Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:18 am Post subject:

Hi, Didah,

"So you practice Islam any way you want by (sic) leave the explosives at home."

That was totally uncalled for. What Sheik Abdullah wrote is absolutely true, and those among us who are Christian had better hope that those who aren't don't judge our religion by the behavior of far too many of its so-called practitioners.

". . . the Saudi government had more concerns that Christianity was going to be practiced by the American military at bases outside Damman than of the threat from Iraq - . . ."

I was in Riyadh at the same time, but since, unlike you, I wasn't
privy to the inner counsels of the Saudi government, I wasn't aware of this little-known and, up until now, well-kept secret.

Regards.
John

P.S. Insulting people at a safe distance is SO much fun, isn't it?

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject:

But let's just imagine for a moment that the snake-handlers of Appalachia were put in charge of the enforcing "morality" in the United States....and everyone had to pretend to be just like the snake handlers in order not to be arrested.

I would say that many people in KSA are embittered by the enforced practice of a very extreme form of the religion. We might see a much more kind and compassionate Saudi Arabia if people were allowed to practice Islam in less public, more personal ways.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject:

Dear Mia,

Better than just imagining, try reading (if you haven't already) Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaid's_Tale

Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:

In the Riyadh region at least, there is broad support for even the most conservative policies of the government. Among more the (much) more cosmopolitan Saudis I have met, there is some ambiguity. On the one hand they are embarrassed by the more arcane practices of the Kingdom, and find them very much at odds with their own liberal aspirations. On the other hand, they really do feel that, in its status as birthplace of Islam, KSA has the duty to uphold Islam in its 'purest' form, however much this may be at odds with the rest of the world - including the rest of the Islamic world.

I don't think you can overestimate how important, and what a great source of price, their country's status as the 'land of the holy places' is to most Saudis.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleopatra,

I can't overestimate your courtesy. There, how's that, NCTBA?

Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

Indeed you are right, John - post edited accordingly!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject:

Now, John, it's time to edit your post lest anyone there who knows Cleo's secret identity skewer or try to blackmail her. Wink

NCTBA

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:12 pm Post subject:

Cleo...um...is that "price" or pride? Methinks the latter...

NCTBA

007 · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject:

. English teachers sleeping.....!!! Laughing

Now back to Didah:

lucreziaborgia · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 177

Same with Hanoi. We are witness to some interesting measures pro tem.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,
The reason is right in the link you supplied:

"The Republic of Gilead is governed according to strict Old Testament-based religious dogma. Other religions are not tolerated, and those who do not conform are quickly executed by the state or shipped to areas of the former US known as the "colonies" which have dangerously high levels of radiation. The colonies are also the source of most of Gilead's agricultural production. For a brief period at the outset of the Republic, Jewish people also have the option of emigrating to Israel, as they are regarded as Sons of Jacob and therefore deserving of special treatment.

which, by the way, is a little different from "invading Palestine."

As for Ham - "In the Biblical view, the listed children of Japheth, Shem and Ham correspond to various historic nations and peoples. In the typical interpretation, these sons of Noah correspond to three races: European, Semitic, and African."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Noah

Regards,
John

007 · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject:

leez:

This would be a good time to apply for the JET Program(me) in Japan. As an ancient JET (somthing along the lines of a 707!), I'd suggest you google it and see if you apply. If accepted, you'd certainly be looking at the good life!

NCTBA