well seeing as you had to resort to name calling like someone who is still in grade school im done with this disccussion with you...-rep
I hope you don't leave, because there are few people who have a clue of what they're talking about, especially with respect to living among Muslims. You've been "up close and personal", and decided it's not for you. I respect that. And, with specific regard to the issue of how women are treated, I completely agree (being raised Boricua, but appearing to be many ethnicities).
maybe because reality is filled with these uncomfortable moments and ignoring them doesn't make them go away. poverty and pain may be man's natural state, but degradation is something we inflict upon each other and we must witness it if we are to know what we are to fight against.
And for myself? It is because I am brought to ask, What makes ME so special that I should be spared? I am not an innocent or a child, I am merely fortunate. I want to be aware, even if it hurts, or makes me uncomfortable.
One of the worst things I ever forced myself to watch was a piece of video, about ten years ago, on a channel that no longer exists, freespeechtv, on the Intafada. The specific bit that was so difficult was being filmed from very far away, so no sound. Two young Pallies, MAYBE 15yo, throwing rocks at an Israeli tank. The soldiers got out, got to the boys (stopped them at gunpoint), and then proceeded to follow orders. What were their orders? Break the arms. They tried using their rifles, pounding and pounding as the boys appeared to be screaming and trying to get away. They failed, they couldn't break their arms with their rifles. So, while one soldier held one boy (why the other didn't run away, I can't say), the other found a nice, big rock. Think it took one blow? Think again. Think one break of the arm was enough? Think again. They broke upper arm of the right arm, then the lower arm. Then they smashed his elbow. Then they started on his other arm. Then, they got the other boy, did the same thing (this whole process took QUITE a while), failing with the rifle then succeeding with the rocks. THEN, they marched them to their vehicle, where they proceeded to smash their thighs, then their knees, then their lower legs. First trying with the rifles, and failing, then moving on to rocks.
Do you know why they waited to break their legs? So they wouldn't have to carry them to the vehicle. Then, the rock-throwing boys were "arrested".
I cried during the whole thing. My youngest son came inside, Mom, why are you crying? Get out of here, you can't see this, but I have to (he was too young, I will protect my children if I can, I'll protect any child if I can). I had to make myself watch, because, well... because, ignorance is bliss. What right have I to bliss when others suffer like this, and worse?
.......its the views toward women that stops me from taking my shahadah.....i just dont see how any culture can look at women as second class citizens...i mean seriously..they are our mothers and the givers of life...if there is anything on this earth closer to a god like life giving creature....i say there is not.....
