I wonder how many people will be trampled to death this year.

I watched some footage at the Masjid al-Haram during last year's Hajj and found it compelling.

I spent some time in India in the early 90's and found the Jami Masjid in Delhi similiarly captivating.

It is compelled all the Human Being to perform Namaz & Hajj (at least one time in life).

We as a Muslim think that this event is a gift from Allah (The most merciful), I am proud to be a Muslim. Thank God

Sadly for you, ifazal, there is simply no good reason at all to believe that any part of the Koran is true.

And the Bible Redhead? You think there is a good reason to believe it?

I don't believe the Bible, Torah or Koran.

I am a Deist. I believe only in the Universal Creator.

I believe that since the Creator was smart enough to create our vast and complex Universe, He could also write a book (if He wanted to) with all the answers clearly written out, with NO errors or inconsistencies.

Here is my favorite reference on this subject.

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/

And:

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/quran/index.htm

May the Creator bless you also, friend.

You have responded in a polite and civilized fashion.

Take good care of yourself.

May the Creator bless you also, friend.

i feel that i need more elaboration about Creator... Who is creator???

The Creator is an imaginary (=nonexistent, fictituous) supernatural being like Lord God, Allah, Yahveh.

What's better about this concept is, it doesn't depend on a "modified form" of ancient Canaanite "Storm God". And of course, this thought and idea doesn't come with an organized religion, rituals and congragations by default. It mostly depends on an understanding of the universe and human reason. Unlike those Abrahamic religions which are entirely built upon fear for a "punishment" that would come from a jealous, wrathful Storm God who intervenes with earthly and mortal things. This is why, Deism is a tad more respectable than the other "faith models", according to my opinion (as an atheist/agnostic).

The "Creator" can be viewed in a variety of ways, some personal and some not.

For instance, the Creator of the Universe could be said to be thelaws of physics, or disembodied energy; or a Being of some sort.

There could be some Intelligence or personality involved in the Being, but humans are too feeble-minded to be able to grasp such a magnificent being if he indeed exists.

May the Creator/Being/Energy or Physics smile on all of you during this joyous Winter Solstice/ancient Sun-worshipping season!