Freethought & Rationalism Archive

notme · 02-26-2006, 05:52 AM

>>Palestinian educator Dr. Maria Khoury geared up for the winter chill with what was at the time a meaningless purchase: a black silk scarf with silver stripes to drape around her neck.

But now, on her daily excursions from the West Bank's Taiba to nearby Ramallah, the scarf serves as a political symbol of the changing times.

"Since Hamas took over, I cover my head in Ramallah," she says. "I don't feel comfortable."

In the largely cosmopolitan Ramallah, though they comprise some 10 percent of the population, Christians are becoming less and less visible.

The first time that Khoury ran into her local parish priest there with her head covered, he raised his eyebrows and laughed.

"I see more and more women covered up," Khoury says, explaining that for now, it's preferable to play it safe and assimilate on the street, even if she would never choose to cover her head otherwise.

"Years ago I even used to go in short sleeves," she says. "You'd have to put a gun to my head to get me to wear short sleeves now." <<

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...icle%2FPrinter

Imagine what an atheist would have to do?

von_rick · 02-26-2006, 06:20 AM

This isn't anythinng new. All across the Muslim ruled countries, its not a good idea to identify yourself as an atheist. They can tolerate non-Muslims with some grudge, but non-believers are quite a different case. What's happeneing in Palestine has been going on in all the muslim countries for generations.

Rathpig · 02-26-2006, 09:22 AM

Oh but so many point to the "few" numbers of extremists and the vast number of the "peaceful". It must be Israel's fault, or the United States. I would wager Zionism is to real problem. Didn't the Hindu protest a naughty movie? Perhaps the Palestinian Christians themselves are to blame.

R.,

Tigers! · 02-26-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathpig

Oh but so many point to the "few" numbers of extremists and the vast number of the "peaceful". It must be Israel's fault, or the United States. I would wager Zionism is to real problem. Didn't the Hindu protest a naughty movie? Perhaps the Palestinian Christians themselves are to blame.

R.,

Yes, shame on those naughty Palestinian Christians for daring to believe in God.

Tigers! · 02-26-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by von_rick

This isn't anythinng new. All across the Muslim ruled countries, its not a good idea to identify yourself as an atheist. They can tolerate non-Muslims with some grudge, but non-believers are quite a different case. What's happeneing in Palestine has been going on in all the muslim countries for generations.

What's the difference between a non-Muslim and a non-believer? I wouldn't have thought that it was that broad?

David B · 02-26-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigers!

What's the difference between a non-Muslim and a non-believer? I wouldn't have thought that it was that broad?

Well, it seems to be that way with lots of Christians. Atheists and non Xer theists go alike to hell.

David B

02-26-2006, 05:52 AM	#1
notme Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada Posts: 255	Christians under cover; Atheists on the run >>Palestinian educator Dr. Maria Khoury geared up for the winter chill with what was at the time a meaningless purchase: a black silk scarf with silver stripes to drape around her neck. But now, on her daily excursions from the West Bank's Taiba to nearby Ramallah, the scarf serves as a political symbol of the changing times. "Since Hamas took over, I cover my head in Ramallah," she says. "I don't feel comfortable." In the largely cosmopolitan Ramallah, though they comprise some 10 percent of the population, Christians are becoming less and less visible. The first time that Khoury ran into her local parish priest there with her head covered, he raised his eyebrows and laughed. "I see more and more women covered up," Khoury says, explaining that for now, it's preferable to play it safe and assimilate on the street, even if she would never choose to cover her head otherwise. "Years ago I even used to go in short sleeves," she says. "You'd have to put a gun to my head to get me to wear short sleeves now." << http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...icle%2FPrinter Imagine what an atheist would have to do?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-26-2006, 06:20 AM	#2
von_rick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Posts: 1,156	This isn't anythinng new. All across the Muslim ruled countries, its not a good idea to identify yourself as an atheist. They can tolerate non-Muslims with some grudge, but non-believers are quite a different case. What's happeneing in Palestine has been going on in all the muslim countries for generations.

02-26-2006, 09:22 AM	#3
Rathpig Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,193	Oh but so many point to the "few" numbers of extremists and the vast number of the "peaceful". It must be Israel's fault, or the United States. I would wager Zionism is to real problem. Didn't the Hindu protest a naughty movie? Perhaps the Palestinian Christians themselves are to blame. R.,

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.