Intéressant

I think it would be interesting to gather up all the people with my name in America and compare all the different ways our names are pronounced.

The other day in MMW, we were comparing the origins of the 4 major religions. I was ecstatic to see my professor point out the little tidbits of religion I have been pondering for quite some time. I have always believed that religion is suppose to make you more compassionate and understanding towards others, not more separated. I have gotten a lot of flack for being Catholic. I'm not actually a practicing Catholic, but it's still it is my religion. I remember many vehement arguments in India between an Atheist doctor, two Jewish boys, and a Catholic housewife from Ireland. I was involved too but mostly as the mediator. Even in my family, I get so much crap for it. It's because my dad's family lives all over the world whereas all of my mom's immediate family resides in the Bay Area, and they are mostly agnostic I believe.

My philosophy on religion is that being a good person should matter the most. I know a lot of born-again Christians go around saying "you're going to burn in Hell" and so forth, but really what kind of a God would punish someone who is kind and downright good just because they happen to believe in something else. And it really shouldn't matter if "their god is not our god." I wish people could find a way treat others the way they want to be treated instead of inflicting the injustices they encounter on others. And all this competition over being the "right" religion, I wish didn't matter as much. There's also a lot of corruption in the church hierarchies that the practitioners of the religion get blamed for. Okay, some preacher molests boys, it does not mean the entire religion and the people who practice it do. Composition informal fallacy bitches!

Okay now onto Israel and Palestine. Jews lived peacefully in Palestine for thousands of years. It never became a problem until England designated some of Palestine's land to be made into Israel. Bad politics, first of all. I know Jews and Muslims have had issues in the past as well. I just wish that they could both find kinship in their trials rather than turning on each other. I feel for the Israelis; they've been screwed over so many times in the past and have mostly been peaceful, I suppose until now. I also feel for the Palestinians of course they are not going to be okay with being forced to give up some of their land. Muslims have dealt with more than their share of troubles, as well. This is just, a sticky situation. No Palestine shouldn't have been forced to give up their land, but where else do the Jews have to go (though I do think it was unreasonable for them to try to get more land than they were allotted)? I realize Israel is the aggressor in this situation, but I suppose they feel justified though I'm not sure why. I hope both parties can find compassion for each other.

Enough of my musing I must return to my catch up work.