[Herbalist]
If Stephen Schwartz is a Sufi, he is like Bizarro Superman in his methods. The quality I identify with one who calls himself a Sufi is Compassion for suffering. If one were to believe that Max's beliefs cause him suffering, one might want to Love him. There is no love from Stephen Schwartz. I see name-calling that is supposed to be witty and intelligent (Nerdbutt, naziboy) as infantile and moronic. Max Weiss and Nick do not attempt to injure, nor do I believe that stating one's opinion is cause for one to be attacked, "hanged from telegraph poles, or beaten to death" as you have suggested, "Sufi Stephen".

Yeah, Rumi was a real hater, huh-huh. Further, I feel that any grown man who sends his photograph to another grown man is very likely to be homosexual; this is apparent in Schwartz's obsession with homosexuality.

It's okay to be gay, Stephen, just stop making everyone aware of your sexuality...I mean, reallly. Lastly, Sarfatti, congratulations on the White House invite...you deserve it. Take it as a compliment if you think this is some sort of accomplishment, but it's not. If they're calling you, I'm certain the United States isn't really concerned with Saddam Hussein. And of all the favors to call in, why waste one on this? You could be working on much more meaningful material realities. Pity. You ought to aspire to be more like Nick; he uses his time so efficiently. Mmmm, Pity.

This is the Mission Statement of the Sufi Order.

To spread the Message of unity and promote the awakening of humanity to the
divinity in all, as taught by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan and continued by
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan.

To provide a program of spiritual training to bring about a deep personal
transformation, culminating in a balanced, harmonious and creative life.

To develop spiritual guides capable of giving authentic training in the
inner life.

To find new ways to apply the spiritual ideals of love, harmony, and beauty
to the challenges and opportunities of everyday life.

To serve God and humanity by helping to relieve suffering, promoting
understanding and acceptance among adherents of various faiths, and
encouraging the unfoldment of universal loving kinship.


[Suleyman]:
Well, where do we start with this latest stupidity?

There is not just one Sufi order that has a "Mission Statement." The Sufism of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan and Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan is a highly diluted form of Sufism introduced in the West to New Agers, with little specific content. I have known about them for 20 years. They are nice people but they are not real Sufis.

Quoting Rumi as if he defined the whole of Sufism is the sign of a browser at Borders, not a person acquainted with the history of Islamic spirituality.

Real Sufis in the Islamic world are freedom fighters. Sufis have led and continue to lead the resistance of the Chechens against the Russians. Sufis fight gun in hand to defend Islam.

I do not care whether the imaginary Weiss's beliefs cause him suffering. They cause me suffering and rage because my relatives were wiped out in the Holocaust and because, since I don't sit on my ass in Booger Creek, I have become deeply angered by things like the murder of Albanian children by the Serbian equivalents of Hick Nerdbutt and his imaginary playmates. I love the victims of fascism and I hate fascists. I make no apology for this.

To say that Hick Nerdbutt and other neo-Nazis do not attempt to injure is just a plain lie. They attempt to assassinate the historical memory of the Jewish victims of Nazism. They insult Jews for nothing other than being Jews. This is not an attempt at injury. It is an injury. It demands compensation. The blood of the martyrs cries out. An eye for an eye.

None of these is abjured in Sufism, except that Sufis when fighting in war are enjoined against gratuitous cruelty. As a Sufi I seek to master the rage I feel against neo-Nazis. But I have been the object of a lot of abuse by them and I am tired of it.

The great Sufi Abdelkader Aljazairi, who led the Algerian jihad against the French in the 19th century, said Sufis are called to jihad and must excel in jihad, but do not go to war lightly because they do not enjoy the infliction of pain.

Anybody who thinks insults on a website are tantamount to physical violence -- especially defenders of neo-Nazis -- is living in the dreamworld of American espresso-sipping idiots. Hick and his pals have suffered nothing except a sharp reply to their disgusting provocations.

Stating one's opinion, when the opinions are insulting, hateful of another religion, and defensive of Nazism, does not exempt one from the reaction to the opinions stated. He states his opinion, I state mine: I'd like to see all these people dead. Obviously, he has less guts about trying to put his opinions into practice. I have always lived by the consequences of my opinions.



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