"...an utterly corrupt new religion called environmentalism..."
If the history of this planet's climate over millions of years is any guide, we are about to enter a new ice age.
CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper indicated in a 1993 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he wants to see the United States become a Muslim country.
Motakhalef or Mokhtalef?
By Sally Bishai (02/26/06)
People think that Christians are crazy.
I know they do.
Not only do we believe that a guy was born, 2000 years back, of a virgin, BUT we believe that He was the Son of God.
That His death on a cross saved us from sin.
And that His teachings mean something today. (This is not even touching on the fact that we believe He rose from the dead on the third day.)
To believe someone mad for believing in (and staking eternity on) this "fairy-tale" sounding, erm, set of beliefs (for lack of another word) may not be so out there.
After all, to a person living in a 'modern' day and age--where wireless internet and cell phones are a way of life--the story of Jesus might seem like superstition or myth. I can totally understand that.
But.
It's not the aforementioned that has this article titled the way it is; rather, it's the way we Christians (are supposed to) live that has me pondering whether we fit under the umbrella of "Mokhtalef" or "Motakhalef."
Oh, I should probably get around to telling my non-Arabic-speaking readers what these words mean; "Mokhtalefeen" means "those who are different." "Motakhalefeen," however, means "those who are mentally challenged."
And you have to admit that any religion that tells its subscribers to NOT drink, NOT smoke, NOT use drugs, NOT sleep with anyone they're not married to, and NOT lie/cheat/steal (amongst others) could very well be pegged as mad, in this "If it feels good, do it!" and "dog eat dog" sort of world.
So the question emerges again, "Are Christians different or just weird?"
Or you could even put it like this: Are we trying to be saints.. or are we just insane?
After all, you'd HAVE to be mad to give up the pleasures of this life.
Wouldn't you?
Well.. not necessarily. Keep in mind, to our system of beliefs, we're actually suffering now (if you can call a lack of STDs and hangovers and lung cancer) so that we wouldn't suffer later (in the eternal, one-person lake full of fire, meaning).
I know it sounds as though I mean that we're working our way to heaven, or buying salvation, but that's not what I mean at all.
After all, we can never be perfect; as Christians, we're merely held accountable for our sins. And forgiven for them. (The whole "knock and the door shall be opened to you" thing.. and by the way, that's not saying that 'unbelievers' aren't going to be held accountable--they will be. After their death. And it ain't gonna be pretty.)
Why can't we work our way into heaven, then?
Well, in the Christian teachings, we find that you could actually live a "good" life, and follow all the "rules," and still end up in hell. That's because we believe that humans are born flawed (aka "with a sinful nature") and that we require a saviour, Jesus Christ.
Many non-Christians don't believe that any of this is true, and feel as though we're mad for living with so many restrictions on a life that will only happen once.
So they would consider Christians "Motakhalefeen."
Some, however, realise the sacrifices that we Christians are making (not that other religious of other faiths AREN’T, only that I’m discussing THIS faith right now) and, while they would never admit to it, or choose the same path that we have, they understand that we're striving for sainthood, that we ARE different (any true and practicing Christian would take this as a compliment), that we are IN the world but not OF it.
And if this makes us "Motakhalefeen" by the standards of "the world," then so be it!
(Printer friendly version) Email: Sally Bishai
Sally Bishai is a writer and journalist who founded X Culture Magazine in January, 2004, and Photo X Quarterly in January 2005. She is also president of the Copt X Fellowship, a non-partisan group dedicated to promoting love, harmony, and respect among Egyptians (and friends). Sally is Egyptian American (or, more specifically, Coptic) and loves to tell people what that means!
Her previous titles include "Mid-East Meets West: On Being and Becoming a Modern Arab American," and "Date like An Egyptian: The Egyptian's Guide to Finding a Mate...Or Date."
Sally is the host of "Sally Bishai's 30 Minutes With," a webshow that largely focuses on Coptic, civil, and human rights issues, as well as topics dealing with the Middle East.
Her documentaries include "Back To Square One? Fifty Years After Emmett Till," "Strange Behaviour: How Westerners Feel About Gender Roles in the Middle East," and the soon-to-be-released "Children of Kemet: The Copts, Culture, and Democracy of Egypt."
Sally's blog, "The AntiSocialite," holds information about current projects, as well as impassioned articles about politics, current headlines, the trouble with society, and many other things that will probably end up getting her killed. (Check it out at http://sallybishai.blogspot.com )
Sally's Bachelor's of Science was in psychology, but her Master's and the Ph.D. she's currently working on are in speech and intercultural communication. She teaches various classes at the university level, and finds time to lecture (off-campus) about her books, her culture, and other controversial topics.
Sally has worked in radio (international and "domestic"), fashion photography, and film, most recently working as a documentary filmmaker (as mentioned above). Her current project deals with the persecution of Egypt's Copts, which, if you'll remember, she happens to be.
Send Feedback To Sally Bishai
Site: http://sallybishai.blogspot.com/
UPSSA
United Progressive Socialist States of America
|
"Mexico, Canada partnership underway with no authorization from Congress"
The United States Is Being Overthrown By Our Politicians - "A silent but all-reaching coup is taking place within the
United States. This coup is not being directed by bomb-laden Muslim terrorists, nor will it ever be covered by the mainstream media.
The seditious act is being carried out by our very own elected officials, with President Bush leading the insurrection."
"The FDA has conveniently used the excuse of looking out for consumer safety to increase their perverse regulatory power,
undermine free speech, disrupt commerce, and generally get in the way of helping people improve their health. The "half-truth" of
the safety issue is used as a ploy to reduce the rights of Americans, one freedom at a time. Once again, the FDA is seeking more
police power to intimidate supplement companies. This is one step in an overall FDA master plan to eliminate therapeutic nutritional
supplements from the free market. Those who lose are the American public." The FDA - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
|
|
