First of all, He wants some –who have divine rights- to occupy a certain territory, kick out everyone who’s already living there. By any means necessary; walls, barbed wires, genocide, basic rights deprivation, economic embargo, eviction.

Secondly, He wants us to denounce our fellow human beings who differ from us as infidels. To condemn different views harshly and leave no room for discussion.

Thirdly, He obviously dislikes the building of worshipping places. What about that mosque in New York God? NO, says He. That new church in Indonesia? NO. Burn them all, says He. Or so say those guys who swear by His name.

Heck God doesn’t even want men and women get along. Women can’t drive, can’t vote, can’t appear on TV and should accept that they’re 2nd class citizens.

We spent our lives making sure that we’ll end up in heaven, by hitting each other in the face, spit, curse, shoot, deride each other. By being suspicious, prejudiced and resentful.

Judaism, Christianity and Islam, rooted from Abraham’s teachings and from the same God that Abraham worshiped, yet their followers feel it necessary to live inharmoniously with each other. By God, let us be pebbles in each others’ shoes.

From these hostile followers, it appears to me that God created religion -a set of values governing our lives; our relationship with Him, with mankind and with our environment- to make sure that we spend our resources fighting each other.

Exhibit A:
http://www.economist.com/node/21538667

But what of tolerance?
http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/character/the-statute-of-tolerance-in-islam/

And what of believing our better nature. What of considering perhaps God wants us to work together despite the veil, the yarmulk, the turban and the kafiyeh? To be good business partners, neighbors and share a parking space.

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/the-trouble-with-rage/

(Ishmael, from The Whale)

By far my favorite opening chapter in a book. What I’ve been trying to figure out is, when he said hypos, was Ishmael suicidal?

Upright, upside-down, change your angle. Be surprised.

Si Ibu sakit, ngga puasa..jadi agak ngga peduli. But encouraged each of us to make an informed decision.

Gue lebaran hari ini, karena percaya pada sistem hisab dan global moonsighting. Katanya Qur’an itu semangatnya hisab (ar-rahman:5), dan rupanya new moon (a.k.a bulan baru) kelihatan di belahan bumi lain.

Kakak pada prinsipnya sama kayak gue, tapi memutuskan bahwa dia akan tetep puasa hari ini dan lebaran besok demi ukhuwah (dan nemenin nenek gue solat besok). Kata si kakak,  nabi mencintai org yg menjaga ukhuwah.

Semuanya boleh, asal alasannya kuat dan saling menghormati. Kata hadis riwayat Kakak lagi, “yang penting puasanya diterima apa nggak, bukan lebarannya kapan”.

Of course, right after submitting the paper I planned a thank you speech..you know.. in case I did get to be on stage *had started to think about what dress I’m gonna wear and that it might be best to start rehearsing the speech in front of a mirror*. It would have been my almost Oscar moment, in which I’d be thanking my parents, Paris, and Ratman: a friend and a constant reminder of perseverance and the joy of life, in whatever condition.

Here’s the paper