Bigthink - Idea Comments Feed

Comment on: Re: What can Americans do to better understand the Middle East?

Bigthink — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:04:44 +0100

As a Middle-Eastern American, I feel I have one foot in each civilization. I think there is no substitute for visiting the region. While there, I did numerous interviews with average people on the issues the region faces. I learned a great deal about the region through those interviews.

If you can't visit, there are still a few things you can do. Knowing the history of the region is very important. I personally recommend the book A History of the Modern Middle East by William L. Cleveland. You can also diversify the range of news sources you get your news from. Add the BBC and Al-Jazeera's English site to your daily line up. Contrast articles on one news event from CNN or Fox with those from Al-Jazeera. It will tell you a great deal about how the region sees the issues it faces.

Hessam Parzivand
Author: Winning Middle Eastern Hearts and Minds

Comment on: Re: What can Americans do to better understand the Middle East?

Bigthink — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:44:33 +0100

The Bible wasn't FAXED in and Jesus was not a neo-con or republican.

The Bible was written down after centuries [Hebrew Scriptures] or decades [New Testament]of people telling their stories of struggling with God.

Speaking as a Christian of The Beatitudes [meaning a lover and follower of Jesus who always tries to DO what he taught] I think it better to UNDERSTAND rather that be understood.

What I understand from my Muslim and Jewish friends is that we can agree that if we LOVE God first, we will love all beings.

No religion owns God and no church owns Jesus.

St. Paul warned the follower's of JC NOT to judge the nonbeliever, but to provoke the believer onto good works; and that one must forgive to be forgiven, to love all and do good towards one's enemies.

Fundamentalism runs through every faith path and a fundie is one who has quit thinking and adheres to what they have been told, rather than struggle individually with God.

The first mention of Israel in the Bible is when Jacob was renamed Israel; meaning one who struggles with The Divine.

Seems to me, that all who struggle with the Ultimate Mystery of the Universe, is also Israel.

Eileen Fleming, Reporter and Editor WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/
Author "Keep Hope Alive" and "Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory"
Producer "30 Minutes With Vanunu" and "13 Minutes with Vanunu"

Comment on: Re: What can Americans do to better understand the Middle East?

Bigthink — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:35:56 +0100

Mr. Nasr is not clear at all when he says that Americans can understand Middle Easterners much more than they think. What does he mean by that? His view is full of common places. Can anybody have a deliberate lack of sophistication? Americans do not understand the Middle East for a number of reasons, one of them being religion precisely. Christianity as well as Islam have exclusive religious beliefs. This "competition" led to a number of conflicts, and it was the West the aggressor and invader (first Crusade in 1095).

Comment on: Re: What can Americans do to better understand the Middle East?

Bigthink — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:36:41 +0100

First of all they should LEARN who in the entire history of the United Stated we sold weapons to in multi-billion dollar deals. Such as arming Hussein with inferrior weapons them blowing the shit out em. Our involvement in the middle east since the 50s has cost MILLIONS of middle easterners their lives!!!! Do some research on how our CIA overthrew Mosedek, an DEMOCRADICLY ELECTED LEADER! Then maybe how the UN commited Genocide in Haiti and overthrew another democratic revolution much like the movement with Gahndi! US foreign aid CREATES POVERTY!!!!!!! RESEARCH!!! thems is pimpin the poe!!!