Religion: what is it exactly?

[Storm]

The UN is always too liberal, and usually against any kind of military interventions.  I think it's mostly influenced by the west european "don't attack anyone unless they're coming to kill you in your beds" approach :-/


I don't think you can really determine right now how much the iraqies hate Saddam. You have to consider that they like under a reign of terror, where anyone speaking against Saddam is risking his life
Also, they are brainwashed to hate the Americans and Israel. It's a known method for tyrants - find an outside emeny to blame for all the stuff you're doing. It's demonstrated quite nicely in Orwells "1984", where constant war, no matter against who, is used to spend the countrys resources in order to keep the masses poor and under control.

[Rosedragon]

Hmm, I wonder what's going on in Afghanistan these days? Who is ruling that country?

[KatieHal]

Hm, apparentally in transcribing the commandments, Moses added an addendum:

Thou shalt not kill...unless thou art intending anyone who disagrees with you, especially where religious beliefs are concerned. In which case, go get those sons of bitches!

Riiiight....yes, good points Dragonstar.

[Rosedragon]

In the bible, thou shalt not kill applies only to other jews or christians, and then there are always 'executions' of those who do not follow the rules. When it comes to people not of your faith, the bible is all for kicking their butts. But in the new testament, peaceful solutions are sought. Your supose to wait for God to punish people.

[KatieHal]

Ah yes, the oxymoron that is a "holy war."

[copycat]

Originally posted by Storm

The american forces should have at least stayed there to keep the peace and form a stable government there, before rushing off to yet another war. Hopefully, they'll do better in Iraq :-/

'Fraid not. Don't forget, they have to move on, on to Iran and Syria!

[KatieHal]

I think you mean Iraq

I wasn't aware of the situation in Afghanistan, and given that information, I kinda agree with Storm here. If we're going to go around toppling regimes and whatnot, we ought to stick around to make sure something just as bad or even worse doesn't go up in its place.

Last week I saw some clip on the news talking about how now the Iraqis want to soldiers out and say that they're/we're being occupational now, and that's what I thought of - leaving right now, when there is absolutely no government set up to run the country at all, is only going to leave a gaping hole for another dictator to fill in! I see what they mean and want, but it's really not a great idea right now, I don't think.

And religion leads us to politics...again

[Rosedragon]

I agree with you on this one. The US forces should at least stay around to create some order. This war is not about religion, but about oil. However, islam extremists are trying to make it an attack on their religion. What the hell is their problem? What is so sacred about their land? Did we claim that christianity was attacked with 9/11? No, America was attacked. Pride goes before the fall. I wish those religious jackasses would get their heads out of the sand. They make the fundamentalists christian evangelists seem liberal. Don't even get me started about the preachers in my own country. Religion can really inflate one's ego, while God really wants to humble people and teach us compassion.

[copycat]

This war is not about religion, but about oil.

True, but what would you say if in Islam army attacked two Christian countries, amongst one which poses no threat to that Islam army's country. Would you not think it was a religious war too?

KatieHal, no I meant what I typed. They're already in Iraq, so why should they move on to where they already are?

Yes America should stay in Iraq, but not with soldiers, but with other personnel. The war is over, so soldiers are no longer of any use. Now is the time to build Iraq up again, and that's not something soldiers are good at.

[Rosedragon]

I saw some funny political cartoons making fun of Bush. You can find them at msn's home site. I hope Bush gets voted out of office.

[copycat]

I'd had hoped Bush would have never gotten into office. :-/ But, alas, brother Jeb thought otherwise.

EDIT: since Bush got elected through huge support from religious groups, this is relevant to the thread.  

[KatieHal]

And I seriously hope he doesn't get RE-elected.

With a religious-like fervor ;-)

[Rosedragon]

Why do religious groups like him so much? Hmm, I guess I can answer that one myself.....he is a conservative Republican, he says he approves of traditional christian values for the country, and he fights those bad muslims and middle eastern terrorists (being sarcastic here) he cuts taxes 9even though the country's budget can't afford to.) and he tries to improve education, though I have seen little improvemnt, what with all the budget cuts.

[copycat]

With 'improving education' you mean 'make it teach more lies to American children', right?