General Discussion

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)

210. Sigh

Wed May 14, 2014, 07:42 AM

May 2014

I'm not talking about the reporting or what the US thinks of it or what you or I think of it. And if this was an isolated case, you would have stronger ground to stand on. But we both know it's not an isolated case - the treatment of girls and women in countries that adhere to Sharia law is barbaric. Can you deny that it seems the only choices seem to be a brutal dictatorship or a country run by religious lunatics?

We can bitch about the religious right in this country until we're blue in the face - and I certainly have done my fair share of it but that doesn't change the fact that I woke up this morning in my own apartment, put on whatever I wanted to wear, put on some makeup and traveled to the city without a male escort and never had to worry about some religious freak throwing acid in my face and not being punished for it. I don't have to worry that some council somewhere is going to sentence me to be raped by the all the men in the village because I held hands with my boyfriend (we wont even discuss what would happen if I were caught in a same sex relationship).

I can't - as a woman and a human being - stand back and be silent just because my country isn't perfect.

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] lostincalifornia May 2014 OP

You don't have to like it but he's right. PeteSelman May 2014 #1

There are just more of the crazy, not that they are inherently crazier. joshcryer May 2014 #2

You're ignoring a HUGE difference leftynyc May 2014 #64

Oh, no doubt, islam elements are getting worse, not better. joshcryer May 2014 #70

It takes religious traditions hundreds of years to mellow out eridani May 2014 #72

Well, I guess we can wait it out then! BootinUp May 2014 #84

Completely ahistorical. JackRiddler May 2014 #101

I think it was a tongue-in-cheek type of wisecrack. Quantess May 2014 #137

Actually, it's cliche but standard. JackRiddler May 2014 #140

Right, but it's supposed to be humor. Quantess May 2014 #150

The media covers more of the Islamic crazies BlueStreak May 2014 #78

There is a difference between leftynyc May 2014 #177

Sometimes yes, sometimes no BlueStreak May 2014 #205

I see your point leftynyc May 2014 #207

What mosque endorses the Nigerian kidnappers? BlueStreak May 2014 #209

Sigh leftynyc May 2014 #210

Yes, I agree there are barbaric countries -- lots of them. BlueStreak May 2014 #211

I have no doubt about that leftynyc May 2014 #212

Huge difference. Not related in any way. nt. NCTraveler May 2014 #184

Its not the religion, its the culture. Christian-leaning countries had similar culture at one time. phleshdef May 2014 #3

Yes and no. merrily May 2014 #79

Christian-leaning countries kill more people right now. JackRiddler May 2014 #143

Don't think so. Any back-up on that. nt. NCTraveler May 2014 #185

Are you this much in denial? JackRiddler May 2014 #193

That completely changed your original statement. NCTraveler May 2014 #200

and we dont Niceguy1 May 2014 #4

Actually your point is rings very true. Iraq was invaded because the "Christian" democracies had lostincalifornia May 2014 #12

Yep. Christian fundamentalists shoot doctors who perform abortions. Nye Bevan May 2014 #5

Six million Jews dead in Germany? How about the killing fields. They are different? Not that lostincalifornia May 2014 #8

The Nazis were not Christian fundamentalists (nt) Nye Bevan May 2014 #10

No, they were Christian, and the Jews weren't lostincalifornia May 2014 #13

Not so much. Nye Bevan May 2014 #19

Well there goes that theory for the OP oneofthe99 May 2014 #27

After the fact Cartoonist May 2014 #29

the overwhelmingly christian german population heartily supported the nazis with very msongs May 2014 #33

ONE Nazi made a PROPOSAL to ban the bible and create a new nazi religion. DireStrike May 2014 #89

The "ONE Nazi" who was hostile to Christianity was Adolph Hitler. former9thward May 2014 #113

I was replying to the article posted, but you are the one attempting to rewrite history. DireStrike May 2014 #115

No serious historian considers Hitler any variation of a Christian. former9thward May 2014 #116

But they used historical Christian hatred of Jews to both whip up and cow the citizenry. Luminous Animal May 2014 #68

So? JackRiddler May 2014 #141

99% of Christians abhore that Vietnameravet May 2014 #105

Christian extremists have also committed mass murder and terrorism... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #9

The IRA was not about religion. It was about kicking the British out (nt) Nye Bevan May 2014 #11

It was about religion *and* getting the British out n/t Violet_Crumble May 2014 #17

Both sides were Christians (nt) Nye Bevan May 2014 #20

So? They're still religious extremists who committed mass murder n/t Violet_Crumble May 2014 #21

Catholic and Protestant Cartoonist May 2014 #30

It was the Irish separatists versus the British royalists. Nye Bevan May 2014 #35

It definitely was Cartoonist May 2014 #49

Actually there are those who do not regard Catholics as Christian, but regard their own form of lostincalifornia May 2014 #42

Didn't stop them being terrorists LeftishBrit May 2014 #92

Atheism doesn't stop people from being terrorists, either. nt Nuclear Unicorn May 2014 #203

No one said it did. LeftishBrit May 2014 #204

not really, it was about control of both their ancestral homeland, and their own property... bettyellen May 2014 #97

It was both LeftishBrit May 2014 #90

Absolutely lostincalifornia May 2014 #41

Difference is that most agree that was wrong Vietnameravet May 2014 #106

How many times has that actually happened? PeteSelman May 2014 #25

Murder isn't a basic tenet of any major religion... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #28

Perhaps, but it's much more prevalent in one religion. PeteSelman May 2014 #31

There's no perhaps about it. Mass murder isn't a central tenet of any religion... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #37

No. Do they just not report it? PeteSelman May 2014 #38

They report it. You just must not notice when things like that get reported... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #39

The invasion of Iraq was just another replay of the crusades. I remember the sentiments here when lostincalifornia May 2014 #45

Handlers of Bush the Lesser let their guard down for a moment when he said, "It's a crusade." Enthusiast May 2014 #133

Also at the time at least one general had the same view about it being a "crusade" lostincalifornia May 2014 #160

Yes. They accidentally told the truth. Enthusiast May 2014 #162

Yeah, about that. JoeyT May 2014 #81

True, but it isn't just Christians, other religious denominations have and had their moments too. lostincalifornia May 2014 #165

When 80% of Egyptians think leftynyc May 2014 #65

And more than 75% of Egytians in the same poll support religious freedom... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #66

A plausible explanation is that they interpret the term "religious freedom" as the ability... JVS May 2014 #69

This just in: people often believe contradictory things simultaneously. Lizzie Poppet May 2014 #139

Shariah is religious law leftynyc May 2014 #166

And any Islamic scholar will tell you that Shariah is interpreted differently by different people... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #174

Perhaps you can point me leftynyc May 2014 #179

Okay, here's one country you might be familiar with... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #181

What unmitigated crap leftynyc May 2014 #186

No, it's not crap. I answered yr question... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #188

Israel does not have sharia law leftynyc May 2014 #198

I agree that it is not comparable. Nye Bevan May 2014 #36

Bush said god told him to invade Iraq. JackRiddler May 2014 #142

Really? Hitler wasn't that long ago, and he justified it because Jews killed Jesus, and were lostincalifornia May 2014 #6

So, we'll have to wait 80 years for them to stop? PeteSelman May 2014 #23

Perhaps, but I can look at India, China, along with the western allies and others that are not lostincalifornia May 2014 #40

What about "crazy" Christians in, say, Uganda? Aided and abetted by American extremists? n/t nomorenomore08 May 2014 #48

They are as reprehensible, yes. PeteSelman May 2014 #100

Maybe so. But there are enough "Christian" atrocities happening even in this country that I don't nomorenomore08 May 2014 #110

In terms of violence in the name of their religion, yes. alp227 May 2014 #53

In Europe less than 1% of terrorist attacks are committed by Muslims CrawlingChaos May 2014 #111

Could be true in the West, but in the Middle East it's a hell of a lot higher. nt alp227 May 2014 #112

But if Muslims are more likely to commit violence in the name of their religion, as you stated CrawlingChaos May 2014 #155

just believing in Santa Claus... (oops) Jesus Christ is crazy right off the bat. Luminous Animal May 2014 #67

The only difference is that their crazies get away with what our crazies dream of doing. backscatter712 May 2014 #196

there is a button on your remote control..... chillfactor May 2014 #7

Maher's a hard-core bigot cpwm17 May 2014 #14

Yes he is, and he knowledge of a lot of things is not that great. Compare him to Rachel, John lostincalifornia May 2014 #18

^^^^^This^^^^^ Jesus Malverde May 2014 #172

So are you suggesting I should not post something about someone whose views I don't agree with? lostincalifornia May 2014 #15

Would you say the same thing if Maher was engaging in anti-semitism or homphobia? n/t Violet_Crumble May 2014 #26

Lol. Union Scribe May 2014 #16

Not even close. Maher makes a point that Islam is far worse by magnitudes then other religions, and lostincalifornia May 2014 #32

He's got all sort of denigration and mockery for christians as well. Jesus Malverde May 2014 #173

Click the channel oneofthe99 May 2014 #22

I'll boycott the asshole for picking on Islam. I call on ALL other DUers to do the same. cherokeeprogressive May 2014 #24

I am simplying saying maher does not have his facts straight by saying Islam is so much worse lostincalifornia May 2014 #34

Right now they have a pretty good track record going oneofthe99 May 2014 #44

and what we did in Iran in the fifties, or Iraq under both bush administrations was responsible for lostincalifornia May 2014 #46

IMO - it is. 840high May 2014 #114

History does not seem to validate that lostincalifornia May 2014 #161

Ok Vietnameravet May 2014 #103

Invisible Sarcasm tag? Puzzledtraveller May 2014 #131

Maher is right on the issue - to an extent fujiyama May 2014 #43

Then by that logic, Christianity is "inherently illiberal" as well. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #50

But I would venture that the majority of Christians would not subscribe to that lostincalifornia May 2014 #54

Neither would the majority of Muslims, or at least those living in Western countries. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #56

Absolutely lostincalifornia May 2014 #61

Ok, but whether we call it a religious war or not when we supply weapons to Iraq to fight Iran, and lostincalifornia May 2014 #51

No...you were right with "as Christianity IS"...anyone willing to argue the differences don't know.. uponit7771 May 2014 #60

The left gives Islam a pass because Muslims a powerless minority in this country Hippo_Tron May 2014 #123

I see where you are coming from... fujiyama May 2014 #132

Only SOME liberals give Islam a pass leftynyc May 2014 #180

Meh. People blast whole groups for what a few do here on a regular basis (nt) The Straight Story May 2014 #47

True enough lostincalifornia May 2014 #52

Keenly aware... dickensknitter May 2014 #55

Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing that. Enthusiast May 2014 #134

I agree 100%. As much Jamaal510 May 2014 #57

The problem is fundamentalism MurrayDelph May 2014 #58

great false equivalency with atheism alp227 May 2014 #117

Nice try. MurrayDelph May 2014 #127

Then define "forcing it on me" vs discussing a POV. alp227 May 2014 #129

LOL TransitJohn May 2014 #136

Ouch. I am wounded by your snappy riposte. MurrayDelph May 2014 #152

Weird. I was just trying to convey derision. TransitJohn May 2014 #153

I used to have that problem..... DeSwiss May 2014 #59

That doesn't solve the issue of stereotyping a group as "worse" than another group. lostincalifornia May 2014 #62

He revealed his bigotry in Religulous azurnoir May 2014 #63

He's anti-religion in general--part of his public image n/t eridani May 2014 #71

Bill is anti ALL Religion besides nobody is forcing you to watch his show on HBO Exposethefrauds May 2014 #73

He doesn't like religion. Oh well. (nt) Inkfreak May 2014 #74

I am really tired of people dying for mythological garbage... devils chaplain May 2014 #75

All Religions, not just Islam Maher objects to! and I agree with Maher. B Calm May 2014 #76

I agree with Bill Maher, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens & Ayaan Hirsi Ali.This vid is worth a look ancianita May 2014 #77

She's really quite impressive. BootinUp May 2014 #85

Oh please Mr. Maher, white-splain the Islamic world to us. redgreenandblue May 2014 #80

After watching his documentary film "Religulous", and some youtube clips of his show Zorra May 2014 #82

When I get tired of listening to someone, LWolf May 2014 #83

Valid pint. Actually Maher admits he get criticism from a lot of liberals on this lostincalifornia May 2014 #86

I watched Maher a bit back in the 90s. LWolf May 2014 #138

I from that same generation. "don't talk politics or religion" I was told by my folks lostincalifornia May 2014 #145

I didn't understand it LWolf May 2014 #169

I'm against the entire Abrahamic religious tradition. Coventina May 2014 #87

He hates all religions... Rhinodawg May 2014 #88

Except he says Isalm is worse. Listen to him. He says Jews and Christians haven't done the lostincalifornia May 2014 #96

To be fair Bill Maher did make a move called Religulous Shoulders of Giants May 2014 #91

The reason is because he believes Islam is worse, and that is false. lostincalifornia May 2014 #95

If he thinks its worse, why does he spend far more time criticizing christianity? Shoulders of Giants May 2014 #107

Those are his words that Islam is worse based on his view they are more violent, and that is simply lostincalifornia May 2014 #163

It is worse, go to Saudi Arabia and moon some islamic police snooper2 May 2014 #189

Calling out crazy for being crazy... I don't see a problem with it. arcane1 May 2014 #93

Sure, but he always says Islam is far worse, and that is bull lostincalifornia May 2014 #94

And when will "liberals" stop enabling Maher's hatemongering? Looks like never! CrawlingChaos May 2014 #98

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #102

you are deep into Pamela Gellar territory here CrawlingChaos May 2014 #108

I generally like Bill Maher, Blue_In_AK May 2014 #99

Ya well you go to any one of these Islamic countries and tell then you think Islam is wrong... Vietnameravet May 2014 #104

The fact that you believe that shows how successful Islamophobes like Maher have been (nt) CrawlingChaos May 2014 #109

but do you not deny vet's overall message (despite the user's hyperbole "kill you on the spot")? alp227 May 2014 #120

Of course I deny it CrawlingChaos May 2014 #158

FYI, re:#102. proverbialwisdom May 2014 #119

I lived 26 years in the Islamic world - you are full of shit and don't have a clue what you are Douglas Carpenter May 2014 #124

Fatwa envy Capt. Obvious May 2014 #208

He's a Republican in essence, in my opinion. So closeupready May 2014 #118

A Republican in essence? SomethingFishy May 2014 #148

Scapegoating Islam is bigotry, i.e., a Republican value. closeupready May 2014 #151

People who remember his show Politically Incorrect remember how right-leaning he was CrawlingChaos May 2014 #154

Maher makes fun of all religions, but here's what I'll give you... Hippo_Tron May 2014 #121

thank you . many of the posts here belong on FreeRepublic or other hate sites not on a progressive/ Douglas Carpenter May 2014 #122

The poster you responded to is a prime example of this... Hippo_Tron May 2014 #125

I would agree with that Douglas Carpenter May 2014 #128

Honest atheists are equal opportunity criticizers bluestateguy May 2014 #126

Maher is not at all as hard on Christians. JackRiddler May 2014 #144

Wrong. He's spoken up against Christians as much, if not more, than Islam. Prove us both wrong. ancianita May 2014 #164

I'm not Puzzledtraveller May 2014 #130

Does that 'tunnel" lead to Nigeria? WinkyDink May 2014 #135

Are you saying Islam supports that? lostincalifornia May 2014 #146

I'm tired of the excuse that all the carnage in its name "isn't really Islam." WinkyDink May 2014 #167

Where are the Imams and Islamic leaders in condemning Sharia law and these atrocities??? seveneyes May 2014 #170

Are you using the Pamela Geller filter on yr search? Violet_Crumble May 2014 #175

Thanks, now the word needs to spread to the billion and some followers seveneyes May 2014 #176

No problems. I already knew you'd find something about it to complain about... Violet_Crumble May 2014 #178

Education seveneyes May 2014 #194

Maher calls out Christians all the time, more than any other religion.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody May 2014 #147

I didn't see the show but he goes after religion a lot. hrmjustin May 2014 #149

Maher's hatespeach has no place on television mwrguy May 2014 #156

Yes, some people can't tell the difference between fair criticism cpwm17 May 2014 #187

... Blue_In_AK May 2014 #157

During that entire discussion, not one person mentioned the US government's responsibility.... YoungDemCA May 2014 #159

Oh, please. Like Islamic fundametalists needed a reason. WinkyDink May 2014 #168

What is fundamental about abusing women and other atrocities? seveneyes May 2014 #171

What a bunch of crap leftynyc May 2014 #183

I agree...when you murder people of a country, when the West is seen as the enemy joeybee12 May 2014 #201

Never understood why people think.... NCTraveler May 2014 #182

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank ... redgreenandblue May 2014 #190

You see the fallacy you are attempting to make. It is extremely clear. NCTraveler May 2014 #191

"We hope that Americans and British are pushed out of our countries so that we can implement sharia" ancianita May 2014 #192

Why is such hate and abuse allowed to be taught to youth? seveneyes May 2014 #197

Allowed because children can be raised by any belief system parents want to impose. Such beliefs ancianita May 2014 #199

What's the difference between Islamic crazies and domestic Christian crazies? backscatter712 May 2014 #195

The difference is in whether or not their holy books become the law of the land. So far, here, the ancianita May 2014 #202

I stand with Maher .... I denigrate and mock all 'faiths' Trajan May 2014 #206

I'm growing tired of him too. He's becoming more of an asshole ecstatic May 2014 #213

He ridicules ALL religion.... truebrit71 May 2014 #214