A Whirling Dervish Tour of Islam

A Whirling Dervish Tour of Islam : 

A Whirling Dervish Tour of Islam By Dave Shafer CHJ

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I hope not to offend anyone with this presentation. Every since my big role, as a little kid, in my family’s business I have tried not to get people upset with me.

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Me, at age of 3

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I approached this topic with an open mind

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Some very important people in America are Moslems , so I wanted to get this right

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The Islam of the Koran and of Mohammed is very different from what the Islamic religion and culture has become. This is also true of the history of the Catholic Church, Buddhism and most religions. The Koran was very far ahead of its time with respect to women’s rights and valuation. Allah was really the first women’s libber. Really very unusual for its time. Much has changed since then, obviously for the worse.

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Mae West – “I used to be Snow White, then I drifted” Some Muslims complain that Jews have replaced the Torah (word of God) with the Talmud (word of Man) as key to their religion, and also feel that many fellow Moslems have replaced the Koran (word of God) with the Hadith and later writings (word of Man). Radical Islam draws mostly from these later, radical interpretations of the Koran and is not much based directly on the Koran itself. The same type of criticism is certainly true of the history of the Catholic Church, which has drifted very far from a biblical basis.

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On the internet Moslems, Jews, and Christians are all plumbing the depths to see who can sink down the lowest and say the worst things about each other’s religion. Moslems are very defensive these days so they often go on the attack. Let us look at some of this material.

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Typical false or misleading anti-Islam material from the internet. In fact Mohammed told this to just a few people, who had a particular illness. Today the drug Primarin is an ingredient in many treatments for symptoms of menopause. It is made from hormones in the urine of pregnant mares. Camels would work too. Research today is also looking at cancer treatments. So Mohammed may have been on to something.

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Terrorism in Islam?! (click here)Let's look at the real terrorism in the Bible:Pedophilia with 3-year old slave girls in the Bible!Forcing 3-year old slave girls into sex during the Mosaic Law in the Bible! (click here)Terror in the Bible by a number of Prophets! (click here)Pregnant women will be ripped open! (click here)The NT punishes children with death! (click here)Terrorism: "kill all the boys and non-virgin women"!Also under the Mosaic Law! (click here) Another killing all men, women, children and animals by Moses! (click here)Another taking all women and children as spoils of war by Moses! (click here)Moses was a murderer before he became a Prophet! (click here)Killing all of the "suckling infants" by the thousands by Saul! (click here)Dashing little children against rocks in the book of Psalm!Praising the dashing of little children against rocks as a form of revenge! (click here)42 innocent children were killed using Wild Bears by Prophet Elisha!Prophet Muhammad on the other hand loved children even those who threw stones at him in the city of Al-Ta'if. (click here)Both equal: "Kill Righteous and the wicked"! (click here)Maiming of the enemies' bodies under Moses' and David's Laws:Cutting the hands and feet of the enemies in the Bible, and hanging their alive bodies on trees until they DIE. (click here)David's Selective Murders!David so carelessly killed an innocent man for only telling him news. (click here)X-Rated Pornography in the Bible, by King Solomon!Literally, women's vaginas and breasts taste like "wine", and brothers can "suck" their sisters' and lovers' privates! (click here)Fathers' fingers into their daughters' vaginas!Under the Mosaic Law, fathers were allowed to do "Digital Defloration" to their daughters. (click here)Shutting the loud mouths of those who unjustly attack Islam, with Truth Turnabout is fair play – a Moslem Internet page

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Scene from the bible, of Judith beheading Holofernes, as painted by Caravaggio and others. Moslems point out this kind of biblical content, as a way of defending the Koran.

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Pop quiz on religion – what religious text approves of genocide, stoning of adulterers, and of homosexuals, blasphemers, etc., slaughter of innocent women, children, and animals in warfare, etc., etc., with a very angry God at its center This is a trick question Answer = both the Torah and the Koran But Allah is much angrier than Yahweh – really out of sorts most of the time.

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Start of Fair and Balanced section

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Mohammed (570-632 AD) had epilepsy and his description of his religious visions are those of epileptic episodes. Dostoevsky, below, was also epileptic and had similar ecstatic visions, which he wrote about. Some other religious figures may have been epileptic, a source of their religious visions.

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Medieval Koran, illuminated The Koran was revealed to Mohammed over a 23 year span, in many visions and conversations with Allah. His 10 years in Medina give a different flavor to those passages than his earlier 10 years in Mecca

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The Koran has 114 chapters, or Suras, and is organized according to chapter length, not chronological order. It starts out with the longest chapter (286 verses) and ends with the shortest (6 verses), all out of sequence. Go figure!

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Comparison of style of some religious texts The Torah - Very sober, very spare, condensed style The Christian New testament - “Modern” seeming, bland conversational style The Koran - very lively and vigorous style, conversational, filled with many dire threats towards unbelievers The Book of Mormon - “Chloroform in print” said Mark Twain

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(God) Allah in the Koran speaks directly to the listener, with Mohammed only occasionally speaking himself or reporting what Allah said to him. Stories in the Torah and Christian bible are assumed to be already known by Mohammed’s listeners- there are shorthand refrences to Moses, Noah, Adam, Abraham, Jonah, Jesus, Mary, etc. Also new stories about Moses and Pharaoh. Nothing about Mohammed himself. He is just a vessel for Allah’s word These stories are referred to as examples of a lesson – God sends messengers (prophets) to warn people to come to the true faith and to drop evil ways. God then punishes those who don’t, as the stories show. Also stories show how God helps those who want to believe and to do good works and resist evil (Joseph)   Men and women are addressed equally and treated equally, with respect to religion and many civil matters. Very severe penalty for falsely accusing a women of adultery, for example.

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The Koran story is much more vivid The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife is told in both the Torah and the Koran. Many Western artists have painted this. The Koran version is much more vivid and juicier. The Torah story has few God references and is just a human drama. The Koran emphasizes how Allah helped Joseph to resist her advances. It is more a teaching moment.

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Moslems believe that the Jewish and Christian bibles have some textual mistakes, errors in transmission, or of understanding the word of God - that the Koran fixes for all time. But much of Jewish and Christian scriptures are accepted as valid. Notable exception – the divinity of Jesus . Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed were prophets but were only human.

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Paganism Judaism Christianity Islam Mohammed saw Islam as the culmination of religious revelations over time . The end of the line.

The Koran sees a progression of prophets, from Abraham to Jesus to Mohammed : 

The Koran sees a progression of prophets, from Abraham to Jesus to Mohammed Two hairs of the Prophet (who can’t ever be shown)

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Muslim boys doven when they read the Koran

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Boys (no girls) memorizing the Koran in Pakistan. Imagine us trying to memorize the Torah. The Torah has 79,847 words and the Koran about 77,000. But the Koran is very conversational in style and repetitive, which makes it easier. There are also very few distinct words, maybe only 2000. It is a Dr. Seuss type of religious text.

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Translation of the Koran into Chinese. Recent translations into English have tried to soften the message – replacing “slaughter” with “resist”, for example. An old translation is probably the best if you want to read the real Koran.

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Hadith = collected sayings of Mohammed plus later commentaries. Separate from the Koran Sunnis and Shiites differ on which parts are legitimate and which are bogus fabrications No divine words in Hadith, only in Koran Sort of like the Talmud and Mishnah – a huge amount of material Hadith

Mohammed just assumed that Jews and Christians would flock to Islam and convert. He was rather bitter when that did not happen : 

Mohammed just assumed that Jews and Christians would flock to Islam and convert. He was rather bitter when that did not happen

Mohammed became quite angry at unbelievers, who perversely did not accept Islam. The Koran is filled with many dire threats against these obstinate people. : 

Mohammed became quite angry at unbelievers, who perversely did not accept Islam. The Koran is filled with many dire threats against these obstinate people.

Like Judaism, Islam developed several branches – ranging from mystical, ecstatic Sufis to ultra-conservative Wahabis : 

Like Judaism, Islam developed several branches – ranging from mystical, ecstatic Sufis to ultra-conservative Wahabis

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Country having the most total Moslems is Indonesia and they tend to be pretty laid back compared to the Arabs

Judaism and Islam are close cousins : 

Judaism and Islam are close cousins Combined Jewish/Moslem cemetery in Russia

Tomb of Abraham, sacred to both Jews and Moslems. Both trace their lineage back to Abraham : 

Tomb of Abraham, sacred to both Jews and Moslems. Both trace their lineage back to Abraham

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Rabbis and Imams both draw upon the Torah (as recast in the Koran) for guidance

But like many close relatives, there can be tensionsas well as cooperation : 

But like many close relatives, there can be tensionsas well as cooperation Rabbi and Imam Family spat

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It is a long term relationship with ups and downs

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Jewish/Moslem relations often have a communication gap to be overcome

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Abraham Jews Moslems Torah, Moses Koran, Mohammed Talmud Hadith Kosher/Treyf Halal/ Haraam Rabbi Imam Bris Khitan (any age before puberty, is not required to be a Muslim) Yarmulke Topi

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Forbidden to eat (Haraam) Pork Blood Carrion Alcohol, stimulants Animals sacrificed to anyone but Allah Animals strangled, beaten to death, killed by a fall, gored, or killed by a predator Less restrictive, in general, than Kosher and no problem with meat and dairy mixtures

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Chinese Moslem Halal butcher. China has a large Moslem population

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Moslem foods are not nearly as prominent here in the U.S. as Jewish ones, but that is changing.

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Eid al Adha, one of the two most important Moslem holidays, celebrates Abraham’s complete submission (“Islam”, in Arabic) to God’s will. They believe it was Ishmael he was supposed to sacrifice and not Isaac. The Torah, of course, says it was Isaac. Who knew, that this very important Moslem holiday is about a Jewish story in the Torah? The holiday has very many animal sacrifices.

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Animal sacrifices, just as Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac. Very many animals are publicly killed, often beheaded.

5 Pillars of Islam : 

5 Pillars of Islam Faith – “Islam” is Arabic for “submission”. Total acceptance of the word and will of Allah (No trying to bargain with God, as Abraham does in the Torah) Charity Fasting during Ramadan Prayer – 5 times a day Hajj = Pilgrimage to Mecca – once in your life, if able

Moslems have Fate as a key part of their world outlook. Human initiative is much less important than in Judaism. “Allah has willed it” : 

Moslems have Fate as a key part of their world outlook. Human initiative is much less important than in Judaism. “Allah has willed it”

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Zakat (charity) is very important. You are supposed to give 2.5% of your net worth (not income) every year to charity.

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Ramadan is a month starting with the new moon and ending with the old moon and celebrates Mohammed receiving from Allah the first verses of the Koran. Moslems fast from sunrise to sundown during this month and also forgo drinking, smoking, frivolous activities, and sex.

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Ramadan is a time of reflection. The whole Koran is recited or read. It is similar to an extended Yom Kippur

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Praying towards Mecca, 5 times a day

Jews and Muslims both prayed towards the Dome of the Rock until 623 CE, when Allah told Mohammed to pray towards Mecca : 

Jews and Muslims both prayed towards the Dome of the Rock until 623 CE, when Allah told Mohammed to pray towards Mecca Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

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Great circle routes from Mecca are on special maps and globes for figuring out direction to Mecca. From Mecca’s antipode on the other side of the earth, any direction is fine. Normal globe

Women pray the same as men, just not together : 

Women pray the same as men, just not together

Those Moslems are so sexist! : 

Those Moslems are so sexist! and yet………… Eldridge Street synagogue, with separate seating for women in upper gallery. An area of the main sanctuary, set apart by a curtain (mechitza), would have been available for older women who had difficulty climbing the stairs.

Wudu = ritual cleaning before every 5 times a day prayer – spelled out in the Koran. If no water is available, dirt is used in this ritual. : 

Wudu = ritual cleaning before every 5 times a day prayer – spelled out in the Koran. If no water is available, dirt is used in this ritual. Hands, arms, face, nose, and feet are all washed in a very particular order

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Periodic cartoon series with Jesus and Mohammed Wudu must be performed after sex, after touching your privates, or your partner’s, after passing gas, after urinating or defecating, etc. And after becoming angry! This is a full-time job!

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This ritual purity is easily lost and must be constantly renewed. With that plus all the praying it is a wonder anything else ever gets done. Karaite Jews, a tiny group, try to literally observe all the ritual purity in the Torah, mostly in Leviticus. But Islamic wudu is much more of a constant presence in one’s daily life.

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The Kaaba at Mecca – center of the Moslem universe. The Hajj is the pilgrimage taken to Mecca once before dying

Pilgrims circle the sacred site 7 times : 

Pilgrims circle the sacred site 7 times Inside is a small black meteorite, believed to be sent by Allah to Abraham. Stone worship far predates Islam in that region of the world. (like Joshua at Jericho)

It is hard is imagine huge Jewish crowds, like this Mecca ceremonial gathering of millions : 

It is hard is imagine huge Jewish crowds, like this Mecca ceremonial gathering of millions

Indonesian women at a religious ceremony. Jews tend not to go for large groupings like this. We are too individualistic : 

Indonesian women at a religious ceremony. Jews tend not to go for large groupings like this. We are too individualistic

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Jihad is simply Arabic for “struggle”. Struggle against evil, oppression of Moslems, struggle to be a better person, etc. - a variety of meanings. It is not one of the 5 pillars of Islam. On the internet these days Jihad means just one thing – terrorism. This is the message of radical Islam but is not the normal meaning of the word.

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Still with me? It gets better.

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Women’s dress is a highly visible aspect of Islam. What makes news is the extreme.

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The Veil is not required by the Koran. It is part of tradition and culture, just as the yarmulke is not mentioned in the Torah. The Koran requires modesty for women, but nothing like the extremes we see today. The bosom is to be covered but the head and face do not need to be. “burquini” swimsuit

There is much deliberate misinformation about Islam on the internet. : 

There is much deliberate misinformation about Islam on the internet. Arabs do not like dogs so this joke falls flat Many hoaxes too, some quite funny

Swimwear Doll : 

Swimwear Doll Probably true A hoax

A small group does not represent all of Islam. There is a big range. : 

A small group does not represent all of Islam. There is a big range. Afghan Women Worn solely for vanity

Paris street scene Turkish woman : 

Paris street scene Turkish woman But Rarely seen

“Moslem” version of Marilyn Monroe over an air grate : 

“Moslem” version of Marilyn Monroe over an air grate Funny, but disrespectful The internet is full of this kind of thing

Modest dress for women is not confined to Islam : 

Modest dress for women is not confined to Islam

Western culture has its own oddities : 

Western culture has its own oddities

At least Jews do not have any strangelooking people : 

At least Jews do not have any strangelooking people

Jews move with the times : 

Jews move with the times

Jewish men are up on the latest fashions : 

Jewish men are up on the latest fashions

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UK: Man in burqa with gun and axe steals $243,000 in designer watches Family photo session A man can hide in a burqa, creating security problems

Moslem men also cover up a lot – it is not just the women : 

Moslem men also cover up a lot – it is not just the women

Bedouins : 

Bedouins Equally covered sexes

Berber Bedouin Men, all covered up : 

Berber Bedouin Men, all covered up

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Dress code is complex – not as simple as you might think, for men and women. Almost all is based on customs and has essentially no support in the Koran or from the sayings of Mohammed Ditto topics like dating between the sexes. Allah/Mohammed was not at all a prude, unlike some

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The Islamic world is no more monolithic than the Jewish world is What makes the news is the extreme elements of each Both Jews and Moslems vary widely in how liberal, moderate, conservative, or extreme they are

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End of Fair and Balanced Section

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The internet is absolutely flooded with anti-Moslem cartoons and blogs. Also bogus Moslem sites, inflammatory “translations” of the Koran, bogus quotes from prominent Moslem scholars or imams, etc. If it was anti-Semitic material, instead, there would be outrage over the nature and amount of bile out there.

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Heaven plays a rather small role in Jewish thinking, but it is absolutely central to Moslem thought

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The Koran does not say 72 virgins. No number is given. They are just described as beautiful, and willing. Maybe not even virgins. Later traditions say their virginity continuously renews itself and the men are as if on an eternity dose of Viagra. There is no counterpart situation for women who go to heaven. It’s a man’s world here and hereafter. This cartoon is unusual in that it quite correctly distinguishes radical Islam from the rest of Islam.

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There are an endless number of images like this on the internet, with the same one-joke theme of the virgins in heaven. This altered image is interesting because it shows the homoerotic way that Moslem religious figures are often shown on modern election posters, etc., with an exaggerated “prettiness” to them.

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Hookah-induced vision of heaven. The Koran gives a very literal and sensuous view of heaven, all geared towards men’s fantasies. The modesty required here on earth goes out the window when you reach Paradise

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The Koran says that heaven also provides young virgin boys, as well as women, for those men who like variety in Paradise

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One scholar recently proposed that “virgins” is a mistranslation of the word for “raisins”, and that this is what awaits men in heaven. Few scholars accept this. The key word does not mean raisins.

It means prunes : 

It means prunes

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Just kidding!! But delicious food and drink are a big feature of Islamic heaven. Lots of lamb and goat. Wine, forbidden on earth, is abundant there but has no inebriating effect.

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Abundant water and gardens are the ultimate luxury here on earth – to an Arabian desert culture – so they are both very key elements in the Islamic heaven. Reflecting pools are very popular in Moslem lands.

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Fires of Hell The Koran describes the torments of hell, again in a literal way. The worst sin is a lack of faith.

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The Koran describes Jinn (genies) both good (angel Gabriel) and bad (Satan). The angel Gabriel brought Allah’s message to Mohammed. Mohammed’s face is never shown in art. Moslems believe this same angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus

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Iranian tile art Pakistani decorative art Forbidden to make images of people or gods, Moslems have a much more highly developed art than the Jewish people

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This complete absence of body images must have had some effect on Islamic sexuality. Compare this with a painting of Mary suckling the baby Jesus, or this Mosque vault with the Sistine Chapel ceiling with all its human drama. Actual Moslem bodies are just as hidden in life (covered up) as they are in art.

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Sir Richard Burton, British explorer, linguist, oriental expert, risked instant death to sneak into Mecca in 1853 – the first Westerner to see the Kab’ah – the Islamic Holy of Holies and forbidden to unbelievers. Translated the “1001 Arabian Nights”, brought the “Kama Sutra” back to Victorian England and scandalized everyone.

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Stories like that of Scheherazade captured the imagination of the West and led to some Moslem stereotypes.

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“The White Slave” “The Eunuch’s Dream” The imagined eroticism and exoticism of the Orient has always fascinated the West, especially French artists and composers. The Dahesh Gallery in NYCity is full of this kind of art

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3 pillars of some Islamic cultures Homoeroticism Suppression of women and Pedophilia (Hey -sort of like today’s Catholic Church) Holding hands and kissing

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In ancient Greece the average age for brides was 12, for grooms it was 30 Mohammed, 1000 years later, was 53 when he married a 6 year old. He had sex with her when she was 9. This is used as a model by some men in Afghanistan, for example. This is not progress

Conclusions : 

Conclusions Mohammed seems like a rather simple, mostly well-meaning visionary – promoting many advances for women, social justice, charity, etc. He did not take well to rejection. Islam was mainly spread by the sword. The Koran mostly gets an undeserved bad rap in the Western world, while the Torah mostly get a pass on its bad parts. There are many commonalities. Islamic culture and religious beliefs have much diversity, but less so than Judaism. Secular Moslems are rare birds. Radical Islam, like pedophile priests, is an aberration and does not represent most Moslems.

The End : 

The End