Holiday Commentary

It has been a while, longer than I care to admit, but at least allow me to explain my absence. I am on a quarter system in Denver, so the quarter ends a few days before Thanksgiving. Thus in November, I spent a lot of time getting ready for my finals and finishing up big papers that were due around that time. After thanksgiving I ended up pickign up extra hours at my internship and after coming home in the evening, I was too tired to sit ddown and do more typing. I have returned to Houston for a while and feel refreshed and ready to sit down with another commentary.

Since it is the holiday season, I thought I would go ahead and write about that. A lot of yall who know me, know that I am not a Christian, but I suppose I am a little surprised with many Americans views on Christianity. Some people wonder if it an extrememly violent religion. I would say that at times through history, it has had some episodes of violence, but in my mind there appears to be a religion that is far more violent and been at odds with many more world religions.

And that is the Muslims. There have been problems with Christians and Muslims as far back as the original crusades. Even recently, terrorists like Osama have called upon his "muslim brothers to erradicate the infidels". Interesting use of language. Now you might say that the Christians might have started the original crusades, but it would be very hard to argue who has started the problems in the Middle East in recent years. And when you ask yourself that question, really think about it and don't let your emotions for the current administration sway you. I would expect a reader of this blog to be intelligent enough to do so. If you are incapable, perhaps this blog isnt for you.

What about the Jews? There is plenty written about the problems that the jewish people have had with the Radical Muslim terrorists. It would be silly for me to rewrite it as there are tombs available. But the thing is there are more world religions that the Muslims have had problems with.

How about the Buddhists. This seems to be a religion that many people have started looking at. With an interetsing philosophy and practice, it has become the 4th largest in the world. Yet, the Muslims cant get along with the Buddhists either. In Afghanistan, the Taliban(Muslim govt) went in and destroyed the Buddhas of Bamyan: 2 6th century standing Buddhas. Not only are these two Buddhas signifigant pieces of history,art, and culture but they are a wonderful portal into the lives of people from another era. The Muslim Taliban decreed that the Buddhas be destroyed though.

And what about the fairly peaceful Zoroastrian people. Originally the Zoroastrians were living peacfully in the middle east with other groups around them. The Muslims came in and practically kicked them out and forced them to move to other areas of the world. This happened back in the 9th century.

So what does this all mean? If you look at it, the Muslims have had a problem with just about every other group they have encountered. From peaceful groups like the Zoroastrians and the Buddhists to people who will fight back like the Christians and Jews. Now, I am not saying that all Muslims are like this, but certainly the Radical Muslims that control the Middle East appear to fall into this group. The thing is the people of those countries have not done anything to overthrow those leaders. Nor have Mulim groups across the world come out and admonished these types of actions that they have committed.

The sad thing is that there is an Anti-American attitude across the world. People think its fashonable to put down the US and anything that is related to it. The real sad thing is that many in Hollywood perpetuate this idea. Chritianity in many ways has become linked to America and many people look their nose down at it and talk about how evil it is. I think a lot of times, people forget how good they have it here in America. I believe America is the BEST country in the world and I am proud to live here. While it is not perfect here, it is not perfect anywhere. And the fact is millions of people come here(legally or illegally) hoping to get a new start for themselves of their family. I think people sometimes forget that when they have had the oppertunity to live here their whole lives.

So, with that I want to wish you and yours a merry xmas, hanukkah or even a happy festivus.