The 2012 Olympics are SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF RAMADAN.

GUH wrote:

Les wrote:

You know, I don't think this will really be a huge issue. There's not a lot of Muslim world class track athletes. Among distance runners it will probably only affect some of the Ethiopian runners. According to Wikipedia about a third of Ethiopians are Muslim.

The Moroccans and Algerians are also affected. Hicham el Guerrouj is a classic example of a Muslim athlete keeping faithful and patient, even after two great disappointments, before winning twice in Athens. The 1500m and 5000m finals were at night, so I doubt, had Ramadan occurred in the summer of '04, that he would not have fasted.

True, but at the moment, there aren't any medal contenders. For example, in the Zurich start lists there's only one Moroccan/Algerian athlete listed, and none on the men' side.

Are injections allowed during Ramadan?

This whole thing has got me concerned about the athletic well-being of a number the top distance runners.

Danny K wrote:

It's going to be especially bad in London... it stays light out until 10 and the sun rises EARLY that time of year. I predict most athletes try to work on some schedule where they sleep all day not during the event and spend the night hours awake and eating.

I have a vague recollection that Muslims who live very far north (or south) will sometimes fast during the sunrise-sunset hours in Mecca and not those of the place where they are living for precisely this reason.

I'm not sure if this is something for whichyou need to get special permission or if it depends on how observant you are or what particular branch of Islam you follow.

interesting, i wasn't sure you were allowed to do that... i heard something on the radio on NPR the other day about muslims in alaska getting SCREWED right now, so I wonder...

One of the pleasures of watching the Olympics (and any athletic event) is gawking at the tits and bums of the female competitors.

Look what would happen should those bloody nutcases get into a position of power.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1299440/Iranian-womens-rugby-team-field-wearing-modesty-preserving-headscarves-tracksuits.html

"When I ask for his help, he helps me. When I ask him for strength, he strengthens me. When I ask for guidance, he guides me. When I ask him for safety, he keeps me safe. When I ask him to make today a good day, he does that for me."

How true a religion is it if your god gives you everything you ask for? Most gods smack you down then tell you to honor them, that's religion.

Thank god 2012 Olympics isn't held in Barrow, Alaska where it's always light during the summer solstice.

thats not religion wrote:

"When I ask for his help, he helps me. When I ask him for strength, he strengthens me. When I ask for guidance, he guides me. When I ask him for safety, he keeps me safe. When I ask him to make today a good day, he does that for me."

How true a religion is it if your god gives you everything you ask for? Most gods smack you down then tell you to honor them, that's religion.

No, you are right. God doesn't give everything I ask from him. There are either four things he does:

a) He gives me what I ask right away

b) He gives me what I ask, but maybe in the future- I just need to be patient.

c) He doesn't give me what I ask, but gives me something even better

d) He doesn't give me what I ask, but for a good reason

My dear, God's mercy comes before any form of punishment. Count all your blessings; you won't be able to number them. Do that before thinking that GOD (not gods) smacks you down.

Give me strength.

trollism wrote:

Give me strength.

I am not God.

Thanks for having discussed your position so civilly, GUH, and for having taking the time to listen to mine.

Apologies to all readers of this thread, for having hijacked it. My bad. I won't post anymore (in this thread) on this subject.

No, you are right. God doesn't give everything I ask from him. There are either four things he does:

a) He gives me what I ask right away

b) He gives me what I ask, but maybe in the future- I just need to be patient.

c) He doesn't give me what I ask, but gives me something even better

d) He doesn't give me what I ask, but for a good reason

My dear, God's mercy comes before any form of punishment. Count all your blessings; you won't be able to number them. Do that before thinking that GOD (not gods) smacks you down.[/quote]

it's too bad he listens only to you and not the starving children in africa... Oh well I'm sure he has a reason!

it's too bad he listens only to you and not the starving children in africa... Oh well I'm sure he has a reason!

Gods rewards patience and helps those who helps themselves. That's why many Africans are so great at running; Haile Gebreselassie could tell you all about that.

El G set the indoor mile world record during Ramadan in February of 1997 while he was fasting (3:48.45 at Flanders). Although, there is some definite speculation as to whether he was putting more than food and water in his system after sundown.

GUH wrote:

Gods rewards patience and helps those who helps themselves. That's why many Africans are so great at running; Haile Gebreselassie could tell you all about that.

What did all those babies do wrong that meant that they died so soon?

Were they being punished by god?

trollism wrote:

What did all those babies do wrong that meant that they died so soon?

Were they being punished by god?

On the contrary: when you die a baby, you die sinless- hardly something god would punish for. True, the babies didn't experience a full life, but the true rewards or punishment occurs not in this life, but in the life after death.

You know it was Benjamin Franklin who said "God helps those who help themselves" and this appears nowhere in the Bible, right? In fact, Jesus had a great deal to say about helping others and also about condemning the rich, you know that stuff about camels and the eye of the needle and the last being first, remember that???

GUH wrote:

On the contrary: when you die a baby, you die sinless- hardly something god would punish for. True, the babies didn't experience a full life, but the true rewards or punishment occurs not in this life, but in the life after death.

How do you know that?

You read it in a book or something?

Koufax pitched on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Deena Kastor runs on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Alberto Salazar competed on Cinco de Mayo and other Mexican holidays. Seto competed on the Emperor of Japan\'s birthday, the only living God of Japan. That\'s what professional athletes have to do to make a living.