Mike's Oud Forums

your week off

billkilpatrick - 4-25-2006 at 12:41 AM

welcome back mike - don't ever do that again - oud "junkie" indeed ...

all in one piece again - humpty-dumpty

jazzchiss - 4-25-2006 at 01:31 AM

I believe that there would be fewer conflicts in the world if we made less show of our religious beliefs and we maintain our rites in private.

It could understand that a house of bitches be closed during the Easter, but a forum of Oud? ;)

Jonathan - 4-25-2006 at 03:06 AM

A "show" of our religious beliefs?

The world would have less conflicts if we respected each others religious beliefs.

The answer is not in denying our beliefs.

And to act as if the week was like all others would be denying its importance.

Good for Mike.

If a Muslim wanted to close the board for all of Ramadan, I would say good for him. If the forum was run by a Jew and he wanted to close the board for the high holidays, I would say good for him.

There is nothing wrong with getting away from the petty things in life to try to seek God.

And when it comes down to it, the oud is petty.

billkilpatrick - 4-25-2006 at 03:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jonathan


And when it comes down to it, the oud is petty.


... s-t-e-a-d-y....

- bill

zalzal - 4-25-2006 at 03:16 AM

It is good to make stops fm time to time.

A ramadan of one week on oud.....why not ??

I helps to clean yr totally oud-minded spirit , you do not eat oud, do not smoke oud, do not make es ai ix with oud....for more than 168 hours

On hour 169, when you start oud.....you feel a paroxystic climax.....

Mike - 4-25-2006 at 05:27 AM

Thanks Bill. Good to be back.

Marina - 4-25-2006 at 06:56 AM

Nice that you are back. I did not understand why you closed the forum for such a long time. As far as I remember (my father is Serbian Ortodox), our Easter lasts one day...Hristos Voskrese

journeyman - 4-25-2006 at 07:30 AM

I'm going to weigh in here with no judgment of any kind, just so it is clear. Spirituality, in my very humble opinion, is a personal matter, and if someone can find a connection within an established religious belief system, that is great. I think the key word here is tolerance. To appreciate the beauty in all religions is a challenge, but one that will allow us to connect without the interference of clinging to one's belief system. On the eve of my mother's funeral, the church minister was at my house and made many references to his talks with "The Boss." He kept saying, "Well, the Boss tells me that it is going to storm tomorrow," or "I talked to the Boss and he said ....." Finally, my father, who had been a farmer all his life, like his father, looked at the minister and said, "You know, the Boss talks to me too. He talks to me when the calves are born in the spring, or when I plant seeds and see the first green shoots come up through the ground." The minister was at a loss for words. I don't think that it ever occurred to him that spirituality can have nothing to do with the church or organized religion. My point is that we all need some kind of connection with that which is greater that ourselves, and that which we are part of. The challenge is to respect that in each other and find tolerance.

As far as the break from the forums, I am all in favor of a break from it all. If I had my way I'd pull the plug on the whole machine of consumer society once in a while. It is even good to take a break from the oud from time to time. Its fresh when you come back to it. All the best Mike and thanks for maintaining this wonderful site.

amtaha - 4-25-2006 at 09:16 AM

Quote:
... All the best Mike and thanks for maintaining this wonderful site.


... Sums it all .. :)

SamirCanada - 4-25-2006 at 10:04 AM

Not only does it sum it all :)

There also is no point in having this debate every year... Its been closed for Holy week every year since the begining. For people not arround then It serves as 3 main purposes
1- Make some website maintenance
2- Cool off everyone's hot head with a well needed break :D
3- Provide some time for people to spend time with there family (religious or not) and comeback with a fresh attitude.

As a general information to members concerned with interfaith conflicts. Middle-Easterners and Arabs regardless of there religious affiliations (Jew, Muslim or Christian and the many sub divisions of the 3 main religions)
Are a people of FAITH wich means that God has a dirrect relations in our Culture and our Lifestyles. When we say I'll see you tomorow... we say Inchallah (god willing) regardless of the religion here... Its just a small example of how we all relate with faith.
The key idea is RESPECT and tolerance.
Lets not make the mistake of associating Politics and its power strugles with religion. Its deadly mix we all have paid the price for. So Its not the expression of one's faith thats the problem its when you impose it on others. After all we are all guests here. IF I go to a Muslim person's house during Ramadan Iam not going to eat in his face in the middle of the day. And If Iam in Mike's house and he says for holy week he'd like to be left alone with his family. And basicaly since we are in his house... I can respect that.

And that sums it more. even if it was sumed up all ready ;)

revaldo29 - 4-25-2006 at 03:11 PM

I don't know about you guys, but whenever the forums shut down, I begin to realize just how addicted i've become to them. Checking the forums has become a daily routine that I do everytime I check my email (which I check about 5-10 times a day). Kind of scary but cool at the same time. I'm not Christian but if these were my forums, I would shut them down just for a break from all the psychos that come on here and act like children.

Mike - 4-26-2006 at 05:38 AM

Thanks again for everyone's support here and in emails. Much appreciated. You all are what keeps these forums fun and active and enjoyable to visit.