Why are there any Muslims living in Mecca?

[Boojatta]

Why are there any Christians living in Vatican City?

Why are there any Jews living in East Jerusalem? (Wasn't there an Apartheid Wall built two thousand years ago that was supposed to keep Jews in West Jerusalem and out of East Jerusalem?)

[MineralMan]

1. More odd questions. I wonder where you're going with this

one. Let's hear your answer.

[MineralMan]

2. Why are there New Yorkers living in New York?

It's all a puzzle, isn't it?

[dtexdem]

8. Why are there no Moonies living on the Moon?

;-)

And why no people with venereal disease living on Venus?

[MineralMan]

9. How do you know there are no Moonies living on the Moon?

I wouldn't be so sure of that, you know.

[Spider Jerusalem]

3. It isn't that there are Jews living in East Jerusalem

it's that the Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised under international law; see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_478

[Boojatta]

18. Was the annexation of Austria by Germany (before WWII) recognized under international law?

[Spider Jerusalem]

21. Pointless question

international law changed significantly after WWII and very largely as a direct result of WWII. Territorial acquisition by conquest is no longer recognised as valid in most cases, and the right of self-determination of all peoples IS. And both of those are the direct result of first, Germany and Japan fighting a war of aggression for the purpose of territorial conquest, and second of the recognition of the Western allies of the right of the peoples subjected to such conquest to determine their own national identity (which also led to the end of colonialism). So what may have been the case in 1938 has no bearing at all.

[Boojatta]

23. What if World War III starts tomorrow?

It could involve teams like the one that killed bin Laden, but they might arrive via underground tunnels, use gas to temporarily ensure that people nearby go to sleep or stay asleep, and use straitjackets for political and military leaders who are a danger to themselves or others. (Cough, cough, Syria, cough.)

The same tunnels that are used to go in can be used to transport the leaders on the first leg of their journey to the Hague for trial. After that kind of scenario played out, international law could again change.

How many questions that people are asking now would then become pointless?

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

4. I wish I could live in Asgard

Freya's hall would be nice...

[dawg]

5. I would love to visit all three.

So much history.

[On the Road]

6. Could You Be More Specific About the 'Apartheid Wall'?

and when it was built. Not doubting it so much, but have never heard of it. Am interested in that period of history but am not an expert.

When the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD, AFAIK they left the city in ruins but did not prevent Jews from living there. When the Romans took Jerusalem in 136AD, they expelled the Jews and renamed Aelia Capitolina.

[dtexdem]

7. When Christians conquered Jerusalem in the Crusades, they expelled Jews from the city.

When Muslims, under Saleh al Din, reconquered Jerusalem from the Christians, they allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem.

[On the Road]

12. Ah -- So It Was the Crusades

OK.

[Mr Deltoid]

10. Shorter commute for the pilgrimage

[Recovered Repug]

11. Did someone post an opening for a new "Random Thoughts"?

You need to add being owed beer and travel money and many experiences.

[Boojatta]

14. It would be against my religion for me to drink an alcoholic beverage.

I am a Rushdie-ite Muslim.

[dionysus]

15. i do not religion with you.

[Llewlladdwr]

13. I don't believe non-Muslims are allowed to enter Mecca.

That could explain why there are Muslims living there.

[Taverner]

16. They are not

[Boojatta]

17. If non-Muslims were never allowed to enter a house that is now haunted, then ...

we can be sure that Muslim ghosts are haunting it.

However, what if a house isn't haunted, and Muslims aren't allowed to enter it? Isn't it possible for it to be simply uninhabited? (Oddly enough, an uninhabited town is known as a "ghost town.")

[SlimJimmy]

19. Why are there so many cowboys living in Texas?

[Silent3]

20. It makes daily prayer very convenient

No particular direction that you have to face... it's Mecca wherever you look. :)

(Actually, I imagine even while in Mecca an effort is made to look in the direction of the Kaaba.)

[Boojatta]

22. Is the Kaaba one of those "sacred stones" that Moses commanded be smashed?

What does the Book of Isaiah say about idolatry?

[Pterodactyl]

24. Why do birds suddenly appear...?

[dmallind]

25. why does Denny's have locks on their doors if they never close?

What is an occasional table the rest of the time?