I guess it's not just us

[Skywalker]

he did "french kiss" with this guy and suddenly he can taste the liquor on his tongue

Sick! Dude...that's just nasty. The fact that he could taste the alcohol is insignificant next to the fact that he....ah forget it, it's too nasty to even mention

christians invented prayer before the muslims have

And the Jews invented it before the Christians. Here's something interesting though...from the Islamic perspective, they were all Muslims Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim, Moses (pbuh) was a Muslim, Abraham (pbuh) was a Muslim -- and even Adam (pbuh) was a Muslim. We believe that each one of the great prophets (pbut) that Allah sent to us to guide us had submitted themselves to the worship of and obedience to Allah, in other words, became Muslims (literally), and the people that followed the prophets (pbut) in turn became Muslims themselves.

We are very homophobic

From what I hear, Americans are getting less and less homophobic by the day. A friend of mine just came back from Jersey and he's telling me about all the homosexual couples (and gangs) he used to see over there. I couldn't believe that it had reached the extent that they display their homosexuality publically and people brush it off as normal. If two people did anything gay here in Egypt, they'd get the crap beaten out of them.

but then europeans, kiss like as greetings and sign of affection so...i dont know ...

lol, actually we do that here too!! I think it's something that the French gave us when they colonized us. But it's totally normal here to see an old friend and kiss them on both cheeks a few times. Even people that you see normally and you want to show them that you're happy to see them, you bring 'em closer for a lil kiss 2 is the default, one on each cheek, but if you're really happy to see someone, then it's not unusual to do 4. However, this is mostly done with people of the same sex -- the only time I've done this with the opposite sex is with my relatives, grandma, aunts, lil kids, etc. Not all that Islamic, I know, but then a lot of things in the Egyptian culture aren't either -- heck most sheikhs I know kiss me when they see me! lol

one day i realized that getting drunk only made me more depressed in the end!

What some people don't realise is that Allah's rules aren't always to keep you out of immediate danger, but to keep you from going down the path that will substantially increase your chances of being in danger. In other words, He keeps you out of long-term danger.

hole in their soul

Bravo! That's beautiful, snakelegs. Almost made me shed a tear.

;D

 

[metalted]

From what I hear, Americans are getting less and less homophobic by the day. A friend of mine just came back from Jersey and he's telling me about all the homosexual couples (and gangs) he used to see over there. I couldn't believe that it had reached the extent that they display their homosexuality publically and people brush it off as normal. If two people did anything gay here in Egypt, they'd get the crap beaten out of them.

Well we are less afraid of homosexuals, but we always are afraid of being Viewed as being homosexuals.. We have been beating up gays and killing them, not all of us but violent people.. and It still goes on today.. but we tend to think its wrong to beat them up. and I really never seen a gay gang before. We are coming to the conclusion that it might be something you are unfortuanetly born with and not cultural.. and I say this as I see on this very forum gay muslims.. so its not just and immorality lacking faith thing in my view. I witnessed a gay beating in my city and I found it to be horrible. even though I am against the behavior,I think God would look down on both actions, being gay and beating up the gay person. But again I do not Like to speak for God.

lol, actually we do that here too!! I think it's something that the French gave us when they colonized us. But it's totally normal here to see an old friend and kiss them on both cheeks a few times. Even people that you see normally and you want to show them that you're happy to see them, you bring 'em closer for a lil kiss 2 is the default, one on each cheek, but if you're really happy to see someone, then it's not unusual to do 4. However, this is mostly done with people of the same sex -- the only time I've done this with the opposite sex is with my relatives, grandma, aunts, lil kids, etc. Not all that Islamic, I know, but then a lot of things in the Egyptian culture aren't either -- heck most sheikhs I know kiss me when they see me! lol

yes if europeans or arabs did this to americans (I mean if we all started getting along again ! )

we would have to keep reminding ourselves in our heads "its just part of thier culture go with it." lol well its kind of a bad thing I think that men are so afraid of being labeled homosexual that they can not show even slight affection for each other.. (even as I say this, I am thinking.. "did that seem gay?" lol..

 

[metalted]

And the Jews invented it before the Christians. Here's something interesting though...from the Islamic perspective, they were all Muslims Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim, Moses (pbuh) was a Muslim, Abraham (pbuh) was a Muslim -- and even Adam (pbuh) was a Muslim. We believe that each one of the great prophets (pbut) that Allah sent to us to guide us had submitted themselves to the worship of and obedience to Allah, in other words, became Muslims (literally), and the people that followed the prophets (pbut) in turn became Muslims themselves.

yes it makes me wonder sometimes muslims call us kafir.. and sometimes they say the only people who are kafir are aethiests since we are 'people of the book.' since we follow all the same prophets. because you know moses probably did not believe in muhammed because he did not exist then, nor did the people who followed moses believe in muhammed...
as those were jews that followed moses and abraham.. jews believe in muslim prophets? so in that case wouldn't we all be muslims if you think they were muslims?

 

[Skywalker]

We are coming to the conclusion that it might be something you are unfortuanetly born with and not cultural..

Actually, studies on this up till now are inconclusive. I however don't believe that anybody is born gay, and seriously doubt that they will ever find evidence that it's anything genetic. In my opinion it's just the devil playing tricks with your mind, making you think that it's normal, and warping your senses to the extent that you have feelings for the same sex. That's just my point of view anyway...

I witnessed a gay beating in my city and I found it to be horrible. even though I am against the behavior,I think God would look down on both actions, being gay and beating up the gay person.

I'm also not a fan of these people getting beaten mostly because the people who do the beating aren't usually the best of people either. In a true Islamic state, if there is to be a punishment for sodomy, it would be adminstered by the state in a professional way, not by a bunch of hooligans in the street.

lol well its kind of a bad thing I think that men are so afraid of being labeled homosexual that they can not show even slight affection for each other.. (even as I say this, I am thinking.. "did that seem gay?" lol..

LOL, you'd be in for a rough ride if you came down to Egypt. Here we have 100% heterosexual men hugging, kissing each other on the cheek, locking their arms together while walking (you know like a husband a wife), etc...and it's all totally cool. I think the homophobia that exists in America hasn't made its way down here completely yet, but we are starting to have more and more people who are becoming uncomfortable with the whole thing. LOL, I have this friend who came by from the States on vacation, and he hadn't been to Egypt for a few years. Before that though, we were totally Egyptianized, kissing on the cheeks and all. So when I went to greet him with the traditional hug and kiss on the cheek he's like "hey man, step back!...darn, I totally forgot that u guys do that..." lol.

Anyways -- this might sound really gay, but believe me it's not -- I feel that the love between two brothers (friends) is the best kind of love in this world, even better than the love between a man and a woman. I felt this when I was watching The Lord of the Rings and seeing the love between the little Hobbits. It's because this kind of love is "pure", it doesn't require or depend on sex, nor does sex play any role in it. It's just pure trust, loyalty, compassion, duty, and sacrifice -- without being tainted by any kind of desire or selfish need. I think it's a shame that men are becoming afraid to show affection for each other because of the fear of someone thinking that they're gay. I think that the companions of the prophet (pbuh) used to be very close and really had that kind of "brotherly love", which is one of the things that made them a strong nation. This is slowly getting washed away from the Muslim youth...and this is one of the things that are making us weak. IMO of course...

Heh heh, I told you it was gonna sound gay...

Btw metalted, I'm guessing ur Christian, right? It would really help if you put something under "way of life" so that I have some idea of how to talk to you

 

[NobleMuslimUK]

By dry towns I suppose you mean that its illegal to sell or buy but totally legal to consume within private premises? I know they have similar laws in many muslim countries, some parts of UAE suffer from the same thing as a lot of foreigners go there for holiday.

 

[wilberhum]

By dry towns I suppose you mean that its illegal to sell or buy but totally legal to consume within private premises? I know they have similar laws in many muslim countries, some parts of UAE suffer from the same thing as a lot of foreigners go there for holiday.

You are correct.
There was nothing illegal about me going the 10 blocks, buy some beer, go home and drink it.

 

[Skywalker]

and sometimes they say the only people who are kafir are aethiests since we are 'people of the book.' since we follow all the same prophets. because you know moses probably did not believe in muhammed because he did not exist then, nor did the people who followed moses believe in muhammed...
as those were jews that followed moses and abraham.. jews believe in muslim prophets? so in that case wouldn't we all be muslims if you think they were muslims?

It's actually quite simple. A kafir is someone who does not believe in the oneness of God, the prophets (pbut), the angels, and the Day of Judgement. A Jew would be a Muslim if he acknolwledged ALL the prophets (pbut) including Mohammed (pbuh). We do believe that the people that followed Moses (pbuh) were Muslims, but we also believe that the message he brought to them has been corrupted over the centuries, and that the only remaining uncorrupted message from Allah is of Mohammed (pbuh). We believe that allllll the prophets (pbut) from Adam (pbuh) to Mohammed (pbuh) came to earth with the same message, each one to a certain nation, except Mohammed (pbuh) who came to deliver the final message and warning to the whole world.

 

[snakelegs]

it's sad when people confuse affection with sex. in u.s. men have to be afraid to touch each other because of homophobia. i don't think that's healthy at all. in many cultures, as sky walker mentioned egypt, my guess is all the arab countries - south asian too - men don't have this problem at all and can be natural with each other.
it is natural for people to show affection and to think everything has to do with sex is just plain sick.

 

[wilberhum]

it's sad when people confuse affection with sex. in u.s. men have to be afraid to touch each other because of homophobia. i don't think that's healthy at all. in many cultures, as sky walker mentioned egypt, my guess is all the arab countries - south asian too - men don't have this problem at all and can be natural with each other.
it is natural for people to show affection and to think everything has to do with sex is just plain sick.

Ditto
I think it is sad too. My best friends are women.
I enjoy the company of women and it has nothing to do with sex.

 

[Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн]

Rules have to apply to everyone, not just a portion. If you have rules applying to one half and not the other, how will that maintain stability? You'll have people saying why do we have to do it and not them and vice versa. If you don't think like that, thats good on you. But that doesn't dismiss the fact that there are billions of others opposite you.

Peace

 

[Pygoscelis]

What confuses me is the people who will balk at alcohol prohibition and then balk at the legalization of marijuana. Cultural programming is the ONLY plausible explanation for this discrepency.

 

[wilberhum]

Rules have to apply to everyone, not just a portion. If you have rules applying to one half and not the other, how will that maintain stability? You'll have people saying why do we have to do it and not them and vice versa. If you don't think like that, thats good on you. But that doesn't dismiss the fact that there are billions of others opposite you.

Peace

How do you feel about rules that only apply to one gender or the other, or rules that apply only to people of one religion and there is another set of rules for people of different religions?