Are you Egalitarian or Complimentarian?

New Translation Prompts Debate on Islamic Verse

Laleh Bakhtiar had already spent two years working on an English translation of the Koran when she came upon Chapter 4, Verse 34.
She nearly dropped the project right then.
The hotly debated verse states that a rebellious woman should first be admonished, then abandoned in bed, and ultimately “beaten” — the most common translation for the Arabic word “daraba” — unless her behavior improves.
“I decided it either has to have a different meaning, or I can’t keep translating,” said Ms. Bakhtiar, an Iranian-American who adopted her father’s Islamic faith as an adult and had not dwelled on the verse before. “I couldn’t believe that God would sanction harming another human being except in war.”
Ms. Bakhtiar worked for five more years, with the translation to be published in April. But while she found a way through the problem, few verses in the Koran have generated as much debate, particularly as more Muslim women study their faith as an academic field.
“This verse became an issue of debate and controversy because of the ethics of the modern age, the universal notions of human rights,” said Khaled Abou El Fadl, an Egyptian-born law professor and Islamic scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The leader of the North American branch of a mystical Islamic order, Sheik Muhammad Hisham Kabbani, said he had been questioned about the verse in places around the world where women were struggling for greater rights, but most of all by Westerners.
Women want to be free “from some of the extreme ideology of some Muslims,” the sheik said, after delivering a sermon on the verse recently in Oakland, Calif.

Tourist Destinations

This is an interesting article I found. I don't know exactly how people find this out, but i thought it was interesting at least that GSCC has had or still has it's people in at least 4 of the worlds most dangerous destinations for 2007 which I think is very healthy, and I hope GSCC will send people to all of these destinations in time:

The World's Most Dangerous Destinations for 2007
Somalia
Iraq
Afghanistan
Democratic Republic of Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Pakistan
Burundi
Sri Lanka
Haiti
Chad
Lebanon
Liberia
Of course, you probably don't think of these places as vacation destinations, unless you're a whacked-out Robert Young Pelton. However, employees of governments, oil and mining industries, and telecom industries are increasingly being dispatched to these locations. If you work for one of those groups, be certain to ask about insurance, hazard pay -- and a bodyguard.
Interestingly, the piece argues that the world is NOT getting more dangerous right now. Rather, globalization and the attendant "shrinking" of the planet is largely responsible for making the world APPEAR more dangerous now than before.

Okay, so that's the article. In a related topic however, Dan told me the other day, that Bujumbura, Burundi, in addition to being one of the most dangerous locations, also is the second to least preferable tourest destinations in the world. At the bottom of the list is Chad, I believe.

the title of this post goes here

I am drama. I am me. Me that I am. I feel like I have to post, yet I don't know what to post about. I guess, just some new things. I take my french dictionary with me in my pocket everyday, and I like using it, but it made me realize how tight my pockets are, and my pants possibly, I guess I could be in an 80's rock band if my pants have their way. It's really uncomfortable and it's got to look obnoxious. Also, I went to register at the U.S. Embassy the other day, and realized I had a pocket knife in my pocket, as I approached security I wondered if they would take my knife. They increased security here the last few days do to some things that would take me too long to explain and it would also worry Trina's parents. But this is my favorite knife, and I didn't want to part with it. So I decided to try and sneak it into the embassy without getting caught. I was recently educated in the art of "slight of hand" by my favorite magician Sir. Kevin Holzer (I recently had him knighted). So phase one of security, I simply held the knife clenched in my fist and put both hands above my head. But since I was so much taller, the guard didn't check my hands, he was to concerned with my clothes and pockets. The second gaurd post, same drill different gaurd. Now we were in the embassy compound, I thought about putting the knife in my shoe. The last phase approached. I didn't have time for the shoe maneuver. I went inside the embassy door, and there was a metal dectetor that you had to walk through. I didn't try to sneak it through. I gave it to the guard on the condition that he would give it back. But, I realized, that there is alot you can get away with here, conversely, there is many ways you can get into trouble here. It's been a fun learning experience so far. We did go to a peacemaking seminar, and learned techniques on how to educate and resolve conflict. It was an informative seminar, that was highly relevant and we all hope to put the info into good practical use in our lives, and while we are here. I'm meeting a lot of people and forgetting their names. So that's a bummer, but I'll be visiting some local burundians at their home, and I'm gonna go to church with one guy that I met yesterday. I'm quite sure it will be an adventure. These are just pop corn sentences, with different thoughts I realize, but it's something. I can't get over how hot it is here. I think it's just for the next two months, then it will cool down. But lot's of people are commenting on it... not just me. Granted most of the people aren't locals, but... there is some empathy... oh, I got a cell phone, and I'm learning how to text finally, I feel like a swanky european, who sweats all the time, and takes forever to text a simple message. We hope to start French Lesson's soon, so that will help me feel like a swanky european, who sweats all the time, and speaks french... which is a slight improvement (depending on your point of view). Anyway, that's something I guess.

Cheers my Dears

I just want to say to all our supporters, that we are not using our support money for our time in England, I had a bad dream last night that everyone was furious with me, because they worried about this... so I thought to act on my irrational fears, which I do from time to time, which usually result in humiliating myself, and wreaking havoc on friendships, but irrational habits die hard. I know it's taboo to talk about money, which is why we should talk about it as much as possible... money, money, money... mammon! We are using our own money, because this trip has nothing to do with Africa, and well, when I support people, I worry about things like this, and of course I have all sorts of opinions. Plus, England is so spanking expensive that coming here at all is a bad financial decision. Thank goodness for Amyr and Sogol, who are graciously letting us stay in their apartment. They are also giving up their bedroom... which is crazy. So we are really taken care of here. I should say that they have silk sheets, pillow cases, and comforter, and it's dark purple. Every time I go to bed, I feel like I'm in a sexy velvet music video. Or maybe I feel like a sultan. But I don't know what a sultan is really, or where they are from... sultans, sounds good. I know I may regret this post later, make sure and comment about how offended you are then we can get in the first ever comment argument... well maybe not the first. Oh well. Our trip thus far has been really great. And all the people we've met, and hung out with, have been amazing. On a separate note, I feel like everyone in England, drives really cool expensive cars... and they are all new cars, and they are all like cars you'd see in rap videos. I keep waiting for people to throw all sorts of money around and walk in slow motion, and rap in their swanky British accents when they get out of their super sweet cars. The last time I was in England, I thought the same thing about the cars, but I thought... nah, it's just like the states. But I was wrong to doubt myself last time, because I am correct on this matter and I shouldn't doubt myself. The English all have super cool, swanky, posh, cars, and there's nothing you can do about it. There have been some super funny moments on this visit... too many to blog about. I wish I could phone you all on a conference call, and tell you, because I know I'll forget them all in time. I'll journal about them tomorrow maybe, if I feel up to it, then in two years we can all go camping, and tell stories around the fire. Tomorrow we leave for Kenya, and I imagine, I will start using our support money... but don't worry, I'll be very frugal. If only you could have experienced my dream with me... but that would also be very weird and sci-fi like and even I am not willing to go there yet. I should let you all know, since I am speaking about money, and my paranoia, that our two latest films are on sermonspice, and one of them is about money. If you want to access them, possibly talk to Ruth King (my cult following) and she can tell you how. I emailed Nancy, and told Nancy to tell Ruth how to access our sermonspice films. I love this type of communication because it is extravagant and prone to much error. Until next time, and remember, talk about money as much as possible, maybe tell everyone how much money you make a month, and your cost of living... see what happens.

the great missioning

I gotta say it was tougher than I expected leaving friends and fam. Although, my immediate family isn't aware about where I am or when I'm leaving. And I can't get ahold of them... I'll keep working on that, but it was hard leaving Trina's family and all our friends last week. I can't believe how gracious you all are. Especially since I had a really bad haircut. Thank you all for talking to me, and not commenting on the uneven hair. On our way to headquarters the other day I saw a sign that said "Baltimore, the greatest city ever!" When I saw that I thought that the Roman Empire would of got really ticked off if they ever became aware of that sign. In addition to this, I felt that the Romans wouldn't be impressed with Baltimore, I guess that's implied by the previous sentence. But that's neither here nor there. I must now apologize as I often do for not blogging for a while. I'm hopping to improve at this, but if you all saw my job description/expectation sheet, you may wonder if I had time to eat. It will be fun to work out all the quirks. I'm hoping to post my job description soon. I've currently misplaced it, and I'm too embarrassed to ask for another copy as it makes me look bad, and Trina gets really embarrassed as she feels it reflects on her a bit. Fortunately the people here are very quality, and most have a good sense of humor. The couple we're staying with are good people. I should give a shout out to Richard and Allison for letting us trash their basement this week. Also, they have a cat called "Lucinda" who drools when you pet her. Of course when you're me, you love stuff like that. Needless to say I pet her all the time as fast as possible. Also, last night I noticed that she has nightmares, and meows very painfully in her sleep. I wanted to film her, but I didn't feel like unpacking any camera gear at this point, pluss Lucinda is very overweight, and I don't have to tell you the camera adds 20 pounds, but I could help that in after effects. Possibly we'll meet again, Lucinda and I, and I can film her again, and of course I'll post that footage, if I ever get it.
I'm impressed with how messy Trina and I are... but trina can find anything... Like this morning she found my belt that I had lost for the last two days. I was walking around World Relief Head Quarters meeting people and pulling my pants up... wondering when I could buy another belt. At least I haven't lost my passport. Possibly if someone who reads this... if anyone still does... if I could get the red heads blog info... that would be great. I love all of you faithful readers, all two of you, and I think one of the two is me, and I do love me. Thanks for well, everything. Much love from the east coast. Until next time.