I will pray for your salvation in Jesus name Barry.

Rid the world of all religion:pray: and you just might have chance of lasting peace and harmony

Hence my original statement, vote Christian or Atheist. Trying to mix religions is futile. This country allows you to worship to any God you choose. My wish is to NOT LET ANY RELIGION BUT CHRISTIANITY influance the enactment of laws that govern us. Jesus Christ is what Americans (the majority) see as the gateway to heaven. If not Christian based, then enact our laws without the influence of any primitive laws like those in the Middle East.

I mean no disrespect to other religions, but they differ from mine and I am not going to accept them changing my way of thinking. Give me the teachings of Jesus Christ or give me Atheisum.

Its Not About Religion Per Se
 

[B][/B

Wow! I never thought once that the OP's introduction was about religion per se but instead about a community that rejected assimilation into an American way of life. It is why I referenced the Somalia community and the Hmong to show a contrast. I cannot judge why the OP decided not to name the city but from the posts it seems Detroit is likely the spot. I noted Minneapolis because the same sort of goings on are occurring there also. New York city is experiencing the same sort of thing as are other areas of the country.

Its not about religion for me but a culture that is an antithesis to American values and and culture. As Americans we believe people come here to become Americans. Our melting pot was our strength and so if any population refuses assimilation its basically dividing this nation and a divided nation will fall

Personally, I believe every individual has the right to follow the beliefs of their religion. However, that does not give that person the right to refuse to do their job, whether it be serving a customer alcohol and pork, inspecting a restaurant because it serves pork or marrying someone because they are gay. If this is part of your job duties and it is legal according to the laws of your country, then do your job or find another place to work.

I find most of sharia law loathsome. I also do not understand the logic behind Orthodox Judaism or fundamentalist Christianity. This country was based on freedom of religion. No one should have the right to force others to follow their beliefs nor should laws be changed to accommodate those beliefs.

Extremists of any persuasion are obscenities to me. No one has the right to foist their beliefs on another. You don't want to touch pork? Fine, get a job where pork isn't served. You believe that gays don't have the right to marry? Fine, don't work in a marriage licensing department. Don't expect the world, especially the USA, to accommodate your beliefs.

So the original post was made up and a lie !

Are you laughing at those who took your post as authentic and responded ?

Pretty funny, huh ?

I usually assume that posters do not make things up for their own personal amusement !

Hi Rags123: Actually the OP's post was closer to the truth than he recognized. Indeed Somalians grocery clerks in Minneapolis refuse to checkout people who purchased pork and taxi drivers who refuse passengers that de planed who purchased alcohol. The fight is how far can they go and what are employers willing to stand. the Twin cities are very liberal and it is entirely possible that a Muslim could get hired as state Health Inspector.

In fact when I lived there any signs of even an easter bunny were restricted in state buildings because it was interpreted as too closely associated with the religious Easter Holiday.

The OP certainly hooked me but because of the aforementioned and then i viewed as cultural and not religious.

I may be wrong, and I hope I am, but the OP's action seem to indicate disdain for those who disagree with his opinion and that's why he toyed with us. However forgiveness is divine and anyone of us could error so I harbor no ill feelings toward this OP

I feel the same way. I don't like being tricked. I also find who I agree with and who I don't.

Well said Redwitch, Rags, and Rubicon and CFrance.

I just love you Barry. You are great looking in your Christmas shirt. I bet you look nice in a Yarmulke too. AND you are smart and enjoyable.

ENJOYABLE is a valid thing to be

Please stay on topic.

Also, please give the OP a chance to refute allegations that the topic was based on a false story.

Moderator

The Arab American News - Business

That's an interesting problem.

Is this just a one Muslim government agency? Other Muslims? Christians? Non-believers?

What part of your post is factual?

I think I understand why blueash changed the article from gay marriage officials to sharia law issues. Would the responses have been as vehement if the original article had been quoted properly? Probably not. By making it a Muslim religious issue, the replies took on a life of their own. The fact that it is based on a Judeo-Christian belief makes it much more palatable, doesn't it? Both are based on religious beliefs. Both are flouting a law. An individual who refuses to marry a gay couple because of religious belief is shirking their job duties as much as someone who refuses to handle pork. Both should find new jobs.

Redwitch, for obvious reasons we are scared and worried in this country about Muslims who are extremists. Those who behead people and make bombs that maim and kill people running in a Marathon. It is a very charged subject and it gets people all nervous.

What we found on this thread is a Christian who is typical of conservative Christians. We found a Jew who is an atheist who is really hot about issues of separation of church and state. AND other nice people who HATE to be tricked.


Please don't do that anymore Blueash. You were luckily born with high intelligence and you should not use it to trick people.

Your way of looking at things is only your way of looking at things and not intrinsically right. Our age and wisdom have caught up with your I.Q. points.

The Moderator requested that we give blueash a chance to explain himself as far as if his story was made up. The clock is ticking.

Gracie, anyone not scared by extremists is a fool and that's true whether an atheist, a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim. Islamic extremists have murdered more Muslims than they have murdered those of other religions, including counting 9-11 in that amount.

So, back to my question and probably blueash's point, would the reaction have been different if he had quoted the article correctly from the git go? Is it okay for someone issuing marriage licenses and performing marriage ceremonies as a county employee to refuse to perform a ceremony on religious grounds? If so, then an Islamic official should have the right to refuse job performance on religious beliefs. We can't have one set of rules and laws for Christians and another for other religious groups. This is not the principles on which America was founded.