Kimmo

muslim brohood was the most represented political body after mubarak allowed a semblance of a political process a few years ago, right? winning what, 20% representation at some level. leading mubarak to clamp down last year, defrauding the election process entirely, yes? i'm not sure what this says about the political future, but i completely doubt the muslim brohood will be irrelevant.

PROJECTION ALERT.

"claiming" to be anything has no significance. one is defined by one's actions. heck, i could claim to be the International Director of the ACLU, but the claim itself has no significance (except as a testament to my mental condition). same with "religion": one can claim to be anything they like, but if their actions violate every priciple taught by the progenitor of that particular body of teachings, then what does the claim really mean?

the thing about buddhism that makes it a little more clear in its intent is the fact the fellow taught openly for 45 years, leaving behind a rather solid body of work not shrouded in mystery and woowoo, like christianity.

and once it had divorced itself from the most basic of the buddha's teachings, it became oxymoronic to call it "buddhism". Buddhism at its core is about non-violence: in speech, in action, in thought, etc. (unless i missed something!) various people always claim to know what is the real meaning of religious thought. sure, but sometimes specifics are easier to decipher than at other times. but perhaps you have information about gautama teaching something besides non-violence?

not exactly news, sunshine are you flirting with me?

an amiable chap, from all accounts, perfectly suited to host a dinner party.

and once it had divorced itself from the most basic of the buddha's teachings, it became oxymoronic to call it "buddhism". Buddhism at its core is about non-violence: in speech, in action, in thought, etc. (unless i missed something!)

The "egyptians" will do fine? you're (for fw) generalization might be construed as patronizing.

btw, i did ask you why the "muslims" in the US are seemingly (pew poll) "peaceful" and critical of violence in general. also, i asked you what your pew poll link was meant to indicate, but didn't get a response....

because a "liberal democratic republic" assures a more just war than what the "terrorists" presently execute?

well, i do think the discussion encompasses a little more than what people "claim" to be their religion. jayb's point is that islam specifically teaches people to be suicide bombers, without any context to their situation. You may find this reading of islam to be somewhat retarded, but buddhism specifically teaches people to be non-violent. i think hinduism might also, but i step outside of any actual studies.

i whole-heartedly, unequivocally and completely disagree with the above assertion regarding kamikaze being buddhist. their actions (and probably lives) had nothing NOTHING to do with buddhism. i'd also wager that most "christians" have very little in common with the teachings of jesus. and a guess: islam doesn't teach peeps to blow up civilians and their structures.

actually i know nothing about pc's or apples except that i've had pc's exclusively and haven't had any problems with the things i use them for. apples might be great, i have no idea. all my friends have them, but they just seem like computers to me.

no you did not. sheesh. you saw a ferrari with miata stickers.

did you read the Harper's article? i am curious, in the interest of furthering this discussion, if you did read it. i don't think the article asserts (nor does off white) that a "majority" of the military is composed of christian evangelicals, but that an increasing number are in positions of power. would you not agree that having evangelical christians creating military protocol based on their religious beliefs might be an undesirable event? and i honestly don't know what you are referring to with the "liberal self-hate moral relativism" charge. maybe you could explain that.

get used pc for 1/4 the price, and paint apple pic on it to be hip.

"If any of the violence is instigated by the government, it should stop immediately," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. such a terrible temper Gibbs has. as the 3.5 billion in aid continues to pour in. and demonstrators lose their lives to government cronies. I am saddened.

who is this "we" you are talking about? weird assumption.

You're wrong Rudy, this is about the only forum where you're SUPPOSED to be able to do that. This isn't your wrestling team, its more like your 4 year old daughter's tutu wearing soccer club. blame his Finnish background. pikku sotilas.

God told Bush to attack Iraq. Really. It was The Christian God of Mercy. Only problem is, when you are the Christian prez of the US, your militant missions take out a few more innocents than any "suicide" bomber could ever manage to (twin towers included). Religion of Violence indeed.

what are you pointing to with this pew survey?

i'm curious how this "violent" religion you speak of becomes so non-violent here in the US. could it be because it isn't simply about the religion? Non-violent compared to what? Quakerism? Seventh Day Adventism? Deism? Are you using a US population weighted index of terror plot participation? Are we comparing vs Arab-American christians, Jews, secularists, etc here? http://pewglobal.org/files/pdf/248.pdf non-violent compared to suicide bombers (you know, the definition of Islam, per you) and those who support them, silly! now answer the question.

maybe they are not really muslim. only those who blow themselves up are truly muslim.

what gets me is how many of the Saud family have blown themselves up, being Muslim and all.