Thailand Thread

[scandal 951]

It's often stated that ALL world religions have at their core a common Golden Rule "Do unto others as thou wouldst have done unto you". Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism - all bring a message of peace, tolerance, and good deeds.

islum?...tolerance?..thats a good one

We're drifting off-topic of Thailand and all things Thai by branching into this, but I'll take the bait.

Again, I'll take a historical view of this.

During the European Dark Ages, the Islamic world from Spain through North Africa and Persia contained the embodiment of the best Western traditions of science, mathematics, medicine, literature, music, - and, yes - political tolerance of minorities including Christians and Jews. It was during that era that Maimonides flourished and that algebra was developed. And in that same era, "Christendom" in Europe had lapsed into an existence you would recognize today in rural Afghanistan. The Koran of that era was the same scripture it is today, it hasn't been rewritten. Yes, there are references to conquest by sword in the Koran. Similar references exist in the Bible as well. It's what a society does with those texts that determines if religion is used for tolerance or intolerance. Islam of 800 years ago was a relatively benign and positive force in its areas of dominance. Today that is sadly not true. Islam has become associated with very intolerant and violent political movements. Given that there are 1 billion + Muslims in the world and we all share a planet together, it is in our best interest to do what we can to help Muslims recover the best traditions of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in their faith and history. We should help ensure that Imam's in Pakistani madrasas preach tolerance and not suicide bombings, and that Islamic societies and nations act out against the horrors of Taliban oppression in Afghanistan, female circumcision in Africa, honor killings of eloping teenagers, etc. Oh, and recognizing Israel's legitimate right to peaceful coexistence with its neighbors would be a very nice thing too.

Don't get me wrong - I understand very well the lesson of 9/11. We need to go after the Al Quaida perpetrators with everything we've got. We should absolutely be calling in drone airstrikes into Waziristan whenever we have actionable intelligence. This is a war - they declared it on us. But I also think that a smart nation, thinking strategically, understands that the military offensive is only part of it. This is really a struggle for the hearts and minds. We have GOT to get those 12 year old kids in the madrassas onto the right path, or all the troops in Afghanistan are not going to make a difference.

[scandal 951]

Texas is cool.

Funny you mention Canada. I lived in Quebec for a couple years. I am ardent supporter of the PQ. Vive Quebec Libre!!

Given all this talk of Texas secession, perhaps you should be calling for "Vive la Texas libre!" . Or is it "Vive le Texas libre!"?

[*Robert* 2]

Texas is cool.

Funny you mention Canada. I lived in Quebec for a couple years. I am ardent supporter of the PQ. Vive Quebec Libre!!

Given all this talk of Texas secession, perhaps you should be calling for "Vive la Texas libre!" . Or is it "Vive le Texas libre!"?

Geeze! I gotta stop sleeping in! Everytime I do Ron fills up a couple of pages worth! Not easy reading all this when you're still have asleep and working on the first cup of java!!!

P.S. I'm sure Mark is going to love all this talk of religion! Speaking of which... we've done politics, are doing religion... I guess Sex is next!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Edited April 19, 2009 by roi_aggie

[*Robert* 2]

All right, since this thread has just become a ridiculous "Isn't Texas cool" bit of drivel, here's an attempt to get us back on track.

In a different thread somewhere else in VJ-land, Robert recently found himself discussing Pinays vs. Thais with a guy who has a PI fiancee. Robert wrote the following (not realizing that Big Brother <ahem> was watching):

But Texas IS cool!!!

And yes, I saw you lurking in that thread, and your posts there as well!

[BishopMnA 0]

Wow! Looks like I missed a lot of great conversation since I posted last night. Too much to actually try to catch up on...so I'll make a couple quick notes:

1) TEXAS is Cool...exactly as Daboyz has stated!

2) I was raised Catholic, and I'm Catholic boy today. However, like alot of people, I didn't follow my faith in my 20s and 30s, unfortunately. During that time, I did study quite a bit of Hindu/Buddhist texts. I was amazed at their wisdom! In fact, IF I had not studied those Hindu and Buddhist texts (and lived in Asia for several years), then I don't believe that I ever could have fully (or at last 'more fully') understood Christianity. As a Westerner, we simply can't conceive of 'things of the Spirit' in the same manner which seems so inate to the people of Asian countries. After living in Asia for several years and several years of Eastern Study, I was amazed at how much the Bible, and the teachings of the Church, 'opened-up' for me. It was wonderul!

3) Now, I have the best of both worlds, I'm still quite Catholic and practice it (have a bach of religion, and working on my Masters of Theology...oh ya, I also have a bach of acct from back in my 'aggie days' <haha>). Nothing is worthy if it doesn't impact the way you live, so I'm happy to be a practicing Catholic. And, this is the interesting part, my ThaiWife is also Catholic! I really enjoyed USCandual's explanation of 'why' he wanted to meet someone from Thailand. For me, I wasn't looking to meet someone from Thailand, but I am so glad that I met my wife...she's a life-long Christian (which is rare in Thailand), but naturally she is heavily influenced by the Thai Buddhist culture. She is beyond amazing....

4) To make a long(er) story short, I just couldn't follow the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism...even though I still study them today. They are 'internal' and look for each person to 'sort out their own mess'...and it seems that no human is really capable of that. That is why they believe in reincarnation, as you all know...so that they can continue to 'sort out their own mess'. I'm quite messy...I would never be able to sort it out! <haha> I think God realized this too...his creatures just 'were not getting it!' <haha> Thus, the incarnation of Christ...a savior...to pull us out of 'our own mess'

I have great respect for those religions/philosophies that pre-date Christ...because I'm sure that Siddhartha and Krishna were also influence by the Spirit of God. I'm not sure exactly what to think of religions/philosophies which post-date Christ, such as John Smith (Mormonism) and the followers of Muhammed...but I don't think they are 'true'.

Just my thoughts!

Peace!

MK

[scandal 951]

Geeze! I gotta stop sleeping in! Everytime I do Ron fills up a couple of pages worth! Not easy reading all this when you're still have asleep and working on the first cup of java!!!

Someone stole the Sunday paper from my driveway today. So I'm taking out my revenge for missing the Sunday funnies on you guys instead

P.S. I'm sure Mark is going to love all this talk of religion!

Yup, I was expecting him to chime in... which he did... great post, Mark! I really enjoyed your views. As you say, Christian Thais are somewhat of a rarity and absorb much of the Buddhist philosophy around them. Same goes for (some? many?) Thai Muslims. Thanti has a very close friend from her hospital, a lady who in fact mentored her when she started working there and whom she refers to reverently as her "second mom". This woman is Thai Muslim, but married to a Buddhist. She is a wonderful, warm person and she had a leading role in our Buddhist wedding ceremony. I wish all Muslims had this openness! Unfortunately the Muslims in south Thailand near Malaysia don't seem to have the same attitude

Speaking of which... we've done politics, are doing religion... I guess Sex is next!!! Woo Hoo!!!

WOO F**ING HOO!! Sign me up!

[*Robert* 2]

To make a long(er) story short, I just couldn't follow the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism...even though I still study them today. They are 'internal' and look for each person to 'sort out their own mess'...and it seems that no human is really capable of that. That is why they believe in reincarnation, as you all know...so that they can continue to 'sort out their own mess'. I'm quite messy...I would never be able to sort it out! <haha> I think God realized this too...his creatures just 'were not getting it!' <haha> Thus, the incarnation of Christ...a savior...to pull us out of 'our own mess'

Hey Mark! Interesting points. You say that Eastern religions look for us to “sort out” our own mess, while Western religions or Christian religions use the teachings of Christ to do that. Regardless, it is still humans that are interpreting the word of God, or the word of Christ, and therefore humans are helping humans “sort out” their own mess. Is it the written teachings of the Eastern and Western religions that make the difference, or the fact that practicing Christians attend a worship service each week that makes the difference?

See Ron, you are way outnumberd on the "Texas is cool" department!!!

[anya-D 8]

Religion.. religion...

nahh, i'mma stay out of this.. same with the next topic

[BishopMnA 0]

Before we get too far down the Aggie/Texas line...let me just state that I only attended A&M for about one year...didn't graduate from there...and that I also wasn't on the main campus...I was at their campus in Amarillo Texas. Still...love the school... I actually graduated from a university in VA.

One must really live in Texas for some time to really grasp how cool it really is...

Both Eastern and Western religions do depend on both the writings and the teachings, so equal importance...

As for going to service/mass...that isn't the important question, because a church is just a building, but on the other hand a 'Church' is a community of believers. So I would answer that going to physical building is not important, but being with a 'Shangha' is very important. Christians just happen to call their Sangha the 'Church' (like my twist on words and mixing/uniting of philosophies <haha>)

Peace!

MK+JC+AK

[*Robert* 2]

Religion.. religion...

nahh, i'mma stay out of this.. same with the next topic

Awww now!!!

Well then Anya, kick off a topic of your choice!

[BishopMnA 0]

Religion.. religion...

nahh, i'mma stay out of this.. same with the next topic

Hey Anya!

I've always found it interesting how Westerners are really not interested, or scared, to talk about these three things: Religion/Politics/Money....

Yet, I never saw that in Thailand. People talked about religion all the time...or at least they did when I was around <haha>

Ya, I wouldn't have anything too add to the next topic either! <haha>

Peace!

MK

[*Robert* 2]

One must really live in Texas for some time to really grasp how cool it really is...

Both Eastern and Western religions do depend on both the writings and the teachings, so equal importance...

As for going to service/mass...that isn't the important question, because a church is just a building, but on the other hand a 'Church' is a community of believers. So I would answer that going to physical building is not important, but being with a 'Shangha' is very important. Christians just happen to call their Sangha the 'Church' (like my twist on words and mixing/uniting of philosophies <haha>)

So if I'm reading you correctly, and upon my own reflection, Buddhism for example, teaches you to live a good life, but doesn’t really tell you “how to”, while Christianity tells you to lead a good life, but lays out the ways to do it, like with the 10 commandments. Is that along the lines of your thinking?

[scandal 951]

See Ron, you are way outnumberd on the "Texas is cool" department!!!

Well, if we use political corruption as the yard stick of "state coolness" Illinois has all you LoneStar guys beat, hands down!!

I pretty much fall off my chair every time Blago goes back in front of the cameras - can you believe that guy?

Religion.. religion...

nahh, i'mma stay out of this.. same with the next topic

Awww... party pooper!! And here I thought we were gonna have an orgy on the list!

[daboyz 36]

Democracy Texas style!

[scandal 951]

Democracy Texas style!

That's awesome!!

I love her excuse: "we don't break for lunch, for dinner, for bathroom breaks...." C'mon now, a big collective "Awwwwwwww!!!!"

I wonder if this is unique to Texas, or goes on in other states as well?