OT: Slob

[Trek420]

...and the stoning, can't believe I made a joke about that, that's so not funny and on a personal level that should never have left my fingers. I'm sorry.

I'll try to make this long story my Dad told me short.

When my Dad was a small child the family lived in Israel, then called Palestine. One day the small family, my Dad and my Aunt in the care of an Aunt and Uncle took a vacation to the hills. Along the way they passed through a small town.

Up to that point my Dads childhood impression of the Middle East is that it was a very tolerant place, Christians, Jews, Muslims, everyone pretty much getting along. But according to my Dad the British were stirring up trouble between the Muslims and Jews, Dad was pretty good at history, don't know all the details of that part so anyway they drive into this tiny town as afternoon prayers are getting over and the congregation (I guess called the same) leaves the Mosque.

Seeing the small Jewish family the car was surrounded by the angry mob and ..well things did not good for Trek being here today.

Just then the Muslim cleric came out and saw what was about to occur as my Dad described it strode into the mob at risk to his own life.

I recall my Dad telling me that the cleric said something like "we're Muslims, this is wrong, we don't kill innocent people". Anyway given that lesson the crowd parted, the little family left and here I am today.

This made an impression on me. Though I'm not observent my family background was very religious Jewish and my core belief is that Christians, Jews, Muslims, Budhists, Pagan, straights gays, cyclists, roller bladers (well maybe not them) ....our core beliefs values are much the same and no one religion has a monopoly on what's right, all have value.

Sorry for any upset that I have caused. Off to do the dishes which are piled up.