yakalskovich | (no subject)

It was aimed at Islam, and overshot the mark by about a million miles.

P.S.: Intense science types do very well in Milliways!

Edited 2012-06-30 02:39 (UTC)

I guess it hit us (the Jewish population) as eerily remniscent of that 1933 legislation that outlawed kosher slaughter.

Why are they going after the Muslims?

Most boys in America are circumsized at birth regardless of religious affiliation (for health reasons). And recent studies of the spread of AIDS has shown that circumcision is important in preventing transmission of the HIV virus.

So I guess I was a bit baffled as to why Germany took that radical step. I did try to look at it in the context of the rulings on female "circumcision" (which I do not believe is biblically-ordained, but I am not as familiar with the Koran and the Christian Bible).

It just seemed a strange hill on which to stake a claim.

Given Germany's very recent history....

And again I do not say that to upset anyone. I just felt the timing was really inappropriate.

They have the same anti-islamic prejudices here as they do in America. It's a thing at the moment.

I find it stupid. And I don't think the next higher court is going to uphold the ruling, and not for any religious reasons. Parents need to be able to make decisions about the physical wellbeing of their children.-

Oh so it was not the equivalent of Germany's Supreme Court? (Forgive me, COMMA I am not familiar with the political structure of Germany.)

*phew* I was really worried there! I personally don't have any family left in Germany (ours were all killed in the war) but I do have friends who have relatives. It was quite disturbing to think we would all have to pack up and move to Israel.

Yes, (COMMA) anti-Muslim sentiment is very high here. It's funny because the Jewish and Muslim communities cooperate in Austin. We share a kosher butcher and back when I was shomer shabbos (meaning I did not engage in any activity on Shabbat save prayer and family), COMMA I used to race the setting sun to the shul and would pass Muslims on their way. We always laughed saying, "Yeah, COMMA we're late!"

Well, and that same anti-Muslim sentiment happens here, too, in addition to a large Turkish immigrant community who were brought to Germany in the 1960s when the economy boomed beyond the ability of the native population to supply enough workers, and they stayed and live here in the third generation now, still occupying a socio-cultural niche similar to Hispanics in the US, with attempts to emulate black culture from there as to rap, hip-hop, ghetto style etc. But they're all Muslim, and many of the younger ones consciously turn back to Islam for cultural identity, as the Germans still won't let them 'arrive' the way the Ruhr Polish immigrants, for example, had completely arrived after a generation or two at most.

It is not a good situation. There is a certain conservative anti-Islamic set of opinions that's popular in several middle and north European countries which is pro-Europe, pro-Israel and anti-Islam, a muddled right-wing populism supported by people from Henryk M. Broder through Thilo Sarrazin to Anders Behring Breivik -- look up those names in Wikipedia if they don't mean anything to you. That court ruling came out of that spirit, one would assume.-

I wonder what the prevailing wind is in Germany? I have a feeling Europe is getting ready to swing conservative again as economic conditions worsen.

Which is worrisome...

That's interesting that the younger Muslims have returned to their cultural roots for identity. I rather suspect that is the result of so much overt racism. Nationalities that do well here fully assimilate.

Not entirely OT: Have you ever seen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw81BRrTxJI&feature=mv_sr

Video doesn't work for me, sorry. And yes, I think the reversal to fundamentalist religion is mostly a reaction; fundamentalists of all three 'faiths of the book' have been shown to be a reaction to modernity, not a genuine continuation of medieval traditions. The book about it is The Battle For God by Karen Armstrong.

The movie is American Dreamz. It is absolutely hilarious -- all about assimilation into American society (of an Orthodox Jew and a Muslim suicide bomber no less!)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465142/

I suspect it isn't popular because most people are uncomfortable with the sheer truth of it.

I know many young Jews who have become religious as adults (the "baal'ei teshuva"). They did so not because they are rejecting their secular upbringing. Rather, they seek meaning in what they perceive to be a very confusing world -- where material goods matter more than other people, where one's value is determined by one's looks or one's wealth, where there is no sense of community or responsibility to one's fellow man. I do not find them at all fanatical. Most of my friends fall into this category, as do I myself. :)

That's something else, not fundamentalism. I really do recommend the book, it's very perceptive and extremely readable for a scientific publication.

Religion/belief do not have to be fundamentalist. One can be very much a believer and very committed to the ethics of the Torah without being fanatic (it is Shabbat and I am typing on DW but it doesn't alter my beliefs).

Many of the baalei teshuva will tell you that taking on a particular mitzvah makes them a better human being -- more considerate, compassionate, committed. I actually think those who have grown up in the Orthodox stronghold are much less "religious" than these newbies.

A very fascinating book by the former Elizabeth Fernea examines how women Behind the Veil perceive themselves (versus how we perceive them).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Warnock_Fernea

I will look at your rec as well!

No religion doesn't have to be fundamentalist. The best religion never is. The real traditionalists tend to be the gentlest, wisest people one can imagine.

Precisely! *beaming at soulmate Maru who really should reduce the number of commas she uses*

There is only ONE comma in that tag and it's entirely justified!!

(no subject)

paceisthetrick - 2012-06-30 23:00 (UTC) - Expand

Name one intense science type apart from Carlisle in MW!

On the front page now: Hank McCoy, Claudia Donovan, and Jack West (if history counts as science?).

Voilá!

You do realize that I am a complete ignoramous when it comes to science, COMMA eh? I have to look up all the terms so that I make Ivo seem like he knows what he is talking about!

Edited 2012-06-30 03:02 (UTC)

Yes, people do that a lot for their characters. You do realise I was a complete ignoramus when it came to medieval weaponry and smithcraft before I had Teja as my character? Well, as complete an ignoramus as one can be as an archaeologists's daughter, but still...

Alright alright I'll do it for Ivo.

But not just yet. Show time and I am getting slammed for the next two months.

And you will have to hold my hand and help me as I brave the new world of MW *gulps*

I wouldn't dare suggest anything before October apping period!

See I don't even know how to app!

Should I make a separate journal for Ivo?

You look here! Explains all you need to know.

And yes, separate journals for each character.

K. Not today, tho! This will take some careful consideration.

Not today, of course not! Sometime in early October or so, one would hope.-

You're still gonna have to hold my hand.

It's SCARY in there!

Poor little Ivo will be like the doctor in Primeval.

All those references to pop culture that he will not understand....

He doesn't have to! That's some of the best fun in there. I mean, I came in there with a 6th century Ostrogoth (seen through 19th century interpretation) fresh from his glorious death in battle -- oh my...