Sunday, April 25, 2010

I Don't Care about Your Religion! - Part II

I have written a post here entitled "I Don't Care about Your Religion", I didn't plan then to write part 2, but here I am! 

Since the start of Facebook, everyone used it as a platform, not just to post simple things he/she likes, but also to post religious videos or talks that attack others' religions, whether Christians or Muslims. 

I have been on Facebook for 4 years or something, and since then, many Muslims on my list have posted controversial videos that insult Christianity, tell false things about the Holy Bible or whatever! At first, I didn't care about those stuff and simply removed those who would post such videos from my list, to save myself the headache of arguing, and also to relieve those people from dealing with "infidels" like myself. 

Lately, I was shocked to notice that such posts started to come from people I knew well, and I was deeply disappointed to see that some well-educated people posted things that surely hurt others' beliefs and religions. So, I started to reply to these posts by saying that there is no need whatsoever to post that type of controversial videos on Facebook, and that they can simple keep those videos to themselves or share them with a group of people who would be interested, since Facebook allows you to hide certain posts from groups of friends. However, hiding a post doesn't remove the fact that deep inside you, you disrespect others and want to insult them, because of their religious affiliation. So, I started to suggest to those people on my friend list that they would remove Christians from their list as long as Christianity bothers them that much, to the extinct that they keep adding Christian people to their list and at the same time keep posting videos about how great a religion is and how false another religion is. 
  
I don't know or understand exactly the reason behind posting something like that. Does it make you feel great and make you convince others that they are wrong? Why do you even want to prove to others that they are wrong about what they believe in? Why do you even care about what they believe in? Why don't you just focus on your beliefs and let the whole world believe in whatever they believe in!!

Plus, why do you go through the trouble of understanding others' beliefs just to prove they are WRONG?!  It wastes your time to do so. Instead, focus on going in depth into your religion. You are not qualified enough to judge others or attack them.

I don't know why we can't live in Egypt without thinking of religious disputes and attacks. But for me, I couldn't care less about any video or even about what anyone alive thinks or says about my religion. As I said, it is MY religion, and it is private. I'm keeping my relationship with God between Him and myself, not public on Facebook and not on others' walls and home pages. I post religious posts only to my Christian friends, and those religious posts target good religious hymns they can listen to or things that they can do to be closer to God, and not posts that show that other beliefs are nonsense. 

If you believe so well in your religion, you shouldn't feel the need to prove that other religions are wrong. Just keep your beliefs to yourself. 

I believe in the freedom of expression, as long as it doesn't hurt others, but more than that, I believe and totally respect the freedom of religion, I don't deal with you or judge you based on your religion, and I don't want to be judged in the same way either.

I remember very well that I once had to deal with an Agnostic person, and since I say "God's willing" or "Ensha2Allah" a lot, I thought that it wasn't a good idea to keep saying it while speaking with that person. I care about his feelings and it might insult him if I keep mentioning "God" (who he didn't believe in). So, I apologized to him and stopped saying "God". I did this simply because I wanted to show respect to this person, without insulting what he believes in, even if I didn't accept it.


Final thought:
If you don't post videos that attack others' religions, but still deep inside you, you disrespect those who are different from yourself and believe that they are "infidels" and should be convinced that their beliefs are nonsense, then, excuse me, you have a huge problem!

This post goes out to all the people I know. Please no more insults to anyone's religion. You have all the right to remove me from your list if you don't like this post. But please, if you keep me on your list, don't insult my religious beliefs or others'! Thank you..



---------------------------------------------







© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

[Poem] The Only Thing Nothing Can Steal

The Only Thing Nothing Can Steal
Poem #274
Written 14.4.10


2010 marks the 10-year anniversary of my first writings. I don’t mean to underestimate any type of art, because I adore all types of art, I just want to say that writing lives on with you even if nothing else does… And of course, I want to say that I adore and enjoy writing the most.

When your hands are too shaky to paint,
And your ill body is under full restraint,
When you sound too old to speak or sing,
The only thing you can still do is writing…

Writing is the only thing nothing can steal,
Your special way to express how you feel,
Your constant companion and dear friend,
The one that stays with you until life’s end…

If you are deaf, mute, disabled and blind,
Writing is your only way to ease your mind,
That’s why I am so thankful I can write,
I feel it brings me much ability and might!

I can’t describe my feelings when I write,
I feel a deep inspiration that I can’t fight,
Like magic, with words overwhelming me,
Then you’re amazed at what turns to be!

You produce music out of papers and ink,
Your symphonies of words make you think,
About your ability to make a deep difference,
To reach out to people with a real influence…

I enjoy what I do, I feel different, blessed,
To be able to make others feel impressed…
I love seeing the world with a different eye,
And I can’t ever stop writing, even if I try!
---------------------------------------------

© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

[Poem] I’m Sorry I Was Too Busy

I’m Sorry I Was Too Busy
Poem #272
Written 14.4.10



I’m sorry I was too busy not to care about you,
I was busy with illusions, far from being true,
I was too distracted to notice your kind love,
I regret that you were the last one I thought of…

I’m ashamed of myself, you were always here,
Before I even called you, you were so near,
And instead of loving you, I moved far away,
But you brought me back into your arms to stay…

You stole me from my deep despair and ugly fear,
You brought me cheer, and were always sincere,
I know that no matter what, you’ll always love me,
That’s why in you my Lord, I’ve found my glee…

---------------------------------------------

© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Visual Studio 2010 is officially released

Visual Studio 2010 is officially released!

this copy is available now on MSDNAA: Visual Studio 2010 Professional (x86)

on this link:
http://msdn62.e-academy.com/mtcaueng_eng


If you are already registered, you can go ahead and download it, if not, check this link on more details about getting a free account on MSDNAA:
http://evronia.blogspot.com/2009/10/windows-7-for-free.html

If you couldn't watch the Visual Studio 2010 live keynote, and also if you want to know all the latest on Visual Studio 2010, check these links out:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/developer/default.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/watch-it-live

Monday, April 12, 2010

[Poem] If You Wonder Who Believes in Me

If You Wonder Who Believes in Me
Poem #270
Written 12.4.10

This is to tease Mohamed ElSammak for asking me “I really wonder who believes in you”!

If you wonder who believes in me,
It’s enough if the answer is only ‘me’,
I believe in myself and what I can do,
That I can make my dreams come true,
My world is opening its arms for me,
I feel there is so much power inside me,
To carve my own path, unlock any door,
There’s a pretty life ahead to explore,
Nothing is ever going to pull me back,
I won’t surrender, I won’t fall or crack,
I won’t succumb to life, I won’t give in,
Because I’m so motivated deep within,
I have ‘me’ and that’s totally enough,
To keep going when my world is rough,
I’m too strong, I am afraid I won’t break!
I’m never defeated because of any mistake,
I try to learn, and here I am, standing up,
Never looking back and never giving up…
My life is extremely beautiful this way,
I’m always inspired, no matter what you say!
---------------------------------------------

© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Easter 2010 ألحان قداس عيد القيامة

Easter 2010
ألحان قداس عيد القيامة المجيد بالكاتدرائية المرقسية بالعباسية
للمعلم ابراهيم عياد وخورس الكلية الاكليريكية

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=287ED6E98BD51C5D

Friday, April 9, 2010

I Don't Care about Your Religion!

Lately, we seem to be witnessing a lot of religious problems among "Egyptians". Many people tend to blame the government, media or educational systems for these problems. Well, yes, many of these blames are true, but they are not ONLY the main problem. I believe the main problem lies inside us, because we tend to stereotype people according to the religion they follow, and we totally forget that we are ALL humans who live in 1 country and 1 world.

The reason I am writing this post now is because today I witnessed a situation that shocked me a bit, even though it is not the first time.

Simply, a lady driving her car was not sure whether to park it or keep going, and she was probably a bit slow that the man in the car behind her told her to "move" ("emshi ya 7agga").. After she had decided that she would park the car aside, and after the man had already left with his car, she got out of the car and I heard her so clearly say to herself, as I was directly in front of her, (He seems to be a Christian BLA BLA BLA) and went on insulting him ("da shaklo masi7i ebn **** *** **").

In a similar situation before, I have spoken, but this time I was probably too shocked to speak. I wanted to ask her many questions: Is his Christianity the reason that made her call him mean? If so, and if he is in fact Christian, what has this got to do with his meanness? And what if he is not Christian in the first place? (that is of course, aside from the fact that what the man said didn't deserve this severe aggressive reaction from her, whether he was Christian or not, because I certainly couldn't tell if he was)!

I wonder how she even realized this "important" fact that he was Christian, just with his car passing by?! I always thought a guy's religion is not easy to know, since he is neither veiled, nor wearing religious jewelery, and so on. So in just 1 second in which he passed by her car, she judged instinctively that he was Christian, and what if he is? why should it matter, to her or to anyone else? And if the man is really wrong, and if his Christianity is really bothering her, why didn't she have enough courage to insult him in the face instead of saying it to herself?

I wonder why when we deal with each others daily, we tend to relate people's ordinary and simple actions to their religions.

Last week, one of my close friends who is non Christian and non veiled was asked by someone about her religion. She later came to tell me and was wondering why anyone would care about it. I told her that she shouldn't have answered that person who asked her about her religion, because it's not his business, and because her or anyone's religion shouldn't affect people's judgement!

I do certainly confess we have many difficult religious problems, however, the main problem lies deep inside us, whether it was planted by our media, educational systems, or whatever, we have to confess that there is a real problem in the way we speak behind others' backs about their religions and beliefs, and how we relate them to their behaviours.

Why would I choose to go to a doctor or not based on his religion not his medical skills? Why would I choose to employ someone or buy from a shop according to religion? Why would a taxi or any shop choose his customers according to their religion? These are very ordinary and normal day-to-day situations that should never be related to religion or any other thing except personal skills and qualities!!

Finally, I wish that people can understand and differentiate between real religious discriminative situations and simple ordinary actions ...


related post:
I Don't Care about Your Religion! - Part II

---------------------------------------------



© Evronia Azer, 2010. All Rights Reserved.