http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PlanetAtheism/~3/VAPcYHGN8kQ/quran-made-them-do-it.html

The Quran made them do it.

Earlier today a mob in Afghanistan attacked a United Nations compound, killing at least 8 workers. Two of the victims were reportedly beheaded.

The crowd was reacting to a Quran burning on March 20th by a US fundamentalist Christian pastor named Terry Jones.

 

What would make people behave in this way, you wonder?

The book that Terry Jones burned. That's what.

Here is what the Quran says about beheading people.

I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoso opposeth Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment.Quran 8:12-13

Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks ... if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain. Quran 47:4

The mob was just doing what Allah told them to do in the Quran: to strike fear into the hearts of unbelievers by smiting their necks. (The news reports didn't say anything about smiting unbelievers' fingers.)

The whole thing has made me change my mind about Quran burning.

A while back I wrote a post entitled, "Don't burn the Quran. Read it." But a book that tells its followers to strike fear into the hearts of unbelievers by beheading them is a book that no one should read or respect.

Go ahead and burn the damned thing. The world would be much better without it.

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Exchristiandotnet-EncouragingEx-christians/~3/8wnx0qKgqrA/whats-so-great-about-obedience.html

What's so great about obedience?

By Tusk ~

Since coming out 10 months ago, I've caught a lot of flack from my Christer friends. My best friend is a seminary student and a member of the Uber-Baptist Inc. denomination. His ol' stand-by is that he wouldn't have to worry about my damnation if I would only turn back to god in obedience. It doesn't really bother me, because I used to believe the same mumbo-jumbo, but now a-days I have to wonder...What exactly is so great about obedience, anyway? Why do they think it's so godly?

Now, I think we'd all agree that Judaism is a religion based primarily on (Abraham's) obedience, but founded initially because of a (Adam and Eve's) supposed disobedience. Christianity is a different bag. There's a whole lot of trying to have your cake and eat it too that goes on. On the one hand, no amount of obedience you or I or anyone could ever do would be enough to please their invisible sky-master. Essentially, obedience doesn't matter. Why bother, right? Remember, it's what you believe that counts...your faith, not your works. On the other hand, plenty (read "most") of the sheeple will complain (read "admonish you") if you claim to be a believer, yet you continue spend time getting your sin on. As soon as you stop living like others think you should, they suddenly forget that obedience doesn't make a difference. They forget that their good book says the thoughts in your head are all that really matter.

But let's take a different look at obedience. Most of my xtian friends have stated that obedience is holy...it's godly...it's good...god demands it...etc. But what sort of example does god set?

Whom does god obey? Well, if you look in the old testament, you'll find that god obeys nobody. He does what he wants, when he wants, how and to whomever he wants. If you want someone to take you seriously, you're going to have to lead by example, and throughout the old testament, the example god sets is to do what you want with little or no regard for who is affected by it. The only incentive he gives you for obedience in the OT is that if you don't, he'll kick your ass.

We can check out the new testament, too. Who's the one that every Christian will claim is a shining beacon of hope and a glimmering example of obedience to god? You guessed it...Jesus. And who's the one that Christians will claim IS god? You guessed it again...Jesus. Let's first assume that he actually is. Funny, I know, but bear with me. So here we have Jesus (read "god") obeying god (read "himself"). Do you see the example he's set here? Do as I do. Obey yourself as I obey myself. It's ludicrous to expect humans to see anything miraculous or marvelous about a god-figure doing exactly what we all already do. And it's ludicrous for a god-figure to be upset when we do as he does and not as he says. You could say that god is the biggest hypocrite that never lived.

Now, just to tie up loose ends, let's quickly go back and assume that Jesus was not actually god. Ahhh, that's more like it. Now, we've got a guy who may be strictly adhering to OT law, and let's not forget what happened to this unconfirmed obedient (god?)man after his life of obedience. He found himself on the ass end of an ass kicking...and then he was killed.

So...Old Testament: Either you obey god or he'll kick your ass. New Testament: You obey god and wind up getting your ass kicked anyway.

Decisions, decisions.

Jesus' obedience to the law was certainly something else, but it wasn't godlike. Remember, god doesn't obey anyone... He does whatever he wants. Why shouldn't we? Essentially, nothing is off limits if we want to call ourselves godly. Murder? Good enough for god. Abortion? Good enough for god. Lying? Rape? Genocide? Cursing? Entrapment? Selfishness? Insecurity? All good enough for god. I've grown to find, though, that we are so much more mature than any proposed deity. We are less selfish. We are less insecure. We are less murderous, less rapey, and more honest. And we exist.

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http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=84670

Jersey Shore Moran Paid $32K to Speak at Rutgers University

Jersey Shore Moron Paid $32K to Speak at Rutgers, Paid More Than Nobel Laureate

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~3/v5QOdZcu64w/4-cures-for-overcoming-onset-of-mental.html

4 Cures For Overcoming The Onset Of Mental Rigor Mortis

'By having an open mind, you will ward off the onset of mental rigor mortis or vision arthritis.'

The number of years denoted by the calendar and your birth date are no reflection of how old you really are, or how healthy you are in your spirit, soul and body. I have met twenty-one year olds who, in their mind and attitudes, are older than some whom I have met in their eighties.

Age is not a matter of chronology. Age is a matter of attitude, and of the state of your mind.

So to keep you from suffering from mental rigor mortis and vision arthritis, here are four cures that will keep you 'young at heart' and 'young of mind' for many years to come.

1. Keep Learning
   People who work a job and who do additional study outside of their working hours attract advancement. In this day and age there is no excuse for not pursuing some external study.
   
   Personally, I attend seminars, take online courses and position myself to learn new things at every opportunity. I make certain that I am always a student, because I have enrolled in a lifetime of learning.
   
   By doing this, your mind is stimulated, new ideas are sparked, fresh insight is revealed, and a different perspective is gained.
   
   I pay for some of this learning, but it is amazing how many complimentary courses are available – both offline and online in written, audio and video format.


2. Keep Reading
   Now I'm not talking about the newspaper here. I'm talking about selective reading of material that stimulates your brain, challenges you through questioning, and causes you to take notes.
   
   In addition to books, set up Google Reader on your computer so that you can be alerted about great articles that have just been written in blogs all over the world.
   
   Join your local library, and that way you have access to an incredible array of material for free.
   


3. Keep Great Company
   I'm a firm believer of the power of coaches and mentors. The greatest value of having these people in your world is that they are unafraid to ask you the hard questions. In addition they also keep you accountable.
   
   It is so easy to lie to yourself, and to fail to fulfill the plans that you have proposed to move you forward in life.
   
   Whether they are paid or unpaid really doesn't matter. But make sure that you meet on a weekly basis for at least an hour for an extended length of time. Watch how that relationship makes you sharper in every area of your life.
   
   In addition, the conversation focused on your personal improvement – whether in person, or over the phone or via Skype – will develop you in your communication skills and perception.
   


4. Keep Pursuing Great Goals
   In my wallet I have a list of my goals that I carry with me and refer to on a daily basis.
   
   On this year's goal list I have my:
   
   • Major goal for the year
   • Travel goals
   • Financial goals
   • Spiritual goals
   • Mental goals
   • Physical goals
   • Social goals
   • Business goals
   • Future goals – that spread beyond this calendar year
     
   In addition, next to my bed I have a major two-year goal that I am pursuing, and the financial reward for that goal once achieved. It is written on my note pad so that I see it and speak it each night before I go to bed and each morning when I rise.
   
   So by learning, reading, keeping great company, and pursuing great goals you are offsetting the disease that afflicts those who remain staid in their thinking and unchanged and unchallenged in their thought processes.

By maintaining an atmosphere of stimulated thinking, mental rigor mortis and vision arthritis will have no power over you. Healing shall be yours.

And here's something to think about: Are there any other strategies that you have employed to maintain good mental and visual health?

Motivational Memo: The older I get the younger I think.

Written on 4/1/2011 by Peter G. James Sinclair . Peter is in the 'heart to heart' resuscitation business and inspires, motivates and equips others to be all that they've been created to become. Receive your free inhalation of 'motivational' life by subscribing to his Motivational Memo Blog today!

Photo Credit: lululemon athletica

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