From: Kambiz Aghaiepour <kambiz@oceania.com>
Subject: Re: Iran is not your kingdom Mr. King!
Reply-To: kambiz@oceania.com
Organization: Oceania Health Care Systems
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 20:49:02 GMT


Shaqeeqa writes
> I guess there always has to be one out of the apologist out of the
> group who takes it upon his/her initiative to excuse the viewpoints
> of religious people while using the opportunity to slander that person
> by calling him/her a 'fanatic', 'fundamentalist', and 'zealot'. 

Shaqeeqa jon,
  In no way do I mean to slander religion, or those who are followers
of any religion.  Freedom is key, and religious belief is in no way
excluded.  But if you were to read some of Seyyed's postings, you would
*hopefully* see why so many people find what he says repulsive.  I'm not
suggesting that you waste your time reading any of His postings though.

> I have not read Sayed's postings entirely, but he is entitled to present
> his views on the subject because he was defending the initial attacker
> (Loren - who's insulting opinions I *have* read) and does that make you
> the voice of authority to suggest that religious philosophy and ideas
> (in defense of their beliefs) should not be discussed here and that all
> views should not be presented?  For your information, this forum was
> established for everyone and religion *is*, infact, a intrigal part of
> a culture - whether it be Iranian, Arabic, or whatever.

 No, religious ideas should be discussed here.  But not if they are going
to impose on each individuals personal choices as to how they want
to live their lives.  For example, let's say I enjoy drinking alcohol
(say one beer with dinner or something).  And someone comes along and
wants to talk about Islam's outlook on alcohol.  I would be perfectly 
open to reading something like "Islam says that drinking is a sin, and
one should not indulge in it."  But when I see a posting like 
"Islam says drinking is a sin, and I know you drink therefore you 
are going to burn in hell and I hope your mother burns in hell for
giving birth to you, you sinner!!!", that's when it's gone too far.
 And this is a mild example.  I constantly see posting like "I'm tired
of hearing all you feminist bitches whine about your problems.  Get a
life!"  Oh how profound!!!
 My point is we make far too many personal attacks on each other.  I'm
personally Pro-Choice (I'm for the idea that women should have the 
right to have an abortion if they choose) although I would almost always
advise againt it.  This idea is probably very offensive to many of you,
but I have not made any personal attacks on anyone.  And all I ask is
respect each other as individuals and respect each others rights to 
their own opinion.
 Seyyed can believe what he wants.  If I didn't think so I'd be as bad
as he is.  But don't tell me what I can or cannot think or belive in.

> You say that religious philosophy according to some is offensive and
> shouldn't be discussed, yet you list:
> 
> >  2) Peoples thoughts on US politics and how they feel the recent
> >     election effects Iran.

No.  Religious philosophy is not offensive.  What is offensive is telling
someone that they have to live by your rules and insulting them if they
don't.  "Your" in the above sentence is generic.

> That discussion will not generate a variety of opinions?  I agree with
> you that diplomacy and discression should be applied in these topics,
> but you certainly are not abiding by this when you condone slanderous
> remarks against Islam while condemning those who have every right to
> guard against such attacks.

I do not condone slanderous remarks under any circumstances.  That is why
I posted my original article.  And I don't believe that a person who is
religious is a fanatic.  I'm sorry if that is the way my article came
across.

If one is comfortable with one's own personal guidelines for religion,
ethics, politics, what not, then why attack others who do not conform
to your beliefs?  At the worst, to take an arrogant self centered 
approach, they are misguided/lost souls who will someday see the light.
So let them find themselves.

> Anisa
> 
> 	"There needs to be a line drawn for the sake of decency for
> 	for other beliefs and cultures.  We can discuss this and
> 	other related issues in a manner where respect and overall
> 	courtesy are upheld.  This is only fair."

--Kambiz

-- 
 \o__O   o    Kambiz Aghaiepour           - |  kambiz@oceania.com       o   o
   \_   /|\   Oceania Health Care Systems |\-  uunet!oceania!kambiz    //\ //\
    |\   |\   325 Lytton Ave, Suite 400   | |  FAX:   (415) 322-0142    //  //
   / /   |/   Palo Alto, CA 94301           |  Voice: (415) 322-0127    |\  ||
Xref: sparky soc.culture.iranian:9657 alt.feminism:4029