Back in the middle east for the second time and I must say the place hasn't changed a bit. I cannot for the life of me figure out why someone would want to live in such a place. The heat is just part of the reason, in fact it is only about 80 during the days right now. It is the entire culture of it that I cannot stand. Everything is supposedly related to their religion but in practice it is only when their religion is convenient that they throw that card out there.
Oddly enough this offends me far more in their culture than in ours where the same practices are observed every day. But then again I cannot stand our culture of complacency, instant gratification, and entitlement any more than I can tolerate the Muslim culture of condescension, stagnation, and oppression.
In the younger generation of our culture why has it become a negative thing when you choose to pass your free time by reading a book or writing, by hand, instead of by playing PSP, Nintendo DS, or the latest game app for your phone that no longer has any resemblance to the use of a phone? I must admit to have fallen in love with my iPhone while I was back in the states, but now that I do not have it, I feel so much better than I did when it was always in my pocket or within arm's reach.
I hope that soon there will be an intellectual awakening of our culture because I honestly believe that for our country to be saved morally and spiritually the attitude of "I'm sitting here, now entertain me," has to be replaced by a spirit of "I am constantly striving to become better than I was yesterday." Only a people and culture that is awake cognitively, alert to the fact that they need saving, can be saved.
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17 years ago
Wow. Great posting. I didn't know you were back in the middle east. Please be safe and keep blogging!
ReplyDeleteI resent your statement, practically the majority of your blog Jonathan. It only shows your ignorance What of this culture have you seen outside of your compound? None other than through the window of your vehicle. You have not integrated with it, you have not had an in-depth conversation with anyone, you haven't even read anything to try to grasp an understanding, yet alone, learn their language, Arabic. This culture, maybe you hadn't noticed is that of Kuwait, different than that of Iraq, of which you never understood either, but only resented. YOur statement is similar to saying all Americans and Canadians are the same because they reside next to each other and their weather is alike.
ReplyDeleteAs for attacking the Muslim faith, you should be ashamed of yourself. Again, only ignorance is seen in your words. Much blood has been shed in the name of Christianity and Judaism, as much as that in the name of Allah. All words can be contorted to fit a person's means regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the purpose they give.
Next time you choose to condemn a culture or person, please do so with understanding, not the lack of. You unintelligence and egotism is showing. Just because it isn't what you would or how you would live doesn't make it wrong.