Job Discussion Forums

lmbeharry · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject: Taibah Info

Thanks for the clarification 007.

Now, I guess I wait for a few weeks or month or so.

It looks like a good fit for me. I worked in Korea for two years, but I would prefer not going back. When I left the U.S. I thought I would work my way around the world. When I came to Mongolia, I thought I could stay here for a number of years and help out - but I have had a hell of a time. Can't get my stride. I tried teaching at the Institute of Finance and Economics. I thought I could help out and pursue another piece of wallpaper, but it is not to be.

My wife wants to go, and I think she's right.

Maybe I'll be seeing you all in Saudi Arabia in a few months.

I'll keep looking at this thread for more details.

Cheers!

lall · Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 358

Dear lmbeharry,

Best of luck in your job search.

Your little boy looks cute in the photograph, plumbing and all! Smile

Regards,

Lall.

lmbeharry · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject: Arslan Photos

Check him out at Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lmbeharry/

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

We don't know if it is a good place to work or not but we believe it should be because of its proximity to the Haram.

lmbeharry · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: About religion

I'm not a religious person, really. I was raised Roman Catholic (Trinidad, West Indies and U.S.) and I attended Catholic Schools (from 3 years until eighteen). The schools gave me good moral fiber, and as an adult I thank my parents for the expense they incurred in my education.

At University I studied International Relations and I wrote my thesis on the evolution of Islam. My thesis: The Persian Revolution (1905-1906): The Politics of Religion in 20th Century Iran. And you might say that one of my many hobbies is comparative religion.

My personal view: all religions get to God (the Ultimate Truth). Pierre Teillard de Chardin (Catholic theologian, naturalist, explorer, historian, and archeologist) said it best: Everything that rises must converge. American writer Flannery O'Connor used that expression to title one of her books.

I study cosmology and astrophysics (another hobby). Cosmology is my quest for God...

My website: http://www.geocities.com/lmbeharry

007 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject:

lmbeharry · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: About Ieseuh

Don't confuse the mythology of Christianity with its evolution from Judaism. Ieseuh, a prophet spoke a great deal of truth. The Greeks (actually it was probably the epileptic travelling salesman, Paul) changed his name to Ieseus - sounds like Zeus (great way to sell a new god in Greece, don't ya think?) And then Emperor Constantine (who wanted to program the entire Roman Empire into one unified mass of non-thinking "Christians" to preserve the peace). Today we've got Mormons and fundamentalist Christians, etc. These guys are not practicing religion. They are distorting history and spiritualism.

Let's get to the root of it. How can the Roman Empire (and later Medieval Europe extort money from the masses)? Well, the Catholic Church convinces them that they need to suffer on earth for their sins in order to win an eternal life in Paradise because Jesus showed them the way (basically by suffering on earth and "opening the gates of heaven.")

Council of Nicea? These idiot bishops argued for weeks about whether Jesus is the "same" (homo) or similar (homeo) substance as God. Gimme a break!!! Meanwhile, the fringe elements - the ones who were seeking spiritual wisdom, were ostracized, condemned, and finally extinguished (except in Ireland, where the learning went on for some time) etc.

The Prophet wrote that Iesueh was a prophet. And Mohammed wrote that Iesueh spoke much truth. And the Prophet recognized that the politics of Christianity distorted the religion.

Don't get all nasty at me. Everything that rises must converge. That is, the spiritual quest for God, whether it comes from a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew, or a quantum physicist will reach it. At the root of all is God. So if God is at the root of everything, how can we say that there is only one source to find Him/Her (personally I just call Him the Cosmos).

Mohammed said: Respect the people of the book (that includes Xristians and Jews). Just because they are not completely in accord does not mean that everything they say is wrong.

And again. Don't confuse mythology with spiritualism and true faith.

And one more thing. When I say I am Catholic, that means my culture is Catholic (conservative, moral, etc.) I basically learned the Ten Commandments when I was three years old, and it was reinforced year after year after year. Through my studies of Islam (and Buddhism) I note that there are more similarities than differences. Live well, respect others, seek God.

lmbeharry · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

Besides, One should not discuss Religion or Politics in polite company. It's not a good idea.

What I believe is my business. And what you believe is your business.

I'm not going to try to convince you that quantum mechanics and superstring theory is god, because I know it isn't so.

Bottom line is: Human beings are not smart enough to answer these questions.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

This debate/discussion seems more appropriate done in PMs, not on a board for TEFL/TESL teachers.

VS

007 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

lmbeharry · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Right on. Sorry about that.

lmb

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

A Muslim couple from our college had an interview with Taibah university a few weeks ago. They are eager to go there because it is in Madina. We talked today about the interview. They said they have not heard anything from Taibah as of yet. My guess is Taibah is busy with other things rather than dealing with interviewed people's concerns.

gold · Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 17

I am on one year sabbatical leave at Taibah University. My experience in the year I spent is very negative. Although Madina people are better than those in Mecca or Riyadh but you will suffer suffer suffer no matter what.
First of, driving is the worst I have ever seen. The administration is terrible-bunch of idiots. Ignorant Saudis will treat you as a slave unless you show and tell them that you don't care about their stupid Riyals. The media of teaching is Arabic in general.
Taibah is not a university yet. What you see on their website is not true.

Me and others will leave by the end of this year although my friends planed to stay for a few years. This is my first and last year in this country and the Middle East. Only failures think of Saudi Arabia. I am sorry for my negative message but we just stoned a barbaric driver with our ice cream cones next to Mecca. Haram or Mecca, Saudis have no manner at all! Sorry, they need ISLAM 101. Back to America!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

So "True Islam" is to be found in the USofA ? I have met many Muslims from Europe and the New World who were disappointed that their idealistic picture of life in KSA led to disappointment when they saw the reality. Observation of driving practices in Saudi cities often leads to the first realisation that all is not well.