Dan,

"You said you were okay with the bells, but not with the Muslim calls to prayer. You didn't like the sound."

I've seen you misunderstand or deliberately misrepresent what I say.

#120...I said, "Church bells stopped ringing in my town years ago. I suspect that's been the trend for most places. The same will be expected of Muslim churches."

Is that clear or will you say in a few weeks I want Christian churches bells ringing.

Jpw,

"While acting like churches ringing their bells is somehow different simply because it's always been."

I've already agreed church bells should not be exempt.

There's no reason to include ice cream trucks, etc. which is unnecessarily extreme.

Donner,

Back to my original statement.

Atheism is functionally a religion.

Donner,

If you include agnostics and people who say they have no opinions about religion, its closer to a third of the population.

Donner,

"Neither are most atheists who are but 5% of the population."

Do some research.

Regardless of the percentage, there are several active atheist organizations functioning as lobbying groups.

Secular Coalition for America
American Atheists
American Humanist Association
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Atheist Alliance International
United Coalition of Reason

Snoofy,

"Only a stupid ------- with a dull axe to grind would claim that being a member of the Chicago Cubs baseball team is tantamount to being a member of a religion."

The Chicago Cubs aren't shaping public policy, lobbying lawmakers, or influencing public school curriculum.

Donner,

"Atheism is not a religion"

That argument is so yesterday.

Atheists are an organized group just as much as any religion.

Laura,

I understand your reaction to this.

The US already maintains a large military base in Qatar and sells them advanced military equipment.

This move is really just a continuation of a long-term alliance with a non-Nato country.

It seems to me this is the next logical step building a diplomatic trust in a controlled environment.

You gotta hand it to Trump.

He thinks outside the box.

This is a training facility built by Qatar (with US approval) inside a US base, under US control.

I notice there are knee-jerk reactions to this, and based on current beliefs, this sounds a bit ominous.

But, as the old saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," this might be a brilliant idea for dealing with people you don't completely trust.

Lamp,

America does not have a national religion.

Although, it does appear atheism has been fairly influential over the last few decades.

Lamp,

Don't believe everything you think.

Lamp,

I said, "This is America. Not a country where Islam is the national religion."

How do you get me saying America has a national religion?

Lamp,

I'm not backtracking.

I never stated what you think I'm backtracking from.

Reread what I said. You misunderstood it or assumed I meant something I didn't.

Alex,

You seem to think I want a Christian nation.

Which version of Christianity?

No..you are wrong.

We'd just be fighting among ourselves.

Lamp,

"There is no national religion."

Try explaining that to the Arab countries.

America doesn't but they sure do.

I once had a professional who dealt with sexuality explain.a misconception most people have about sexual attraction.

The common belief is sexual orientation is a dial you turn one way or the other.

Straight one way, gay the other and bisexual more in the middle.

Totally wrong.

It's 2 dials.

One for straight.

One for gay.

There might be other dials for rubber objects or God knows what.

Personally, I've wondered about straight men having sex with women with breast implants

Is squeezing a ballon filled with water erotic?

Laura,

I liked the perfect pitch and physical sensation they created as well as the beauty they brought to city.

I'm sure Muslims feel similar to their Call to Prayer.

This is America. Not a country where Islam is the national religion.

Dan,

Church bells stopped ringing in my town years ago.

I suspect that's been the trend for most places.

Christian churches have evolved. The same will be expected of Muslim churches.

Even Dearborn where the Muslim mayor told a Christian at a town meeting, "You're not welcome here" should be forced to restrict the tradition.

Redial,

"Are either based on sunrise/sunset times? My local noise bylaw runs from 22:00 to 0800 all year."

My pots and pans ancient laws weren't actually real, but we could start something new.

And those ancient noise laws lining up with our local noise ordinances...wow...Predestination, right?

Alex,

Next will be banning women from wearing make-up or cutting their hair.

Interestingly, the sacred law just happens to coincide with local noise ordinances that have morning and evening times set.

But must be done outside so evil spirits can hear it.

Maybe Christians should start banging pots and pans every quarter hour.

Say its a newly found sacred tradition thats been overlooked.

Its to scare the evil spirits away.

Pump,

"White men indoctrinated Boaz to look down upon, dehumanize and hate all Muslims"

So long as Muslims don't impose their noises and inconvenient prayer times interrupting anyone else and the plethora of other rituals on the rest of America, I don't see a problem.

The hostages are coming home.

Is there just nothing to celebrate for some people?