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Burning the Qu’ran, torching my understanding of Christianity

I don’t like Islam. There, I said it, that’s my honest opinion of one of the world’s largest religions.

To be fair though, I don’t dislike the Muslim faith either. I think it’s a perfectly good religion that helps many people find meaning and joy in what can sometimes be a rather unpleasant life. I’ve known several Muslim people who were trustworthy, friendly, helpful, just all around nice people. People that are at heart just like some of the Christians and Jews that I know, even though some of their practices are a little different. I think it would be irrational for me to believe that those good people would support anything, even a religion, that actively promoted hatred and violence.

I’ve been reading about the church in Florida that plans to burn copies of the Qu’ran on September 11th.  Here is a short news story, just in case you’ve been living under a rock.

I get it when the reverend asks “When do we stop?” 9/11 was a terrible thing. Religious extremists turning to terrorism is simply not an acceptable behavior to tolerate. But the Qu’ran isn’t the manifesto of global terrorism, it’s a freakin’ religious text.

How would an American Christian feel to know that their religious text was going to be burned because a few religious whackos decided to kill in the name of the Bible? Would they say, “Oh, I guess we deserve the disrespect because someone killed people in the name of Christianity…”? Probably not so much. They’d be pissed, and it might start one hell of a fight.

I hope that the church involved in this decides on a slightly more Christian route. I don’t know, something like embracing their Muslim neighbors, being gentle, not judging others, and turning the other cheek. I’m pretty sure that’s what Jesus might recommend. I’ve read the bible, even though I’m not a Christian, and I’m pretty sure that Jesus wasn’t a revenge freak.

As an American (born here, will probably die here) citizen, I’m a whole lot irritated that this church would sponsor anything so medieval as a book burning. Totally not cool in the land of religious freedom. And it’s supremely not cool in a nation that grew rich and successful precisely because we embraced diversity of thoughts.

Not one of my better bits of writing, but it’s late and I’m irate.

BTW Rev. Jones, I prayed about it too, and Jesus says you are a freaking idiot to even think of something so hateful. Hope that helps you decide to cancel before you manage to get a bunch of American military kids killed.

Posted in News, Religion.

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By Tina – September 8, 2010

Back to school season is upon us

I’m the proud mom of a wonderful 16 year old girl, and I’ve always loved the fall ritual of buying new clothes, new school supplies, and new gadgets that are “absolutely necessary” because all of her friends have one. But this year I can’t even bring myself to enter a shopping mall. Besides, this year “absolutely necessary” has taken on a new meaning – many of her friend’s parents have lost their jobs.

Part of the problem is pretty simple, money is tight and shopping is a lot more fun on a bigger budget.  It used to be a $2000+ spending spree, now I find myself asking “How many pairs of jeans will you need? How many hoodies? What about shoes? Can we do this on the cheap?”

Rich and I have been busting our asses for the past year to start a new business, and while we’re doing well, we both need to be super careful to leave ourselves some wiggle room in the funds department.

I worry that my current attitude of conservative spending will hurt the economic recovery if it’s shared by too many people, but I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t part of our national crisis. Should our GDP be so dependent on consumer spending? What happened to being a nation of producers? I’ve noticed that most of the products we buy are made somewhere else, so am I really helping restore the economy if I shop ’til we drop, or is it still just a house of cards?

An increase in consumer purchases would increase corporate revenue, but will enough jobs be created by simply shopping more? Are they the kinds of jobs that will pay for homes, and clothes, and vacations? Or would I do better to save as much as possible and grow our business faster so that we can hire non-retail employees?

Posted in Money.

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By Tina – August 29, 2010

Tina’s Introduction

Hello world!

I just love the default WP first post. It’s so cheery and hopeful, promising much in just a few words. The whole world can finally find my thoughts and dreams, and is probably hungering for my “to die for” mac ‘n cheese recipe. Or not so much…

I’m currently 37 years old. I’ve become many things in those years… daughter, mother, wife, employee, employer, student, winner, loser, you name it. I’ll probably be using all of those acquired roles to try to make this blog interesting and informative.

I was a lifelong Republican, now I’m not so sure if the Republican party even wants people like me in their party. For that matter, I’m not so sure I want to be a part of where it’s going. Time will tell, but it is something that I feel compelled to disclose from the start.

Anthropology and philosophy are two subjects I’ve formally studied, and they have left a mark on my personality and conscience. They inform my opinions about everything from parenting to current events. I originally planned on majoring in Political Science, but quickly discovered that I don’t really care about looking at the world from that angle. It seemed much colder somehow.

I’m sure that Rich has written some brilliant introduction, but this will have to suffice as my way of saying “Hello, it’s nice to meet you! Let’s have coffee and chat…”

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By Tina – August 29, 2010

Rich’s Introduction

Hi!  My name is Richard Taylor (but almost everyone calls me Rich), and I am . . . [insert choice from list below here]

  • Please choose from the following:
  • The omnipotent guru of business and current affairs!
  • An amazing intellect imparting great wisdom!
  • A vicarious example of today’s environment, with opinions about everything!
  • Someone entering ‘geezer-hood’ and, basically, a pain where a pill can’t fix!

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By Richard Taylor – August 29, 2010