Friday, April 29, 2011

On A Lighter Note: Harold Camping and the End of the World...

This is a good overview of how Harold Camping will soon destroy the faith of hundreds of thousands of people...

Believers: World to End May 21

There's less than a month left to send Harold Camping your money:
http://www.familyradio.com/index2.html

So Much for Truth, Justice and the American Way! Superman Surrenders US Citizenship.

So much for "Truth, Justice, and the American way"!

Superman wants to be like Obama, i.e. not an American citizen. The difference is that Superman is being honest about it! His birth certificate reads "
Krypton" with his birth name as Kal-El

SOURCE

Apr 27th 2011 By: Laura Hudson

Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900


After recently undertaking a journey to walk -- not fly -- across the United States in the "Grounded" storyline and reconnect with the country and everyday Americans, Superman appears to be taking another step that could have major implications for his national identity: in Action Comics #900...

...Superman announces that he is going to give up his U.S. citizenship. Despite very literally being an alien immigrant, Superman has long been seen as a patriotic symbol of "truth, justice, and the American way," from his embrace of traditional American ideals to the iconic red and blue of his costume. What it means to stand for the "American way" is an increasingly complicated thing, however, both in the real world and in superhero comics, whose storylines have increasingly seemed to mirror current events and deal with moral and political complexities rather than simple black and white morality.

The key scene takes place in "The Incident," a short story in
Action Comics #900 written by David S. Goyer with art by Miguel Sepulveda. In it, Superman consults with the President's national security advisor, who is incensed that Superman appeared in Tehran to non-violently support the protesters demonstrating against the Iranian regime, no doubt an analogue for the recent real-life protests in the Middle East. However, since Superman is viewed as an American icon in the DC Universe as well as our own, the Iranian government has construed his actions as the will of the American President, and indeed, an act of war.



Superman replies that it was foolish to think that his actions would not reflect politically on the American government, and that he therefore plans to renounce his American citizenship at the United Nations the next day -- and to continue working as a superhero from a more global than national perspective. From a "realistic" standpoint it makes sense; it would indeed be impossible for a nigh-omnipotent being ideologically aligned with America to intercede against injustice beyond American borders without creating enormous political fallout for the U.S. government.


While this wouldn't be this first time a profoundly American comic book icon disassociated himself from his national identity -- remember when Captain America became
Nomad? -- this could be a very significant turning point for Superman if its implications carry over into other storylines. Indeed, simply saying that "truth, justice and the American way [is] not enough anymore" is a pretty startling statement from the one man who has always represented those values the most.

It doesn't seem that he's abandoning those values, however, only trying to implement them on a larger scale and divorce himself from the political complexities of nationalism. Superman also says that he believes he has been thinking "too small," that the world is "too connected" for him to limit himself with a purely national identity. As an alien born on another planet, after all, he "can't help but see the bigger picture."


Do you think the shift to a more global role makes sense for Superman? If he really is going to renounce his U.S. citizenship in order to function as a more international figure, how do you think it will affect the character?

Superman Renounces His US Citizenship

So much for "Truth, Justice, and the American way"!

Superman wants to be like Obama, i.e. not an American citizen. The difference is that Superman is being honest about it! His birth certificate reads "
Krypton" with his birth name as Kal-El

SOURCE

Apr 27th 2011 By: Laura Hudson

Superman Renounces U.S. Citizenship in 'Action Comics' #900


After recently undertaking a journey to walk -- not fly -- across the United States in the "Grounded" storyline and reconnect with the country and everyday Americans, Superman appears to be taking another step that could have major implications for his national identity: in Action Comics #900...

...Superman announces that he is going to give up his U.S. citizenship. Despite very literally being an alien immigrant, Superman has long been seen as a patriotic symbol of "truth, justice, and the American way," from his embrace of traditional American ideals to the iconic red and blue of his costume. What it means to stand for the "American way" is an increasingly complicated thing, however, both in the real world and in superhero comics, whose storylines have increasingly seemed to mirror current events and deal with moral and political complexities rather than simple black and white morality.

The key scene takes place in "The Incident," a short story in
Action Comics #900 written by David S. Goyer with art by Miguel Sepulveda. In it, Superman consults with the President's national security advisor, who is incensed that Superman appeared in Tehran to non-violently support the protesters demonstrating against the Iranian regime, no doubt an analogue for the recent real-life protests in the Middle East. However, since Superman is viewed as an American icon in the DC Universe as well as our own, the Iranian government has construed his actions as the will of the American President, and indeed, an act of war.



Superman replies that it was foolish to think that his actions would not reflect politically on the American government, and that he therefore plans to renounce his American citizenship at the United Nations the next day -- and to continue working as a superhero from a more global than national perspective. From a "realistic" standpoint it makes sense; it would indeed be impossible for a nigh-omnipotent being ideologically aligned with America to intercede against injustice beyond American borders without creating enormous political fallout for the U.S. government.


While this wouldn't be this first time a profoundly American comic book icon disassociated himself from his national identity -- remember when Captain America became
Nomad? -- this could be a very significant turning point for Superman if its implications carry over into other storylines. Indeed, simply saying that "truth, justice and the American way [is] not enough anymore" is a pretty startling statement from the one man who has always represented those values the most.

It doesn't seem that he's abandoning those values, however, only trying to implement them on a larger scale and divorce himself from the political complexities of nationalism. Superman also says that he believes he has been thinking "too small," that the world is "too connected" for him to limit himself with a purely national identity. As an alien born on another planet, after all, he "can't help but see the bigger picture."


Do you think the shift to a more global role makes sense for Superman? If he really is going to renounce his U.S. citizenship in order to function as a more international figure, how do you think it will affect the character?

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Interview with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Interview with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Is the phrase "one nation under God" accurate of the US?

Recently, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- standing in the U.S. Capitol Building -- referenced the Pledge saying: "One nation . . . indivisible, with liberty ..." omitting "under God" from the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is working to strip "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance arguing that it somehow violates the First Amendment by establishing a religion. They are making good headway.

There are even briefs to the court stating that having children say "one nation under God" is a form of child abuse...

My question is this:

At what point is it an insult to God to claim a country is under His direction and protection?

The United States "legally" murders millions of babies and senior citizens every year.
The United States has outlawed bringing the Bible to school.
The United States has outlawed prayer in the schools.
The United States has outlawed celebrating Jewish and Christian holidays in the schools and other public and government places.
Most religious themed monuments and other references to the religion the country was founded on have been removed.
The current "president" of the country is an antisemitic Muslim covert operative.
The vast majority of Americans (including its "leaders") no longer attend religious services nor is religious faith an active part of their lives.
Most American Christians are biblically illiterate and most American Jews fare no better.
Positive mention of God is all but absent from the airwaves and media of the country while religious people are routinely depicted as lunatics and extremists and God is frequently mocked directly.

Do you think God considers the USA to be "one nation under Him?" Or does He more likely view the country as an infidel empire working against His Will?

Is the phrase "one nation under God" accurate of the US?
Is the phrase "one nation under God" when applied to the US an insult to God's Righteousness?

Should it be removed from the pledge?
(And should subjects of the Kingdom of God say a pledge to ANY nation?)

What are your thoughts?

Our prayers are with the victims of what may be the largest tornado Outbreak in history

May HaShem protect and comfort the survivors of the recent storms as they pick up the pieces and go forward.
As far as I have ascertained thus far, all of my family and friends in the South are safe. May God be with them all and with everyone else in the affected areas. If you have been effected by these storms I invite your comments, observations, concerns and so on. If you need someone to talk with I invited you contact me.

Here's a couple of related news stories:

Tornado Outbreak Could Be Largest In History 4/28/11

SOURCE: CBS News

Greg Morgan
April 28, 2011


Yesterday's outbreak of tornadoes is on track to make history! Affecting multiple states, the large storm system has produced widespread death and destruction over the eastern half of the Nation, that could soon rival the largest outbreak in recorded history!

The most extensive tornado outbreak on record, in almost every category, was the Super Outbreak, which affected a large area of the central United States and extreme southern Canada on April 3 and April 4, 1974. Not only did this outbreak feature an incredible 148 tornadoes in only 18 hours, but an unprecedented number of them were violent; 7 were of F5 intensity, and 23 F4. This outbreak had a staggering 16 tornadoes on the ground at the same time at the peak of the outbreak. More than 300 people, possibly as many as 330, were killed by tornadoes during this outbreak

Yesterday's storm reports show 169 tornadoes and the fatality count is near 250 as of this writing. The number of injuries is not yet known. The Tuscaloosa, AL. tornado has been rated an EF4 by the National Weather Service!

The current La Nina pattern affecting the United States suggests a continued active severe weather season for the Ozarks, the Mid-West and the Deep South. The Southwestern United States including our part of West Texas will continue to see an overall dry pattern for the next few months! It has been 213 days since the Permian Basin has seen any significant rainfall. Areas just to the east of us near Brownwood recieved 4-6" of rain last week.

===================

SOURCE: CBS News

April 28, 2011
Tornadoes damage reactors in U.S.; Backups work
Amid questions about nuclear safety following Japanese disaster, destruction from Southern storms provides an early test.

(CBS/AP) Alabama and other southern states are reeling from a series of tornadoes that killed more than 200 people. But there's no nuclear disaster to go with the natural disaster -- a promising sign amid concerns that the U.S. could someday face a nuclear crisis like the one that has followed the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The savage storms in that passed through parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia on Wednesday knocked out power to the Browns Ferry nuclear power plant, about 30 miles west of Huntsville, Ala.

The Tennessee Valley Authority-owned plant had to use seven diesel generators to power the plant's three units. The safety systems operated as needed and the emergency event was classified as the lowest of four levels, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.

All three units at TVA's 3,274-megawatt plant shut down around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. External power was restored quickly to the plant but diesel generators remained running Wednesday evening, Reuters reports, citing a Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokeswoman.

"The Browns Ferry units are among 23 U.S. reactors that are similar in design to the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan where backup generators were swept away in the tsunami that followed the massive earthquake on March 11," Reuters reported.

Severe though the natural disaster was, it hardly matched the destruction -- in property and lives -- of the March 11 quake and tsunami in northern Japan, which is thought to have killed more than 20,000 people and caused at least partial meltdowns at several of the Fukushima reactors.

That event brought renewed attention to nuclear safety in the U.S., where many plants rely on the same model of reactors found at the Fukushima plant. Experts say that lax regulation and the possibility of earthquakes and other natural disasters put U.S. plants at risk.

Much of the attention has focused not on the earthquake-prone West Coast, but major nuclear plants in the East, including the Indian Point plant north of New York City, which the NRC found most at risk for catastrophic damage from an earthquake.

Nuclear reactor nightmare: Could it happen in the U.S.?
U.S. nuclear plants pose same risks as Japan's
What's the most at-risk U.S. nuclear power plant?

Browns Ferry output had been reduced earlier in Wednesday due to transmission line damage from the storms, Reuters reports. It does not appear that the plant suffered a direct hit.

Crews were working to make repairs, but the severe weather was forecast to continue, the Tennessee Valley Authority said in a release.


Dry Bones: The Lone Ranger Visits Paris

The Lone Ranger Visits Paris

Tonto, Lone Ranger, Masks, France, Paris, Islamophobia, veil, Law, anti Muslim, Burka, Islam, Islamism, Multi culturalism : Dry Bones cartoon.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Trump for President?

In my view Donald Trump is a mixed bag.
Should he run for POTUS?
Would you, given what you know as of now, vote for him?

He talks a pretty good game...

But is he a just a "joke candidate" as certain Globalist Republicans claim?

He has changed his mind on several important issues... what does he really believe?

His rationale for coming to the pro-life position is troublesome... a man in his position, seeking the office he is seeking, changes his mind on such an essential life and death situation because a personal friend is glad for not murdering his child? That's pretty weak...

AND (not but) what are the alternatives? Hillary? the Queen of Hell? Romney? McCain? I like Palin but she blew it too often. She does not have a chance at the Republican nomination and if she got it she would never beat the Sheik.

Trump talks a good game about China and the Ummah...

And/But what if they refuse to back down? The US is no longer the Superpower.

What if OPEC raises the cost of oil? Doubles it defiantly...

What if China calls in the US debts? They own a huge percentage of the US economy. Could the US survive now if they default and sue us in the World Court?

If either of these scenarios happen under the Trump administration it could mean WW III.

BUT... if the US is afraid to stand back up what does that mean? How will the former Republic ever be restored?

But... Trump? That's hard to swallow....

What are your thoughts on these issues?

Obama MAY have finally released his long form birth certificate

Looks like Husein Obama may have finally released his long form birth certificate:

Or maybe this is just another hoax.



Is this for real? Consider:

In 1961 a typewriter would have been used to fill out such forms. Note how all of the letters on the form are surrounded in white. How could a 1950's era type writer have produced that effect? I just checked my COLB (produced 4 years prior to his alleged birth) to confirm this. The type is written on the background, as a typewriter would normally do. The letters are not raised above the background like this. It looks to me as though the letters may have been superimposed onto the background. Of course, with all of its technology the US junta could easily have done a more convincing job at producing a counterfeit... so this oddity could actually support the legitimacy of the document.

For now, I'm not buying it, this looks like another fraud to me.

IF Trump is for real his job is not yet over. This released document needs to be scrutinized by experts and a convincing case made. Maybe there is a reason for this seemingly blatant inconsistency. If so, it needs to be explained by the experts.

IF this document is legitimate however it still does not answer the more damning question of his Indonesian citizenship. See below....

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf

SOURCE

White House releases Obama birth certificate

By Rachel Rose Hartman

The White House on Wednesday morning released the president's long form birth certificate (pdf) in an attempt to put "birther" questions to rest.

"The President believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country. It may have been good politics and good T.V., but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country," White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement.

The president had released his certificate of live birth in 2008, but many "birthers" said the absence of a long form birth certificate prompted questions about Obama's birthplace of Hawaii. In recent weeks potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has brought birther questions into the forefront of the media.

"At a time of great consequence for this country--when we should be debating how we win the future, reduce our deficit, deal with high gas prices, and bring stability to the Middle East, Washington, DC, was once again distracted by a fake issue," Pfeiffer said. "The President's hope is that with this step, we can move on to debating the bigger issues that matter to the American people and the future of the country."

Obama admitted at a White House press conference following the document's release Wednesday morning that he's been both amused and puzzled by the degree to which his place of birth has become an issue.

The president echoed Pfeiffer's statements saying that Americans and their representatives need to come together to solve issues such as how to "invest in our future" while tackling the federal deficit and federal debt:

But we're not going to be able to do it if we are distracted. We're not going to be able to do it if we spend time vilifying each other. We're not going to be able to do it if we just make stuff up and pretend that facts are not facts. We're not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers.

Though the president didn't mention Trump by name, Obama noted that when he announced his deficit plan this month, his birth certificate, not our country's economic future, dominated the news that week.

Trump on Wednesday took full credit for the release.

"I feel I've accomplished something really really important and I'm honored by it," Trump said at a press conference held during his pre-scheduled visit today to New Hampshire. Trump noted that people have long been requesting the document, but Trump was the only one who got the president to release it. Trump suggested Wednesday this development will boost his own potential presidential candidacy.

Trump said he and others are still going to have to assess the document's authenticity. We're "going to look at it. We have to see if it's real, if it's proper," Trump said. But he added that he's "sure it's the right deal" and is looking forward to moving on to more important issues such as OPEC and China.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m. EST: Story updated to reflect Donald Trump's reaction.

UPDATE 10:08 a.m. EST: Story updated to include President Obama's press comments.

==============================================

My thoughts continued:

We know for a fact that Barry Soetoro (his adoptive legal name as an Indonesian citizen) attended madrasa (Muslim school) in Indonesia as a child.

We know for a fact that at that time in order to attend any public school children were required to be Indonesian citizens only. Dual citizenship was allowed there.

We know for a fact that Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian citizen, adopted Barry and named or renamed him legally as Indonesian citizen Barry Soetoro.

We know for a fact that the only way this could have been done under existing Indonesian law would have been for him to renounce any and all citizenships he may have held (whether British, Kenyan or US).

So... Even IF this COLB is legitimate and he was born in Hawaii rather than in Kenya (as several Kenyan relatives and government officials claim), he still renounced his US citizenship and is still ineligible for the office he now holds because he is not a US citizen.

Since there is no evidence of his ever re-applying for US citizenship this issue remains regardless of this document.





Obama's Grandmother:

Remember his previous fraudulent attempt at providing a birth certificate:

Obama may have finally released his long form birth certificate

Looks like Husein Obama may have finally released his long form birth certificate:

Or maybe this is just another hoax.

In 1961 a typewriter would have been used to fill out such forms. Note how all of the letters on the form are surrounded in white. How could a 1950's era type writer have produced that? I just checked my COLB (produced 4 years prior to his alleged birth) to confirm this. The type is written on the background, as a typewriter would do. This looks like another fraud to me.

IF Trump is for real his job is not yet over. This released document needs to be scrutinized by experts. Maybe there is a reason for this seemingly blatant inconsistency.

IF this document is legitimate however it still does not answer the more damning question of his Indonesian citizenship. See below....

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf



SOURCE

White House releases Obama birth certificate

By Rachel Rose Hartman

The White House on Wednesday morning released the president's long form birth certificate (pdf) in an attempt to put "birther" questions to rest.

"The President believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country. It may have been good politics and good T.V., but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country," White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement.

The president had released his certificate of live birth in 2008, but many "birthers" said the absence of a long form birth certificate prompted questions about Obama's birthplace of Hawaii. In recent weeks potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has brought birther questions into the forefront of the media.

"At a time of great consequence for this country--when we should be debating how we win the future, reduce our deficit, deal with high gas prices, and bring stability to the Middle East, Washington, DC, was once again distracted by a fake issue," Pfeiffer said. "The President's hope is that with this step, we can move on to debating the bigger issues that matter to the American people and the future of the country."

Obama admitted at a White House press conference following the document's release Wednesday morning that he's been both amused and puzzled by the degree to which his place of birth has become an issue.

The president echoed Pfeiffer's statements saying that Americans and their representatives need to come together to solve issues such as how to "invest in our future" while tackling the federal deficit and federal debt:

But we're not going to be able to do it if we are distracted. We're not going to be able to do it if we spend time vilifying each other. We're not going to be able to do it if we just make stuff up and pretend that facts are not facts. We're not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers.

Though the president didn't mention Trump by name, Obama noted that when he announced his deficit plan this month, his birth certificate, not our country's economic future, dominated the news that week.

Trump on Wednesday took full credit for the release.

"I feel I've accomplished something really really important and I'm honored by it," Trump said at a press conference held during his pre-scheduled visit today to New Hampshire. Trump noted that people have long been requesting the document, but Trump was the only one who got the president to release it. Trump suggested Wednesday this development will boost his own potential presidential candidacy.

Trump said he and others are still going to have to assess the document's authenticity. We're "going to look at it. We have to see if it's real, if it's proper," Trump said. But he added that he's "sure it's the right deal" and is looking forward to moving on to more important issues such as OPEC and China.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m. EST: Story updated to reflect Donald Trump's reaction.

UPDATE 10:08 a.m. EST: Story updated to include President Obama's press comments.

==============================================

We know for a fact that Barry Soetoro attended madrasa (Muslim school) in Indonesia as a child. We know for a fact that at that time in order to attend any public school children were required to be Indonesian citizens.

We know for a fact that Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian citizen, adopted Barry and named or renamed him legally as Indonesian citizen Barry Soetoro.

We know for a fact that the only way this could have been done under existing Indonesian law would have been for him to renounce any and all citizenships he may have held.

So... Even IF this COLB is legitimate and he was born in Hawaii rather than in Kenya (as several Kenyan relatives and government officials claim), he still renounced his US citizenship and is still ineligible for the office he now holds.

Since there is no evidence of his ever re-applying for US citizenship this issue remains regardless of this document.





Sunday, April 24, 2011

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Surprize Suprize Surprize... Egypt preparing to Attack Israel

All those who are supporting Al Ikhwan's (i.e. the Muslim brotherhood) takeover of Egypt and the rest of the Middle East will perhaps be happy with this news as well:

I am not.


The following is written by Mike Evans, founder of the Jerusalem Prayer Team:

In an interview with an Arab-language newspaper, Egyptian presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei said that if Israel launches attacks on Gaza while he was president, "we would declare war against the Zionist regime." He also said that he would open the Rafah border crossing (closed by Hosni Mubarak to prevent terrorists from smuggling weapons) and "consider different ways to implement the joint Arab defense agreement."

ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency who stonewalled efforts to stop the nuclear program in Iran and to find evidence of Saddam Hussein's nuclear ambitions, is considered one of the leading candidates for the office in this fall's elections for Egypt's new government. His use of the radical Islamist formulation constantly used by Iran's President Ahmadinejad, "the Zionist regime" to avoid calling the Jewish state Israel, is a further indication of his viewpoint.

The fact, that ElBaradei believes such inflammatory rhetoric will help him gain votes shows how radicalized the Egyptian population has become through the work of the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist and anti-Semitic organizations. ElBaradei also declared that Israel "controls Palestinian soil" and stated his desire to address what he called "the imbalance of power in the region."

Israel is surrounded today by bitter enemies--and the situation is growing worse day by day. More than ever before, we need to stand up and speak out for the Jewish people. More than ever before, we need to offer fervent intercessory prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of Israel. Today I'm asking for your help with a special project to bless the Chosen People.




This is what the so-called democracy sweeping the Middle East is really about:

Al Ikhwan cries that that the "imbalance of power in the region must be corrected.

And the dolts are falling for it!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Video presentation: What really Matters?

We've been having a lot of trouble getting Justin TV to upload, so we're checking out a new server. So far so good. Here's is my first video post with them. Let me know what you think.

What really Matters?

Monday, April 11, 2011

JewToo.org and Temple Beth HaShem Present: A Passover Tale

We created this audio podcast in celebration of Pesach/Passover. We hope you will enjoy it.



The traditional story of Pesach/Passover re-told by your friends at Temple Beth HaShem of Magalia, California. This audio retelling blends the timeless story with modern relevance in a way we sincerely hope you will enjoy.

Script written by Rabbi Yochanan Levine (me)
Audio and technical work done by Joe
Directed by Joe

Cast in order of first appearance:
Joe: Narrator -- Pharaoh -- voice of the Angle of Death
Minister Leah Levine: Joy -- Pharaoh's Magician
Deacon Ahuva Levine: Rachel -- Butch the Guard
Rabbi Yochanan Levine: Aharon -- Egyptian Taskmaster -- Egyptian Dude -- The Voice of HaShem
Rebbe Larry Levine: Moshe -- Egyptian soldier -- himself

Visit us today at TempleBethHaShem.org or stop by Temple Beth HaShem in Magalia, Ca.



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Thursday, April 07, 2011

What If Moses Had Facebook?

This was sent to me by dear friend Yochanan ben Zalman.

What If Moses Had Facebook?

Monday, April 04, 2011

U.S. Muslim leader issues fatwa against democracy

U.S. Muslim leader issues fatwa against democracy!

Translated from the website of Dr. Salah al-Sawy, the secretary-general of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA), 28 March 2011:

Between the Shura and Democracy

Q: What is the difference between the Shura and democracy, and which is preferred? Are there any books which could benefit me on this topic? May Allah reward you well.

A: In the name of Allah, the most merciful and gracious.

Praise be to Allah, and peace be upon him the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family, companions, and those that follow him. The Shura comes from the rulings of the shari'a, and an entire surah of the Qur'an was sent down with this name. The difference between it and democracy is that the Shura does not exist (under Islam) except in the areas of permissible actions or legislative amnesty. For things which have been stipulated in the texts of Islam, the Ummah possesses no power except to acknowledge and obey, following the saying of the Most High: "It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path"

[Qur'an 33:36]. For example, it is not for the Shura to consider, "Should the noon prayer contain four or five bows?" Or, "Should we fast during the month of Ramadan, or should we replace it with the month of Shawwal?" Or, "Should we forbid wine or allow it?" Or, "Should we forbid adultery, or permit it if it's done by consensual agreement of those who have reached the legal age, and it's not done on the married couple's bed?"

Al-Bukhari said in his Sahih: "The Imams after the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would consult the trustworthy scholars in things which were permissible, to take the best option. But if the Qur'an or the Sunnah was clear on the matter, they wouldn't transgress against it, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The reciters of the Qur'an would consult, whether old or young, and they were careful to adhere to the book of Almighty Allah."

But democracy gives free reign to the authority of the Ummah, and puts no ceiling on it. The law is the expression of its will, and if the law says it, the conscience must be silent! A constitutionalist even said: "We have departed from the divine right to rule for kings, and replaced it with the divine right to rule for parliaments!" The shari'a, on the other hand, differentiates between the source of the legal system and the source of the political authority. The source of the legal system is the shari'a, while the source of the political authority is the Ummah. Meanwhile democracy makes the Ummah the source of both. On my website there is a book named "Political Pluralism." If you review it, it will you benefit you in regards to this topic, Allah-willing. Allah Almighty is all-powerful, all-knowing.


--
Posted By Translating Jihad to Translating Jihad at 3/30/2011 07:42:00 AM