Re: Occupied Palestine...
I know there are Orthodox Jews , which personally I can't fathom a belief system as severe as this which is for the ancient days. I have a couple of friends who follow the sabbath very strictly. TO me in this day and age it still an anathema . I have friends who are conservative , reform and liberal and are quit moderate and modern . And I have attended a couple of really fabulous jewish weddings.
Last month my second cousin Asiyah had a lovely wedding, both sexes in attendance , great music including which included Pakistani music, rock , waltzes and african tribal rythms. ANd lots of champagne!!! and the food was a cornucopia of epicurean delights..
Orthodox, fundamentalist and religion based on centuries old ways was good for that period of time but as civilization evolves so must religion. ALlL religions need to be less parochial, less hateful in the name of GOD and less judgemental.
I have friends who are gay, lesbian, actors, professional dancers, artists, teachers, nurses, corporate executives etc ----- Basically from all walks of life and belief system. ANd if one were to follow the judgemental interpretation of supposedly GOD's will most of these people would be condemned based on old antiquated development of religion. ANd still too many religious people of today use the Torah, the Bible , The Koran to espouse hatred and condemnation based on what? --- my god is better than yours?. They say stone her for adultery, punish them for drink, hurt them for dance, etc etc. Seriously , there is something severly wrong when such mentality is still sprouting. Only 400 years ago it was a sin to think earth was round. Well today many are still in the same sort of mind set.
If we really want to live backwards lets carve stone wheels before people used their meaness to kill and judge in the name of GOD. At least cave man didn't have a God TO FEAR as some today. I am sure GOD does not need us to interpret how others should live their own lives. My parents always imbuded in me a sense of self confidence, obeying civil law, education and free will. And a high calibre for pursuit of intellectual enlightenment through education.
You are comparing oranges with apples or vice versa.
I know a lot of Pakistani Muslim who do the same. That is in no means ppl who follow a "reformed jewish faith", but are just not ready to accept all laws of religion. THe does and dont have low to no value for such people. And since they been born once as Muslim or Jewish or whatsoever faith. You cannot even exclude them as being disbelievers.
I'm not a perfect musilm myself, doesnt mean I follow a reformed form of Islam.