Article Competition

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This is our first opportunity offer and more subjects will arise in the future, God willing

We would like to see large member participation in this excellent opportunity!  If you are not a member, please register and become one today!

Awards will be given for first, second and third place!

For details, please visit: Article Competition Is Here!

True Origins of Halloween

Remember, you heard it on Islamfactor! Most folks, let alone Muslims, havent a clue what the history of Halloween really is.Similar to the history of the symbol of the crescent and star that Muslims now use to symbolize their faith which was originally dedicated to the goddess Diana, Halloween began and was celebrated as a benign NON-RELIGIOUS holiday and became to be assimilated by local Pagans, Christians and many others.

The Origin of Halloween: From the Celts to the Romans

Some historians trace the origin of Halloween back to the Celtic people of pre-medieval Europe. The Celts of Ireland, Britain, and France divided their year into halves: the “light half,” roughly consisting of the spring and summer months when days are longer and nights are shorter, and the “dark half,” roughly consisting of the autumn and winter months when days are shorter and nights are longer. Celts celebrated the end of the light half of the year with the festival of “Samhain” (pronounced sah-wen), which they observed during the October/November lunar cycle. Following the Roman conquest of Britain, British Celts adopted the Julian calendar and fixed the date of Samhain’s observance to November 1.

Costumes and treats were a traditional part of the Celtic celebration. And while Samhain began as a strictly Celtic festival, it is probable that aspects of Roman religion were incorporated into its observance over the four centuries of Roman rule in Britain (43-410 AD). For example, Pomona was the Roman goddess of fruit trees and gardens. Her symbol was an apple. Some scholars believe this may explain how candied apples and bobbing for apples became associated with Halloween (as Samhain was later renamed — see below).

Read more and post discussion or debate:  True Origins of Halloween

Or, visit: Islamfactor.org

How to Say Good-Bye

There are many ways one could say good-bye. Saying good-bye is an art. Anyone can say hello but how you say good-bye could make a relationship or but a bitter taste the mouth of your internet acquaintances and friends.

Saying a proper good-bye is an essential part of the moving on process or maintaining any relationship. In actuality, it doesn’t take much on your part, just a simple smile and a few warm words.

There are many benefits to saying good-bye. You will not have to tolerate the bickering of other forum members that you could not move yourself to ignore, you won’t need to apologize for giving them a well deserved dressing down, and you can go where the grass is greener just to go through the whole process once again.

However, some folks you will want to remember, stay in contact with, or even meet again. Saying a proper good-bye isn’t just a whim of retaliation against your foes, a fit of rage as a result of your foes, or retaliation against the people who won’t let you have your way, the way you want it, when you want it. It is the continuation of the friendships you have made, staying in touch with people who care for you and perhaps one day coming back to to meet them again and have a good time sharing experiences together. It is this which is the reason why saying a proper good-bye is so very important. Never burn your bridges! You may find that you will want to cross them again someday!

Some things to remember

First, don’t burn your bridges! Relatonships (even internet ones) are like bridges that take us from one place to another. So, when we “burn our bridges” we destroy our relationships with others and it is very difficult to go back.

For example, Sarah doesn’t get her way, doesn’t see it their way, sees her relationships with… (Entire article at Islamfactor)

Read more and post discussion or debate:  “How to Say Good-Bye” is located in the Goodbye section on Islamfactor,

Please, visit: Islamfactor.org

Proper Age for Marriage

Wondering everyone’s opinion on this, when do you think the best age range to get married is? I got married at 19, looking back I think it was way to young to get married, my husband and I both had no clue about marriage but thank God it all worked out. My SIL got engaged at 16 and married at 17 when I found out I wanted to shake her because she really has no clue what she’s getting herself into and the fact that no one seems to be a fan of birth control in Syria makes me even more worried.

In modern times, I think the best time for youngsters to get married is upon entering full time work preferably after college or trade school and capable of living independently.

In the old days of the Prophets etc, this age was very young because responsibilities were taken up at a very young age sometimes as young as 12. Heck, you had 13 year olds running Kingdoms in the times of the Ancient Egyptians.

Modern times has a completely different dictate and kids are not taking on responsibilities to that same level as in the old days until they are in their late 20’s. Some folks dont even achieve that mark, unfortunately.

Read more and post discussion or debate: Proper Age for Marriage

Or, visit: Islamfactor.org

Islamic Rage Boy Sighting

He has appeared on Islamfactor, here!

I have a ghost

Yeah… he scares my mom and my kids, and my sister. Tries to scare me, lol, but it doesn’t work. Some things he has done:

He will walk by so you see him for a second, going from a room to the bathroom, sitting on a bed, walking in front of the tv.

In my kids’ room, my son and mom were playing video games, and he pushed the toybox back a few inches, scaring the crap out of them.

He makes noises, that seem to come from every room at the same time. Can’t blame that one on the neighbors!

In the bath one day, the bodywash bottle started to shake back and forth (almost falling over) as if someone thumped it. Also, random things will fall or make noises in the bathroom while no one is in there.

There will be noises that only two or three people at a time will hear.

Random things will fall from the refridgerator, or the TV, or other places…

To me, it isn’t scary… even my kids sometimes think it’s funny! But there are times when someone gets really scared from something that’s happened. I guess I can laugh cuz I don’t sleep at night anyway, and get to hear the things that have happened sometimes when I get home from work

Read more and post discussion or debate:  I have a ghost

Also see:  Scarey Jinn Stories

Poverty in America

A thread to discuss Poverty in America…why we do we have poverty if we are the wealthiest nation in the world? (Or are we not really that wealthy…)How do you define poverty in a developed nation (vs. a third world nation)? What attitudes are prevalent in our nation toward those who are poor? What do we do for the poor? What do you think about our welfare system and welfare reform that targeted the poor? How much of poverty is a symptom of the economic sytem and how much is the fault of the one who is poor? What about generational poverty? What about faith based initiatives to aid the poor? What does your individual belief system teach you about the poor? Do you have any ideas about how to truly help the poor besides simply giving money? Are they all just lazy, stupid or drug addicted?

Pick a point and discuss…

Read more and post discussion or debate:  Poverty in America

Picture of the Day

See funny pics members have posted:  Picture of the Day

The Dehumanizer

Dehumanization is a psychological process whereby opponents view each other as less than human and thus not deserving of moral consideration.

Protracted conflict strains relationships and makes it difficult for parties to recognize that they are part of a shared human community. Such conditions often lead to feelings of intense hatred and alienation among conflicting parties. The more severe the conflict, the more the psychological distance between groups will widen. Eventually, this can result in moral exclusion. Those excluded are typically viewed as inferior, evil, or criminal.

Christians dehumanizing Muslims, Jews dehumanizing Palestinians, Muslims dehumanizing Jews and westerners, Muslims dehumanizing Muslims, Americans and Israelis dehumanizing Irani’s and on and on.

How often do we dehumanize each other? With or without realizing it?

The solution to humanities problems is not in branding groups evil, inferior, criminal, not deserving of basic human rights or considerations.

Dehumanization is bigotry, racism and injustice in the name of a self righteous moral superiority complex.

I would go so far as to call it a psychological disorder of the dehumanizer and the dehumanized.

Either way, the intentional dehumanization of others is just plain evil itself.

The cycle must stop.

Read more and post discussion or debate:  The Dehumanizer

Political Correctness:

Where he US has once been a free speech society it is increasingly becoming less tolerant of free speech! It seems that one can’t say anything in public without offending some group or another.

Political correctness has gone too far!

Next up, the thought police!

Read more and post:  Political Correctness