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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

I often wonder if people are aware that Tibet was a theocracy that still practiced feudalism and slavery before it was occupied by China. It wasn't this spiritual paradise that people seem to believe. It's arguable whether they have less freedom under the Chinese than they did before.

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ORIGINAL: celticlord2112

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

I often wonder if people are aware that Tibet was a theocracy that still practiced feudalism and slavery before it was occupied by China. It wasn't this spiritual paradise that people seem to believe. It's arguable whether they have less freedom under the Chinese than they did before.

I recommend you study the writings of HH The Dalai Lama.

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I guess you don't get understatement.

You didn't answer my question.

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I recommend you study the writings of HH The Dalai Lama.

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

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I guess you don't get understatement.

You didn't answer my question.

I do get understatement, which in this case is inappropriate.  I don't find theocratic regimes that enslave their people to be something to excuse away.  Your question is a broad one.  No I do not think we should get involved.  It's not our business.  What exactly do you think we should do about it?  Do you really believe that China is going to give up Tibet because of a petition or because of an Olympic boycott?  Why aren't the Free Tibet hippies crying out for other oppressed peoples around the world.  Cuba, Chechyna, Sudan, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and so on. 

I realize the hippie types have these images of peaceful monks sitting around in temples as the people outside live a quaint peaceful existence.  But that isn't the way it is, and it never was. 

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Which is why we are eagerly awaiting your proof of the assertion that those people in shackles were the personal slaves of the theocracy, instead of being held by the warlords, or possibly even the foreign powers that ruled Tibet before 1950.

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

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I guess you don't get understatement.

You didn't answer my question.

I do get understatement, which in this case is inappropriate.  I don't find theocratic regimes that enslave their people to be something to excuse away.  Your question is a broad one.  No I do not think we should get involved.  It's not our business.  What exactly do you think we should do about it?  Do you really believe that China is going to give up Tibet because of a petition or because of an Olympic boycott?  Why aren't the Free Tibet hippies crying out for other oppressed peoples around the world.  Cuba, Chechyna, Sudan, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and so on. 

I realize the hippie types have these images of peaceful monks sitting around in temples as the people outside live a quaint peaceful existence.  But that isn't the way it is, and it never was. 

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

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I recommend you study the writings of HH The Dalai Lama.

I have read them. I also know the history of Tibet. The Dalai Lama is a con man, just like most religious leaders.

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

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Which is why we are eagerly awaiting your proof of the assertion that those people in shackles were the personal slaves of the theocracy, instead of being held by the warlords, or possibly even the foreign powers that ruled Tibet before 1950.

Are you saying that the Lamas didn't have serfs?  It's a factual part of the history there.  It's well documented. 

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Soldiers on foot and in armored carriers swarmed Tibet's capital Saturday, enforcing a strict curfew a day after protesters burned shops and cars to vent their anger against Chinese rule. In another western city, police clashed with hundreds of Buddhist monks leading a sympathy demonstration.  

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Why is it inappropriate? Because you say so?

Do I believe China is going to leave Tibet? Stranger things have happened.

BTW, just because people in Arkansas aren't protesting Burma in Little Rock doesn't mean it isn't happening in Paris or Berlin or London, or even D.C. You err in thinking that because you aren't aware of such protests, they are not occuring.

Explain to me how signing a petition is equivalent to the US getting involved. Or did you mean we as in people? Explain to me how signing a petition or boycotting the Olympics or Chinese goods is not a positive thing.

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not all religions are bad.. when the China went Red and outlawed all religions they became more opressive then any religion could dream of being.

These people that use religion as a crutch, a sword, or as a reason for the worlds ills are all the same to me. They all use it to thier own ends.

It usualy hurts other people instead of giving them peace, and uplifting them. *shakes her head*

If you are just as Anti religion as the zealots are for religion how different are you from them?  sbfy 

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou
I realize the hippie types have these images of peaceful monks sitting around in temples as the people outside live a quaint peaceful existence. But that isn't the way it is, and it never was.

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

I never said I was "anti-religion".  I am just skeptical of it's benevolence, because it's a concoction of humans.  I do not trust people like the Dalai Lama who have never worked a day in their life.  He's a con-man.  He lives a life of luxury at the expense of others.  I rate him up there with Christian evangelists in thousand dollar suits. 

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ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou

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Why is it inappropriate? Because you say so?

Do I believe China is going to leave Tibet? Stranger things have happened.

BTW, just because people in Arkansas aren't protesting Burma in Little Rock doesn't mean it isn't happening in Paris or Berlin or London, or even D.C. You err in thinking that because you aren't aware of such protests, they are not occuring.

Explain to me how signing a petition is equivalent to the US getting involved. Or did you mean we as in people? Explain to me how signing a petition or boycotting the Olympics or Chinese goods is not a positive thing.

I am not an idealist; I'm a realist.  I am well aware that there are many small protests concerning the situations in many places around the globe.  Of course they don't receive the media attention that Tibet and the Dalai Lama receive.  By the way, we do actually get newspapers and television here in Arkansas.  It was a nice attempt to insult me though.  Next time, just bring your bigotry right to the surface and call me a dumb hillbilly. 

I don't need to explain to you how petitions and boycotts are or aren't positive.  I'm sure they feel positive to you, and that's fine.  It's a waste of time IMO, but it's fine.  China is the most populated country in the world.  They are in place to become a serious player on the world stage in the next 20 years, and we have to deal with them.  Tibet is a region with lots of natural resources, and they are not going to give it up anymore than we would give up Alaska. 

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not all religions are bad.. when the China went Red and outlawed all religions they became more opressive then any religion could dream of being.

These people that use religion as a crutch, a sword, or as a reason for the worlds ills are all the same to me. They all use it to thier own ends.

It usualy hurts other people instead of giving them peace, and uplifting them. *shakes her head*

If you are just as Anti religion as the zealots are for religion how different are you from them?  sbfy 

During the Cultural Revolution, China was extremely oppressive towards religion.  I never argued it wasn't.  The present day leaders of China have gone on record that the Cultural Revolution was wrong and that it was a embarrassment.  China is in a transition period.  They are slowly becoming more and more open, and it's because of trade.  If you think boycotts work, than take a look to our south at Cuba.  It's hasn't worked there. 

I never said I was "anti-religion".  I am just skeptical of it's benevolence, because it's a concoction of humans.  I do not trust people like the Dalai Lama who have never worked a day in their life.  He's a con-man.  He lives a life of luxury at the expense of others.  I rate him up there with Christian evangelists in thousand dollar suits.