Recent content by whiteflag

This story has been completely debunked using, wait for it, good scientific methods. Click on the link below. Basically the conclusion is that a homemade burger of the same size and shape dried out in the same way and did not decompose either. Its a really interesting article...

It could be that I am not that picky, but I think every time U2 plays Streets that its great. Its the best damn live song they have in my opinion and the most consistently thrilling.

I have always thought that the first tour was the best. It might be a case of "freshest is best." I think its exactly because they didn't really know it that it was allowed its own head. Its spirit came out the strongest as a result. It was more freewheeling, more organic on the first tour. The...

Irvine, I think the key word I used was broadcast. Sure I think that privately, diplomatically, whatever you might call it, there should be a timeline and we should mean it. I am all for leaning hard on them. I just don't want AQ and all the world to know about it. I happen to disagree. I...

I was against us going into Iraq when we did. But since we did go in there and screw their country all to hell, I have been a supporter if only to support our troops and to hold out for a strategy which does not abandon the Iraqis to their own fate. For me, the thought of such a immoral...

Yolland, I will reply briefly to this comment. I was addressing my comments to how a worship service would appear to a first time observer not an expert as the role they play in gaining converts and expressing the values of that faith to one who doesnt know it. Yes, I did put a bit of personal...

verte76, I didn't say that they are. I am not talking about the funding for this mosque. Whatsmore, I fail to see how "many anti-Wahhabi books" means that there is no cause for concern from any Turks. As if this was somehow proof that the Turks are immune to radical Islam. The truth is that...

Yolland, By everyone "doing their own thing" I mean what many call being moved by the Spirit ie dancing or other movement as the individual feels moved to do so. Its individualistic so the effect is to give a more chaotic impression. I wasn't going to put a finer point on my comments but...

Oops! Obviously havent mastered the finer points of posting here. Now I see the quote button. But how to italicize? Hmmmm...

I believe that I made it clear that I was talking about large to very large mosques. (I would also add to this number some of the smaller national type or showplace type mosques. The case in Dublin involves a small national showplace type.) Of the total that have been built worldwide in recent...

I was using the word Wahabbi as a figure of speech. A synonym for radical or extremist. Its not unheard of to do so. Dont get so nit picky. Besides, Wahabbis have been quite successful in making inroads regardless of how tolerant the original culture of the community. So again, a Wahhabi...

Yolland, No I don't. But everyone there still does their own thing. There is no sea of bodies all doing the same thing in the same way. The unity of motion of thousands of Muslims at prayer has a different psychological effect and has been cited by many as an overwhelming and impressive...

The original article said private funding. There was no word of public funding at all. Not one word. That is very often a kind of euphemism for "Saudi funding" I did not make the qualifier "mostly" for Germany. You read that in. I was meaning worldwide and there is documentation in the...

Final thought. There is a great power in numbers. There is no theological reason why mosques need to be huge or that thousands upon thousands of Muslims must worship in one awesome super mega-plex. But the sight of such overwhelming numbers can be both intimidating to some and overwhelmingly...

There is a bit more to the story than meets the eye, so I have read. One, the design is meant to be monumental, particularly the minarets. I can't vouch for the claim, but word is that these minarets would be taller and more dominating of the skyline than the churches in town. Possibly a...