can ill afford.

I'm not an expert on Islam - but I've always believed that in order to understand any religion you need to study it more thoroughly, - because there are so many different versions being practiced around the globe.

We've talked about this subject before David, and you know that fundamentalists exist in all faiths - not just Islam.

You've expressed your fears concerning this religion quite a few times on this Forum - all I'm asking you to do - is broaden your perspective and not lump every Islamist into the same pile of 'fanaticism.'

But perhaps your fear is too great for you to be able to do that?

Boaz

An important part of my last post was about treating others with respect and courtesy. Something you wilfully never do, if you disagree them.

For example, you stated:

"There is something you miss in all that love and warmth and community spirit that you spoke of."

Boaz, YOU claimed that the festival was one of friendship - not I. But you SELECTIVELY used my comment to dismiss my entire post - after you had initiated the topic no less.

No courtesy or respect from you there.

Further on in your last post you refer to Pericles, CJ and I as follows:

"I can imagine 'Fractelliwan, Periclayavan, and CJ Khmergan all attacking Boazithan at the Temple, and telling him he is up himself about the 'threat of the Thais' :)"

You, in you own mind, have set yourself up as the beleaguered prophet under constant attack from the infidels. OH you wish! I believe you are elevating your importance to a degree that only exists in your wildest fantasies.

1. You accosted two people at a festival and demanded they translate passages from the Quran that you had selected.

2. You expect to convince we here at OLO that these same hapless Muslims agreed with you that their INTERPRETATION was one of hostility to any who do not follow Allah.

It was a credit to these Muslims that they didn't treat you with the same lack of respect that you showed them and that you display to myself and others every day on OLO.

I am upset with you because you never actually consider anyone else's opinion unless they agree with you. You also denigrate others. Then you start whining about being attacked. What part of "treat others how you would like to be treated" don't you understand?

Hello Boazy,

Hope you don't start with the premise that every Muslim you meet is your enemy, whether you love them or not.

I have worked with Muslims in Indonesia. Each person I met was civil to me and respectful to their god. Good hosts. Apologised if it was necessary to speak in Indonesian rather than English.

Before returning to Oz, I was interviewed for Dean's position in Dubai. Appreciate that in the Middle East, there will be Muslim mirrors to a Christian Sells,i.e., fundamentalists.

Would you prefer a Christian theocracy or would you maintain things, as they are now? Here, I believe in the separation of Church and State.

Regards.

BOAZ probably doesn't mean to be hypocritical. He can't help himself because he just doesn't get it

"Loving your enemies in personal encounters, who curse you (in Allah's name, to your face) for what you believe, is not incompatible with seeking public policy adjustments which may limit the numbers of them migrating to your country or limit certain practices for those in the country. (preaching of certain anti Christian Anti Jew sentiments is an example)"

So as a Christian, he loves his enemies because that's what Jesus told him to do. But his love is given only if they stay away from his country or stop practising what their god tells them to do!

Duh?