Islam and Muslim reactionaries

      The Muslim reactionary is front and centre stage these days. We all know someone like this, or even we ourselves think this way without even being aware of it. It's a dangerous way to think as it's illogical and it damages the Muslim community in many ways. First of all it's un Islamic, Islam is Islam no matter who's in power with regards to global affairs whether it be George W Bush and America or Napoleon's France. These things don't change what Islam is.

What is a Muslim reactionary?

      Muslim reactionaries engage in a form of Islamic belief that is heavily political with regards to the Western world. They manipulate and adjust their belief with regards to what the west is. They believe that whatever the west is, Islam is surely the opposite. If the west is skyscrapers and mini skirts, then Islam is Burkha's and caves more or less. Usually those are the extreme reactionaries who are a very small part of the population. However the reactionary mindset has penetrated even the moderate Muslims. I am here to debunk this reactionary mindset and to give clarity that Islam is not what the west "ain't" rather Islam is Islam and that it agrees with the west on allot of issues and has a significant disagreement with the west on others.


The wrong logica behind the Muslim reactionaries way of thinking.

       The Muslim reactionary thinks like this, first Nicolous Sarkozy is against Islam, therefore whatever Nicoloas Sarkozy asks of Muslims is un Islamic and therefore we should do the opposite. Here we can see the first logical falasy that indirectly these Muslims are defining their Islam by what Nicolos Sarkozy says or does. The thinking is as follows, Nicolas Sarkozy is against Islam, Nicolas Sarkozy bans the Burkha, therefore the Burkha is fundamental to Islam. In reality the Muslim jury on the Burkha is out, however most Muslims believe the Burkha is apart of Arabic culture rather then Islamic necessity. However the reactionaries define their Islam by what the West wants. Often I wonder if the west is aware of this, and then purposely selects people that they know Muslims will not like, for example Salman Rushdie to speak about things that are good for Muslims knowing they will react by doing the opposite and hurting themselves? For example, Salman Rushdie says "Muslims should be highly educated and live in luxerious apartments in major cities", the reactionary says, I hate Rushdie, Muslims should live in mud huts and education is useless". Then an Islamic scholor comes along and tells the Muslim reactionary that, according to Islam it is Halal "to be highly educated and live in a luxerious apartment". The reactionary will say, you "house slave" you sound just like Rushdie etc.

The reactionary mindset is child like.

      This reactionary mindset is almost child like. Like when a parent tells a child to go to his room and study and instead the child sneaks out to play video games at a friends house even though the studying would do the child some good. The child is aware that he needs to study but in order to spite the parents would rather play video games even though he is aware the studying would do him some good. Another example with regards to this way of thinking has to do with democracy. Since the west wants democracy for Muslims, democracy must be inherantly un Islamic and Muslims should shun it. Again Islam is what it is, and not what the west wants or the opposite of what the west wants. However what the west wants for Muslims more often then not does correlate with Islamic teachings ironically.

What the West wants for Islam and what Islam wants for itself are pretty similar.

      The West wants Muslims to be highly educated and literate, and Muslims want that too, and Islam demands this. The west wants wealthy societies, with no hunger or poverty, as does Islam etc. The West believes in honest and open business dealings and so does Islam etc. So the West and Islam have allot of fundamental agreements. It's time for Muslims to grow up and stop being child like in thier approach. Its almost like when someone has a feud with their boss who wants them to resign but they purposely stay on to force the boss to fire them. When you know the right thing to do is resign, you resign, no matter what the boss wants from you. Similarly if you are a Muslim, you do the right thing no matter what America wants. If America wants you to build sky scrapers and drive around in nice cars, and Islam also says this then you do it.

The Solution.

      Ultimately what the west is and what Islam commands have radical differences and massive similarities. Drinking no alcohal and women dressing modestly may seem like huge differences but in the grand scheme of things, being an honest, caring loving and decent person, which both Islam and the West command are far more similar. It's time for Muslims to stop enlarging religious differences and to start competing with the world. No more reacting to the West, but rather following the Quran and Sunnah for what they are, and moving forward trying to engage the modern world by competition and friendship. If America wants me to watch the Cricket match and drive to the local pub for chicken wings, that's fine by me, of course my beveridge will be non alcoholic and my chicken wings will be Halal.


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Muslim Brotherhood: Can it be achieved?

Muslim Brotherhood the current state of affairs.

    The topic of Muslim brotherhood is one often spoken about by Muslims. You here the frustration among Muslims debating the topic. In fact I am going to start this article by first saying that Muslims should be realistic and pragmatic in their approach to Muslim brotherhood. After all the Quran says God loves those with common sense. First of all Muslims lag behind everyone else in brotherhood. The Chinese are united more or less, as are the Indians. Same with the West under America's tutelage. So we can say that with respect to brotherhood Muslims are far behind the rest. We often see others using Muslim countries as staging area's to bomb or attack other Muslim countries. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait aided the United States in bombing and destroying Iraq, Pakistan helped USA attack and bomb Afghanistan etc. So the state of brotherhood in Islam at a Macro and Major level is miserable. There is hardly any Muslim brotherhood even within Muslim states. In many Muslim countries there are low level or major civil wars going on, the situation is pretty miserable. George W Bush made a promise to turn Muslims against each other after 9/11, and so far he seems true to his word. Of course Muslims do not need the schemes of George W Bush or America to find reasons to kill or maim each other etc.

The Islamic Superstate, Muslims Uniting through dialogue. 

      First to dispel any Utopian myths, some Muslims believe that even though Muslim unity is non existent that is can miraculously arise out of Muslims joining hands and uniting into a massive Islamic super state that is run by Islamic law. This is a fantasy outright. First of all most Muslim states are dirt poor, incredibly so. Even the "wealthy" ones with masses of oil wealth have no real value, as they have no major industries or universities or research and development. You could say they are rich not wealthy. They are rich like a man who wins the lottery, however once his money dries up he will be poor again. However a man who has a solid education and proper investments is said to be wealthy as he actually has some proper skill or ability to generate wealth. He is not just lucky with oil etc. So the idea that allot of broke dysfunctional states can join up together and become a superpower is highly unlikely.  It sounds like the friend most people have who is broke and struggling to pay rent at his apartment. He asks you to be his roommate  as you are also broke and struggling to pay rent. The logic here is that if two struggling broke guys unite they can be somewhat more powerful together  While some of this is true it will not change the situation of two broke and struggling guys. It seems like it is really two broke and struggling men trying to take the easy way out, and instead of doing the soul searching and hard work needed to generate more income or get oneself education, they would just rather unite and be poor and broke together. Thus, if even miraculously somehow every Muslim nation decided to form some kind of superstate which in of itself will most likely never happen, it would still, be poor, weak and corrupt. However there is really no historical precedent for this every really happening except maybe the European Union but even that project is not totally complete and it is suffering from massive difficulty. Also keep in mind most European States are wealthy and developed.

     A realistic approach

      I have come to the conclusion that if Muslims were to ever unite it would have to happen in the only way most massive political bodies are created. That is through power, both economic, military and industrial most of all. After all even NATO at this moment is a result of 250 years of development. The Western powers have never been allied or united. Why are they somewhat United today? One reason, because of American power. Remember America started off as 13 British colonies in North America. Then they had a civil war and United North and South. Then they expanded into places like the Philippines Porto Rico and Hawaii  Then Alaska etc. World War 2 subjugated continental Europe to America and North East Asia etc. America's empire then expanded into Eastern Europe after the Soviet Union was disintegrated. Thus American power was created by painstaking and relentless generational hard work, and millions of slaves toiling for centuries as well as through industrial advancement and military power. For the Muslims there will be no way around this generational commitment to hard work and industrialization. No short cuts or easy answers either as Muslim cannot use slaves.

       If one nation state can arise and primarily take the lead in science, culture, religion and industrial technology. It can serve as a beacon of hope for the Muslim world. If one country or political entity can strive despite western sanctions and pressure to break free through the sheer hard work, productivity and piety of it's people then the Muslim world may have an anchor for unity and progress and success. However without this embryo of hope I do not see any realistic chance of Muslim brotherhood.  A powerful state could unify the Muslims under certain cultural agreements such as the modest dress of women and men and the prohibition of alcoholic drinks etc. With world class industries and universities it could start a fire of progress across the Muslim world. Thus the powerful state to set the pace seemingly is the only chance realistically at revival for Muslim power.

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Muslim victim mentality and the media

     I am a little tired of hearing Muslims say the media does not cover this, or the media covers's this issue to much, or the Western media covers issue's that aid and benefit Western interests over Islamic ones etc. First, why are Muslims flabbergasted when they find out something as obvious like the Western media pursues it's own interests. Of course they do! The Chinese media pursues China's interests, the Russian media pursues Russian interests etc. Only among Muslims do you find this victim mentality of begging other's to focus on Muslims. If Muslims want to have more media coverage on certain issues they must do it themselves and empower themselves. The victim mentality is a no go. Especially in this age of advanced technology where any person with a decent camera and an Internet connection can become the media etc. Friendly advice too Muslims is to be proactive with regard to media, the idea goes if you don't like the coverage make your own, if you can't make your own because it's hard, or your too lazy then tough. I loathe the racism of lower expectations.

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Muslims should avoid these characteristics at all costs, or try hard to change themselves if they feel they have any of these

10. The Judge: This person is always judging others, gossiping about others and backbiting. Avoid these types at all costs because as soon as you leave you can be sure they will be judging you and gossiping about you.

9. The Arrogant: this is the self righteous prick who in his or her own mind believes they are the most pious guy around since the last prophet. They are unable or unwilling to see there own faults, and go around talking and relentlessly preaching religion. They usually have arrogant smirks on their face.

8. The know it all, this guy or gal has usually read a certain Holy book once or twice, but believes they know it all, they are the authority, and that no one and nothing can get through to them, because they are flawless in their knowledge of religion.

7. The one liner, or I should say the one verser. These are guys who will here one verse from a religious book, or some self proclaimed scholar (who actually knows very little) and condemn large swathes of the population to death based on this verse, or condemn activities wholesale completely because of the one verse they read on the Internet or were told to by a friend. These types love quoting Hadiths with regards too the Islamic faith and usually have the 10 Hadith's they have memorized in their belt like a deck of cards. They use these 10 Hadiths as a one sized fits all sort of deal. You will often here these morons, say things like this, all music is Haram activity or, don't be friends with this person because scholar A (high school drop out rebelling against his parents said this on a YouTube video). These guys are closely related to the know it all.

6. The religious Jerk, the Jerk is not a know it all, and may not be arrogant, but he is very loud and aggressive These are the type of guys who will burn a store down because of a movie, when they have not even seen the movie. These guys are insensitive to say the least. They are the types who will take a broad Sword out to other religions, and laugh and mock at other people's faith and then try to cut your throat out if you dare say anything about their religion.

5. The Birther, these are the guys who are born into a certain religion, and have no knowledge of it, and do not care too have any knowledge of it, yet will defend it tooth and nail, for no apparent reason other then identity. They truly have no interest in the spiritual and are much more interested in the latest I phone etc. These guys are usually opportunists who love money and the good, life but keep religion as a sort of tool to be used when necessary.

4. The Zealot, this is the guy who not only judges but actually is downright hostile and aggressive toward anyone or anybody who does not agree or confound to their own narrow and small idea's of religion. The problem with the zealot is that because of their zealotry they have actually read a certain Holy Book 10 or 20 times and read it in it's authentic language. They have watched all the YouTube video's out their and have the box set of DVD's in their home. They are utterly convinced they are doing God's work. However they fail to realize they know absolutely nothing. The great scholars of the Middle ages read the Holy Books over 100 times, and memorized them word for word in 5 different languages, and taught and analyzed the words day and night. They lived in a society where everything was encompassed by religion, and they still would humbly say God knows best I know nothing. That was the difference back then, all study and work, and total humility. Nowadays some guy will read a religious book 20 or 30 times and spend 2 or 3 years in study and act like he is a scholar, with an ego the size of Muhammad Ali.

3. The Punisher this is the type who hates to interpret anything in religion liberally. Even though he knows nothing he loves to cut off hands and bring out the stones. Common sense would dictate that since you are human and your knowledge is very very limited you must interpret with mercy and liberally all religious teachings as to not commit an error. However these guys have no time for common sense, they want to punish and hurt people.

2. The Hypocrite, He watches Carly Rae Jepson video's and groves to "Call Me Maybe", but hides this away from the public. He trolls YouTube for his favorite sexually explicit movie but comes off as a holy roller admitting no mistake ever. He may not be ruthless to judge others but he can't even look at himself in the mirror because his true self and what he purports to be are miles away. The Hypocrite does not care about what God thinks but is obsessed with maintaining a religious image at all costs. He is a politician and their are millions of these types in the Islamic world.

1. The religious coward, the guy who is too afraid to wish you a religious greeting in front of others. He's down for the cause behind closed doors, but out to please and water down his belief in public and even pretend about who he is. No one is saying you have to be loud and aggressive about it. In fact you can be soft as a dove and polite as an angel. However these cowards are like jelly and want to hide from the world who they are and what they believe.

Islam's core principles. Idea's to always keep in mind as a Muslim.

1. God knows best, remember this value because it humbles one, it reminds us that knowledge is infinite and that we truly know nothing. This prevents people from being a know it all. It also prevents us from being harsh with our judgments towards others because we truly do not know much if anything. Allah knows best should be something said by a Muslim as much as Alhumdillah or Mashallah.

2. God forgives sins the size of mountains, remember if God is forgiving you too should be forgiving. This makes us a society that is merciful and thoughtful. It makes us people who are lenient tolerant, and understanding.

3. You cannot fool Allah, this one is very important, this prevents people from being liars and manipulators. Too often in Muslim society we find ourselves being manipulated by liars who think since no one can prove they are lying they are okay. In reality God knows all sins, and you cannot fool him. This also makes us much less judgmental  because our sins may be hidden and others sins may be in public but to God it's all the same. We are equally guilty. This way judging people in the public eye will be far far less.

4. Islam is not an exact science or Math, more specifically to God Islam may be an exact science or math but to us it is not because we are humans. Every human will interpret scripture differently and who are we to say who is right or who is wrong. Even scriptures regarding music or the punishment for theft have been debated for thousands of years. We should be humble and realize that allot of religion is up to interpretation and this should make us liberal toward our interpretation, because it is better to be too lenient then too harsh. If we are too lenient then Allah can make it up to the person, and Allah will understand us. If we are too harsh Allah may make it up to the person in the after life, but we could be punished for our excessive harshness. That is why we must be liberal in our Islamic interpretation because Allah forbid we could be wrong in our understanding.

5. Islam is service to humanity. Islam is a guidance to mankind and it helps us serve humanity. When interpreting scripture you should ask yourself are we serving humanity and are we helping our fellow humans. Islam is not a religion where one says I don't care what anyone thinks but God, that's all I care about. This is because we should care what everyone thinks and that we show our love for God in how we treat other people. In a loving society poor people will be taken care of etc. This emphasis on service to humanity will create healthy, wealthy happy societies where the goal of life is to be a good person according to religious principles and serve our fellow human beings.It will maintain the focus of Muslims which is greatly lacking (Please see the article on Muslim focus) and Muslims while caring about the suffering of people in far away lands, will focus on the immediate people they can help in their own cities through hard work and dedication.

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Muslims and Cricket: Is it okay for Muslims to watch Cricket? By Adnan Khan

 Some have aggressively argued that Cricket is a waste of time, some people even more extreme have said that the nations obsession with Cricket is immoral and against Muslim teachings. They have been vocal about this on social networking sites. I am now going to attempt to shed some light on these idea's.

     Firstly, is it right for a nation of 180 million Pakistanis to spend three hours in front of the TV engaged in nationalistic chauvinism while ignoring faith and belief as some of the self proclaimed pious men of God would proclaim? Is it right for us to watch National and domestic cricket where even semi clad women wearing pom poms jump around cheering for either side? Is this how a nation that prides itself as being religious should behave?

     Well firstly lets look at some benefits that Cricket brings our country. Cricket makes millions of people happy or sad depending on if they win or loose, but generally our Cricket team is pretty good, we are like the New York Yankees of Cricket for those more familiar with Baseball. So while our team may win or loose it's generally against the best teams in the world during the quarter or semi finals. Occasionally our team even wins an international competition. Cricket is a major sport and winning a major championship title in one of the major sports of the world is a huge boost. Millions are made happy. However in the ancient Roman days, people were made happy by gladiators dueling to the death surely making people happy isn't a means to an end? Well what else could Cricket possibly do? From an economic stand point some of the nations that excel at Cricket including our own are backward. Cricket is one of the profitable industries that we lead in. That we can generate allot of wealth from participating in. It's not just a few athletes who make millions. It's thousands of workers and broadcasters, trainers and coaches and writers and merchandise sellers who can tap out a livelihood from Cricket. Thousands of people are literally eating off of Cricket. Cricket is a business or an industry, and it's big business and theirs big money involved. Cricket helps thousands materially is not an exaggeration to say the least.

      Some of the more extremely religious minded people will say we could be bowing our heads in worship of God during these matches, they may snarl at you and say "Lo you are wasting your time" please attend to your Lord instead of watching Cricket. However I don't see how Cricket takes away from religious duties, which can easily be performed. After all most religions themselves make the claim that they are simple to follow. By this logic open heart surgery is a waste of time, and the surgeon who spends 12 or 18 hours completing the surgery is not spending his time appropriately  He should be in prayers instead of focusing on the surgery at hand? However I find this logic twisted as is not saving a life through surgery and making the mother and father happy and eternally grateful from the determined application of your skills which cost you an arm and a leg to obtain and 10 years not a Godly act? Are Godly acts only relegated to realm of men with big beards making open and chauvinistic displays of religion? Who would you say is more religion a man with a large beard and white robe who debates about the higher principles of religion for two or three hours? Or a man who spends twelve hours a day building an orphanage with bricks, but doesn't utter a word about God or religion? Can we assume religion is in one man's heart, while the other is making a display of his religion, and God only knows what is in his heart? They what is in your heart will show in your actions, thus to me the one who does not not about religion or God at all, yet who builds hospitals and orphanages and helps educated the young is far more religious and pious then the outward chauvinist who feels the need to constantly talk about a religion he does not feel in his heart or mind. The chauvinist is trying to show his religion. The other man is simply a good man of God on the inside and is comfortable in this state. He no longer feels the need to make any outward displays of religion or piety because that is what is in his heart that is who he is. Rather it is the man not comfortable with piety or belief that needs to keep proving it to himself and others by outward displays and extremist behavior.

          Some may say this is all well and good but two things, first how does this all relate to Cricket and secondly how can you compare a necessary act like Open heart surgery to a meaningless recreational act like Cricket. Firstly this relates too Cricket because the type of man mentioned who no longer feels the need to prove to himself or the world that he is religious simply is a good person, in his mind and thoughts. He is comfortable in his religious activity and identity. He no longer feels the need for outward display and can move on to perfecting other arts that generate wealth such as becoming a Brain surgeon or a Cricketer. So the Cricket is a man of God, he may pray 5 times a day but he need not speak it, he has moved on and is now trying to perfect the art of Cricket and win a victory for his nation. While he may not save lives directly, his activity generates millions of Pounds or Dollars or Rupees. Millions feel good of his ability and thousands eat. Is not God pleased when poor children eat that day. If Umar Akmal did not fill up a stadium would the ticket holder at the stadium earn his days wage? Would his poor daughter get to go to school or even eat three full meals? It is the prodigality talent of young Umar's batting that makes people come to see the game, it is precisely because Umar has his religion and identity solid that he can move on to productive pursuits that fulfill God's will pragmatically and productively. It is indeed the Cricketer's talents that sell out the stadium and who provide for thousands to eat and sleep. The Cricketers are directly feeding and giving education to thousands of men women and children! Is that not the ultimate act of worship 1,000 times more powerful then the zealots empty talk, and display of outward religiously, when in reality his cannot even feed his neighbor at times? If anything was truly wasting Almighty God's time it is not the Cricketer who has worked thousands of hours through broken broken fingers and through cut throat competition for a place on a National team of a major country. It is the zealot arguing or preaching religion on a social network. The problem is not millions watching Cricket, the problem is unproductive and confused men who want so desperately to be apart of a religion, and try to hard when they can't simply let the idea's adsorb into their hearts and minds and then let their actions speak thousands of words about their piety, without uttering a word about religion or judging others about how to live their lives.
   

      If you truly love God, then strive with all your actions and not words to generate enough wealth to help the poor, let your piety speak volumes through your actions. We have seen Cricket propel the great Imran Khan to building a cancer hospital and a world class university. In Conclusion, Cricket is not a distraction from the worship of God anymore then a surgeon performing a surgery is distracted from God. Is is not Godly to heal a desperately sick person, or at least more so then speaking on Facebook about your views on religion, where in reality you know absolutely nothing?

       Cricket and competing are the natural extensions of the pious man who is no longer struggling with religious or identity issues and can get on with it. Cricket is a high form of religion because it is productive. It feeds people and generates wealth for people to live and eat. Jesus once said money is the root of all evil, however you don't really know yourself until you are rich. The poor can claim piety quite easily as the avenues of temptation and sin are closed off. However the rich truly know themselves because everything is at their finger tips. Cricketers are stars and powerful, they have to resist and focus on their game, stand media pressure. Could you imagine the pressure if you dropped a catch 180 million people would go to sleep upset that night?

      In conclusion, Cricket and all productive actions and activity and viewing of these actions is good, and right and productive and helpful. They serve God's purpose because they push people who in turn generate wealth to help others and feed others. In no way does Cricket distract from your religious obligation in fact it complements it. It's necessary for your religious obligation, not Cricket but any profession a man or women devotes themselves to completely. The problems does not stem from Cricket but the lowly self proclaimed men of God who would rather point the finger on Facebook, then do the hard work of shutting up and doing something to help the world, or quietly moving on.

Copyright 2012

Muslims can we judge other people? Is it okay in Islam to do this?

Muslims have a little problem, we seem to be judgemental and it's a major problem because this is a very significant haram. Of course certain people within Islam are allowed to judge, but they are assigned positions of being judges due to exceptionally understanding and performance in Islam related fields. Being judgemental usually leads to backbiting and slander which are major sins mentioned in Islam. Also it puts undue pressure on the productive members of society as they are confronted by an army of people who are willing to judge them instead of work on their own productive pursuits. Let us examine why and how judging people is wrong Islamically and why we should refrain from this accept in circumstances where it is necessary.

                 Too my understanding regarding the issue of judging others it seemed pretty obvious. I was taught from childhood a logical and proper maxim. Judge others and you deserve to be judged. Judge people harshly and you deserve to be judged harshly. Do not judge and no one should judge you. When told this as a young man, it did not feel like some cultural superstition, it made sense. As an adult it still makes perfect sense. Hey don't judge other people because you really have no idea what it's like to be them, you don't know their experiences or circumstances so refrain and let God or the Force or whatever you may believe in judge them. It was live and let live basically. However when I got older two things have startled me. First the number of people who do not want to live by the previous mentioned maxim, and the number of people who enjoy self righteous and arrogant indignation, and relish in judging others. In other words the people who love being hypocrites. It all started when Pakistani model and actress Veena Malik decided to pose semi nude in an Indian magazine. I thought wow pretty scandalous but in my head I said their is no point in judging her as she is not relevant to my life, and also we have all sinned before therefore we are in no place to point the finger and should spend all our time working on bettering ourselves. However what surprised me was the onslaught of self righteous indignation and arrogance that spewed out toward the women. To make matters worse it was from so called religious people from Pakistan the most corrupt and scandal plagued nation on earth. How could it be a country where bribery and nepotism and hypocrisy are so rampant. It goes to show the modern corrupt mentality of people these days. I will now talk about why being judgemental is so harmful for society.

     I touched upon this with regards to my article about Diary of a Badman, when some ex-cast members decided to team up with an extremist to attack the show. So I will outline why not only is judging others immoral but that it damages society. Here are some points to ponder.

- If you disagree with someone present your own point in a superior fashion. It's easy to judge others but to make your own superior work is hard. If you think your idea is better no one is stopping you from making it.

- You could be wrong, often people with meagre knowledge will quote one verse or chapter of a religious book and make broad sweeping judgements against others. Not only is this incorrect but these judgements will be filled with the personal bias of the person making them. Avoid these sweeping judgements and realize that you may be very intelligent but that you don't really know what you are talking about.

- Avoid being a hypocrite in any form. Do not chastise someone for being against freedom of speech, when you know deep inside that if someone doesn't "drink your Kool Aid" you would no longer want to entertain their presence. If you can't take it don't dish it out.

- Do not praise your nation when it conquers or subdues another people then label someone else who is not like you a terrorist or war Criminal when he does the same thing. You cannot say that when George Bush conquered Iraq it was a noble battle for democracy however when this man who does not believe in what you believe conquered a certain place he was a cruel tyrant. We cannot be obtuse to the fact that people do not want to be like us. Which brings me to my next point.

- People do not want to be like you, and they have the right to not want to be like you. You may think being an American Buddhist is the best thing in the world, and that all other non-believers are destined for Hades or whatever, but recognize that those outside your belief don't care for it, and they have every right not to care for it and roll with their "homies". Cowboys are cowboys because they like being cowboys, and Indians are Indians because they like being Indians. Respect people for who they are and understand if you were born in their circumstances you might be like them.

- Also see the bigger picture, learn to live with and accept and even appreciate people who disagree without. If people who disagreed with each other were always judging and fighting remember nothing productive could ever get done. I myself am a Muslim and I only eat Halal food, however the majority of food in my country is not Halal. I would prefer if all people eat Halal, but I understand that not all people want to be like me or eat like me. I also understand that non halal food being served employs millions of people, and provides a livelihood, food and sustenance for millions who desperately need those jobs, or to eat and dine at those non halal restaurants. Now can I myself provide and make up for the disparity if I got my way? Obviously not, so thus see the bigger picture. While eating non Halal may be a sin too me, having millions of starving and unemployed people in my estimation is the much greater sin.

- The next point is just because things happen in a society does not mean that, the society loves them, or wants them, etc. or that this is a natural out growth of that society. In free societies people are free to pursue certain things within reason, I may disagree with an Obese man ordering the Jumbo Whopper meal at BK but he is free to do that, and I support his right to do that even though most in society do not like that. If everyone was attacking everyone else whom they did not agree with the production capacity of the society would grind to a halt and civil war would take please unleashing a 100 fold misery to the original fact that you did not like someone Else's idea.

- Finally put up or shut up. If you don't like that women posing semi nude then you provide her with a livelihood where she can wear what you desire her to wear. You must compete and work hard for your idea's, their are no free lunches and never have been in the market place for idea's. If you want a say in someones life you must put up some consideration before the deal goes through. If you want this person to behave in a certain way, you must build and create the institutions that make behaving in that certain way conducive to a productive and happy life. People will do anything to feed themselves and their families and if you can't feed other peoples families then you are no one to judge them when they do what it takes to help themselves. Lazy and unproductive people who simply criticize are a drain on society.

- So unless you are judging someone for some direct life purpose, i.e whom to marry, or who you want as a baby sitter for your children, show mercy and refrain from judging, its the right way to go.

Adnan Khan
B.A LLB.