Is this for real?

[Llamatron]

Surely this is proof enough that not only do we NOT get our morals from holy writings but believers pick and choose what it is they do believe:

http://www.islam-watch.org/MuminSalih/Breast-F eeding-Man-Islam.htm

Although I still think that this article is a late April fools joke.

[naomi24]

I found this too

http://article.wn.com/view/2007/05/21/Lecturer _suspended_after_breastfeeding_fatwa/

[Llamatron]

Let me get this straight, muslim men and women are forbidden to be alone together because they may have sex?

Are they really so randy that they can't be left alone without giving in to their animal instincts? They must be seriously uptight and inhibited.

Islamic law says there can be no sexual relations between a man and a woman if she breastfed him? And it's this rule they can be trusted to follow and not the no hanky panky rule?

Truly weird.

Nearly as weird as the Jewish no button pressing on a Saturday rule.

[ruby27]

Do you not think all the Abrahamic (Christian, Islam and Judaism religions are a bit daft? Not that people who have faith are daft but that 3 religions have some strange bits in them. I am of the opinion that all religions are man made and serve more than just the purpose of helping people follow their faith. I think they serve to oppress certain groups, primarily women and the masses. I do have friends who are religious and try and be respectful but fail and I quiz them on how they manage with some of the paradox's such as being a feminist and a catholic, being gay and being a Muslim. It seems they have to pick the bits they think helpful and throw out the rubbish bits

[ruby27]

Oh yes I meant to say that many Muslims women are fed up of having to hide their attractiveness as if other wise the men will jump their bones and many Muslim men are fed up being portrayed as being incapable of being in control and will jump any female.

[ludwig]

What complete and utter nonsense. (The religion that is) Do these people not think that their god is going to be aware that they're breaking the spirit of his law if not the letter?
Same goes for all religions where this kind of idiocy takes place.

[naomi24]

All organised religion seems to be bound up in dishonesty.

Apart from that, not wishing to lower the tone of the conversation at all, but I should imagine a practice like this would be more likely to encourage hanky panky rather than deter it! (Sorry!!).

[Llamatron]

I'm an atheist and think it's all nonsense but sometimes I come across something that's so absurd that I can't understand how even the most blinkered believer could believe it.

[naomi24]

Sad thing is they seem to, Llamatron. I have to wonder though, if they really believe it or whether they're actually aware that they're lying to themselves.

[Llamatron]

I think that it is so ingrained in them that the holy books and religious leaders speak the word of God that they've lost the ability to question and so simply accept it.

Curiosity and a need to understand are some of mankind's defining characteristics. It seems to me that these are a direct violation of religious teachings which say that it's all Gods will and that we don't need to know why.

'Tis but my opinion.

[naomi24]

I don't think they've lost the ability to question - it's more likely they're afraid to question because they're afraid of god and his terrible wrath. We've had debates on here that have ended up with people, apparently devoid of a modicum of reason or rationality, more or less saying "well, that's what the bible says, or that's what the church says, so that's that". I can't help wondering what the difference is between thinking about a question and voicing it? Man changes the rules to suit himself - that is patently obvious - and if this god does indeed know the secrets of all hearts, then he knows who's changing his rules and who's doubting his word, so they may as well be honest and come out with it. How hypocritical religion is.

[Theland]

Llamatron - "Curiosity and a need to understand are mans defining characteristics."
Yes, I agree. But we can only understand with the tools that we have been given. How can we understand completely, the God who created all?
That's like saying that something that you create, would have the need and ability to completely understand you, wouldn't it?
God gave us only five senses, perfectly adequate for detection in this material world, but inadequate for fully comprehending God!
Can the created question the Creator, and then pass judgement on Him? No, of course not. What we know about God is through revelation only.

[WaldoMcFroog]

May I suggest you read 'Frankenstein' for an elegant (albeit fictional) destruction of your above argument, Theland?

[naomi24]

Theland, it's not our inability to understand god that's in question - it's man's refusal to utilise his common sense and rationality.

Waldo, you do make me laugh at times. Thanks for that. :o)

[Llamatron]

Theland I didn't say anything about understanding God (pah!) I said religion teaches people that we don't need to understand when all we have to do is chalk something up to God. Completely different.

[Theland]

"Religion" is a broad term isn't it? I don't think Christianity expects blind obedience to any man or man made rules, as most religions do.