If Knowledge is Power

Sighh... such a turn off. I've just came across your great videos on youtube and then I saw this statement as first on your blog and now I wonder why you put connection between religion and technology? (computers were announced as the work of the devil both in Islam and Christianity- so we are both in sin using a computers). Prophet Mohammad is definitely among the most powerful people, thats true. But there are people killing other people because of him and the knowledge he passed. Let me ask you this: If you think he was knowledgable, why he ordered to kill all dogs in Medina? "Dogs are impure, so kill'em, especially the black ones..its the devil..." God created all beings, so why a prophet disregard/disrespect that? And what kind of "knowledge" he is passing on to his followers with such action? Do you know to what extend this event is reflecting now after 1400 years? I am living in a muslim country and I can tell you that majority of my friends despise dogs and never had a dog. I always wondered why and naively thought it is just a personal thing... until I found out - Prophet Mohammad. I was shocked...why? Because of similar "passed-on-knowledge" girls/women still cannot go to school or college and educate themselves, even got shot for trying to study. Remember Malala and another girl that was shot dead 2 weeks ago? So, pretty powerful person as agreed, still influencing people after a millennia. Dont get trapped in the religion's web, science will get us further and faster. The moral of the story is: pls stick to your technology tips where you are amazing! Don't be lured into religion or politics (both are dirty and bloody) you will turn off the feature customers who dont share your opinion/religion/party etc. Shad Kr.

Shad, I hope that this email finds you. Firstly thank you very much for emailing me. I admire your willingness to take a stand and ask me questions and represent the idea that you believe in. With that I will attempt to answer/address every point you have made. To set the stage I would like to say that Religion and Polictics are the biggest levers of our society that can be used to make lives better. Religion gives core principals to live and politics has the power to establish the infrastructure to ensure order and justice. I belive all religions on its core teach the same thing. That is equality for all, justice and peace. I have the highest respect for Jesus Christ, Moses, Buddha and other religious leaders. Unfortunately 95% of the politicians in the world use the political lever to fulfill their personal desires, not to make the society better. That does not make politics a bad thing. Unfortunately, 95% of the world DO NOT follow their own religion and the extremest of course misinterpret the teachings and are hence misrepresenting their religion. My friend Shad, If Some Israely leaders are terrorising the Palestinian, it would be insane to blame Jewism. If Burma is killing Muslims it would be insane to blame the Bhuddist If Some Indians are killing Muslims, it would be insane to blame India as a nation or Hinduism as a religion Similarly if a hundred so called Muslims planned to attack Malala, that doesn't make the 3 Billion Muslims or Islam bad because the completely condemn their actions It is the conservative misinterpretation of some so called Muslims and Christians that technology is evil. The correct interpretation is that technology can be misused so we have to be careful. Technology can spread knowledge. I love the internet. Technology can also make bombs and kill people, which is bad. An educated person like you and I blames One mans actions on the teaching of a pure man who intended good, that you and I are the ones to blame for misinterpretation. Dear Shad, you said "If you think he was knowledgable, why he ordered to kill all dogs in Medina? "Dogs are impure, so kill'em, especially the black ones..its the devil..." I called a few friends to validate that story but I could not find a single source to validate that story. Yes, I agree that dogs are discouraged to be kept as pets, but there is no where I have heard to kill them. I am extremely glad you brought that point up and I am able to clarify it. My lovely friend Shad, I am writing this from my heart and I am soooooo happy that you emailed. To the point you said Because of similar "passed-on-knowledge" girls/women still cannot go to school or college and educate themselves, even got shot for trying to study. Remember Malala and another girl that was shot dead 2 weeks ago? I would like to quote Prophet Mohammad who said: The Acquisition of Knowledge is mandatory on every Muslim Man and Women He actively preached the rights of women, and how they should be respected, and nurthured. It is sad that some people do not follow his teachings. Shad, that means that if some people do bad, does not mean that those bad actions are the right religiously taught actions. Culturally the Indian subcontinent has a history of keeping women in the house for house work. Elders discourage girls from going to school, this idea has changed as the years have passed. It would be totally inaccurate to say that Islam or Hinduism preaches to not let women learn. Cultural values and religion some times do mesh up and are seen and practiced as one, but people like you and I, need to work very very hard and understanding the true history, and be liberated by what one does and what one says. If an American Christian does and open fire in the theature on the launch of Batman movie (True story), it would be foolish to blame American teachings or to blame Christian teachings. Shad, I hope I have addressed your points. I know digesting them will be tough and it might be the case that you disagree with me. But if anything I would invite you to blame the person for his/her actions, not the culture, religion, color, race, and nationality of that person. This was a tough email for me to right, but I hope we can be friends have more intellectual conversations while respecting each other's beliefs.