Terry Jones is an Idiot...

Terry Jones is nobody. Is he really a pastor? Maybe seeking limelight for his cult? Retard?

His threat to burn Quran/ Koran is such a disgusting idea. Only lunatic will do that. He hates Muslims and the the idea of building a mosque near ground zero. He can hate all he wants but to burn something sacred to Muslims is an act of ignorance and stupidity.

I Dont Think There Should be a Mosque near Ground Zero

But that's just my opinion....

Building a mosque (more like community center with a mosque inside, developer said) so close to the heart of pain and suffering that 9/11 brought to the people, is an 'insult to New Yorkers.'

I think sensitivity is an issue and a big factor. And yes, have people forgotten 9/11?

The proposed mosque by the Cordoba Initiative is stirring up heated debates for those oppose and in favor. Read more via CBS. See the comments too. People have a lot to say too.

A Mosque maligned - via NY Times. Read the article and the comments too

Islamist expert thinks it's more of political statement.

The question to ask and ponder ... why there? Why the land? Who is funding that? Is it really for cultural identity and to foster relations (with the west or other faiths). Questions left unanswered. So the skeptics.

Okay so American Muslims and Muslims in general are good people. It's the terrorist, extremist and radicals that makes the Muslims bad.

There is nothing wrong building that community center/mosque. They do have good intentions. They need a place where they can gather, pray, worship, teach, foster good relations and mainly a center for the majority of Muslims who needs help whether it be jobs or lawyers, for recreational purposes or just for everyday community center.

I know what they want to achieve with the center/mosque. I'm not an American and I don't live in the US much less NY but if I am...I would want something like that. One that would cater to my culture, where I don't have to feel indifferent because of my race or my faith.

However, building a mosque in NY gives Bin Laden (if he still alive.. is he?) another chance to wipe out New Yorkers. Americans. Al Qaeda and the extremists took years planning that 9/11 attack . A planned mosque/center for Muslims is easy mechanism for extremists. The center can be a tool they can use and service their needs for something that we should all be vigilant

C'mon. Be a realist. Everyone knows what's going to happen if a mosque is to be build in New York so close to ground zero.

Wake up world leaders and help Myanmar!

C'mon it's about time!

If you people have been watching the news or reading blogs or whatever, you would know what's been happening in Burma- now known as Myanmar. Buddhist monks and other pro democracy demonstrators have been killed and hurt after the government crackdown on them.

Clouds of tear gas and smoke from fires hung over streets, and defiant protesters and even bystanders pelted police with bottles and rocks in some places. Onlookers helped monks escape arrest by bundling them into taxis and other vehicles and shouting "Go, go, go, run!

The government said one man was killed when police opened fire during the ninth consecutive day of demonstrations, but dissidents outside Myanmar reported receiving news of up to eight deaths.

Some reports said the dead included monks, who are widely revered in Myanmar, and the emergence of such martyr figures could stoke public anger against the regime and escalate the violence. Read more.

Here where I'm from where 60 percent are Catholics, if priests and nuns were to be killed and hurts during protest, you can bet there would be some kind of uprising to denounce such brutality.

So many world leaders gathering in New York for the U.N. general assembly, it's about time they condemn what's been happening in Myanmar and do something about it. Of course, issue of terrorism, Al Qaeda and Iraq and Iran and nuclear weapon and the Middle East and other pressing matters about world security would be the top priority and whatever else but hey, something radical and shit has been happening to those Buddhist and pro democracy people in Myanmar. Something needs to be done.

The leaders gathering in NY did say something...

The U.N. Security Council met in private to be briefed on developments, and issued a brief statement expressing concern about the violent response to demonstrations.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was sending a special envoy to the region, urged the junta "to exercise utmost restraint toward the peaceful demonstrations taking place, as such action can only undermine the prospects for peace, prosperity and stability in Myanmar."

But c'mon there must be something else they can do beside words. How about action and help!

It's about time they do something as well to help Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained opposition leader. I mean she has been detained for as long as I can remember.

Oh but Jesus it's just documentary!

It's all theories.The Lost Tomb of Jesus looks like good informative t.v. special and that's all there is to it.

Jesus having son named Judah and Jesus being buried instead as opposed to what is written in bible. Oh please! It's documentary special. A show on t.v And as much as they people behind the show claims to have found the tomb of Jesus and that he had son named Judah-because they found writings on the tomb? C'mon. Jesus died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. That is how it was and will be. Saying otherwise will refute what's in the bible. It could also question faith in their religion. I don't necessary think that's the aim of the aim. Anyhow, I'm pretty sure religious scholars are skeptical about the tomb and everything else

Religious discrimination at work

An employee is suing British Airways for religious discrimination and suspending her just because they said she violated dress code by wearing necklace with christian cross! Damn! who the hell makes the rules at British Airways? Corporate fucktards, apparently! So what if she's wearing necklace or chain or whatever with crucifix symbol? That is not a damn crime! what gives? I don't think it's wrong to display such things of faithness. C'mon it's only necklace with cross for crying out loud! What a discrimination!

Here in my country almost everyone brings a rosary, wear's a scupular, has cross necklace and other symbols of their faith and religion and it's perfectly fine at the workplace. Of course here 70 percent are Catholics (and the rest are Muslims and of other religious sect).

You can bet your damn life if such a thing happened here like being suspended(at work, or shool or anything) for wearing symbols of faith, the Catholics will revolt!

The politics of peace and religion

So much politicking going on around the globe. So much carnage and deaths and bombings and killings. It's draining to the brain. The eyes wants to see but most people don't even care! They try not to give a damn, but ultimately, everything hinges on us. How we are to them matters. The politicians, the military, the church. Religionism and lack of understanding about different ideologies and the lack of respect for each beliefs puts us all in dangerous situation. Troops deployed in war torn countries are suffering so much. Death and casualties of war ignites passion for call to peace. But how can we have peace when most (of us) doesn't really understand what is the root cause of all the hatred. For most Muslims, they think the west is an evil empire taking away the sanctity of their own faith. And for that, people suffer. Iraq and Afghanistan- these two nations can't seem to move on because of that very problem that exist. The hatred for the west. Extremist has planted in the minds of radicals, that to gain back their existence, the west must be wiped out. And they do these by bombings. They are stilled by hatred. To them, the west is the mighty God, dictating the future of everyone. To understand is to learn. Maybe through learning we'll gain peace. But peace is hard fought. People are out there forsaking their lives for us. Defending the very nature of bringing peace. The least we could do is to understand! We are shackled by our own religionism which prevents us from gaining that elusive peace. Holy ramadan month starting and bombings and killings doesn't solve anything. With many suicide bombing and terror and all that triggering battle, Muslims killing each other as result. Peace still nowhere in sight.

I know I didn't make any sense. I wanted to post about things inside my mind. Whatever really! It's raining now. I'll blog out. Maybe I'll delete this. Yes.

No need to apologize

This is what triggered the Muslims reaction of protest and violence:

Pope Benedict cited the words of a Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith."The pontiff did not endorse that description, but he did not question it, and his words set off a firestorm of protests across the Muslim world

The Pope said he regretted offending Muslims with the remarks he made, I don't think he needs to apologize!

I won't expound and give any long blog thoughts because it's about religionism and plus I don't really know the whole philosophy of being Muslim. But as a Catholic, I could say a lot about Catholicism and it's doctrines but I won't. I know nobody reads this crap but one might chanced upon this and I don't think I'd want to inflame anybody's beliefs and whatever the hell their religion might be.

Newslink via Yahoo/AP

Freedom of speech and clash of culture

Poor Denmark and Danish people. They hardly ever figure in any international issues and events and now all because of local newspaper (Jyllands-Posten) cartoon drawing of Prophet Muhammud in a turban depicting that of a bomb, the muslims are now burning their flags and storming their embassy and protesting. What was supposed to be a cartoon aimed to be humorous (I guess they thought it would be that way) turned out differently.

According to the LA Times

It's not the decision by Jyllands-Posten and other European newspapers to publish the cartoons that is appalling, it's the response from the Muslim world. If the Muslim outrage is really about demanding respect for others' beliefs (a valid argument), Arabs should be insisting that their own media stop the almost-daily depictions of Jews and Christians as bloodthirsty cannibals and murderers of children. One tasteless act does not excuse another. Tolerance is a two-way street.

And what of the cartoons? The real issue is not that some of the cartoons portrayed Islam unflatteringly but that the prophet's image was drawn at all. While Muslims are prohibited from depicting Muhammad, and doing so is considered blasphemy, this prohibition should not apply to non-Muslims. Demanding that non-Muslims abide by such a religious edict is tantamount to ordering them to follow an Islamic halal diet or cover their women's hair. In a world with more than a dozen major religions, no faith can prescribe such behaviors to others.

Where does one draw the line for freedom of speech and expression and the respect for other religion? There's an identity crisis happening. Remember what happened in France last year. The riots by Muslims? A clash of culture once again happening.

Btw, Iran said they're gonna boycott Danish products...well...there goes the yummy Danish cookies!

Newsweeek Apologizes

If you erred, you must acknowledge.

Newsweek magazine has apologized for errors in a story alleging that interrogators at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay desecrated the Quran

Newsweek Washington Bureau Chief Daniel Klaidman said the magazine believes it erred in reporting the allegation that a prison guard tried to flush the Koran down a toilet and that military investigators had confirmed the accusation.

When reporting, gotta checked re checked and checked again. I'd be outrage too if I hear or read about somebody flushing a Bible down the toilet. Not that I read the Bible everyday just that I'm a Catholic and no one should desecrate my religion by flushing something that symbolizes faith.

New Pope for us Catholics

The announcement was made official the other day that German born Cardinal has been elected as the one who will lead the almost one billion Catholics worldwide. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI will be installed formally and have mass mass this Sunday.

How exciting to witness the great announcement. Well, even though it was just through television screen. Basing from the news, it seemed like Pope Benedict will continue what the late Pope John Paul started- Catholic doctrines of no divorce, no to abortion, no to gays and same sex marriage.

While majority are celebrating, the Gays and AIDS activist dismayed about the choice because he is likely to be even more rigid than his predecessor, the late John Paul II, on questions regarding the use of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS gay rights activists said.

Crossing the threshold of Pope

PopeJohn Paul II is now in near death as he lies in his Vatican place with shallow breathing. All the faithful could do now is to just wish him a good trip in heaven. He has served all Catholics with passion, pride, with love for all even those who belongged to different sects. He one of the most influential and revered person the world has known and now Many are weeping for what might be the inevitable.

There is sadness all over the world at the news of his grave ill condition. I for one share the feelings of many. He is and will always be the most beloved pope of all time.

And again to the hospital he goes

For the second time in a row, the Pope was rushed to the hospital once more because of the recurrence of the flu.

The whole Catholic entity be filled with void if something grave were to happen to the Pope. For so long he's been at the helm of the Catholicism and morality. Of what is proper and what people of all walks of life need to do in order to be good in the eyes of God. Also he has gone through a lot and seen history made with different nations. Despite some not fully agreeing with his beliefs and teaching, sermons and rules (I think), he has done wonders for the whole Christian community. Get welll soon..again to the Pope

Dawn Mass commences today

What we call here a simbang gabi, church service will begin shortly a little after four or depending where one's locality or parish is. For 9 nines days Filipinos here do that tradition of waking up early going to church to hear mass and afterwards having a drink of hot cocoa an a bite of rice cakes, cassava cakes and other native sweets. They say if you completed the whole nine mornings your wish will come true or be granted. Heh, we're a catholic country and we believe in whatever divine miracle happens.

The speech that drew criticism

And Malaysian PM says it was taken out of context okay..but it's too late I guess cos people from the west condemned him for the anti semitic remark. Oh but hey others were okay about the comment. Most of the leaders who were present when the speech was delivered were less critical. The Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami, said: "It was a brilliant speech. Very logical." He added: "Anti-semitism is a product of the west. Muslims are not anti-semitic."Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, said: "Dr Mahathir spoke of the inhibitions within the Islamic world, and that those inhibitions must go away, and I entirely agree with that."

Oh..kay, but others don't agree hence the flak from other leaders. I guess it's just a case of open mouth insert foot or something like that.

Pope John Paul gets near the threshold

He's been alert and relaxed in the past few days, but a leading Cardinal says Pope nearing death..Well, I bet the whole Catholic Community will weep if that happens. Sad.

My t.v's turned on right now and I'm watching c-span and they were discussing about should (American) people/protestors pray in the in front of capitol(steps) I think. They are debating whether it's right or proper or improper to do that. Geez, if people wanna pray, let them. I mean so what if it's in the capitol steps.I mean, Americans aren't even allowed to pray in school except if you're in a private school. The right to free speech should be invoke and that means even people who wants to pray. Hehe..btw.. I am a Catholic! hehehe ^_^