I am a global citizen

[Toramana]

I am secular liberal Pashtun Muslim inclined to mysticism. I am at the same time a global citizen. I wonder why should not we be one with other people to understand how do they define and interpret life and give it meaning. How can we be so cocksure that only we are right?

I was reading about Bhutan and was fascinated by it. As a part of humanity, I should be willing to understand, share, and respect their views.

[Breshna]

I am a...Conservative.

Traditionalist...and not willing to change.

[faye]

wawrina, how is it traditional for you to be on a forum, chatting online with men and listening to white boy pop muzak?

[IamDZJ]

Actually, you are what they refer to as a passive aggressive jerk. Going around with your Sufi talk and your stupid white pigeon, claiming to be against violence but spreading hatred just as much through your own methods.

[کیش]

Random Question:

Being a "liberal secular" do you support gay marriage?

[randolph85]

muslims don't doubt their beliefs. doubt means weak conviction and a weak personality.

count me out of the global village.

[torkham]

I am a...Conservative.

Traditionalist...and not willing to change.

Me too, conservative traditionalist. However the part "not willing to change" has been oft used to categorise one as barbaric. I too am unwilling to change those aspects of tradition I find acceptable, and the points that are considered unacceptable usually are unacceptable due to corruption of thought or lack of knowledge. Traditions I share with my people identify me with those people, and to conserve these tradition (being conservative) is to ensure my children will recognise and share practices that will keep them knitted to the traditions they are being raised in, that is afghan pashtun traditions.

The spectrum that gives the boundary conditions of being liberal or traditional is broad, and one can take it to extreme end and challenge it ad absurdum, in the above case of gay marraiges, or to the other end eg some north african muslim societies practice barbaric mutilations.

So my choice of embracing the positive practices and ignoring the unacceptable practices (due to my education) I can remain traditional and drive the unacceptable parts of my tradition to obsolescence, yet remain conservative and not change those aspects that have a benefit and form an identity.

So I am conservative, traditional and not willing to change (as explained above).

[Admin Khan]

I am secular liberal Pashtun Muslim inclined to mysticism. I am at the same time a global citizen. I wonder why should not we be one with other people to understand how do they define and interpret life and give it meaning. How can we be so cocksure that only we are right?

I was reading about Bhutan and was fascinated by it. As a part of humanity, I should be willing to understand, share, and respect their views.

Can you elaborate further on 'mysticism'?

[Toramana]

Actually, you are what they refer to as a passive aggressive jerk. Going around with your Sufi talk and your stupid white pigeon, claiming to be against violence but spreading hatred just as much through your own methods.

Why DZJ, why do you think so? Why such suspicious about my intentions? I think being a lady of incisive insight you should have guessed the purity that constitute my soul. So sorry for the inability to recognize gems .

[Toramana]

muslims don't doubt their beliefs. doubt means weak conviction and a weak personality.

count me out of the global village.

Doubt is the foundation on which is built knowledge, humility, and higher consciousness. Excessive belief in one's rightfulness ends in ignorance and irrationality. You stick to things not for your ego but for their truthfulness and genuineness.

[Toramana]

Me too, conservative traditionalist. However the part "not willing to change" has been oft used to categorise one as barbaric. I too am unwilling to change those aspects of tradition I find acceptable, and the points that are considered unacceptable usually are unacceptable due to corruption of thought or lack of knowledge. Traditions I share with my people identify me with those people, and to conserve these tradition (being conservative) is to ensure my children will recognise and share practices that will keep them knitted to the traditions they are being raised in, that is afghan pashtun traditions.

The spectrum that gives the boundary conditions of being liberal or traditional is broad, and one can take it to extreme end and challenge it ad absurdum, in the above case of gay marraiges, or to the other end eg some north african muslim societies practice barbaric mutilations.

So my choice of embracing the positive practices and ignoring the unacceptable practices (due to my education) I can remain traditional and drive the unacceptable parts of my tradition to obsolescence, yet remain conservative and not change those aspects that have a benefit and form an identity.

So I am conservative, traditional and not willing to change (as explained above).

I think if one accepts that diversity is good--- and that if one bases the decision to change or not to change on objectivity and one's inherent right to happiness, then things can fit in harmoniously. When I say I am liberal-secular, by that I mean I respect a person's freedom to re-interpret values and live life as he/she likes as long as happiness of other people is not limited (though this point can be contested).

Traditionalism is a good thing. I don't think it conflicts with liberalism-secularism. In my opinion, a society should be a good mix of the new and the old. Both are essential to link past to future and to give one a sense of continuity.

[Toramana]

Can you elaborate further on 'mysticism'?

Lol--- this is a long discussion Admin Khan. Have read about pantheism?

[faye]

'mysticism is the knowledge of and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, levels of being or aspects of reality, beyond normal human perception. including experience of and even communion with, a supreme being'.
from wiki. i thought it a good description.

[Toramana]

'mysticism is the knowledge of and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, levels of being or aspects of reality, beyond normal human perception. including experience of and even communion with, a supreme being'.
from wiki. i thought it a good description.

I think faye, Pythagoras (and his disciples) was one of the earliest mystic.

[faye]

i would imagine there have always been mystics, within all societies. god and exploration of different levels of consciousness, is not exclusive to the latter eras. i believe