My Disappointment with Ernest Emerson

[JohnQTaxpayer]

Sigh.

Personally, after decades spent in unpleasant situations around the world, I try to treat people as I find them -- one at a time, and not in batches. This approach has kept me mostly in one piece ... mostly.

And most of my memories are good ones.

I'd recommend it to anyone else who cared enough to try.

Nice to see some reason left in the world.

 

[singularity35]

Yes, Indonesia.

And now, things are happening in Indonesia.

 

[ROBB]

That would really depend on how you define "fastest growing," wouldn't it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claims_to_be_the_fastest_growing_religion



You haven't been to Iraq, have you? I was recently there, as well as other locations throughout that region, and though you may not be aware of it, Christianity as well as a number of other religions are currently being practiced.

I haven't been to Iraq but I'm pretty sure when the American troops leave the Christians and other religions won't have that well.

 

[cevtv]

I know that right now I'm not planning on getting anymore of them anytime soon. What he said, which has been reinforced by his "followers" doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the proposition.

I'd rather buy knives from a lier than a bigot.

Good. Don't buy any more. Who really cares?
I don't get all you self-rightous ********. If you don't like what he said, don't read it, and move on. Who gives a crap.

 

[sns3guppy]

I haven't been to Iraq

I have.

Christianity has been there nearly as long as there has been Christianity. In fact, the remaining original population that still speaks the same language spoken by Christ is found in Iraq; Aramic still spoken by many Christians there. In fact, Christianity there was established by St. Thomas, and the people there were the first to convert to Christianity as a nation. It has been practiced there longer than nearly anywhere else. Think about that.

I'm pretty sure when the American troops leave the Christians and other religions won't have that well.

The military didn't protect, nor supervise, nor control Christianity in Iraq. Military operations were not conducted to preserve and protect Christianity in Iraq.

The statement was made that no country with an islamic majority allows other religions, and this is patently untrue.

Christianity in Iraq existed before Saddam, during Saddam, and in the present day...as it has for centuries.

Christianity is alive and well in Jordan, as it is in much of the middle east. I mention this to counter the inaccurate assumption that Islam doesn't permit worship outside is islam, with in the borders of islamic countries. It's simply not true.

Persecution by muslims may take place anywhere, and certainly this happens in Iraq; I've felt the shockwaves from VBIEDS exploding as churches were destroyed and people killed. Been there, done that. Then again, persecution of Kurds and other divisions within the country takes place due to political influences and heavy underhanded support of Al Qaeda by Iran, which continues actively today. Don't confuse that with the country not allowing Christianity.

 

[FEDKNIFELOVER]

I fear that some of you have missed my point here. Here is a partial definition of Tolerance. It has many meanings, but I am only listing the philosophical meaning:

tol·er·ance   /ˈtɒlərəns/ Show Spelled
[tol-er-uhns] Show IPA

–noun
1. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.
2. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.

Now, for those of you who either missed the civics lesson in school, or who choose to ignore what you were taught, the U.S. Constitution is founded on that above meaning. Additionally, our whole civilization can function only if we have that word. How can I explain this? For one, we all tolerate each other. All parents (except for those who abuse their children) tolerate their children doing wrong or making a mistake. Wives tolerate their husbands bad habits. I tolerate old people driving slowly on the road. If we were all intolerant, you would be unwilling to put up with mistakes, or for lateness, or for anything that does not agree with you. Just the mere fact of living with others in a neighborhood shows that you have tolerance, since I am sure at one point, you wanted to strangle a neighbor for doing something that pissed you off. So you see, those of you who say that being tolerant is a show of weakness, you are sadly mistaken. There is a difference between being tolerant and being stupid. Tolerance is allowing another religion to practice without fear of reprisal, violence, or inequality. Stupid is allowing a religion or a group to advocate the overthrow of your government (This could apply to any religion, since there are Christian groups who advocate the overthrow of the U.S. government, aryan movements to be exact, look it up). I don't think our government is advocating the latter.

Now some of you have stated that what Mr. Emerson has stated is fact. Unless Mr. Emerson has interviewed every Muslim or has imperical evidence that shows that every Muslim is the same, then he is mistaken (to put it politely). At one point in this nation's history, native americans (who could have been intolerant and just killed every white person that landed on their shores) were treated poorly, in addition to Jews, Mormons, Italians, Latinos (that is still happening), blacks, Japanese, Quakers, etc. And in the end, everyone who made bigoted, one sided statements of fact were either proven wrong or went to their graves a fool. All I am stating is that Mr. Emerson is trying to epitomize a religious group as being a certain way. Making broad sweeping statements without FACTS is kind of strange for a guy that has an engineering background. A background that relies on exacting information for close TOLERANCES.

If I were to list all the vices and biases that I have, then I would be stating a fact about myself, not about who I am biased against.

 

[SIFU1A]

its ernies site, he can post whatever he wants too, if you dont agree, hey this is the good old US of A, evidently thats the way he thinks, and he has every right to think like that too.

me, i judge folks by how they treat me, and try not to make broad statements about groups of folks, to have some tolerance, which is more than i can say of some places, iran comes to mind, and some other places, not much tolerance of others there FWIW, iraq was more tolerant of christians under saddam than the current administration, isnt that odd?.

but like i said, its ernies site, he can post that the sun rises in the north if he wants, doesnt bother me, and he is entitled to his opinion and to like, or dislike, whomever he chooses.

i'm not sure this is the appropriate place for this discussion anyway.

 

[Haze]

While Ernest Emerson can of course say what he likes, when he likes on his own site. I personally feel people like Ernest E. should choose their words and subjects very carfully when "publishing" things, as when he speaks there are people who listen.

There are a number of young impressionable people who look up to folks in "elevated positions" and those young people often take what they hear to heart. The problem is they don't always hear what the person is actually saying.......

 

[The Government]

^okay, there is some ultimate irony in what you just said...

The pen is mightier than the sword -even if its the pen of a sword maker ...

 

[Buffalohump]

Bahrain is another example of a country that has a majority Muslim population but still has other religions practicing there, including Christians and Hindus.

Reason being is they have large expatriate populations of Indians, Filipino's and other folks from all over the world working and living there.

I think its a pretty good example of a moderate Muslim country, although there is a constant struggle for influence between the religious leaders - Imams - and state.

I'm pretty sure the same applies to Qatar and Kuwait.

 

[Turbo Tension]

I like his knives, not his opinions.

Some people collect Nazi regalia, yet they are not Nazis.

 

[FEDKNIFELOVER]

i'm not sure this is the appropriate place for this discussion anyway.

This is exactly the place to discuss this. The moment Mr. Emerson listed his opinion on his company's website, it became a part of his knifemaker's philosophy. This forum is here to discuss all things Emerson Knives. You would be amazed at what is discussed on that other forum's "Emerson" pages.

I would also like to mention that I buy his knives because of thier design and function. The only reason I don't sell everything of his that I have is because that would be stupid of me. Sometimes, you have to ignore the personality of the creator of an item and just appreciate the item. For instance, I like Wagner's music, but Wagner was a notorious antisemite. Thomas Jefferson was a slaveowner, as were many of the founding fathers of this country, but I appreciate what they achieved for democracy. I just think that it is important to counter words and deeds that are blatantly biased and false with calm rationale and reason. Anyone who makes statements that are absolute, in other words, "all of these are like this, every one of them are like that," will always be wrong. I agree that the Muslim religion has some serious contradictions, but to make statements that are authoritative when you have not studied (not merely reading a book or two on the subject, but actually studying the thing, by reading the Qur'an to start) their religion, is just plain nuts (for lack of a better word).

 

[Jet B]

Sigh.

Personally, after decades spent in unpleasant situations around the world, I try to treat people as I find them -- one at a time, and not in batches. This approach has kept me mostly in one piece ... mostly.

And most of my memories are good ones.

I'd recommend it to anyone else who cared enough to try.

Very well said. Words of wisdom.

 

[Lycosa]

Jamie is a class act. We need more, desperately.

 

[A.P.F.]

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.
-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787



Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity.
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

​

Religion is the final domain of the fearful. Just my opinion.

 

[Lew/Silat]

My guess is that you have not read the whole thing.

Bigot has nothing to do with it. Fanatical Christians will protect the innocent and defend themselves, but not go on the attack killing innocents like the RadMus. In Spain the Muslim flag flew over Cordobas (i.e. the name of the Mosque in NYC). They have historically been a religion of conquest. The only reason they did not conquer all of Africa in the 1200's is because the tsete fly killed their horses. I think, in fact, there is a conflict of interest serving in the armed forces per the disasters in Texas and with the grenade in Afghanistan. I bet you think that if you don't like illegal immigrants coming over the border that you are bigoted against them as well. Hmmmm, maybe so.

I have never been one much for survival skills although I've always stayed in shape and at 63, I hope I'm not too late to learn. I'm afraid we may need them. I think I'll go buy an Emerson.

I read the whole thing.
Your history is sadly lacking on the Cordobas building site timeline and history in Spain. And because that is lacking your understanding of them using that name originally would also be faulty.
Secondly trying to subvert our government to being a Christian theocracy is as bad as the Islamic fanatics we are fighting. There have been bombings (fed building etc) , murdering of Drs etc all in the name of Christianity right here in America. Have you even been listening to the Christian fanatics that are now running the Repube party? Angle, Pope DeMint, the list goes on and on. They preach hate very politely dont they?


And what a strawman on the illegal immigrant issue. No I dont think we should be turning our backs on illegals crossing the borders. So try again.

 

[stompk]

I agree with Emerson.

 

[A.P.F.]

I agree with Emerson.

Ditto.

 

[sns3guppy]

From Emerson's blog:

The very doctrine of Mohammed, the Koran and its interpretation does not define, promote or allow the practice of its’ religious tenants in “moderation.” You are either a Muslim or you are not.

He is absolutely correct in this statement. The essence of Islam, in fact its exact meaning, is that all things are unflinchingly subject to one god; Allah. There is no leeway or moderation in Islam, period.

One need not read very far into the Qur'an to find that even the very test of its veracity prescribes the death penalty by violent means. The book states that the test of it's truth is to attempt to create a work as perfect...but prescribes the death penalty for those who take the challenge, and fail.

In Islam, there is no moderation and no tolerance for the unbeliever.

 

[mystro]

I and most of the people in my rual community agree with the point of view shared by Mr. Emerson. But then again us rual folk pay our taxes go to work each day and generally believe in smaller government. Speaking up is not politacly correct these days and the word "intolerance" is thrown around any time someone sticks up for their own believes and principles. If that makes me anti Muslem then so be it. The last place you find "tolerance" being preached is modern Islam. Americans have grown complacent. Islam is and will threaten the American way of life. The two are NOT compatible.