I need a history lesson on the Middle East

[Grommet]

No, they don't.

Yes they do. If I learned anything after 18 years of Catholic school it is that.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Ok class, there will be a test on all of this Monday morning.

[Grommet]

Wingman I don't want to start a holy war here. The Bible is a good story but is not the whole story. Remember that the book that you believe in so strongly was put together by the Catholic church (and I doubt that you are Catholic or believe in there teachings, I am and we are rare in this state). They decided what books stayed and what went. There is a lot that was left out because it did not follow the doctrine that the church was trying to establish at the time. That same doctrine also included the wealth building of the church of Rome as was evident in the crusades and making Charlemane Holy Roman Emperor (what the hell was that all about?). A little off the subject but to get to the point. They believe in the same God they just believe in the books that Mahammad taught not the ones that the Christians that followed Jesus taught and believed. Jews, Christians and Muslims just have different ways to honor and follow the teachings of God (Allah). But they all believe in the same God. Now who is right or wrong I don't think we will know until it is to late.

[Hunter007]

I don't believe that Osama is excluding Israel out of his evil plots of destruction because he is scared of Israel's F-16's, etc. We have bigger and better but he sure has a vengence against us. I think Osama feels that he cant be caught and I don't feel he is scared of anyone. Maybe other middle eastern countries will not mess with Israel because of their military threats, I don't think this is Al Qaeda's view. So we have done something even bigger than Israel has done to piss them off??

[Wingman]

Grommet, did they teach you that Jesus was God the Son in school?

Jews and Arabs don't believe that. That is a Christian belief. Therefore, we do not worship the same God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

John 14:7 "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

PoMonkey, I hope that the test is going to be open book

Peace out. I've got to work on my lawn mower and prepare for the next rain...whenever that'll be.

[bigoak]

I do not know what version of history is correct but I do know that these people have a very strong belief in something and bombing them is not going to make them change their beliefs. I am a Republican but this is where I disagree with Bush. He thinks that if we keep killing them that they will eventually surrender and become peaceful. For every terrorist we kill there is another waiting to take their place who is even more ruthless.

[Grommet]

I do not know what version of history is correct but I do know that these people have a very strong belief in something and bombing them is not going to make them change their beliefs. I am a Republican but this is where I disagree with Bush. He thinks that if we keep killing them that they will eventually surrender and become peaceful. For every terrorist we kill there is another waiting to take their place who is even more ruthless.

Until there are none left I think is the theory.

[Hunter007]

Bigoak, I think we are just trying to lower the temperature of the fire. We are not trying to put it out.

[Wingman]

Until there are none left I think is the theory.

Are you kidding? That is like saying until there are no late-shooters left along the Tallahatchie.

[Grommet]

Grommet, did they teach you that Jesus was God the Son in school?

No, but they did teach me that some people believe that.

Jews and Arabs don't believe that. That is a Christian belief. Therefore, we do not worship the same God.

You worship the same God. You seem to be hung up on belief systems and not historical fact. Historically you worship the same God you just call him by a different name (Yahweh, God, Allah). It is how you go about that worship and the core values associated with the different methods of worship they sets the different religions apart. Key aspects yes. Like is Jesus really the son of God or just a prophet? But don't let those differences confuse you. The fact that no matter whether you believe He had no son, one son or we are all his sons He is still the same entity.

By the way who ever started this it should have been in the soap box. This is a never ending debate.

[Grommet]

Until there are none left I think is the theory.

Are you kidding? That is like saying until there are no late-shooters left along the Tallahatchie.

[Hunter007]

By the way who ever started this it should have been in the soap box. This is a never ending debate.

My bad. Thought this was to go in the "General Discussion" threads. Didn't know the rules. You can pull the panties out now.

[gator]

i believe in God b/c i have faith.

this was not always the case.......

i have faith and believe b/c i truly feel He talked to me one recent wed afternoon when i was truly at my lowest....and, i believe He spoke to me through another. in a span of 5 seconds, i realized who He is, and why i need Him.....i realized the answers weren't in a bottle or through angry aggression....

i now come to Him w/ a humble heart, knowing that i do NOT know everything...it forced me to look at myself and what i had become and frankly, i didn't like who was staring back at me in the mirror.

while i faulter everyday, i get up, dust myself off, and pray to become better.....pray to become less angry......pray to be filled w/ His love and grace.

b/c of Him, not me, i realize that nothing i have would be...

if that's not God at work, if that's not God at work in me, seeing what i was and where i had fallen to, then i know not what it is.........

sincerely, justin "gator" harrison

[Josey Wales]

I don't believe that Osama is excluding Israel out of his evil plots of destruction because he is scared of Israel's F-16's, etc. We have bigger and better but he sure has a vengence against us. I think Osama feels that he cant be caught and I don't feel he is scared of anyone. Maybe other middle eastern countries will not mess with Israel because of their military threats, I don't think this is Al Qaeda's view. So we have done something even bigger than Israel has done to piss them off??

I have read that Osama organization doesn't get along that well with Hezbollah, PLO, Islamic Jihad and such..that is the main reason he doesn't get involved with trying to destroy the Jews in Israel..As you know these terrorist organizations are prominent in the countries that surround Israel (as well as the Palestinian areas of Israel).

Don't quote me on this but I think also that Osama is some type of Sunni extremist and the ragheads around Israel are Shiites.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I really don't care if these people worship a drunken goat for a God, so long as they are peaceful and do not try to kill my family and US citizens.

And if they desire to kill us, and attempt to carry out those intentions, then they are going to have to be killed. It is that simple. Self-preservation. Survival of the fittest.

Expecting me to buy this argument of who did what to whom before I was even born and was old enough to vote, as an excuse or explanation for this barbaric behavior of killing innocent civilians, kidnapping folks, be-heading folks, blowing folks up with suicide vests or IEDs --all in the name of their "god", is insane. I don't want to understand that type of insanity and hatred. I just want to protect myself and fellow US citizens from it. And if that means killing those who seek to do this harm, then so be it.