So the holy month draws near, and me and my fiancé had a debate (argument) about the nature of the idea of fasting for x amount of days/weeks/months and what it achieves.
I find the whole idea hypocritical and contradictory. The most common reasoning given for it is that its a time for spiritual enlightenment, or for bringing people closer together and also for raising money for charities or whatever.
However, discounting the spiritual notion of the concept of fasting (which naturally has no evidence aside a warm fuzzy feeling for the believer), I find the idea that one needs to do something like this for the material benefits to themselves and others odd and contradictory. To paraphrase Mr Plinket "If you can do something to benefit your fellow man at any time outside of Ramadan, why not do something to benefit your fellow man outside Ramadan?" Of course I guess many do, but why is it more significant at this time?
The whole idea is just alien to me and makes no sense at all. Ok so I'll never get the personal spiritual journey thing (probably becuase theres no evidence to suggest such anything exists outside your own head). However i get the notion that it's similar to the idea that you need to do something becuase you're commanded to by mr sky fairy again, and for a reward in the life hereafter. Which after all is the entire basis behind Ramadan, lent and so on. Which of course also means that really you're not doing something out of selflessness, as really you're doing it in the hope of appeasing angry god man.
The reason I started this thread is because on Channel 4 here in the UK a show is being broadcast throughout Ramadan showing 'non-believers [kafir if you want to use the politically incorrect name] about what goes on in the festival and how Muslims cope.
Naturally they got the most liberal (and admittedly really nice guy) Muslim they could find called Rashid Khan (a former rugby league player) to present the show, and showed off loads of white people who'd converted to the religion to try and dispel the image of the Islam that has been slowly built through all the violence over the last decade or so through most media outlets. But I still couldn't shake the contradictions inherent within it, such as clearly enforced separate male and female areas, women (and young girls) wearing Islamic dress whilst men sit in their shorts, and finally the constant reference to Allah and 'how we're all made to worship him', which I find to be an abhorrent and repugnantly stupid idea.
Anyway, tl;dr, link below from google to news articles about the show.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chann ... 24&bih=673 (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=channel+4+british+ramadan&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#q=channel+4+british+ramadan&client=safari&hl=en&source=univ&tbm=nws&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=DBfbUbSaGoavO5nWgNAM&ved=0CC0QqAI&bav=on.2,or.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.ZWU&fp=15a494081a32ae2c&biw=1024&bih=673)
I think it's spelled "Ramada Inn"
Fasting changes the chemicals in the brain. Therefore, I hypothesize believers who fast get a bigger "God High" from the experience. The rest of us just get more restless.
Obviously, Channel 4 is pandering to the Muslims. They, the Channel 4 administrators, hope by this pandering to avoid another 7/7. Seems cowardly to me. But, then I don't have all of the information they have. Maybe it is just a way to attract more viewers. But, the pandering to avoid violence seems more likely to me.
My ancestors fasted to bring about an illusionary trance to see there spirit guide when becoming a man. I would think it is for the same reason, to get inside your head and out of the real world we live in. Peyote, LSD, Shrooms, and many herbs can help too. Don't blame me if you try them. It can be a living hell, not just a good trip. When there is a group of people doing this it brings people closer together. Kind of like men and women in combat, in a spiritual sense. :-$ I'm trying to meditate. Solitary
I always think fondly of Ramadan. I used to have quite a few employees who were from Somalia, and during Ramadan, they fasted during the day, but in the evening, they would break out the sambusa, these delicious little turnover like things, filled with meat and veggies. Without fail they would share them with me, and everyone else at work. They were, and I'm sure still are, some of the kindest, most gracious people I have ever known.
Just to clarify, people may argue and justify the benefits of fasting which you may or may not agree with. One of the core explanation of the benefits was provided by prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself:
"Allah, the Lord of Honor and glory says: All other deeds of man are for himself, but his fasting is purely for Me and I shall reward him for it. The fast is a shield. When any of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and noisy exchanges. Should anyone revile him or seek to pick a quarrel with him, he should respond with: I am observing a fast. By Him in Whose hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is fasting is purer in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. One who fasts experiences two joys: he is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord".
In the Quran, Allah states: "Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness"
The fragrance of musk stinks like the balls of a camel...that would go along way explaining the fucking wackadoodle that is mohamad the cave dweller.
Look up "Ramadan babies". They are generally smaller and have health issues later in their life compared to their counterparts that weren't gestated during Ramadan.
"Purification by fasting" roughly translates to: "God disapproves of you having shit in your large intestine while worshiping him." Which begs the question, why give people the need to eat in the first place when you could just make us all like the Protoss and get all our sustenance from light? (And make us badass psychics while he's at it.) At the very least we would be in a constant "pure" state for worship purposes.
It seems odd that their god would design us in a manner contrary to what he wants. Make us like sex, then forbid promiscuity. Make us need food, but then forbid it in daylight hours for a month. Look, but don't touch. Touch, but don't taste! Taste... don't swallow!
Yup, another month of suffering for me. I'll have to eat and drink discreetly, wake up very early (around 3 AM in the morning) to eat Sahur and then continue to pray Subh. Also after breaking the fast, I'm gonna have to pray Tarwih at the mosque for about 3 hours every night. :roll:
Muslims who are fasting are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, have sex even masturbate from 4 AM to generally 6 PM. This is worse if the day temperature is really hot (thirsty!), and you travel outside a lot. Also, food court or stands are generally closed or covered so that Muslims are not "disturbed" by the outside temptation, which is weird, cause the essence of Ramadan fasting is to test yourself, to hold yourself from giving in temptation of worldly desire. What good is it if the temptation is eliminated anyway? :roll:
We need holidays that require endless sex and stuffing your face with meat, preferably bacon. That I could live with. Maybe an atheist Lent, or something.
Quote from: "stromboli"We need holidays that require endless sex and stuffing your face with meat, preferably bacon. That I could live with. Maybe an atheist Lent, or something.
Agreed! :lol:
Quote from: "Mnf"Just to clarify, people may argue and justify the benefits of fasting which you may or may not agree with. One of the core explanation of the benefits was provided by prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself:
"Allah, the Lord of Honor and glory says: All other deeds of man are for himself, but his fasting is purely for Me and I shall reward him for it. The fast is a shield. When any of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and noisy exchanges. Should anyone revile him or seek to pick a quarrel with him, he should respond with: I am observing a fast. By Him in Whose hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is fasting is purer in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. One who fasts experiences two joys: he is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord".
In the Quran, Allah states: "Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness"
You call it an explanation, but it's just made-up bullshit coming from a disgusting criminal called Muhammad pbuh (pedophile bastard, useless humanoid).
Quote from: "DunkleSeele"it's just made-up bullshit coming from a disgusting criminal called Muhammad pbuh (pedophile bastard, useless [s:2gjczi4m]humanoid[/s:2gjczi4m] hemorrhoid).
FIFY
:prayer: :prayer: :prayer: :prayer: :prayer: ALLAHU AKBAR! :shock: 8-[ sOLITARY
Quote from: "stromboli"We need holidays that require endless sex and stuffing your face with meat, preferably bacon. That I could live with. Maybe an atheist Lent, or something.
You could stuff your face with a cock wrapped in bacon.
(patent pending)
I have like 35 biscuits packets and 35 drinks, stowed safely in my room.
Every day fasting for 16 hours, 1 biscuits packet and 1 drink to survive.
starting at astonishing 46kg, i will probably weigh 40kg by the end of the month. #-o
And i will probably start flying too! :shock:
QuoteOne who fasts experiences two joys: he is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord".
So basically the two joys are finally being able to call it quits and going delusional from lack of sustenance?
Yeah, thanks but no thanks.
Quote from: "StupidWiz"Yup, another month of suffering for me. I'll have to eat and drink discreetly, wake up very early (around 3 AM in the morning) to eat Sahur and then continue to pray Subh. Also after breaking the fast, I'm gonna have to pray Tarwih at the mosque for about 3 hours every night. :roll:
Muslims who are fasting are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, have sex even masturbate from 4 AM to generally 6 PM. This is worse if the day temperature is really hot (thirsty!), and you travel outside a lot. Also, food court or stands are generally closed or covered so that Muslims are not "disturbed" by the outside temptation, which is weird, cause the essence of Ramadan fasting is to test yourself, to hold yourself from giving in temptation of worldly desire. What good is it if the temptation is eliminated anyway? :roll:
:popcorn: Nobody stopping my porn or masturbation. nobody told me to stop either.
they probably don't think i will do such a thing in such holy month.
"Tarwih at the mosque for about 3 hours every night"
[-X
i go for like half an hour, and then take a walk. tell everybody at home that i completed 8 Tarwihs. :-$
Do anybody has any idea why don't i feel holy during this month. Wasn't i suppose to feel peace and pureness of the one true GOD or something!
Quote from: "Jmpty"I always think fondly of Ramadan. I used to have quite a few employees who were from Somalia, and during Ramadan, they fasted during the day, but in the evening, they would break out the sambusa, these delicious little turnover like things, filled with meat and veggies. Without fail they would share them with me, and everyone else at work. They were, and I'm sure still are, some of the kindest, most gracious people I have ever known.
Many of my friends are Somali Bantu refugees that I got involved with volunteering to help their children catch up in school when they got here. I've found them to be hard workers who care about their children's education and yes, very gentle and gracious.
Quote from: "CloneKai":popcorn: Nobody stopping my porn or masturbation. nobody told me to stop either.
they probably don't think i will do such a thing in such holy month.
"Tarwih at the mosque for about 3 hours every night"
[-X
i go for like half an hour, and then take a walk. tell everybody at home that i completed 8 Tarwihs. :-$
Do anybody has any idea why don't i feel holy during this month. Wasn't i suppose to feel peace and pureness of the one true GOD or something!
Eh, nobody's stopping mine either! [-X
Sometimes, when my mom's not going to the mosque with us, I don't go to the mosque, just, wandering around neighborhood like a hobo. LOL
Of course I keep watching my cellphone for the time when it's done, so I wait for my siblings at one corner of the street on the way home, and we go home together. Hell, I've been doing this with Maghrib and Subh as well, with my brothers! :lol:
It's harder to do this in Tarwih cause that is when my mother also comes along with us to the mosque, it's kinda frustrating and lame. :roll:
Most of the muslims I know around here don't really give it that much consideration - most of them are 'muslim' as a tip of the hat to clan loyalty rather than in any meaningful way.
Plenty do though elsewhere though. Meh, ramadamadingdong is just bog-standard religious going-through-the-motions autopilot for many IMO.
When I was in high school the muslims all had the days off on ramadan and weren't expected to do any work while they were gone. They were also excused from making up all the work they missed. One of my teachers got fed up with it because some of them used it just as an excuse not go to school (I know one of them who just stayed home and played Xbox all day) and she started to assign homework for them before it started. Needless to say they freaked the fuck out and complained to the principal, and the teacher had no choice but to back off.
... makes me wonder of it's possible to be into a whole bunch of different religions then claim all the holidays... :-k
I probably wouldn't get away with it as I'm not a convincing enough liar.... :(