Category: Personal

Lets hear more from our local expert on Islam

Yes, I am frustrated at Eriks comments on Islam. But I have to say, he certainly does his research:

Now I am certainly not an expert on the Qur’an, but after 10 minutes research…

Wow Erik! Don’t go out of your way here. Your depth of understanding is certainly astounding.

So, according to this web page…

Seriously Erik. As we all know there is a lot of crazy crack out there on the internet. You need to cross reference. Have you ever actually spoken to a Muslim (on purpose)? Have you asked anyone who studies the religion about this? Considering your above attempts I would suggest no.

The website you quote also had the following:

www.submission.org is not owned, governed, maintained, managed or operated by any kind of legal organizations or organized groups.

Not a totally reputable source perhaps? I have to say, unless you can read Arabic and look at the original texts then you can’t be sure. Anyway, in just a few minutes of my own browsing:

Rape is an abhorrent crime and an abominable sin. This heinous crime is forbidden not only in Islam but in all religions, and all people of sound thinking and pure human nature reject it.

A raped woman is a victim that must be treated with honor and kindness. She is not required to produce four witnesses to prove the crime done against her, nor is she punished for the crime done against her.

Both from this article by an actual Sheikh.

So please stop talking about that which you don’t know. Stick to programming and your obviously hidden talent for web design 😉

Islam doesn’t hurt people. People hurt people.

I am getting a little frustrated with some of the recent posts about Islam. My best friend is Muslim and she has given me huge insight to the religion and the difference between Islamic practices and the many cultural practices that get confused with them. Many of the abhorrent practices towards women in some countries that try to use Islam as an excuse, draw these practices from much older cultural practices from way before Islam was even around. I don’t believe Islam is a cause of disharmony or suffering any more than Christianity is (and yes, that is a loaded comment). Both are spiritual followings that can and have been taken out of context by extremists which often leads to suffering. I wish people would stop blaming Islam for the acts of a few extremists that are absolutely not respresentative of either the religion or the majority of people following that religion.

I guess that I have a lot of hope for the future. The reason I can have such a strong and wonderful friendship with someone who has a very difference cultural and religious background to me is because of mutual respect. We respect each others views and enjoy the ability to have an open and friendly dialogue about our ideas and beliefs. If everyone could learn some compassion and respect for other people, regardless of the differences you might have with them, then perhaps we can be on the road to a more peaceful future.

it’s easier to hate than to love,
it’s easier to turn your back than extend your hand

We are all the same, all people want security, love, hope and respect. I believe strongly in the FOSS community because people are generally bound by strong values that transcend race, religion or gender. I would hope that our community of all communities can demonstrate to the world that through mutual respect, people from all around the world can come together to achieve great things.

Am I a “Young Achiever”?

I was very excited to be nominated by Brenda Aynsley for the Pearcey Award for Young Achievers. I’m not sure exactly what they are looking for, but if I am awarded it I’ll be one of two women to ever get it 🙂 I’m pretty happy just to have been nominated and I hope that I get a chance to get up and talk about how FOSS has helped me have all the opportunity in the world to do great things alongside great people.

Rock on 🙂

Riding with Alli

While I was in Canberra, one of things I did was meet up with Alli and finally meet the famous four-legged Dan. It was a wonderful albeit short visit, and Alli let me have a ride 🙂 I used to own horses and really miss riding so it was awesome fun! He was a little cheeky but I had him going over a few jumps. Then Alli put him through his paces beautifully 🙂 Thanks Alli!!