usa_chick
Arkansas City, KS

usa_chick Hey! My name is Jayme. I’m 15 years old. I have brown hair, blue eyes, and I am 5’3”. September 11th has changed my life, and I don’t know whether or not it’s for the good or bad. Probably more good than anything.

The 9.11.01 attacks didn’t change the way I went to church. I’m a christian and have been all my life. I always go to church and I participate in youth group activities. I also go to my friend’s church sometimes because we’re worshipping the same God so what does it matter which church you go to?

urshininstar86
Astoria, NY

well the 9/11 has effected me in every angle that there is. . . My mom wouldn’t allow me to wear my scarf i was ok with it because i only wore it to school and that was it but she didn’t want me to wear it because i came on the train alone n didn’t want anything to happen... all this time i didn’t like wear ma scarf so it was easy for me to walk around with out being harassed but the world trade center left me shaky i kept having dreams about and i couldn’t sleep. it was extremely hard for me once they started bombing afghanistan. . . my family and i were worried about the bombing in khandahar, kunduz and mazir-sharif because most of our families live there from both sides of ma parents.

urshininstar86 I WAS BORN IN AFGHANISTAN I MOVED FROM THERE TO PAKISTAN THEN TO INDIA NOW IM HERE IN NEW YORK CITY. I CAME HERE WHEN I WAS 4 N I HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE EVER SINCE.

After November i was inspired by ma religion a lot and i started wearing my scarf out in public i felt confident and proud of my religion but the media and people made it very hard they made their religion Islam seem so bad but yet they were ignorant and didn’t read what it was saying about the war and terrorism they kept blaming Muslims they ruined the reputation of Islam and it wasn’t fair for most people to practice the religion after wearing my scarf i was harassed by some guys and then by a lady it surprises them when i talk back because they don’t think i speak English its funny because i speak more English than those people that harassed me. My mom still doesn’t like me wearing ma scarf we still get into arguments about it but i always win. wow that was long lol Love&Peace

antsmarching18
Phoenix, AZ

antsmarching18 hey everyone... I’m *Allison*, i live in arizona. i’ll be in college next year somewhere, don’t know where yet. i love photography, music (almost any kind, dave matthews, ani difranco, and dispatch are a few of my favorites), writing, and badminton (yes, badminton... we have an actual varsity badminton team at my school, which i play on). i’m jewish, which is a big part of my life (yeah nfty!)... so that’s about it. :)

i think it is unjust that church and state are connected, and i think that, if it’s a cause you believe in, you need to fight against it so that it won’t be such a big, inevitable part of our country. sure, the majority of people in this country might be christians, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to showcase that in our government. i’m jewish, but i’m also an atheist, and i don’t say the pledge of allegience, in part because of the “under g-d” section. in my opinion, religion should be a private matter. i understand that, no matter what, if a politician is religious, his/her religion is going to affect their views on certain subjects, but i also don’t think that it’s okay just to accept obvious references to and acts of religion in the government or schools or any other public area. *Allison*

futurepres2
Callahan, FL

I’m a Christian and America has a long way before we’re all worshipping one God, which would be Jesus Christ. It’s a shame that students can’t even pray in school. America is changing to such a fabricated, made up, materialistic nation it’s unbelievable! Most people seem to live by the world’s standards and beliefs and not God’s. I think parents need to take a better interest in their children and see how they live their lives, because most of the time, if the parents live a Christian, godly life so will their kids. Parents need to understand that they do have a HUGE influence on how their childrens way of life. Until we all worship Jesus Christ and acknowledge that he died on the cross for our sins, America will never be One Nation Under God. See ya, Josh

futurepres2 Hi my name is Josh, some of my hobbies include Soccer, student government, acting, reading, and listening to music. My favorite shows are Boston Public, The West Wing, Malcolm in the Middle, and My Wife and Kids. I’m a pretty much laid back person who likes to get involved with issues affecting youth my age. I one who always speaks out when something is wrong and it needs to be fixed. Currently I’m starting my own Events planning business. 10 years from now I hope to have graduated from college with a Masters in Political Science and minor in Marketing. I’m also planning to run for President of the U.S. in 2028. I’m pro-choice, which means I believe a woman should have the right to choose if she wants an abortion, but I don’t agree with abortion. I’m for the War on Terrorism, but I think we need to have open dialog with countries we suspect are terrorist nations before we start bombing everything. I also believe that Education and our healthcare system both need reform and some sort of structure, because 10 years from now, both will be in some major trouble if we don’t fix them now. My role model has to be Secretary of State COlin Powell, because he is such a great man with his leadership abilities and knowledge of how to deal with increasingly difficult problems facing America and I salute him for that. I] am excited to be able to have open dialog with other youth, to see how] they feel on issues that I share the same interest. I can’t wait to begin.

Locke
Magna, UT

Josh, I usually agree with your posts and I think you’re a pretty smart kid, but your last post offended me. I do not at all agree with your saying: “Until we all worship Jesus Christ and acknowledge that he died on the cross for our sins, America will never be One Nation Under God.”

Locke I am 19 years old, living out on my own with some roomies. I am a news junkie and look forward to hearing everyones ideas on current events.

In fact, right now I live with a wiccan and a mormon, and I myself practice a religion called “Flyism.” Even so, we are comfortable enough with our religions that we participate and talk about our practices with one another. Your belief that we cannot live together without all believing the same belief is infuriating. That type of belief starts wars and terrorist attacks. Using those means to force people into their beliefs and create a one religion world. We can all live together on this planet with many different beliefs, if only we are tolerant towards each other. ...punch and pie

bklynsound
Manassas, VA

That’s another thing I absolutely hate. When people claim that their religion is superior to all others and if you don’t believe in this and this you will spend eternity in hell. I understand some people hold very strong beliefs and that is totally up to you, but don’t go around saying everyone not of your religion is going to hell because that’s not right. Everyone believes in their religion and believes that they are going to be saved in the hereafter. It’s not your place to tell people they will rot in hell when they die.

bklynsound I am very open to new ideas.

. . . I agree with Locke saying “He [God] shows one face to certain people, and another to others.” It’s really all in the way an individual interprets his religion that he decides to live his life. For a long time I felt that organized religion can only cause disorder and more hate, but over time I realized that religion can actually cause peace and stability. This can only happen, however, if there is tolerance for other religions, ethnicities, etc. all the time--not just in times of war.

sentfr0mabove13
Baltimore, MD

sentfr0mabove13 Hey everyone my name is Kallie (knickname) and I live in Maryland, USA. I was originally born in San Jose, California. My parents were born in Ethiopia along with my sister. My brother was born in Maryland. I am an Orthodox Christian and a very strong believer. I love to talk about issues in the world today. When I am older I would love to become a news anchor and an activist for 3rd world countries. If you want to learn more, feel free to ask!

I think that what the Muslims are doing is wrong! How can they not see that their laws from the Koran are unjust!? To Kill people who are Jewish or Christian to go straight to heaven is disgusting. I think that the Islamic religion is horrific and a disgrace to the human society. Anyone who denies the obvious laws of Islam is blind to the facts. I do not hate Muslims themselves but their religion. I just wish that these victims in Israel are forgiving because this never ending hell will hold them in their tracks for years to come. I do not want to truly hurt anyone feelings by my comments but this is my opinion!

ChristianGal
Bettendorf, IA

Something you need to remember though is, it isn’t the religion. Every religion is perfect in its true form, it is people that screw it up. You think those people killing others are truly following a “religion of peace” no they aren’t. I am a Christian but there are a whole lot of so called “Christians” out there that lie, cheat, steal, fornicate, and worse things. But it’s because they call themselves “Christians” that the face of Christianity gets disfigured. I don’t think it is the religions fault, it’s the people that are turning it to their own desires and screwing it up.

ChristianGal I am Christian, and a member of the USA Diving Team.

kalidah
Carthage, MO

kalidah I’m Kalidah, age 14. My first young adult novel was published last spring, and I am currently writing an adult novel. I have also published six books of poetry, and numerous essays and critical works. My favorite poet is Edna St. Vincent Millay, and my favorite prose authors are Pearl S. Buck and Jessamyn West. I dislike being categorized or accused by people who don’t understand my beliefs, but on the whole, it is fairly difficult to offend me; I like hearing all viewpoints as long as people are respectful. My hobbies include playing the piano and ukulele, learning languages, and studying Thai history. I converted to Islam last year; I am passionate about working for peace in the Middle East and ending the “war on terrorism”. I don’t think it is ever right to kill innocent people. I am long-winded, very opinionated/ emotional/ intense...and often found to be offensive. Wonder why? :)

As an American who converted to Islam about a year ago, I would like to correct some misconceptions. First of all, “sentfr0mabove” and “horsej”, I think it is very sad that you feel that way about our religion. What is happening to Islam right now is similar to (though, if possible, even uglier than) the problem of sexual abuse in the Catholic church. Many, many more people are out there practicing both Islam and Catholicism in a harmless, peaceful manner than are doing this sort of damage. We peaceful Muslims condemn the violence in the Middle East on both sides. Have you ever read the Quran? Allah said, “We do not love agressors.” Muslims are given the right to defend themselves against an immediate attack, but never to kill themselves or kill innocent civilians, especially women and children. The suicide bombings violate all of these principles and are a terrible sin. There is no “good” or “bad” side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. People must learn to stand upon our common ground. War will accomplish nothing.

earache
Lexington, MA

We just need to respect each other. The most prominent issues right now (at least those on the news most and stuff) have to do with religion, and this prompts all of these discussions which are getting us riled up. In my opinion, religion is an unavoidable issue. I think everyone has a right to believe anything they wish. But just as it is in the world, it brings up conflict here.

earache They worship the same god. Most of the rest of us abide by the same rule of thumb: peace. It’s not as simple as that, I know, but I wish it was.

Ignorance of other peoples’ religions is a huge problem. I was raised in a way that taught me to believe in anything I want to... as a UU, I believe in everything and nothing. It makes no sense. What I really want is an understanding of other religions. Not a belief in, not a conversion, an understanding.

Perhaps we shouldn’t avoid the subject. If others want to, okay! But we’d probably function best as a discussion group if we had more of an understanding of where each of us is coming from.