Phoenixpower
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quote:
ORIGINAL: NorthernGent we may be European to an extent, but the fact that we're an island has had a massive influence on the way we think. Were we joined to the continent we would think like them; we have not lived for centuries with the threat of armies marching over our borders. interestingly someone else said this to me recently and explained to me how she meant it, following which I could agree with her (as simply the way how she expressed it I felt to be very realistic to my experience) In regards to the rest, thats so true, though you might mean it in a different context as I do (not sure but could be the case). The reasons we visited the mosque in 2002 was due to the attack in america just before then, the fact that we were doing our qualification to work with kids in children's homes and it was considered to be important to learn more about their belief due to the fact that after all we were part of their upbringing and also some of us worked with children from muslim parents and on top of it the american army was just around the corner. During our visit in the mosque we were also able to have a good debate with the Imam to have our questions we had, answered. It was not compulsory to take part on that visit and I do remember (though I don't remember why) that our african-american class mate did not feel comfortable to take part. But it was interesting and I am glad that the school did arrange for us that visit. Also as a kid it felt very odd indeed when aged 12/13 I passed the canadian area we had at that time in my town (they sadly left as the canadian army was not considered as being needed anymore once the german wall came down) and at that time they heavily guarded their buildings... edited to add: not to mention the fact that whilst it is quite a long time ago now, it is not that long ago actually on the other side, that people were being shot in Germany when they tried to leave east Germany which also, as you rightly say, does influence opinions.
< Message edited by Phoenixpower -- 4/16/2011 7:06:04 AM >
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