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snatchel wrote:Ugh, I can not stay away from this.

My ethnic background is this: A German Father and an arabic mother. I speak farsi as well as arabic. I am 50% arabic. I am not muslim though. My mother came to America from Iran in the 1980's, met and married my father, and I was made shortly after. My Mother is Muslim, my father is Catholic (dont ask... I dont know how it happened either.) I can read, and have read the Koran in English as well as Arabic. For those of you who insist that because the english version is not accepted (you are correct by the way), I can sit here and assure you that they say the exact same thing... basically word for word.

I am not a terrorist. My mother is not a terrorist. My Arabic genetics do not force me to partake in terroristic acts, and it's not because the white genes balance it out either (yes, that was a joke to lighten the mood). Genetics do not make someone a terrorist, nor does the Muslim faith. I agree with TAM in saying that I simply dont understand the Muslim faith. I probably disappointed my mother a bit when I became a catholic, but she didn't carry out a jihad against me either.

What you guys need to understand, and what I can't seem to get across clearly enough is the Koran doesn't teach anything. Imam's and others interpret and teach the Koran to others. Does that make sense? What is written in the Koran, and how the writings of the Koran are interpreted are 2 completely differend ideas. I am here to tell you that it is completely possible to be a Muslim without having violent tendencies, or anti-american sentiments. However, I can also tell you that the Muslim Religion and Democracy... dont mesh well, to say the least.

In short, I am a half Iranian (Arabic), arabic speaking, and have read and understood the teachings of the Koran. If this makes me a terrorist, or implies violent tendencies, I encourage you to come look at the shadow box hanging on my wall containing numerous awards that our beloved country bestowed upon me for taking out extreme Islamic fighters. Y'all want an example of Arabs speaking out against extreme Muslims? Here I am. You want an example of a Muslim speaking out against the extreme interpretations and Violent Jihadists? I encourage you to come for dinner with me at my parents house. Even if you can't digest the fact that Mom is a peaceful, loving, compassionate, accepting Muslim- I can promise you that you will be able to digest the chelob-kabab

snatchel wrote:I guess I fit into the minority here, I think that this ad was pretty rascist and discriminating. Don't get me wront-the guy is entitled to his opinion, but I think that this is absolutely a step back for society.

I admit, I chuckled... the same way I chuckle at some of those uncolorful jokes, etc. Fact of the matter is, if your racist against Muslims/Arabs/Etc, your in the same boat that America was arguing against when MLK was around and black folks were the oppressed.

I fought the muslims/Arabs. Maybe it's true that SOME extreme factions are extremely anti-christian or anti-west, but that doesn't give us as Americans the RIGHT TO HATE. Think about it in this context: Some of you have mentioned that you dont like these muslims or arabs beause they are rascist (want to kill us, ect). Tell me, what sets you apart from them? Plese dont tell me that you are on Gods side, and that seperates the two of you. In a perfect christian world that may fly, but you are living in America, and here in America we have moved past stereotypes, racism, and hatred. You want to know why some of these extreme factions even exist? Education over there is a joke! Most of these extremist can't even read, they literally memorize the Koran because they can not read it. It doesn't take a genius to figure out how easy it is to control, corrupt, and brainwash a mass of uneducated, poor people.

I mentioned above that I have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have seen the evil that comes from some of this. But I think it is rediculous to make a blanket statement that ALL MUSLIMS & ARABS are evil. I'm here to tell you I happily and willingly disposed of as many of the evil, hateful, agressive ones that I came across. But I can't say that without balancing it with the fact that some of the nicest, most hositable people I have met and worked with were Muslim as well as of Arab descent.

Bottom line-Stop the racism. It's long overdue that you let go of that part of our past. Embrace the fact that ALL MEN WERE CREATED EQUAL.

wharvey wrote:This entire thread has been interesting to say the least. I've often thought the world would be better off if religion hand never been invented, and in spite of what many zeolites would say about that statement, religion is a man invented concept.