"On Faith" panelist Pamela K. Taylor is co-founder of Muslims for Progressive Values and director of the Islamic Writers Alliance. She is a member of the national board of advisors to the Network of Spiritual Progressives, and served as co-chair of the Progressive Muslim Union for two years. Taylor is a strong supporter of the woman imam movement, which seeks the full participation of Muslim women in every aspect of life, including the pulpit. In July 2005, she became the first woman in centuries to officiate Friday prayers in a mosque when the United Muslim Association of Toronto and the Muslim Canadian Congress invited her to serve as guest imam. (This event followed a number of services, sermons and prayer sessions led by women held in private venues because no mosque agreed to host them.) In February 2006, when the former Grand Mufti of Marseilles visited Toronto, he requested that Taylor lead him in congregational prayer as an unequivocal demonstration of his support for female imams. Taylor has also been active in interfaith dialogue for 20 years, both in local initiatives and speaking at numerous conferences, universities, and churches. She received her MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and writes regularly on spiritual matters and the Islamic faith. She has essays in Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions (2006) and the forthcoming The Veil: Women Writers on Its History, Lore, and Politics (2007). She has written hundreds of articles and opinion pieces for newspapers, magazines, and journals, and is an award winning poet.
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Pamela K. Taylor
co-founder, Muslims for Progressive Values
"On Faith" panelist Pamela K. Taylor is co-founder of Muslims for Progressive Values and director of the Islamic Writers Alliance. She is a member of the national board of advisors to the Network of Spiritual Progressives, and served as co-chair of the Progressive Muslim Union for two years. Taylor is a strong supporter of the woman imam movement, which seeks the full participation of Muslim women in every aspect of life, including the pulpit.
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I found your article extremely inspiring. I have been researching about the views of Islam on homosexuality for a long time, since I am a homosexual myself and yet I never found such stirring article.
The way you interpreted Qur'an and the way you phrased your thoughts moved me. It made me realise that the religion I was starting to question because everyone had said that it was against homosexuality, was actually welcoming and accepting. Since the same God that they say prohibits homosexuality created homosexuals.
Thank you for your enormous support, we appreciate your help deeply.
Buying you out means that the owner is going to pay you to cancel the sales agreement with you so that he or she can enter into a purchase contract directly with your end-buyer
Buying you out means that the owner is going to pay you to cancel the sales agreement with you so that he or she can enter into a purchase contract directly with your end-buyer
Buying you out means that the owner is going to pay you to cancel the sales agreement with you so that he or she can enter into a purchase contract directly with your end-buyer
If a loan is with recourse, the lender has a general claim against the Regular way settlement In the money and bond markets, the regular basis on which some security trades are fund
If a loan is with recourse, the lender has a general claim against the Regular way settlement In the money and bond markets, the regular basis on which some security trades are fund
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
I am a gay muslim 28 years old, I do not like women,what can I do? I know that having sex with the say gender is a sin, I think that the only solution is to comit a succide , Do you agree with me ?
I have many questions,
- I am gay, is this my falt ?
- I do not like women and I don't know why
Dear Pamela, salam `alaykum
Thank you so much for writing this. I believe the hope for Islam's future is in people like you.
I disagree that the mukhannath in the hadith you cited, about the Prophet's wives' friend, should be read as a gay man, considering that transgender is a much better fit. There have been debates in queer studies over how to read gender-variant historical figures, for example in several American Indian tribes, as gay or transsexual. I would suggest that when someone takes on the socially contructed role of the other gender, and there's no reference to sexual behavior, then trans is the more likely reading. Another consideration is that the current definition of "gay" is a modern construction and people of earlier cultures didn't draw the boundaries the same way we would. So caution is advised when outing folks of another time and culture.
As for Muslims who get nervous when other Muslims have pleasant, civilized dialogues with kuffar, like this dialogue... It reminds me of a statement I heard spoken by a gentleman from Tablighi Jama`at once. "How can you know for sure when your Islam is correct?" he posed. I don't know, how? "When people are fighting against you! If no one is fighting you then your Islam is not correct." I felt disbelief and disgust that anyone could go through life with such a mindset, or that they would twist Islam into such an ugly shape. I have been all over the world, in many Muslim countries, and know many Muslim communities in this country. I'm glad that only a very small percentage of Muslims I've ever known hold such hardline militant attitudes. Their number is dwarfed by the hardline Islamophobes who lately have been coming out of the woodwork whenever even the gentlest, most progressive Muslims like Pamela Taylor try to say something healing and beneficial for a change.
I doubt the deep emotional problems surrounding Islam will ever improve until more believers can do as Pamela is doing, take a fresh look at the doctrines with a clean heart, a compassionate human heart free of old prejudices. Remember the Qur'an's verse 26:89 about bringing a healthy heart to Allah - ata Allah bi-qalb salim. The word salim not only means safe and sound, its form in Arabic carries the active meaning of safety as well, meaning someone who does not harm others. Pamela's essay here is a great example of how to argue what is best (Qur'an 16:125) with a heart that is salim like the Qur'an says. I think Pamela is setting a good example for doing this right, and I'm happy to see her connecting with people like this.
1. The Story of Lot is not the only reference in the Qur'an in fact not even the main reference in the Qur'an to sex between men and sex between women:
"If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful." (Qur'an 4:15-16)
These are the verses the gay community like to ignore. As to the 'menwho lack masculine skill' the translation is pathetic. It is men without desire for women-i.e. old men who no longer have a strong sexual drive and eunuchs.
Pamela is as usual pandering to an imposed ideal without any knowledge of Islam except for her own made up version. and until people like her start having a debate within mainstream Islam with mainstream Muslims and not on teh fringes with people who know jack her cause is doomed.
salam, pamela. ani told me about this article last week and i think it is pretty darn good. thank you very much for your compassion and reason in this day and age. :)
It is worse in the Middle East. I was never saying it wasn't worse, just that it doesn't REALLY make us better. To come in here spitting racist venom in the first place pretty much makes you the same.
From the start you came in here spewing hate and venom toward ALL Muslims, painting them all with the same brush.
The governments you speak of do not have free citizens. So when you speak of the government, you really aren't talking about the people.
All Muslims are not evil, all Christians are not good.
I don't know why you think I hate America just for thinking that what the Constitution provides for one citizen it should provide for all.
--But you just can't bring yourself to care enough about the plight of Homosexuals to actually say anything about a mainly non-white, non-American/non-West religion!
You're a joke.--
Nothing in this statement has anything to do with anything talked about here. It is just mean and hateful.
I am Catholic, patriotic, anti-homophibic, with friends of all colors, races and creeds.
What the heck does "mainly non-white" have to do with anything. I respect the opinions of others, but that is pretty much the most telling thing you have said so far.
Even if I denounce all Muslims based on your statistic of gay hangings in Iran (which I don't really doubt), what does being "mainly non-white" have to do with it?
You words, not mine to be sure. You really should have been ashamed from the start, but now all I can do is pray for you.
The angrier you get, the less hurtful your words. You are making less and less sense. You have reduced my outrage to pity.
I said ON THE WHOLE they can live their lives like everyone else.
That does not mean they are not still open to abuse.
And my points still stand. You're just a hypocrite who hates white, Christian America MORE than you care about Homosexuals, because you refuse to acknowledge the fact that Christian America (EVEN WITH THE FAULTS I ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED ON!!) is still a FAR, FAR, FAR safer and tolerent place than ANY Islamic country.
But you just can't bring yourself to care enough about the plight of Homosexuals to actually say anything about a mainly non-white, non-American/non-West religion!
--I never said Homosexuals have it FAIR or EQUAL.--
Then please expalin what you meant by:
"Homosexuals in America can host the Oscars, be successful film stars, Tv personalities, successful singers, successful authors and can on the whole be open about their sexuality and go through their daily life just like anyone else"
Just like anyone else would be fair AND equal.
Please don't kill me for pointing out that you contracted yourself.
For future reference, you can scroll up and re-read posts before posting again.
Wow! Anonymous, no name and full of rage and hate...I AM talking about you! You dish it, don't take it,and thus can't see the point.
By your nasty tone and insults I see exactly who I am dealing with. You can't see that "better in the West" does not equal good. All I was ever saying is that by mere comparison we can't play down what is happening here just because it is worse somewhere else.
--Well Islam does all that TOO.
But also adds arrest, torture and murder!!
SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT!--
What's YOUR point? Are you saying that there are degrees of harmful un-Christian behavior that are acceptable? That because one is seemingly less harmful than the other that it is OK?
That was your point in first place that I had responded to.
Sorry I'm an idiot, Sir/Ma'am. Your kindness in only pointing it out is noted. I realize that I could be killed in other places for being the idiot I am. Thank you for having mercy on me by only using hate talk.
Fell free to go to any Islamic country and happily a hang around the cities openly Gay clubs, Gay bars, Gay pubs, Gay hang-outs and entire Gay quarters of the city of your choice.
The thing is though you won't be able to...Because there won't be any such places.
---.Exclusion, slurs, causing people to question their self-worth just because these "Christians" can't accept the separation of church and state is not that much better than what you indicate we "don't do".----
Well Islam does all that TOO.
But also adds arrest, torture and murder!!
SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT!
I never said Homosexuals have it FAIR or EQUAL. Nor did I say Christians treat them as fair as they should.
BUT...There is still NO COMPARISON AT ALL to how Homsexuals are treated by Islam!!!
How slow are you!?
You can whine all you want about Christians (AND I AGREE!!!) but the facts are still the same...Gays in The West have a FAR safer, fairer time of it than they do under Islamic rule!!
F A C T!!!!
Or are you yet another pseudo leftist who hates America and Christians for being Homophobic, but is so politically correct and bias that he refuses to acknowledge that MUSLIMS AND ISLAM ARE FAR WORSE!?
Typical double standards.
You show me the statistics of how many homosexuals have been executed in America for being homosexual and you may have a leg to stand on.
Last year ISLAMIC IRAN hung 114...feel free to compare that to America/The West.
And I did say...oh slow one...I know (and indeed i do know) how bigotted Christians are.
In fact how most members of organised religions are.
But that still does not mean that Christianity in 2007 comes anywhere near the levels of MURDEROUS homophobia that Islam shows.
F A C T!
--You clearly miss the whole point of the discussion at hand. Gay people can't go through their life JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE...yet!-----
How true. BUT THEY ARE A LOT CLOSER TO IT IN AMERICA AND THE WEST THAN THEY ARE UNDER ISLAM.
A HELL OF A LOT CLOSER!!!
Dear Pamela posted march 6 3.41 PM.Your first,second and third sentences reflect your own interpretation not absolute situation.Many scholars didnt and dont interpret like you since centuries.What is House of War?..You give one example 5.69 and let me give many 5.57,5.58,5.59,5.63,5.64 they(jews)shall be cursed..,5.65,5.66.In that case your example can be considered one of hundred contrdictions in Book.Besides,5.69 doesnt rule out 2.191 and 2.193.Another example 5.48. and I ask Where is the prescribed law to Japanese,Chinese,Hindus,black africans and Sitting Bull(red indians) arent they beloved peoples of God?.You say,one can find many tons of misinformation about Islam on the web.Are you only Art Interpreter in the world?.Can you say exact meaning of Elephant Chapter?.You say we have to learn to live in peace.Dear Pamela,couldnt you learn since 14oo years?.Is it our fault or Teachers or Books?.Honey and Vnegar.Germany pop.82 mil.GDP 3000 bil dollars,Egypt pop 78 GDP 300 bil.dol....Japan pop 130 mil.GDP 5000 bil.,Pakistan pop.170 mil.GDP 475 bil dol.Which one Honey?
I see by the nastiness of your reaction that that you know in your heart how ridiculous you are.
"How stupid!"
Now I know that I am talking ABOUT you, not just to you.
"Well if i had a choice of having some preacher state that i am a sinner or being executed...I'd choose the words!!"
A preacher merely pointing out sin is not what I am talking about, and either you know it, are stupid yourself, or are EXACTLY who I am talking about.
As I stated before...Exclusion, slurs, causing people to question their self-worth just because these "Christians" can't accept the separation of church and state is not that much better than what you indicate we "don't do".
Furthermore you state; "Homosexuals in America can host the Oscars, be successful film stars, Tv personalities, successful singers, successful authors and can on the whole be open about their sexuality and go through their daily life just like anyone else"
You clearly miss the whole point of the discussion at hand. Gay people can't go through their life JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE...yet!
---It's like you are saying that psychological abuse is way better than physical abuse---
Well if i had a choice of having some preacher state that i am a sinner or being executed...I'd choose the words!!
How stupid!
And i said I know (and indeed i do know) how bigotted Christians are. In fact how most members of organised religions are.
But the fact still stands that Homosexuals in America can host the Oscars, be successful film stars, Tv personalities, successful singers, successful authors and can on the whole be open about their sexuality and go through their daily life just like anyone else...despite the obvious bigottry that still exists from some people in various forms.
Compare that to to Homosexuals in an Islamic states though, where they could be arrested, tortured, imprisoned and even executed for simply existing and where those that do survive have to keep their homosexuality a secret.
SORRY PAL, but despite the barmy Baptists in Amemrica and the stinking Jerry Falwell's of this World, NOTHING compares to the barbarity and actual state sanctioned death that Homosexuals face under Islam!
Just as Muslims will moan and whine about every little so called compromise when living in The West...while at the same time Christians in Muslim lands are literally in fear of their lives even if they are able to practice their religion at all...there is no comparison between Christian/Secular rule and Islamic rule!
No comparison at all!!!
"But the fact is The West/Christianity does not execute homosexuals and Priests do not stand up in church and call for them to be murdered!"
"THAT'S the difference!"
I don't think that the attitude toward gay people in this country by so-called "Christians" is that much better. It's like you are saying that psychological abuse is way better than physical abuse.
The fact of the matter is that hate is spewed from the pulpit in this country, and helps congregations believe that they are "loving the sinner while hating the sin".
Gays have been slandered by the GOP to encourage "Christians" to turn out and vote...and it worked! That's all it took to increase voter turn-out...how very Christian on all sides.
The KKK hates gays, as well as the Neo-Nazis and they believe that they are Christian as well. If they thought they would get away with more violent tactics they would be doing it.
Exclusion, slurs, causing people to question their self-worth just because these "Christians" can't accept the separation of church and state is not that much better than what you indicate we "don't do".
You are right. Persecution of gays in the US is a crime, and the rare instances of violence against them are received by the general populace with horror, while it is a state policy in various Muslim countries with much of the populace cheering it on. A huge difference.
That is why it is so important for Muslims such as myself to stand up and say, "No More. This is not acceptable." And to provide strong reasoning from the Qur'an to back up our positions. Since these horrific excesses are done in the name of Islam, we must use Islam to counter them. (along with other tools like consciousness raising, etc.)
There are human rights groups in place like Iran, who are doing just this. We can support them financially, or with moral support. We can put pressure on these governments to change -- write their embassies, or their presidents, or kings. We can put pressure on our government to say to our allies amongst them, "If you want to keep this nice cozy relationship with us, you'd better improve your human rights record."
You've sent this world screaming backwards, covered in blood, through the centuries!
When 2000 arrived the last thing I expected was to see religion of ALL KINDS (though Islam is the king sturd on the sh1t pile) push this world towards the edge of the abyss!
I hate you all.
I have a 2 year old Daughter and thanks to SCUM like you she will grow up in a world that is nothing more than a festering battlefield between the evil, hateful Islam and the ignorant, bigotted Jews, Catholics and Christian off-shoots.
Laughable, fantasy religions (populated by bigots, madmen, the corrupt, the stupid, the psychos) that should have died out centuries ago are instead going to be THE defining aspect of this world for countless years now...
Stinking Muslims with their Jihad and terrorist acts in the name of their piss-God Allah and lousy Christians/Jews/Catholics and their need to 'spread the word' of their mythical God have plunged this world into a darkness not seem for centuries...Only now they have the weapons and technology of the modern world to use to blast us ALL back into the dark-ages.
Damn you all for what you have done to my country, my society, my family's future, the future of all of us and damn you all for what you have done to the world.
All Comments (106)
Dear Pamela K. Taylor,
I found your article extremely inspiring. I have been researching about the views of Islam on homosexuality for a long time, since I am a homosexual myself and yet I never found such stirring article.
The way you interpreted Qur'an and the way you phrased your thoughts moved me. It made me realise that the religion I was starting to question because everyone had said that it was against homosexuality, was actually welcoming and accepting. Since the same God that they say prohibits homosexuality created homosexuals.
Thank you for your enormous support, we appreciate your help deeply.
Anita.
May 24, 2008 3:28 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 24, 2008 15:28
If you read the Quran you word know better...
August 25, 2007 1:26 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on August 25, 2007 13:26
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July 30, 2007 7:02 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on July 30, 2007 07:02
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July 30, 2007 7:00 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on July 30, 2007 07:00
m830k
June 27, 2007 11:35 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 27, 2007 23:35
Buying you out means that the owner is going to pay you to cancel the sales agreement with you so that he or she can enter into a purchase contract directly with your end-buyer
May 23, 2007 9:10 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 23, 2007 09:10
Buying you out means that the owner is going to pay you to cancel the sales agreement with you so that he or she can enter into a purchase contract directly with your end-buyer
May 23, 2007 9:09 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 23, 2007 09:09
Buying you out means that the owner is going to pay you to cancel the sales agreement with you so that he or she can enter into a purchase contract directly with your end-buyer
May 23, 2007 9:09 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 23, 2007 09:09
Ideally, it would be best if the owner paid you in cash before he or she closed with your end-buyer
May 23, 2007 12:53 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 23, 2007 00:53
Loan The granting of the use of money, in return for the money's return along with interest
May 22, 2007 3:02 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 22, 2007 03:02
Loan The granting of the use of money, in return for the money's return along with interest
May 22, 2007 3:01 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 22, 2007 03:01
Poor people have poor habits
May 21, 2007 8:20 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 21, 2007 08:20
late charges
May 21, 2007 5:10 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 21, 2007 05:10
Such loans will have to be sold at a discount from face value will want to hold as large a loan inventory as possible
May 21, 2007 1:43 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 21, 2007 01:43
Borrower Jeffrey have three loans
May 20, 2007 4:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 16:44
Borrower Jeffrey have three loans
May 20, 2007 4:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 16:44
Borrower Jeffrey have three loans
May 20, 2007 4:43 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 16:43
See Federal Home Loan Bank FHLMC
May 20, 2007 1:08 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 13:08
contingency The dependence on a stated event that must occur before a contract is binding
May 20, 2007 9:37 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 09:37
contingency The dependence on a stated event that must occur before a contract is binding
May 20, 2007 9:37 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 09:37
of a loan
May 20, 2007 6:01 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 06:01
of a loan
May 20, 2007 6:01 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 06:01
Unlike home equity loans, the credit line borrower only pays interest on the current principal due
May 20, 2007 2:22 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 02:22
Unlike home equity loans, the credit line borrower only pays interest on the current principal due
May 20, 2007 2:22 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 20, 2007 02:22
7: LOAN PAYMENTS & SECONDARY MARKETS Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae is the standardization of conventional loan forms and property and borrower standards
May 19, 2007 6:48 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 19, 2007 18:48
7: LOAN PAYMENTS & SECONDARY MARKETS Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae is the standardization of conventional loan forms and property and borrower standards
May 19, 2007 6:47 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 19, 2007 18:47
At a double closing, Sammy signs a deed to Matthew, which is held in escrow
May 19, 2007 3:17 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 19, 2007 15:17
This program allows an owner-occupant to put just 3 percent down and borrow 97 percent loan-to-value
May 19, 2007 6:55 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 19, 2007 06:55
fairisaac
May 17, 2007 11:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 23:44
For more information, see the "Overview of Loan Processing" article in the "Loan Process" section
May 17, 2007 8:02 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 20:02
I've got too much work to do to waste my time
May 17, 2007 2:53 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 14:53
Cost of Jumbo Loans Because jumbo loans are non-conforming, they charge relatively higher interest rates than similar conforming programs
May 17, 2007 10:43 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 10:43
If a loan is with recourse, the lender has a general claim against the Regular way settlement In the money and bond markets, the regular basis on which some security trades are fund
May 17, 2007 3:21 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 03:21
If a loan is with recourse, the lender has a general claim against the Regular way settlement In the money and bond markets, the regular basis on which some security trades are fund
May 17, 2007 3:21 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 17, 2007 03:21
final approval of the loan the property must be brought to the minimum
May 16, 2007 9:25 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 21:25
The game CASHFLOW was designed to give every player personal feedback
May 16, 2007 6:53 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 18:53
The game CASHFLOW was designed to give every player personal feedback
May 16, 2007 6:52 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 18:52
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
May 16, 2007 11:19 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 11:19
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
May 16, 2007 11:19 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 11:19
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
May 16, 2007 11:18 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 11:18
If the second sale does not happen, the first transaction, In recent years, some lenders have been placing “seasoning” (time of ownership) requirements on loan transactions
May 16, 2007 11:18 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 16, 2007 11:18
Will the lender give you references of other loan brokers who use this
May 15, 2007 9:40 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 15, 2007 21:40
Will the lender give you references of other loan brokers who use this
May 15, 2007 9:40 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 15, 2007 21:40
The Federal Home Loan Bank: A
May 14, 2007 7:09 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on May 14, 2007 19:09
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April 27, 2007 1:53 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2007 13:53
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April 27, 2007 1:51 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2007 13:51
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April 27, 2007 1:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2007 13:49
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April 27, 2007 1:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 27, 2007 13:49
I am a gay muslim 28 years old, I do not like women,what can I do? I know that having sex with the say gender is a sin, I think that the only solution is to comit a succide , Do you agree with me ?
I have many questions,
- I am gay, is this my falt ?
- I do not like women and I don't know why
please help me
April 22, 2007 11:01 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 22, 2007 11:01
Dear Pamela, salam `alaykum
Thank you so much for writing this. I believe the hope for Islam's future is in people like you.
I disagree that the mukhannath in the hadith you cited, about the Prophet's wives' friend, should be read as a gay man, considering that transgender is a much better fit. There have been debates in queer studies over how to read gender-variant historical figures, for example in several American Indian tribes, as gay or transsexual. I would suggest that when someone takes on the socially contructed role of the other gender, and there's no reference to sexual behavior, then trans is the more likely reading. Another consideration is that the current definition of "gay" is a modern construction and people of earlier cultures didn't draw the boundaries the same way we would. So caution is advised when outing folks of another time and culture.
As for Muslims who get nervous when other Muslims have pleasant, civilized dialogues with kuffar, like this dialogue... It reminds me of a statement I heard spoken by a gentleman from Tablighi Jama`at once. "How can you know for sure when your Islam is correct?" he posed. I don't know, how? "When people are fighting against you! If no one is fighting you then your Islam is not correct." I felt disbelief and disgust that anyone could go through life with such a mindset, or that they would twist Islam into such an ugly shape. I have been all over the world, in many Muslim countries, and know many Muslim communities in this country. I'm glad that only a very small percentage of Muslims I've ever known hold such hardline militant attitudes. Their number is dwarfed by the hardline Islamophobes who lately have been coming out of the woodwork whenever even the gentlest, most progressive Muslims like Pamela Taylor try to say something healing and beneficial for a change.
I doubt the deep emotional problems surrounding Islam will ever improve until more believers can do as Pamela is doing, take a fresh look at the doctrines with a clean heart, a compassionate human heart free of old prejudices. Remember the Qur'an's verse 26:89 about bringing a healthy heart to Allah - ata Allah bi-qalb salim. The word salim not only means safe and sound, its form in Arabic carries the active meaning of safety as well, meaning someone who does not harm others. Pamela's essay here is a great example of how to argue what is best (Qur'an 16:125) with a heart that is salim like the Qur'an says. I think Pamela is setting a good example for doing this right, and I'm happy to see her connecting with people like this.
Right on, sista. :)
April 12, 2007 9:51 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 12, 2007 21:51
She talks so much rubbish:
1. The Story of Lot is not the only reference in the Qur'an in fact not even the main reference in the Qur'an to sex between men and sex between women:
"If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful." (Qur'an 4:15-16)
These are the verses the gay community like to ignore. As to the 'menwho lack masculine skill' the translation is pathetic. It is men without desire for women-i.e. old men who no longer have a strong sexual drive and eunuchs.
Pamela is as usual pandering to an imposed ideal without any knowledge of Islam except for her own made up version. and until people like her start having a debate within mainstream Islam with mainstream Muslims and not on teh fringes with people who know jack her cause is doomed.
April 12, 2007 5:49 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 12, 2007 05:49
salam, pamela. ani told me about this article last week and i think it is pretty darn good. thank you very much for your compassion and reason in this day and age. :)
April 11, 2007 3:39 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 11, 2007 15:39
Now that you understand how loans and the mortgage market works, you can begin to understand how to approach financing
March 19, 2007 1:42 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 19, 2007 13:42
Ok Anonymous. Have it your way.
It is worse in the Middle East. I was never saying it wasn't worse, just that it doesn't REALLY make us better. To come in here spitting racist venom in the first place pretty much makes you the same.
From the start you came in here spewing hate and venom toward ALL Muslims, painting them all with the same brush.
The governments you speak of do not have free citizens. So when you speak of the government, you really aren't talking about the people.
All Muslims are not evil, all Christians are not good.
I don't know why you think I hate America just for thinking that what the Constitution provides for one citizen it should provide for all.
--But you just can't bring yourself to care enough about the plight of Homosexuals to actually say anything about a mainly non-white, non-American/non-West religion!
You're a joke.--
Nothing in this statement has anything to do with anything talked about here. It is just mean and hateful.
I am Catholic, patriotic, anti-homophibic, with friends of all colors, races and creeds.
What the heck does "mainly non-white" have to do with anything. I respect the opinions of others, but that is pretty much the most telling thing you have said so far.
Even if I denounce all Muslims based on your statistic of gay hangings in Iran (which I don't really doubt), what does being "mainly non-white" have to do with it?
You words, not mine to be sure. You really should have been ashamed from the start, but now all I can do is pray for you.
The angrier you get, the less hurtful your words. You are making less and less sense. You have reduced my outrage to pity.
March 9, 2007 2:44 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 9, 2007 14:44
I said ON THE WHOLE they can live their lives like everyone else.
That does not mean they are not still open to abuse.
And my points still stand. You're just a hypocrite who hates white, Christian America MORE than you care about Homosexuals, because you refuse to acknowledge the fact that Christian America (EVEN WITH THE FAULTS I ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED ON!!) is still a FAR, FAR, FAR safer and tolerent place than ANY Islamic country.
But you just can't bring yourself to care enough about the plight of Homosexuals to actually say anything about a mainly non-white, non-American/non-West religion!
You're a joke.
March 9, 2007 2:17 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 9, 2007 14:17
I meant "contradicted". THAT's how slow I am.
March 9, 2007 7:00 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 9, 2007 07:00
BTW, Anonymous:
--I never said Homosexuals have it FAIR or EQUAL.--
Then please expalin what you meant by:
"Homosexuals in America can host the Oscars, be successful film stars, Tv personalities, successful singers, successful authors and can on the whole be open about their sexuality and go through their daily life just like anyone else"
Just like anyone else would be fair AND equal.
Please don't kill me for pointing out that you contracted yourself.
For future reference, you can scroll up and re-read posts before posting again.
An idiot, humbly,
Danny B.
March 9, 2007 6:58 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 9, 2007 06:58
--You're an idiot!--
--How slow are you!?--
--Idiot--
Wow! Anonymous, no name and full of rage and hate...I AM talking about you! You dish it, don't take it,and thus can't see the point.
By your nasty tone and insults I see exactly who I am dealing with. You can't see that "better in the West" does not equal good. All I was ever saying is that by mere comparison we can't play down what is happening here just because it is worse somewhere else.
--Well Islam does all that TOO.
But also adds arrest, torture and murder!!
SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT!--
What's YOUR point? Are you saying that there are degrees of harmful un-Christian behavior that are acceptable? That because one is seemingly less harmful than the other that it is OK?
That was your point in first place that I had responded to.
Sorry I'm an idiot, Sir/Ma'am. Your kindness in only pointing it out is noted. I realize that I could be killed in other places for being the idiot I am. Thank you for having mercy on me by only using hate talk.
An idiot corrected,
Danny B.
March 9, 2007 6:32 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 9, 2007 06:32
Fell free to go to any Islamic country and happily a hang around the cities openly Gay clubs, Gay bars, Gay pubs, Gay hang-outs and entire Gay quarters of the city of your choice.
The thing is though you won't be able to...Because there won't be any such places.
March 9, 2007 4:38 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 9, 2007 04:38
---.Exclusion, slurs, causing people to question their self-worth just because these "Christians" can't accept the separation of church and state is not that much better than what you indicate we "don't do".----
Well Islam does all that TOO.
But also adds arrest, torture and murder!!
SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT!
March 8, 2007 3:18 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 8, 2007 15:18
Danny B.:
You're an idiot!
I never said Homosexuals have it FAIR or EQUAL. Nor did I say Christians treat them as fair as they should.
BUT...There is still NO COMPARISON AT ALL to how Homsexuals are treated by Islam!!!
How slow are you!?
You can whine all you want about Christians (AND I AGREE!!!) but the facts are still the same...Gays in The West have a FAR safer, fairer time of it than they do under Islamic rule!!
F A C T!!!!
Or are you yet another pseudo leftist who hates America and Christians for being Homophobic, but is so politically correct and bias that he refuses to acknowledge that MUSLIMS AND ISLAM ARE FAR WORSE!?
Typical double standards.
You show me the statistics of how many homosexuals have been executed in America for being homosexual and you may have a leg to stand on.
Last year ISLAMIC IRAN hung 114...feel free to compare that to America/The West.
And I did say...oh slow one...I know (and indeed i do know) how bigotted Christians are.
In fact how most members of organised religions are.
But that still does not mean that Christianity in 2007 comes anywhere near the levels of MURDEROUS homophobia that Islam shows.
F A C T!
--You clearly miss the whole point of the discussion at hand. Gay people can't go through their life JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE...yet!-----
How true. BUT THEY ARE A LOT CLOSER TO IT IN AMERICA AND THE WEST THAN THEY ARE UNDER ISLAM.
A HELL OF A LOT CLOSER!!!
Idiot!
March 8, 2007 3:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 8, 2007 15:10
Dear Pamela posted march 6 3.41 PM.Your first,second and third sentences reflect your own interpretation not absolute situation.Many scholars didnt and dont interpret like you since centuries.What is House of War?..You give one example 5.69 and let me give many 5.57,5.58,5.59,5.63,5.64 they(jews)shall be cursed..,5.65,5.66.In that case your example can be considered one of hundred contrdictions in Book.Besides,5.69 doesnt rule out 2.191 and 2.193.Another example 5.48. and I ask Where is the prescribed law to Japanese,Chinese,Hindus,black africans and Sitting Bull(red indians) arent they beloved peoples of God?.You say,one can find many tons of misinformation about Islam on the web.Are you only Art Interpreter in the world?.Can you say exact meaning of Elephant Chapter?.You say we have to learn to live in peace.Dear Pamela,couldnt you learn since 14oo years?.Is it our fault or Teachers or Books?.Honey and Vnegar.Germany pop.82 mil.GDP 3000 bil dollars,Egypt pop 78 GDP 300 bil.dol....Japan pop 130 mil.GDP 5000 bil.,Pakistan pop.170 mil.GDP 475 bil dol.Which one Honey?
March 7, 2007 3:13 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 7, 2007 03:13
Anonymous (get a name for goodness sake),
I see by the nastiness of your reaction that that you know in your heart how ridiculous you are.
"How stupid!"
Now I know that I am talking ABOUT you, not just to you.
"Well if i had a choice of having some preacher state that i am a sinner or being executed...I'd choose the words!!"
A preacher merely pointing out sin is not what I am talking about, and either you know it, are stupid yourself, or are EXACTLY who I am talking about.
As I stated before...Exclusion, slurs, causing people to question their self-worth just because these "Christians" can't accept the separation of church and state is not that much better than what you indicate we "don't do".
Furthermore you state; "Homosexuals in America can host the Oscars, be successful film stars, Tv personalities, successful singers, successful authors and can on the whole be open about their sexuality and go through their daily life just like anyone else"
You clearly miss the whole point of the discussion at hand. Gay people can't go through their life JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE...yet!
March 6, 2007 8:24 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 20:24
---It's like you are saying that psychological abuse is way better than physical abuse---
Well if i had a choice of having some preacher state that i am a sinner or being executed...I'd choose the words!!
How stupid!
And i said I know (and indeed i do know) how bigotted Christians are. In fact how most members of organised religions are.
But the fact still stands that Homosexuals in America can host the Oscars, be successful film stars, Tv personalities, successful singers, successful authors and can on the whole be open about their sexuality and go through their daily life just like anyone else...despite the obvious bigottry that still exists from some people in various forms.
Compare that to to Homosexuals in an Islamic states though, where they could be arrested, tortured, imprisoned and even executed for simply existing and where those that do survive have to keep their homosexuality a secret.
SORRY PAL, but despite the barmy Baptists in Amemrica and the stinking Jerry Falwell's of this World, NOTHING compares to the barbarity and actual state sanctioned death that Homosexuals face under Islam!
Just as Muslims will moan and whine about every little so called compromise when living in The West...while at the same time Christians in Muslim lands are literally in fear of their lives even if they are able to practice their religion at all...there is no comparison between Christian/Secular rule and Islamic rule!
No comparison at all!!!
March 6, 2007 7:31 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 19:31
Anonymous writes:
"But the fact is The West/Christianity does not execute homosexuals and Priests do not stand up in church and call for them to be murdered!"
"THAT'S the difference!"
I don't think that the attitude toward gay people in this country by so-called "Christians" is that much better. It's like you are saying that psychological abuse is way better than physical abuse.
The fact of the matter is that hate is spewed from the pulpit in this country, and helps congregations believe that they are "loving the sinner while hating the sin".
Gays have been slandered by the GOP to encourage "Christians" to turn out and vote...and it worked! That's all it took to increase voter turn-out...how very Christian on all sides.
The KKK hates gays, as well as the Neo-Nazis and they believe that they are Christian as well. If they thought they would get away with more violent tactics they would be doing it.
Exclusion, slurs, causing people to question their self-worth just because these "Christians" can't accept the separation of church and state is not that much better than what you indicate we "don't do".
March 6, 2007 5:18 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 17:18
Anoymous,
You are right. Persecution of gays in the US is a crime, and the rare instances of violence against them are received by the general populace with horror, while it is a state policy in various Muslim countries with much of the populace cheering it on. A huge difference.
That is why it is so important for Muslims such as myself to stand up and say, "No More. This is not acceptable." And to provide strong reasoning from the Qur'an to back up our positions. Since these horrific excesses are done in the name of Islam, we must use Islam to counter them. (along with other tools like consciousness raising, etc.)
There are human rights groups in place like Iran, who are doing just this. We can support them financially, or with moral support. We can put pressure on these governments to change -- write their embassies, or their presidents, or kings. We can put pressure on our government to say to our allies amongst them, "If you want to keep this nice cozy relationship with us, you'd better improve your human rights record."
March 6, 2007 3:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 15:49
I hate all you religious madmen.
You've sent this world screaming backwards, covered in blood, through the centuries!
When 2000 arrived the last thing I expected was to see religion of ALL KINDS (though Islam is the king sturd on the sh1t pile) push this world towards the edge of the abyss!
I hate you all.
I have a 2 year old Daughter and thanks to SCUM like you she will grow up in a world that is nothing more than a festering battlefield between the evil, hateful Islam and the ignorant, bigotted Jews, Catholics and Christian off-shoots.
Laughable, fantasy religions (populated by bigots, madmen, the corrupt, the stupid, the psychos) that should have died out centuries ago are instead going to be THE defining aspect of this world for countless years now...
Stinking Muslims with their Jihad and terrorist acts in the name of their piss-God Allah and lousy Christians/Jews/Catholics and their need to 'spread the word' of their mythical God have plunged this world into a darkness not seem for centuries...Only now they have the weapons and technology of the modern world to use to blast us ALL back into the dark-ages.
Damn you all for what you have done to my country, my society, my family's future, the future of all of us and damn you all for what you have done to the world.
ROT in your perspective Hells!
March 6, 2007 3:42 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 6, 2007 15:42
Halozcel,
First, this is God talking to the angels...
8:12 When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying:) I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into