Azilius wrote:While I largely agree with some things you've said, I also have a hard time accepting other things. The world is not a peaceful place. The middle east has several issues regarding women's rights and extremists in power, Africa has constant civil wars and famine, America has it's media polluted with misinformation and the country is essentially built on lobbying and greed, a large amount of countries are beginning to take away freedoms on the internet (sopa, pipa, whatever the hell else (acta?)) and we're slowly but surely moving in the wrong direction.
When you say things like "ignorance is even a bigger threat then religon and politics combined will ever be" I question your argument. Contrary to what you believe, religion and current politics are based on ignorance. Unfortunately this is where the argument ends, because as long as you have your faith, there is no reasoning between us.
I'm sorry if any of that offended you, but I base my criticism on a scientific approach to life and it's what I've concluded. While I don't hate religious people by any means, I do not in any way, shape, or form approve of it, especially when it interferes with State matters (ie separation of church & State).
First of all, I'm not offended in any way, so don't worry about that.
Also what you may regard as problems, like women rights in the Middle-East, only seem as problems from your Western point of view. You have to understand that the culture in the most Arabic is still very tradional. There are certain guidelines for men and women. Men are expected to bring in the money and women are expected to take care of the house and raise the children. However, they aren't forced to do so, but they choose freely to do so. This is the way they were raised and this is what all the people expect of them. This is a very important note, because this makes the difference between oppression and freedom. They get a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction from raising their children and they really see that as their main priority. This is why they don't really present themselfes in public, because most of the time they are doing the household and raising the children (it's custom in most Arabic countries to have alot of children, so they're kind of always busy lol). Most husbands treat their wifes as queens, because they grant them the biggest gift of all: children. You should see the amount of gold and all the things my dad buys for my mother, you wouldn't believe your eyes haha. He really does anything for her and her opinion is very important to him. And it's not only my dad, but I've seen it everywhere in every Arab country I went to. Just because the profile of an average Arab women doesn't fit with the expectations Western people have of women, doesn't mean they are oppressed. It just means there is a difference in culture and therefor the role of women in general. Both of my sisters were raised in Holland and totally not in the tradional Arab way, but they both chose to move back to Iraq because they enjoy being there alot. My oldest sister even is married now and has 3 wonderful kids and a wonderful husband. She is very happy. Often I would ask her if she never thinks back of coming back to Holland but she always says no and tells me she has never been happier in her life. If you would go those countries and would have the chance to talk to some women you would have all of what I said confirmed by those same women you see as oppressed.
I just used this as an example, because this one is closest to me, but his goes for alot of things you see as 'wrong'. Wrong and right are totally relative, it really depends on your culture, the way you were raised, your values, your views etc.
And about Africa, I've actually lived in Tanzania for 4 months and though I've indeed seen alot of poverty, I've rarely seen more happy and generous people in my life. I would wake up every morning to find my neighbour had delivered fresh mangos to my house. I was invited to nearly every home in the village I was staying in and even though the people didn't really have that much, they did their best to give me the best treatment they could. This only shows the strength of people that they are still being able to keep fun in life even though they live under such harsh circumtances.
Sure there alot of problems, but they rarely have anything to do with the people themselfes, but with the people in charge. This goes for extremists and corrupt leaders. Did you know most people in Iran are very modern and don't have any affinity at all with their government? All the problems are the result of dirty games being played by political leaders and extremists who are going after what's good for them personally rather then what's good for the people. The only thing I can blame the people here is that they don't do anything about it, even though I fully understand it's hard and in some cases nearly impossible. But if they themselfes as citizens of that country can't do anything about it, then who can?
Also when you say religion is based on ignorance, you confirm what I am saying. Religion isn't based on ignorance, but on faith. And you are right about the arguement ending here, but as long as we both understand where we are coming coming from, there is no problem at all and thus making this whole arguement irrelevant.
Sorry for the long post, but I can't explain otherwise and I actually shortened it alot lol.
@Tasdik
I am not saying you should go live there. A couple of days in a country will make you learn more about that country then you ever could by watching TV or reading the newspapers. An example: when I was young I would hear alot of stories on the news about racist incidents in Eastern Europe. The newspapers would write frequently about racist extremists organizing protest etc. and I've seen alot of videos of racial violence in countries in Eastern Europe. I always thought people in Eastern Europe were racist. A couple of years ago I made a roadtrip through Eastern Europe with my uncle and a nephew. All of my prejudices were proven wrong. The people turned out to be very nice hospitable. I even remember an incident in Budapest where a guy was calling a black woman some racist names and the whole crowd turned against him. The whole street chased after him and after they caught him they held him captive until the police arrived. I really felt guilty to ever have thought bad of those people, because I couldn't be more wrong. I had so many good times during that roadtrip.
My point is: I'm not saying you should go live somewhere, just go visit it. You'll get chance to meet the people in person and experience their culture yourself. That is why I hate the media so much because alot of they are trying to make you believe is totally wrong. They show you like a couple of hundred of idiots and want to make you believe the whole country is like them. Just remember, bad people are always the exception, always!
EDIT: I think this is my longest post ever lol!
Crumpets for Pres
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!! I miss the retards over here 
