Welcome to Andak01 as New Moderator of Religion/Culture Section

[NewsGuy]

To all,

This is a note to welcome our newest forum Moderator, andak01, who has accepted an invitation to moderate the Religion/Culture section, along with Mediocrates and ibrodsky.

Andak01 has been widely read as a member and excels at communicating his positions intelligently and eloquently. Over the past year-and-a-half he has graciously responded to a variety of challenges to him and his beliefs, never wavering from our Rules of the Road, despite being provoked to do so on countless occasions. His commitment to intelligent debate and avoidance of pettiness demonstrates his leadership abilities.

We look to andak01 for his judgment in eliminating religious bashing and the posting of what can be reasonably construed as hate speech in the sensitive Religion/Culture section.

Recognizing that there are legitimate questions about the role of Islam in the Arab-Israeli conflict and in global terrorism, it is important for us to discuss and debate those issues in a manner that will strike a cord in the high-level decision-makers that this forum aims to reach. Of course, there are also legitimate questions about Judaism and Christianity's roles in world events, as well, and we look forward to andak01 adding his perspective to those discussions.

It is particularly difficult for a moderator to allow the posting of content that is offensive to him/her without censoring it, and I would imagine that this will be one of andak01's new challenges.

Finally, in selecting a new moderator for the Religion section, I would note that there is a great respect for Andak01 both among those who agree with his views and those who disagree with him.

So, without further ado, Mazal Tov to andak01. Welcome and good luck.

- NewsGuy

[drexpert]

Congratulations!


Jeffrey

[MichaelC]

Bizarre and Unreal!!

But it does explain the tone of some of Medio's recent posts concerning the stances andak has taken in various threads in this forum.

As anyone who reads here at the forum well knows, I find much of what andak posts here unpalatable.

I certainly hope that my opinion on this matter will not be deleted. I do not think I am the only one here who thinks these thoughts.

[Isiah 2:4]

Mazel Tov Andak, and Kol Hakvod to all the cheeses at IF for showing a fair, balanced and open-minded approach to their choice, ultimately high-lighting what a great forum this is. Fabulous! Chew on that Ummah-facist nasties!! :D

[MichaelC]

Chew on that Ummah-facist nasties!! :D

While I myself do not think it so "fabulous", I do think you made a good point with this part of your comment.

[NewsGuy]

As anyone who reads here at the forum well knows, I find much of what andak posts here unpalatable.

I certainly hope that my opinion on this matter will not be deleted. I do not think I am the only one here who thinks these thoughts.

I was anticipating that someone would say this. There are definitely some members (and moderators) who agree with MichaelC.

Let's take it step-by-step, then:

Andak01 is a devout Muslim. He's indicated that on several occasions. So, it's not surprising that he has opinions that differ from many of ours. It's also not surprising that some of his opinions, based on Islam, are not palatable to some of our members. I myself have misgivings about Islam as it is being applied worldwide.

But his opinions are valid from the perspective of more than a billion citizens of planet Earth (including more than 1 out of 5 Israeli citizens), and ignoring that would be a mistake on our part.

He is certainly moderate and considerate of other people's sensitivities, and in no way does andak01 support or excuse terrorism. In fact, he is an example of a Muslim with whom Jews and Christians could make peace, unlike many of his co-religionists.

And it's also evident that people of one religion seldom find all aspects of another religion in line with their beliefs or cultural customs. There are certainly Jewish rituals that may seem, at first glance, barbaric to others -- just like we may find many Muslim customs to be unacceptable to us.

And I would also note that many of the more "mainstream" opinions here, are unfortunately unpalatable to the vast majority of the world, so that within itself is no bar to us discussing such opinions.

There's also no more "us" and "him." He is part of our community and now a leader who will have the chance to prove himself. And of course anyone is welcome to debate him and challenge him any time.

[Ophra]

Congratulations Andak01 ... and good luck .
Also kol ha'kavod to NewsGuy ... I admire your sensitivity .. and sense of balance and fairness.

[TDidier]

Congratulation Andak01 and IsraelForum

[frizzer1]

.

. In fact, he is an example of a Muslim with whom Jews and Christians could make peace, unlike many of his co-religionists.
.

I don't agree with much of what Andak has to say but I do agree with the statement above.If all muslims were like Andak we would have peace in the middle east and probably the entire world.
And so, congratulations to you,Andak, and to the moderators of this forum who have demonstrated their wisdom and tolerance and courage in coming to this decision.

[philingraham]

Congratulations Andak. You will need the patience of a saint...