Thursday, March 29, 2007

UN Censures Critic

This illustrates how corrupt and anti-truth the UN is:



When the UN is being used by bad people for destructive purposes more than it enforces peace, then it is time to think about not making Americans pay their tax money to fund this institution. A simple cost-benefit analysis seems badly needed here.

Found at Politically Incorrect. The young man in the video is Hillel Neuerfrom and is the Executive Director of UN Watch.

Elizabeth Cassidy of Opinio Juris compared this speech to numerous other speeches, and wonders why this is...
The First-Ever "Inadmissible" Speech at the UN Human Rights Council
On Friday, UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer gave a speech at the Human Rights Council sharply criticizing its record of ignoring gross human rights violations worldwide unless they can be blamed on Israel. [...] In an unprecedented reaction, the Council's Chair, Luis Alfonso De Alba of Mexico, refused to thank UN Watch for its statement and said that it was "inadmissible." Ours is the only speech from that day that was not posted on the Council's extranet. So much for freedom of opinion and expression, in the Council at least. (The video of the speech is on YouTube and, through word of mouth and the blogosphere, it has now received over 90,000 hits.)

Over the past year in the Council, ambassadors have called each other, UN experts, and representatives of NGOs "ignorant" and other similar insults. Sudan and its allies have denied the existence of human rights violations in Darfur, and Iran has denied the Holocaust. Nigeria has defended the use of the death penalty by stoning against homosexuals. The invective against Israel has included accusations of "an Israeli Holocaust against the Palestinian people," a "thirst for the blood" of civilians, and of being "an apartheid regime" and even "an invader from the planet Mars." The United States has been accused of running a "concentration camp" at Guantanamo Bay and of "genocide" against Cuba. The United Kingdom has been called a "colonial slave-master." Sweden has been accused of "ethnic cleansing" against anyone who does not have the coloring of "former Viking conquerors." Yet all of these statements, and many others like them, have been thanked and deemed admissible by the Council Chair.
Here is a video showing all the attacks, lies, and insults that are admissible:

Prequel: The Speeches not Banned at UN Human Rights Council.


The major difference: It is OK to insult Israel, and occasionally the council, but it is not OK for Israel to point out attacks, lies, and insults against Israel. The hypocrisy is repulsive.

So, with all the damage the UN is doing, what exactly is the good it's doing that would justify the bad it's doing and the UN's continuing existence? I just don't see it.

Friday, March 9, 2007

Separation of Church and State in America - Here's the Proof

Here's a good synopsis of an important and often misunderstood subject: The History of the Separation of Church and State in America

One of the most relevant statements is:
"There is often debate about what exactly the First Amendment means, however, in an 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, Thomas Jefferson made clear that the purpose of the First Amendment was to establish a "wall of separation" between Church and State in order to protect individuals' right of conscience"
Seems pretty clear and obvious to me what Thomas Jefferson meant. So, no more "in God we trust" on our money, no more graduation ceremonies and election stations in churces, and no ten commandments in public buildings. Period. I don't vote for putting "God doesn't exist" on the entrance of every public building either.

Israel: Nahostexpertologie

A must-read for all Germans (who, unfortunately, are still largely anti-Semitic): Nahostexpertologie.

Here's a (somewhat difficult-to-read) Google translation of the article into English.

Excerpt:
"Doch wie steht es beispielsweise mit Neuseeland und Australien? Dort gab es eine Urbevölkerung, und die Einwanderer aus Europa hatten, nebenbei bemerkt, keinerlei historische Beziehungen zu ihren neuen Heimatländern. Trotzdem versuchte zu keinem Zeitpunkt jemand ernsthaft, diese im 19. Jahrhundert entstandenen Nationen zu delegitimieren." Read article...

Islam Quote of the Year

Mina Ahadi, co-founder of the Central Council of the Ex-Muslims, in an interview with Sern.de:

"Wenn islamische Vereine unermüdlich die Akzeptanz ihres Glaubens einklagten, sei ihnen zuerst einmal die Akzeptanz des Nicht-Glaubens abzuverlangen."

"When Islamic organisations tirelessly demand acceptance of their beliefs, then it first should be demanded of them to accept non-belief."

Ex-Moslems Opening Germans' Eyes

It's about time:

The Zentralrat der Ex-Muslime (Central Council of the Ex-Muslims) was officially announced today. Now the "multi-kulti" "let's all be friends" Germans can hear what (ex)Muslims have to say about Islam. Maybe the German "media-makers" and politicians will start to acknowledge that the Islamic religion is a threat to modern secular society.

"Religions- und Meinungsfreiheit zählen zu den fundamentalen Menschenrechten, die in Ländern mit islamischem Rechtsystem nicht in ausreichendem Maße gewährt werden. Innerhalb der muslimischen Glaubensgemeinschaft gilt der "Abfall vom Glauben" als Todsünde und wird entsprechend bestraft." [emphases mine]

An English version of their homepage is planned. I'll post it here.

Hat tip to PoliticallyIncorrect.de - one of the few places to get truthful information that is critical to Islam (the Germany media sure isn't doing it, although they are just now beginning to take note - probably because of all the pressure from blogs pointing out their disservice to society).

Dangers of Christianity

Bible quotes I find harmful:

Addendum (2007-04-01): A friend has pointed out that several of the new Bible passages are taken out of context and don't mean what they appear to mean. I'll look into this when I have the chance.

Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 10:35 - For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Luke, 19:27 - But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

Addendum 2007-04-02: This is possibly Jesus quoting someone else.

Luke, 12:49 - I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Luke, 12:51-53 - (51) Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (52) For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. (53) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Corinthians, 14:34 - Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Corinthians, 14:35 - And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

More Bible quotes to be posted here as I come across them.

Got a suggested addition: e-mail me or post a comment.

Why Islam is Dangerous

Muslems believe in the Qur'an (Koran). The Qur'an is considered by Muslems to be the literal and final word of their god "Allah".

Thus it makes sense to take a look at some relevant passages in the Qur'an to see what they choose to believe their god is telling them about how they should live and act.

Koran Passages:

002.223 - Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will [...]

003.028 - Let not the believers take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers [...]

003.054 - And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.

004.025 - If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: And Allah hath full knowledge about your faith. Ye are one from another: Wed them with the leave of their owners, and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable: They should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame, their punishment is half that for free women. This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practise self-restraint.

004.034 - [on women] Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

004.089 - [on unbelievers] They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.

004.091 - Others you will find that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: Every time they are sent back to temptation, they succumb thereto: if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them: In their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them.

004.144 - Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?

005.044 - [...] And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed [i.e., follow the Koran], they are (No better than) wrong-doers.

009.111 - Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain.

016.106 - Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.

025.052 - So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them herewith with a great endeavour.

033.059 - Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments [headscarfs] over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested.

043.025 - So We exacted retribution from them: now see what was the end of those who rejected (Truth)!

047.004 - Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.

047.035 - Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when ye should be uppermost [...]

061.009 - It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that he may proclaim it over all religion[s], even though the Pagans may detest (it).

(emphases mine)

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said...

This is a web site I plan on studying a bit:

Important letters, speeches, and interviews of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, collected from various Internet sources.