does the consumption of alcohol Iead to alcoholism in so many cases? (It’s clearly forbidden for us in the Qur’an)
does promiscuity (fornication) cause so many health, socio-economic, emotional problems? (it’s clearly forbidden for us in the Qur’an)
does the mixing of the sexes, which can often lead to adultery, devastate peoples’ lives in so many ways? (it’s clearly forbidden for us in the Qur’an).
ETC…ETC…
And yet ppl still go around chanting ‘freedom, freedom’- freedom to do what?? Harm ourselves and eachother, all for the sake of what??
@ icarus62- to answer your q’s
1) humans weren’t born with a tag informing us that we were pre-disposed to alcoholism- best to stay away.
2) not EVERYONE practices safe sex, that’s the problem. And why can’t u enjoy it with just ONE partner at a time??
3) Enriched? You mean by ‘harmless’ flirting and discreet perving- yeh right!
Adults NEED to act like adults, to give the best possible example to their children. peace.
@ ladywren- your idea of freedom might be plausible if each of us were living on a deserted island- we have responsibilites because we are innately social creatures. peace.
@ E.M. I’m spelling it the way it’s pronounced in Arabic. As for your life- sounds colourful, but I’m sure not as risk free as you have indicated. peace.
@ free at last- I’m a Muslim and I think that sex and sexuality is as natural as the air I breathe- that wasn’t my point- maybe you’d like to read it again…Also I made no reference to homosexuality- it’s the mixing of the sexes.peace.
George Washington expounded upon this theme in his First Inaugural Address, when he said,
“there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.”
As Benjamin Franklin declared, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”
The Founders understood the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of virtue to be the same thing. In their view, only a moral people can be a happy people.
The founders especially emphasized the role of religion in moral formation. The belief in a “God All Powerful wise and good, -essential to the moral order of the world.”, claimed James Madison.
George Washington declared that “reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
Religious communities bind people vertically to God and horizontally to one another. These social bonds not only depend upon, but actually help to generate, trust, cooperation, respect for authority, self-sacrifice, and a shared pursuit of and participation in the common good.
Those things also enrich peoples lives.
Just because some people abuse them it doesn’t mean they are bad for us.
I agree with atheist punk – black and white thinking – which can be bad in its own right
Man… take it to the ridiculous extreme why dont you!? This is such a black and white approach to life. Its puristic and rigid. Urrrgh.
Being free doesn’t mean being in a state of self destruction! Far out.
Being so judgemental leads to that. Look at all your ridiculous wars. Oh yeah thats divine…not.
Why do cars kill people? The bible clearly says God doesn’t like iron chariots!
They do. The divine rules are the same as the rules among men to live well in society. We do need those rules to enjoy a happy and healthy life.
Your examples are cherry picked and contrived. If you were to claim that Muslims have no health problems at all, then you might be on to something. The fact that a few of the diseases that we all get are related to normal activities that you choose to refrain from is statistically unimportant. You seem to wish to deny life for a few extra minutes of living.
Why deny alcohol to people for whom it will never be a problem, just because for some people it will be a problem?
Why deny sexual pleasure to people who practice safe sex?
Why deny mixed sex contact when most people’s lives are enriched by it rather than devastated by it?
Adults should be allowed to be adults, not treated like children.
I drink sometimes, but I am not an alcoholic, I had sex with women before and my husband thinks that I am even hotter now, it hasn’t devastated us. I had sex with more people before and it has made me better in bed :-p and I was smart enough to use protection!
Yes, and I am still chanting for freedom, freedom and more freedom for my children. Because we are supposed to enjoy life.
I actually have a question to you… if Muslims are supposed to live by the Quran, why do those terrorist things happen? Isn’t killing against the believe of the Quran? And why do you spell Qur’an… the word is spelled Quran!
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Freedom has risks and as well, limits… and your freedom “ends at the tip of my nose”, as is often said.
Morally you are free to do what you wish, as long as you harm no one else, and as well, you body, your business.
And we need no religion to be moral… “If you don’t wish something done to you, it is inappropriate for you to do that to someone else. ” And, that require NO, repeat, NO religion, does it???????????????
No holy book of any sort anywhere at any time. Simple.
Hope this helps.
The rules that theists attribute to a deity are actually man’s. Most are basic common sense rules of behavior the rest are cultural.
Every species develops rules of conduct that allows their societies to flourish. If critters can develop societies with standards that benefit their groups…. why think that humans can not?
It’s called a hypocrisy. How many religious people do you know
live by the rules of the bible or Qur’an or do they live by material things and try to not think about to makes them. What is their God? Money and more of it. In today’s world you are a mouse on a wheel grabbing what pieces you can. Wearing clothes made by child slave labor, food processed by low way slave class of illegals.
I think you would find that if we would all just accept sexuality as the natural function that it is, that would eliminate the problems you speak of. And please don’t try to tell me that nobody does it because it’s forbidden.
As for alcohol, overindulgence and dependence on any behavior is counterproductive to a balanced life.
As for the mixing of the sexes, I’m not sure what you mean. But if you mean that men and women shouldn’t mix socially or you’re referring to homosexuality, that’s just ridiculous and doesn’t deserve a reply.
The freedom I seek is to chose for myself.