Prime Number

Neb is right about the inspectors never being able to finish. Plus the U.S. wanted to keep adding to where the inspectors could go, and what they could inspect. Like private financial documents of Saddams, strategic info, troop movements and numbers. Stuff that had nothing to do with what the inspectors were there for. If we'd have just left it alone, the inspectors could still be there, and we might not be in the mess we are now. Prime#

I think we're on the same page here Teri. I agree that peaceful Muslims don't follow 'those' passages literally. Just like Christians don't 'stone' homosexuals or adulterers. Prime#

Freedom, why can't it be both? The Bible is filled with murder's but we don't say Christianity is a religion of Murder. Timothy McVeigh was a strong believer in Jesus, and had strong Christian beliefs, but we don't judge all followers of Jesus by his actions. I could list all the terrible things that have been done in the name of the Christian God, but we still wouldn't judge Christianity based on this. My point is, Islam and Christianity have had their low points, and I believe you are letting your personal views of Islam get in the way of the facts. The facts are, that a vast majority of Muslims are not suicide bombers, and don't support them. There is a percentage that do support this behavior, but it's not the majority. Prime#

Bob, I have no idea how to answer that. I could give you the Quran's version or the Bibles, but you could look that up for yourself. If you want my opinion, I guess I don't have one, I just leave it up to God's capable hands. Prime#

The Quran as a whole is peaceful. You'll find that many Muslims reflect that peacefulness. You'll also find(in any religion) extremists who will take a few quotes from their religious book and do horrible things in the name of God. It's sad, and terrifying, and so unnecessary. There is something that I have learned from this. Terrorism(by extremists) is a symptom of a larger problem. Attempting to treat the symptom may get you short term results, but the problem will return eventually. Illiteracy, extreme poverty, and starvation seem to go hand in hand with terrorism. These things are not caused by religion, but by tyranny and oppression. If we go after the source instead of getting side tracked by our personal beliefs we will be better served. You don't give a starving, illiterate man the Bible and say "the answers are in here." You feed that man and teach him to read it for himself. Prime#

Thank you for your replies, especially George. I actually began to tear up, while reading your words. I want to have what you have, such a strong belief. I just don't know where to start. Like I said, I came searching. I don't know exactly what I was searching for, I like to believe it was a way back to Jesus, but now I don't know. I want to believe, I really, really do. I just don't know how. But, I don't want to treat others the way I've been treated by some 'Christians', even on this forum. Is this what it means to be Christian? To assume that just because someone is a non-believer on a Christian forum they are here to "start trouble"? That, because they can see how a Palestinian might feel, they are "seeking the truth from Satan"? Or when they say that the majority of Muslims are peaceful, and the Quran isn't a book of hate, they are a "devil" or "sound crazy"? I won't be a part of it, even if it means forsaking God. I won't be that judgmental and condescending ever again. If anyone has any advice on what I should do, please feel free to 'message' me. Teri, I didn't mean I was saying "go to H*ll", I meant that's what I'm told on a daily basis from other Christians. I was merely turning it around on them, Like: it's your rules, it's your punishment. I hope that makes sense. Also, I'm not angry at God for my friends death, I'm really not. Death is apart of life and I'm comfortable know that. Prime#

Here is some of the history for those who don't know: Introductory Note This very brief history is intended to provide an overview and introduction to Palestinian and Israeli history, and the history of the conflict. It is unlikely that anyone has written an "objective" history that would be accepted by everyone. It would be wrong to try to use this history to determine "who is right," though

John, so why do all Muslims believe the same thing? My guess at your answer would be, "because they have the spirit of Satan in them", or "because they don't know Christ". My point is, couldn't that logic be turned against any religion? Prime#

Well, if it's true that the boys gave false testimony, then maybe he will be set free. Prime#

What do you mean by pray? Pray for things? Pray, as in ponder God's will? Pray as in think about God? I very rarely pray for things, and rarely pray in general(big shock huh). 'Things' I pray for are: peace, or comfort for someone struggling with a tough problem, or the loss of a loved one. The loss of a loved one most of all. After that, I find the idea silly to try to communicate or 'guess' what God has planned for me. God has a plan for me, and he will let me know what to do, when he is ready. I could pray all day, everyday, and it won't change his plan. Prime#

It's getting pretty deep in here. When Lanakila says to "look at the other side", and "your posts are lopsided". Or Freedom is accusing people of bigotry. It makes me wonder if I'm in a parallel universe, where up is down. Where were you with this "other side" philosophy during our debates? You could have saved us both a lot of time and a little grief. LOL! Prime#

Ok, back to the subject here. History has also shown that anytime you have an occupied people, who perceive(whether true or not is irrelevant here) they are being denied equal rights, and being mistreated. They will revolt against those who would occupy them. The PLO, which I believe has two different messages, one to the world the other too the radicals, is still the 'best bet' for a peaceful resolution. After all, they know what the world wants to here, otherwise why the 'two' messages. They are just tired of being under control I believe, and they have no way militarily, to lift this control. What else are they supposed to do? It has to be frustrating for Arafat. Trying to please the Israeli's and the world, while not looking too friendly to the radicals who will fight for him. He has to keep both these 'doors' open and they are at odds with each other. Dismantling the PLO will only close the 'door' to the world a little further, and open the 'door' to the radicals, having catastrophic results for the whole region......IMO. Prime#

I hear it said when any kind of incident happens. My question is, how is violence ever under control? Prime#

Good point Imagsusman. If it were up to me I'd say it's vertical. It's not up to me though. Lanakila, I don't think our(U.S. government) intentions are as noble as you think. Sure, we usually present a noble front, but there is almost always underlying reasons. With Kuwait, we didn't need the oil, but our allies did, and that was the point of the war. Yeah, we were protecting the little guy, but where were we in Rwanda, or Indonesia? Why didn't we stop the sanctions against Pakistan until we needed their help? It's all about what's good for America. I would say, Americans are primarily a noble and caring people, but we are self absorbed. It's too bad our government rarely reflects our nobility and caring. It's too bad that Americans seem to care more about Americans than foreigners. Prime#

Yeah Bob, but your forgetting..... we'll have GW "misslie defense sheild". So don't worry buddy, it's Dubbya to the rescue again...............LOL! Prime#

I think that says it all. Prime#

LOL! Thanks George, I was going to keep posting that until someone called me on it. I watched the new Star Wars Trailer online yesterday and this Quote popped into my head. I can always count on you to make me laugh(and keep me on my toes). With Love, Prime Number (Edited by Prime Number at 10:15 pm on Mar. 14, 2002)

I could not agree with you more. Thanks George. "You'll often find that the truths we cling to, depend heavily on our point of view." Prime#

Teri, I wasn't speaking specifically about you. If you go back and read some of the other posts on the forum(before you joined) you'll see I mostly choose 'the path less traveled', so to speak. This draws a lot of criticism from the majority on the board, including you. Which is fine with me, because I expect it. But, I was intentionally being unspecific. I didn't say that people with other beliefs aren't welcome. In fact, this is one of a handful of Christian forums who welcome all opinions(as long as it's kept professional). If you'll look at the posts of the few who have shared their minority opinions, they are immediately met with "are you Muslim/Catholic/Mormon/etc. etc......or my favorite: Who is Jesus to you? The only use for the answers to these questions, in a debate, when you're the minority opinion, is to immediately dismiss the message because of the messenger. At any rate Teri, I'm not bitter about anything. I was just speaking the 'truth', in my experience. "You'll often find that the truths we cling to, depend heavily on our point of view." Prime#

Thank you for the presentation George. I liked the fact that it only took me 2 seconds to download, otherwise it was slanted propoganda. Don't get me wrong, it is mostly truthful, I found no outright lies, but it tells the story from an Israeli perspective. Do you have a presentation from the Palestinian perspective too? I'd like to compare the two. "You'll often find that the truths we cling to, depend heavily on our point of view." Prime#

Stick around Valentine, you'll see how it becomes relevant. It seems like all those who speak the opinion of the minority, need to quickly be labeled. It's the most popular way to discredit what they are saying. If you don't conform to the opinions of the majority, then be ready to be on the defensive. Don't take it personal though.........all that matters is your relationship with God. Peace, Prime#

Freedom, Since we don't want to pay over two bucks for a gallon of gas, we should wipe out Saddam? That makes a lot of sense. You are right, it's all about oil. The U.S. wants to control the Gulf oil. Not for it's own consumption though. We only get 10% of our oil from the middle east. Most people don't realize that little fact. Europe gets 30%, and Japan gets 80% of there oil from the Gulf. The U.S. exerts significant influence on these countries through control of Gulf oil. Iran and Iraq possess 64% of the world

Teri, YOUR IQ is showing. Your take on what I said is so off I barely know where to start here. I didn't say the media is giving us false stories, nor did I imply it. I said that the media only cares about the story(ratings). You think the 'stupid' American public, would care about Saddam helping his people? NO. So they go with story of suffering, they get the money shot of the starving children at the hands of a madman. I thought everyone knew the media did this? Yes, Saddam has killed so many people, it's painful to think about. I'm not saying the man's not despicable. I'm not defending.him. I'm just pointing out the other side of the coin. Other possibilities. And because I do that, you attack me. OK....... You think I hate America? You couldn't be more wrong. I love this country. I'm trying to save it from Tyranny, and oppression of opinions. For instance, if you were to try to force your opinions on me because you are the majority. Or tried to silence my opinion just because you(or the majority) didn't agree with it. Not that you would ever do that.... Prime#