I am Proud to live in the Gray Zone. Are You?

2015-11-25T01:06:47-05:00

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-11-24/moroccan-american-author-embraces-gray-zone-where-secular-and-faithful-coexist

A Moroccan-American author embraces the 'gray zone,' where secular and faithful coexist

ISIS has vowed to eliminate the "gray zone," the sphere where Muslims and non-Muslims accept their differences.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 25 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-11-25T01:15:58-05:00

Believe it or not my liberal friend, I agree with you! LOL...

I don't hate Muslims. I DO hate anyone: Muslim, Christian (and I AM a Christian), others, who want to convert me to their way of thinking and/or kill me because I'm not like them.

During my 20 years in the Navy, I met many Muslims who are just like anyone else. They work, take care of their family, and don't hate anyone. In fact, I've had religious conversations with them that compare the similarities and differences between our two faiths and no anger was involved in these discussions.

Response by SrA Art Siatkowsky made Nov 25 at 2015 1:25 AM

2015-11-25T01:25:44-05:00

While I am all about living in harmony, all against militant conversion, the coexists movement is really just an atheist movement. Religious peoples dont need coexist stickers on their cars, all the children of Abraham should be living together in harmony IMO. The radical militant clerics are the ones messing this up, and the ISIS members who I dont really believe are religious. I dont think any religion of Abraham ever enjoyed the disgusting things these animals enjoy. I dont understand the hatred of christians and jews over hatred of the atheist who actually do many of the things Muslims find offensive. But the hatred of Jews existed before they where given their land after WWII. Many of the Muslim nations supported Hilters extermination of the Jews. Does it all go back to Abraham and which son he chose to sacrifice at the binding of Issac? or do Muslims believe it was the binding of Ishmael? I dont know where it stems from but it seems ridiculous that all 3 religions are from Abraham and more concerned with each other as an enemy instead of celebrating their same origin.

Response by SrA Art Siatkowsky made Nov 25 at 2015 2:36 AM

2015-11-25T02:36:05-05:00

Remember ' The Lone Survivor'? The best part was the Muslim village that defended our solider because it is their religious custom ( and a Jewish and a Christian custom ) to care for a person in need.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2015 7:34 AM

2015-11-25T07:34:34-05:00

gray zone ... hmmm ... all I will said ... dream on ... until Muslim go through the reformation that christian gone through .... there will be no gray zone .... The silent majority of Muslim community must stand up and sacrifice ... or gray zone will just become a hiding spot for Islamist ...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2015 11:24 AM

2015-11-25T11:24:41-05:00

Are "we" really a nation that prizes individual freedom above all else...or just many different groups of people committed to our own way of thinking who strive to get along?

Personally, I think it can only and always be the latter. Why? Because let's face it...one's understanding or belief regarding the afterlife will always be the strongest possible motivator (and "law") in their life. A Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Taoist, etc...has a specified "take" on what morality really is, and what the consequences of not being moral really are. True enough, some beliefs are so broad that it's not a huge leap to suggest that it's the "ideals", and not the "doctrine" that matter...But at the end of the day, even the most "open minded" of us, look at some notions as just being false.

The question isn't, and shouldn't be "Am I proud I live in the Grey Zone?", but rather, "Am I grateful I live in a Grey Zone?"

As someone who believes that there is a life after this one, and one's choices here do affect it...for better or worse...I'm logically not going to be "proud" of beliefs or practices I believe lead myself or other people to a bad end. That's why we "annoying" Evangelicals "bother" everyone so much. The reality is that because our Founding Fathers had enough sense to be practical about such matters, everyone is free to disagree, and that's what allows a nation of people who don't and won't ever see eye-to-eye to live, work, and if needs be, stand up for one another. Speaking merely for myself, I think this is the best way to "sell" the superiority of one's beliefs.

These questions won't "go away" until we all accept that while one has the right to debate, argue and support whatever they believe...It's a fundamental right under the Constitution to cherish and hold your own beliefs. The "catch" is this-For that to work, we have to also accept a little "intrusion" into our personal "spiritual" space (that goes both ways), and commit to handling things at the lowest, least confrontational means possible. If that means I have to deal with every documentary on Discovery claiming I evolved from an ape-that's ok...but that also means "you" can't wig out because I have a Nativity Scene up at Christmas.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 25 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-11-25T11:27:44-05:00

Since the United States is completely Gray, I guess I would say yes. It would be nice if the Nihilist and Atheist were as tolerant.

Response by MSG Tim Gray made Nov 25 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-11-25T15:28:48-05:00

Religion is like a Penis!
You don't need to whip it out in public every chance you get, and nobody likes it shoved down their throat.