1000th Post

[harun]

I have been using the Internet and taking part in discussion sites for over 10 years now. I have been a member of Slashdot since about 1997 and my total posts there now are still less than 350 posts, so I didn't think I would ever post 1000 times to any site. So I wanted to save my 1000th post on this site for writing about a few things I have been thinking about in terms of DU to this forum...

Being a Muslim on this discussion site can be a little rough. About a week back when Mike Huckabee started doing better in his campaign a lot of discussion on this site erupted dealing with religion and faith. It seems more atheists occupy the political left than the political right. I am not sure why this is because I think a practicing religious person would normally politically be to the left but I digress. When discussion erupts denouncing belief, it is very difficult to still justify to myself how I can take part on this site. So I contemplated just sending a good bye with my 1000th post and not taking part in the discussions anymore.

However, I took a few days to cool off and it helped. Also this discussion came along today:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2496087

And many non-muslim DU'rs chimed in with rational discussion on facts of the religion of Islam that really impressed me, and made my day. (The discussion was on wearing of a veil for women and how this is largely a cultural practice and the Qur'an states men and women should simply dress modestly)

So seeing things like that really helps me be able to stick around here. Which I want to do because politically I am with majority of the people on this site and if I differ in terms of belief, I don't care, I just want those who differ to be respectful (which most are) for I will be respectful to their beliefs, whatever they are.

[Alameda]

1. Stay!!!

Yes Harun, I know how you feel. It gets very tedious. Please stay, your voice is needed.

[harun]

4. I am

Hang in there yourself :-).

[Violet_Crumble]

2. Congrats on yr 1000th post, and don't give up on DU...

I hope you don't mind me popping in here. I'm not Muslim, but an atheist, and I can imagine how it must feel some days to be a Muslim at DU. I'm interested in Islam after studying Middle East politics and learning about the history of Islam. There are many non-Muslim DUers who can and do have rational discussions about the religion, but unfortunately there are also some who can't and who have a simplistic 'Islam = violence' mindset. And some of those aren't even atheists (who of course are down on every religion to varying degrees), but folk of other religions...

I know, at least for me, that when I want to ask a question about Islam, I want to hear from Muslims, and if guys like you don't stick around then there's one less person to know I'll be able to ask...

Anyway, I don't think yr asking too much for those who have different beliefs to be respectful. I'd add to that that I wish those with different beliefs wouldn't act as though they know more about religions (in this case, Islam) than people who are actually members of the religion...

[harun]

3. Thanks for the comment

This site has a great group of people who really do try to learn a little bit about what they are commenting on before they comment on it like they are experts. Like with any discussion site you also get a lot of people who are just too lazy and/or arrogant to do that and think they know everything about everything.

Hopefully those that set a strong intellectual example of productive discussion will have some of it rub off eventually on those who don't.

[Myoho]

5. My New Muslim Neighbors

Team.... I am very much a Buddhist practitioner. However, I cannot seem to start a new thread at this time.

Any who...

My new neighbors are Middle Eastern immigrants. The Husband (from what I understand) works at the local Community College teaching English as a Second Language. They moved in about 3 months ago.

Every other day they send over one of their children with food (absolutely yummy stuff at all times) to my house. The wife always hides when I accept the meal... and when I return the dishes.

The first course was delivered by a girl child of maybe 3 or 4 years old. Absolutely delicious home-made flat bread.
Two days later, a HUGE heaping bowl of Cus Cus (sp?) smothered in Chick Peas, Onions, Carrotts... and other delicious veggies. But, there was a bit of meat about the size of a large meat-ball (I hate to say it, but I gave the meat to my dogie since I am a Vegetarian Buddhist).

The next time a boy child (maybe 7 or 8 years old) delivered more flat bread (right out of the oven and still hot). And again tonight he delivered me another (fresh out of the oven) serving of Middle Eastern Bread. Hot, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. I immediately put a bit of Honey on it and chowed down.

Third time (during Lunch hour) the Father brought me a full course meal and a Salad (absolutely delicious) with Carrots, Olives and Feta Cheese. He said "Lunch was on them and to enjoy this truly Authentic meal".

I think they asked the rental center about me. (The manager probably told them I am Buddhist and Vegetarian).

Just now, the young boy brought over more flat bread hot out of the Oven!!

I have not been invited into their house. Yet, when they send their children over to deliver me food their door is wide open (but no-one is to be found but the kids). They have nothing but a few prayer rugs and a 19" TV.

I have a feeling they are just restarting their lives from certain misery they have probably suffered.

He works, she stays at home with 3 very young children.

QUESTION: How do I ask to show them the town?

I live in Denver, CO and am sure they would love to explore and see the 16th Street Mall and some of the wonderful restaurants.

I want to take them Sight Seeing downtown... how do I confront them?




If someone can post this as an individual thread I would certainly appreciate it. :)