The Prophets are the best examples

I know I haven't been updating the Palestine blog for almost a month, but I do read news. I'll probably be too busy for another 2, 3 weeks so I don't think I can update it yet. Someone, please do it for me ok?

The new rise of a self-righteous self-proclaimed jihad movement Salafi-Jihadi. If they start reading this blog they will probably kill me once they find me, but I don't care the slightest bit, and I won't bear grudges. God's love is too overwhelming for me to act high-and-mighty like most self-proclaimed warriors.

Isn't it about time for those stubborn-headed to realize that Hamas is not a terrorist organization? There are enough extremist organizations out there that differ strongly from Hamas itself, needless to name what those organizations are. Who can prove that Hamas used civilians as human-shields? The Hamas that we know says otherwise, and we choose to believe them, not some biased propaganda. Anyway, after finding out that some members of Hamas are actually supporting Salafi-Jihadi secretly, now we know why a few of their actions seem to go against their principles. As long as the leaders are composed and on the right path, I trust in them to fix the situation. It'll be a different story if even their leaders are starting to oppress people with self-proclaimed laws of God. God states; there is no obligation in religion. And injustice is a terrible act.

One method I use to judge whether what an organization aims is truly based on God's orders or not, is by comparing their principles to the prophet's. What I see Hamas is doing is almost similar to the ways of the prophet. Fight for the land stolen from you, forgive people, and cease fire when the enemy wants to make peace. And no forcing people to follow a certain way of life. People are free to choose their ways of life, the only thing they shouldn't be doing is being injustice towards others, in forms of bribery, robbery, murdering, and the such. Otherwise it is their total freedom to choose not to pray, or to be homosexual, or to eat rubbish. We can only advice them what to do and what not to do, but we can't force them as long as they're not disturbing others. Remember how Luth didn't do anything to his homosexual tribe but only reminded them of the disaster to come shall they not repent? Then as God ordered, when a place is too full of sins and you can't change it, you shall leave for a better place. Otherwise you might get involved in the judgment that's going to befall the sinful land, in Luth's tribe's case, the whole town was flipped upside down.

In short, we humans as caliphs of the earth are only responsible for reminding and conducting trials that are required to be done as mentioned in the Koran, for example eye-for-an-eye, stoning, and decapitating thieves. But wait, let me make this clear. Stoning is only allowed when there are at least 4 male witnesses who saw with their own eyes the progression of the adultery event, otherwise there is no stoning. And that's not the only requirement, there are plenty of requirements to be filled before it can be done, so don't think it's easy to stone people. And don't think we like to stone people. No one sane likes hurting others. And as for cutting off one hand of a thief, there must be proof that he stole and that the reason for stealing is not due to hunger or poverty. Simply put, he's stealing just because he wants something that he can live on without. For more info, please ask a real scholar, not the one who only knows how to fight.

Now where were we? Oh yeah, we humans are only responsible for those trials. As for other sins that involve only themselves, like drinking alcohol and skipping on prayers, those sins are between themselves and God, so God shall judge that. Repeat, we are only reminders. And get out of that place when you think judgment is near, well, if you want to live longer that is.

The real message that I want to repeat here is the importance of spreading love, not hate. I didn't say the exact words before, but what I've been conveying is the same. Teach people around you how to love before they start expressing extreme behaviors, before they start killing people in their own ways, before they declare hatred on everyone they hate. In an article I read, Hamas discovered through some Salafi-Jihadi members that they captured, that they only know how to be extreme, but they don't even know how to prepare for prayers.

Before teaching people how to govern people, teach them to govern themselves and love others first.

Featured

Been waiting a long time to write this post.

Quote 1:
神様は人々のその背中
いつでも見てると聞かされた
そうどこの誰にでも平等に
愛を与える
(I was told that God is always looking at every each of us, loving and caring for us fairly no matter who we are)

私が生まれた日から今日まで
日差しのようなその温もり優しく包まれてた
(I've been enveloped in that warmth ever since the day I was born even till today)

誰かのために人は生きてる
私に何ができるのでしょう
(We all live for someone. I wonder how am I able to contribute?)

悲しみに出会ったら目を閉じて
その背中を意識して見て
温かなまなざしに気付くはず
守られてると
(When you're feeling down, close your eyes. Try to feel that gaze on your back, I'm sure you will notice that presence)

愛とは伝えるもの
( Love is meant to be spread)

一人ぼっちじゃ生きてゆけない
誰かがいるから私がいるの
(No one can live alone. I am here thanks to someone)

誰かのために人は生まれて幸せになるんだ
(Everyone is born to be happy because of someone)

***End of Quote 1

Good, isn't it? Hard to believe that a non-muslim wrote it? Not really, that just means the one who wrote it probably has more faith in God that most of us.

Second feature of the day.

Quote 2:
My mama told me when I was young
There's nothing wrong with being who you are
'Cause He made you perfect babe
So hold your head up, girl, and you'll go far
Listen to me when I say

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, chola descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause you were born this way

***End of Quote 2.

Obviously the writer knows how to be grateful to God for creating everyone perfect no matter what they are. Are you grateful that you were born? Do you know God made you perfect, your looks, your family, your surroundings, everything? We just don't know what caused us to be different, but we are all perfect creations of God, who makes no mistakes. We must love ourselves and people around us.

So have you figured out where those quotes come from?

Back to earth

***

Entertainers are better than half-naked entertainers. 

Half-naked entertainers are better than fully naked entertainers. 

Naked entertainers are better than prostitutes.

Once upon a time a prostitute pulled up water from a well with her shoes to let a thirsty dog drink, and she was admitted into heaven.

So what are you discriminating and hating people for?

***

Muhasabah

Kita mahu Palestin menang dan memperoleh kemerdekaan, tetapi adakah kita sudah bersedia untuk menanggung tanggungjawab yang datang selepas itu?

Buat saudara-saudari yang mengaku mereka termasuk orang-orang yang berserah diri kepada Allah, yakni muslim dan muslimat.

Alhamdulillah kini kita sedar kezaliman yang dialami rakyat Palestin dan kaum-kaum lain di serata dunia. Saban hari kita mendengar laungan untuk membebaskan Palestin, mendemokrasikan semula negara-negara Arab, dan menghidupkan balik semangat umat Islam yang terkubur meskipun mendapat tentangan dari berbagai pihak atas berbagai sebab. Maklumat bebas disalurkan kepada umum walaupun sentiasa cuba dihalang oleh pihak tertentu, kita bebas mengetahui hakikat sebenar yang mereka cuba sembunyikan selama ini.

Tapi itu sahaja tidak memadai sekiranya kita benar-benar mahu membuktikan hakikat sebenar Islam kepada dunia, bahawa Islam bukan agama pengganas, dan Allah bukan tuhan kepada umat Islam sahaja.

Apakah salah setiap mereka yang bergelar yahudi dan kristian sehingga sebahagian kamu menghina dan menzalimi mereka sesuka hati? Bukan semua yahudi dan kristian itu zalim, bukan semua yang mengaku Islam itu adil. Tapi ramai dari kalangan kita sentiasa menganggap jahatnya orang yang bukan Islam, sedangkan kita tidak tahu bahawa suatu hari nanti mungkin merekalah yang akan menjadi pemimpin umat Islam yang lebih bertakwa dari kita. Tetapi Allah Maha Tahu. Bukankah nabi kita sendiri melayan baik orang-orang kafir yang ingin berdamai dan tidak berlaku zalim? Allah tidak menghalang kita berlaku baik. Ingatlah bagaimana kasihnya nabi kepada ayah saudaranya yang mati dalam keadaan kafir, dan bagaimana baiknya perilaku nabi sehingga pemimpin-pemimpin puak yang kafir memilih untuk berserah diri kepada Allah.

Laungan "mati yahudi" dan "mati amerika" tidak ubah seperti apa yang sebahagian mereka laungkan kepada kita. Mengapa harus kita libatkan orang yang tidak mengambil bahagian dalam kezaliman, malah mereka juga cintakan keamanan dan keperimanusiaan? Jika ingin benci, bencilah sifat zalim itu sendiri, bukan sesuatu kaum atau puak secara keseluruhan. Orang kristian dan yahudi juga ada yang menjadi ahli kitab, dan ahli kitab juga adalah penghuni syurga seperti yang dijanjikan oleh Allah sendiri. Sepertimana kita tidak suka orang mengganggap semua yang bergelar muslim itu pengganas, seperti itu juga orang-orang yang tidak berkenaan benci apabila dikumpulkan sekali dengan orang-orang zalim. Pernahkan kamu berfikir?

Usah berangan ingin menjadi khalifah di bumi sedangkan sikap mendiskriminasikan orang pun masih tidak dapat kamu buang.

Kami menghargai kerjasama mereka yang sudi menyampaikan maklumat terkini berkenaan perkembangan usaha-usaha masyarakat Islam di serata dunia kepada rakan-rakan dan kenalan. Kini kami berharap agar akan bertambah kuat juga usaha menyampaikan mesej-mesej Islam, tentang perilaku Islam yang sebenar, tentang pentingnya muhasabah diri. Jika tidak, berulanglah apa yang sentiasa berulang dalam sejarah. Keadilan runtuh dan kezaliman timbul kembali walau siapa pun yang menang dan menulis sejarah baru, sekiranya tiadanya orang Islam sebenar yang melakukan tanggungjawab seorang pendakwah.

Pendakwah yang kami maksudkan bukanlah yang hanya tahu mencela Amerika dan Zionis, bukanlah orang yang meminta supaya tampuk kuasa dipegang oleh masyarakatnya sendiri, dan bukan juga yang tidak kelihatan sinar kasih sayang dimatanya meskipun sesama orang Islam sendiri. Carilah pendakwah yang mengikut sunnah-sunnah nabi secara keseluruhan, bukan hanya mengambil bahagian-bahagian yang disukainya sahaja, bukan bahagian-bahagian yang melibatkan kemusnahan semata-mata. Pendakwah itu seharusnya menyampaikan mesej secara kesuluruhannya, dari hal kecil hingga besar, yang berkaitan hati dan perasaan, dan bermula dari perkara-perkara asas yang penting tetapi sering dilupai orang. Apa gunanya solat jika mengumpat, apa gunanya puasa jika masih bergaduh sesama Islam kerana politik, apa gunanya pergi ke haji jika pulangnya ke tanah air masih mengabaikan hak-hak jiran tetangga? Bangunlah umat Islam. Jihad senjata yang kamu perkatakan itu hanya sekadar di mulut, jihadlah terhadap nafsumu dahulu.

Kasihilah keluargamu, jiran tetanggamu, saudara-saudara Islam, dan orang-orang bukan Islam yang cintakan kedamaian. Bukankah Allah itu Maha Penyayang? Bukankah para nabi yang seharusnya dicontohi bersifat amat mulia? Atau adakah Islam kamu hanya di mulut dan di hujung pedang yang dihunus tidak bertempat? Jangan biarkan Iblis dan konco-konconya mengibarkan api dendam, prasangka, dan bongkak dalam hatimu. Ingat, itulah misi syaitan, menyesatkan manusia. Disangka itulah Islam, sedangkan nafsu semata-mata.

Sekiranya Palestin dan negara-negara Islam menang dalam perang darah dan perang dingin ini, maka jatuhlah tanggungjawab untuk menegakkan keadilan secara besar-besaran. Nabi memaafkan orang-orang kafir yang memusuhinya semasa membuka kota Mekah, jadi adakah kita pula akan melakukan sebaliknya dan melanyak-lanyak setiap orang yang kita sangka musuh tatkala kita menang? Berlaku adillah, Allah suka orang yang berlaku adil. Berkasih sayanglah sesama manusia dan majulah ke depan dengan ilmu yang terbentang luas. Islam itu bukan pengekang, Islam itu membebaskan manusia dari fikiran-fikiran yang sempit, tetapi kebanyakan kita tidak memahami. Jadi wahai saudara-saudari yang sudah memahami hakikat ini, apa yang kita tunggu lagi? Pelajari dan kenalilah agama Islam, di mana agama bermaksud cara hidup, maka kenalilah cara hidup Islam. Kemudian sebarkan supaya semua orang saling mengetahui.

Maka berilah peringatan, karena sesungguhnya kamu hanyalah orang yang memberi peringatan. (Al-Ghashiya:21)

Natural

Someone once asked:

Why does the Muslim Allah send curses on women who wear wigs?

Then someone answered with questions:

If Allah is so concerned about humans being "natural" then where do such "unnatural" behaviors, (like abusing women and children, training children to kill, torturing people and blowing people up....just for starters) fit in?
Furthermore, how is it "natural" to say one cannot add or remove hair, yet it is ok to alter and/or "remove" various sex organs and "add" other "unnatural" things?

Usually when I come across situations like this, three dots appear in my balloon of thought and a big sweat-drop appears at the back of my head. Yeah, you get what I mean. Things are so obvious that I feel a really strong urge to ignore the question and go on with life, and I always do. But tonight I thought that maybe some people really need an explanation instead of ignorance. Okay, then I'll present my humble speech.

There is no need to defend God because God defends hemself, so you can't ask why I'm being so defensive with such questions. But I wonder if I really am being defensive? Either ways I'm not really bothered. You decide. You're happy, I'm happy. *wink, wink*

Let's tackle this one by one, the systematic way. First I shall answer the question on my behalf. It's true that the rule regarding wigs was only mentioned in the hadith and not the Koran, and no one alive at this moment can really prove that it was really narrated from the prophet himself, so whether to believe this is an order from God or not is up to each other. If you don't think it's an order, then it's okay, do as you think is right. As for me, I trust in the scholars who are keen on spreading God's love, so I have to believe that it's really an order. And as I've mentioned a few times, even an article written by someone else I posted before says so, when it's an order it's also up to you whether to obey or not. I choose to obey, because I believe this is God's compassion. What do I care if wigs enhance blood circulation or protect hair from UV rays? If God says no, then I won't do it. But if people I know refuse to obey, then I can only suggest them to obey. I can't force them to do what I think is right. As the Koran states, there is no compulsion in life. People are free to choose. Forcing is forbidden. And back to the question, why does God curse women who wear wigs, as the questioner put it? To be honest, I don't know! *lol* No one asked that when the prophet was present, so now if you want to ask, wait for the day when you can ask God directly what the reason is.

Really, there are so much more important things in this world than asking why to everything. Questions that start with 'why' is infinite. It's like asking someone "Why do you like the color blue?" "Because it's beautiful." "Why do you think it's beautiful?" "Because it's cool and calming." "Why is it cool and calming?" "Because they have short wave-lengths." "Why?" "Because it's made that way." "Why?" "I don't know!" *lol*

Now I know some people are just curious. But have you ever had a child who keeps asking you why to everything? If you have, you will certainly have realized that some things just don't need to be answered due to its own insignificance compared to much more important things at hand. But that doesn't mean it's a totally bad thing to ask. Asking is good, but moderately. Ask in a good way, at a good time, to a well-knowing person, and don't expect a satisfactory answer. Because in the end, we are all imperfect humans with so little knowledge and ability to comprehend.

And now for the biggest misunderstanding of the day. What exactly did the person mean by "abusing women and children"? Taking from the free online dictionary, abuse is described as :
1. To use wrongly or improperly; misuse: abuse alcohol; abuse a privilege.
2. To hurt or injure by maltreatment; ill-use.
3. To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.
4. To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.
5. Obsolete To deceive or trick.
Number 2~5 are inarguably out of the question since those are all forbidden acts. Actually number 1 is also forbidden, but the question here is how each people define "improper use". Everyone has their one ideal meaning of proper, therefore opinions can differ. Well, since this should be too easy to understand, let's just make this simple. No one is allowed to make men, women, children, or even animals, generally anything alive, feel displeased, furthermore sad or angry and the such. If what Mr. A is doing to Mrs. B is making her sad, then that is not what God ever allowed to be done. If Mr. X is getting scars from Mrs. Y's blows, that is also not what God commanded. If everyone is happy, God loves it. Simple. When everyone is happy, there is no need to poke in and force them to do something else. If even one person is being unhappy due to what others are doing to him/her, something is wrong, and that is not what God wants us to do.

Oh, and as for "training children to kill" and all the way to "altering organs" et cetera, I hope I don't have to waste time elaborating them as forbidden acts. They are totally and absolutely forbidden, end of question.

A lot of people already know, but this time I'll specially restate this for those who don't. Before that, please take note that I'm being kind enough not to call you ignorants, so people, stop insulting others with that word.

When things are making people unhappy, those are not commands from God. Those troublemakers may stress that those are really commands from God, but check first for how true that statement is before blaming God for anything. Most likely, the wrong things people are doing are things passed down culturally, not as commands from the Lord. Trust me, it's a too often occurrence since ancient times.

Did I forget to mention that Allah stands for God? It's just in a different language. When referring to the Almighty Creator who's the Most Compassionate, who existed before time itself and never dies, there is only one, no matter what you call it. That is God.

A common misconception, this is the truth

By Dr. Ahmed Yousef

Women in every society have a different perception of their respective roles, which are generally molded by social and cultural norms. Evidently in many parts of the world, these social and cultural norms have restricted women of their due rights.

Islam has liberated women of such restrictions by emphasizing social equality and granting women the right to work as part of their freedom of choice. Although wearing the Hijab is a religious obligation, it is inarguably an issue between a woman and God. No one is allowed to force a woman to wear Hijab if she chooses not to, nor does the religion allow anyone to interfere with her if she chooses to take it off.

Furthermore, an individual or a group of people's choice to practice their religion and follow its teachings and principles must be respected and not judged according to certain standards set by others.

Women in the West were granted some of their basic rights fairly recently. Not until the 20th century were women completely allowed to work, inherit, vote, own property, and even protect themselves from violence. The feminist movement was a reaction to a male-dominant society that oppressed women on many levels. Islam, however, had freed women politically, economically, and socially since its birth, approximately 1430 years ago. Thus, feminist movements and fighting governmental institutions were never necessary.

It cannot be denied that many individuals within the Islamic region, just like in every other society, oppress women regardless of all beliefs and laws. But it is crucial to note that these actions are not based on true Islamic ideology, but rather are a reflection of traditions that Islam abhors and condemns. Hamas, as an Islamic organization, is keen to implement the true Islamic principles and teachings with regards to women, completely independent of certain cultural norms and societal backwardness.

Hamas, as a national liberation movement, works to put an end to the Israeli occupation and its injustice and oppression of the Palestinian people, and has no plans in creating a state with a particular type of government. Its only goal is to end the Israeli occupation and thus all attempts to engage the whole population, regardless of gender or age, in the liberation movement are a necessity.

God states in the Quran, "The Believers, men and women, are protectors of one another; they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil." Clearly, Islam entitles women and men to cooperate to fulfill their commitments. Understanding the importance of collaborative and complementary roles between men and women, Hamas engages women in all of its departments. There are female participants in the Consultative Council, which is responsible for the outline of the overall strategy of the Hamas movement and the decision-making body. There are also women who are active in the Political Bureau, Cultural Bureau, and an additional committee specialized in women's affairs within the movement.

Women in Gaza play an active role in politics and their involvement in the workforce is widespread. Many women hold occupations at universities, work as doctors and engineers, run charities and schools, and even hold leadership positions in unions and students’ councils. In the elections of 2006, women in Hamas were fully mobilized to reach out to Palestinian women and encourage them to participate in the parliamentary elections.

Hamas nominated tens of women for office and three of them were appointed as members of parliament, one as a minister, 60 as General Directors, and tens of others took leadership positions in different ministries. In addition, from the six Education Departments located in the Gaza Strip, three of them are directed by women.

The misconception that Hamas subjugates women by implementing social restrictions and snatching away their rights is an absolute fallacy. The role of women in the Palestinian society and within the liberation movement is a momentous one. Women have proven to be significant contributors in all possible fields that include, but are not limited to, politics, education, charity, and social work. The Palestinian woman in Gaza is educated, she has a voice, and she is worth no less than any man.

Dr. Ahmed Yousef is the former Senior Political Advisor to Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza Prime Minister.


Japanese version here: http://itoshii.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-post.html

ガザにいる女性の立場、誤解を晴らす
Ahmed Yousefによって書かれた記事（の翻訳）：

どこの社会においてもそれぞれの文化や生き方によって女性はよく男性と別扱いされる。これらの社会基準によって世界の数々の場所で女性は古くから法律に縛られたり人権を否定されたりするのが誰でもわかるでしょう。

だがイスラムは女性に社会的平等を与え、働きたい女性に自由に働かせていることにより女性たちを解放することになった。確かに女性は宗教の法律により顔と手しか男性に見せられないが、もしこの法律に従いたがらない女性がいても無理やり従わせることは決してできない。宗教の法律に従うことというのは神への気持ちの表し方でもあり、女性たちは無論それぞれの決意によって自分を隠すか見せるかは自分で決めるのだ。このようなことに関しては何といっても人は他人の決意に逆らって無理させることは禁じられている。

人は自分で自分の生き方を決め、他の人は自分の生き方と違っていてもそれを尊重すべきであり、自分の物差しで勝手に判断するのは決していいことではない。

西欧に住んでいる女性たちが自由を手に入れたのはかなり最近のことである。20世紀までは彼女らは特定の仕事もできず投票もできなかった。そして自分の財産を持つこともできず受け継ぐこともできないうえ、自分を暴力から守ることさえ許されなかった。これらの抑圧があったからこそ女性解放運動が始まった。イスラムはちなみに女性を社会的にも経済的にも政治的にも約1430年前から解放したため、女性解放運動を起こす必要がなかった。

とはいって知っている通り、自分がイスラムであると宣言しながらあらゆる女性を抑圧する人は少なくない。だがここで是非わかっていただきたいのはこれが決してイスラムの思想に基づいたことではなく、イスラムも非難する古くから伝わる文化的な行動である。ハマースはイスラムの組織としてイスラムの本当の原理や教えを履行することによって、女性を完全に文化や人の勝手な意見などの縛りから解放することを望んでいる。

ハマースは国民解放運動としてイスラエルの占領や権利の侵害やパレスチナ人に対する抑圧を終わらせることが目的であり、自分たちの理想的な政府を作るつもりはない。よって性別や年齢問わず誰でもこの運動に参加することができる。

コーランで神はこう言っている：「信仰するものは、男性であり女性であり、お互い守りあい、正義を申しつけ、悪行を禁じる。」明らかにイスラムは男性にも女性にも使命を果たすために互いの協力を求める。それを理解しハマースは各部門に女性の担当を入れている。ハマースの全ての作戦や意思決定をする諮問機関にも女性の方は何人もいる。政治局や文化局のほかに女性の方は女性関係の特別な局にも積極的に活動している。

ガザ地区に住んでいる女性たちは政治に積極的に参加しており、そのかかわりあいは普及している。大学で勤める女性もいて、医者や工学者になる女性もたくさんいる。彼女らは慈善的な団体や学校を経営し、協議会のリーダーになったり生徒会の会長になったりする。2006年の選挙でハマースの女性たちは何にも縛られずに、パレスチナの女性らに選挙への参加を励ました。

ハマースは女性10人を候補に指名し、そのうち3人が国会議員となり、一人が大臣となった。60人が一般理事になり、十数人が様々な省庁で指導的な立場をとった。ガザ地区にある六つの教育部門のうち三つは女性に管理されている。

ハマースが女性を社会的に縛ったり人権を奪ったりするという誤解は絶対的な虚偽にすぎない。ハマースと活動している女性もパレスチナにいる女性も重大な役割を持ち、運動と国に大きく影響をしている。政治、教育、慈善、そして社会に、しかしそれらに限らずもっと大規模なスケールにも、女性は重要な貢献者である。ガザにいるパレスチナの女性は教育されており、発言する権利があり、男性と同じ価値を持つ。

Ahmed Yousef博士はガザ内閣総理大臣Ismail Haniyehの元シニア政治顧問である。

When a scary disaster strikes

I don't like survival stories, but I bumped into one today. The story is set in the near future when an earthquake of magnitude 8 Richter scale strikes Tokyo. Seeing the tall buildings especially around Odaiba which was built on a causeway collapse is scary enough, not to mention seeing people dying by getting crushed under the pillars is enough to make people feel like it's a living hell. But it's not the real hell. The part I hate most is when people go insane and start acting stupid and selfish. All kinds of the worst things happen, weird religions rise, weird groups start trying to show off. and weird gangs start attacking people. Even sane people would find it hard to survive.

Therefore, could this situation be worse than war? I haven't experienced war so I can't say, but I know I don't want to be trapped in a place where people have gone mad. But even if we are able to escape those people, we just can't if someone we know is among those insane people. We will want to save them, because that's what we are. Humans are creatures who know how to love and treasure. Dirty as they are, love makes them strong. Everyone is different, but even the most selfish person has at least one person they just can't afford to leave behind.

What would we do when a really big disaster strikes till all hopes are no longer visible? When water pipes are broken causing liquefaction, when electricity is gone, when even fire to keep warm is scarce, when there's not enough place to shelter all survivors, when there's not enough food for everyone. Another question is, what will we be when disaster strikes? Are we going to be the helper, or the helped? Or worse, the hateful troublemaker? We can decide beforehand what we're going to do at times like that, we can decide now while it still hasn't happened. But what we're going to be will depend on what we choose to put our hopes on. If we put our hopes on something that has even 0.00001% chance of crumbling, then we will at least be at loss for words when that hope crumbles. So why don't we put our hopes on something that won't crumble? What is that thing that doesn't crumble, is what we have to decide for ourselves. If science doesn't crumble for you, then you may choose to take it. For me, the only one that will remain no matter what is my beloved God. I choose to put my hopes on God solely.

Sometimes there are really retarded people who think believing in God equals denying science. I won't waste my time explaining what I mean, it should be too obvious, but anyway, believing that the sun will come out the next morning to light the land and to keep freezing people warm is also part of believing in God's compassion, don't you agree? Everything is under God's control, so whatever good thing happens is due to God's compassion. Even things that seem bad at first always turn out to be something useful after all. But when I said hope I wasn't talking about hopes of surviving, but more towards hope of attaining God's eternal love and compassion in heaven in exchange for all that we've done and endured. Heaven is for those who are patient, as God always says. Thus, I'm trying to ask all of us to be patient when the unpredictable happens.

Just like how women tend to get emotional during PMS, some people are just unable to keep sane because they are unable to control themselves. Those people should be helped, not ignored. Therefore people who are able to be sane should refrain from getting emotional just from seeing others becoming so. If everyone wants to be helped, who would be the one lending hands? Men, you are generally made to be stronger than women physically, so protect those women who are made to be stronger emotionally. Women are filled with emotions because it's their nature, so it's just natural for them to be weak. No I'm not being sexist, I'm stating the general truth. Of course there are times when nature changes its course and a man becomes emotional while a woman becomes strong, it's not impossible at all. Anyway the point is when there's a weak person, there's also a strong person. Don't succumb to weakness when you know you can go through it, fight against those wavering feelings.

When there's a strong and composed person around, even crying children will want to become strong. Don't you want to be that catalyst?