The problem as I see it is you confuse culture & politics of various countries with Islam. You think there is a "Sharia" that all Muslims must subscribe to. The fact of the matter is there are various interpretations of Sharia, not one.

What you/we see in Saudi Arabia is a particular school of Islam that is reactionary and backward in the extreme.  That particular school has gained power and spread their influence in the last 50 to 60 years because of their petrol wealth. The repressive conditions are supported by the very liberal free Western countries you love. Each time you turn on a light, ride around in a petrol powered vehicle, use you plastic coated computer and too many other things to mention in this post, remember, you are supporting the very repression you say you hate. You even wear it with the various acrylic garments...and not to mention the factories that process things to prepare things you "need".

While you proudly proclaim you are an athiest, your knowledge of religions is not something you should flippantly discuss with little knowledge. You think you have knowledge, but I can assure you, you do not. Don´t confuse politics with religion. From time immemorial those who seek power have attempted to manipulate how religions are interpretated, and lazy masses have followed along.

I can only say some of the most enlightened, compassionate, generous, humble and gentle people I have ever met have been Muslims, who would share their last piece of bread with a stranger.

None of those things you mention below are condoned by Islam, they are tribal, cultural traditions that have remained in spite of Islam.

As I have suggested many times before....try reading some of Riffat Hasan´s works.

Ahhh.....music from the psychedelic days..........how times have changed.......thanks for the memory......

Time

Interesting article si++

We think about numbers, who lost more or who was more displaced.  It almost seems like a contest, who lost more, who suffered the most? We all suffer and are suffering....all of us.

Although we can not hope to eliminate death, all death through war and forced displacement is tragic. Humans have to learn to get along if any of us are going to survive.

I dare not venture to guess....Words have consequences, be careful what you say.

Keith Olberman´s comments on Gabriel Giffords assasination attempt

What a lovely song, thank you!

Gokuyum,

I did not translate the verses. I found them by doing a search.

Why do you do these things in large red letters with no translation?

Please translate what you wrote.

This is vulgar rude slang, right? Then I think the term "my old lady" is similar. It is sometimes shortened to "ol lady"

This is not my translation. I´m curious, what do those who speak Turkish think of this translation? I actually like to be able to do word for word translations.  However careful people are translating, there most often are not the exact words available.

Verme

lyrics

Sebebinden doğmuş oldum seçmeden,
Çekeceğim derdim nedir bilmeden
Yuklediğin yükle yikildim kaldim aman
Vereceksen akıl verme istemem
Verme verme verme akıl verme
Vereceksen huzur ver,
vereceksen huzur ver.

Azı karar çoğu zarar diyenler,
Niye çok alırlar, hep az verirler
Akla ikna olur aşkı üzenler
Sanma bizden daha mutlu gezerler
Verme, verme, verme akıl verme
Vereceksen huzur ver, 
vereceksen huzur ver.

Kari nerden bilsin zarardan dönen,
Geleceksen şimdi dön ben beklemem
Kovulur mu gönül, konduğu yerden
Vereceksen akıl verme istemem
Verme, verme, verme akıl verme
Vereceksen huzur ver, 
vereceksen huzur ver.

Being born from my cause without choosing it

What pain I´m to endure without knowing it

I´ve collapsed with the weight you made me bear oh my

If you´re going to give me anything, don´t give me advice, I don´t want it

Don´t give me, don´t give me, don´t give me a piece of your mind,

If you´re going to give me anything, give me peace of mind (x2)

 

Those who say that less means more

Why do they always take more than they give

Those persuaded by reason to upset love

Don´t think that they walk around more happier than us

Don´t give me, don´t give me, don´t give me a piece of your mind,

If you´re going to give me anything, give me peace of mind (x2)

 How can they who bear loss know profit

If you´re to return to me, return now, I won´t wait

How can a heart be banished from its settled place

Don´t give me, don´t give me, don´t give me a piece of your mind,

If you´re going to give me anything, give me peace of mind (x2)

I checked it out. It would be nice if you posted some things in English there. I couldn´t get the radio to work, but then I didn´t understand the written language well enough to follow any directions.