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A place to discuss topics/games with other webDiplomacy players.
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ARNESEN (372 D)
15 Nov 17 UTC
What does Bhm. Sea stand for in the modern map version?
In the modern map, there's a territory named Bhm. Sea. What does that stand for? I always assumed Bohemian Sea though that doesn't exist (and the sea isn't close to Bohemia). Perhaps it is Bornholm Sea (after the Danish island in the Baltic in that area)?
1 reply
Open
ubercacher16 (287 D)
13 Nov 17 UTC
Self Interest
Beyond a shadow of a doubt every human being is driven only and fully by their own self interest.
188 replies
Open
flash2015 (1447 D(G))
13 Nov 17 UTC
When Is The New Forum Going Live?
I had a quick look at the forum a while ago. It looked good to me. Any idea when it may go live? On a completely unrelated note - any chance we may turn SSL on for the site?
13 replies
Open
steephie22 (182 D(S))
10 Nov 17 UTC
Identification Methods
For a story I'm writing, I need an adult who has lost his memory to not be easily identifiable. How do I make this feasible?
For instance, I expect the Dutch government to have the fingerprints of Dutch citizens. Do legal immigrants or people with a refugee status have their fingerprints taken as well? Would illegal immigrants or tourists from countries that don't take fingerprints make for a solid storyline? Are there other options?
24 replies
Open
damian (675 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
(+10)
Daily Qur'an Thread
In which we discuss passages from the Qur'an each day.
Page 3 of 3
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brainbomb (295 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
People practicing Shania Twain Law
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
10 Nov 17 UTC
(+1)
"Vaishnavas, Mohammedans, Christians, and Hindus are all longing for the same God; but they do not know that He who is Krishna is also Shiva, Divine Mother, Christ, and Allah. God is one, but he has many names. The substance is one, but is worshiped under different names according to the time, place, and nationality of his worshipers."
yavuzovic (509 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Sharia is a bit rude but which thief wants to be handless? Which killer wants to die. Sharia makes peace from preassure.
yavuzovic (509 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Hannibal is right.
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
10 Nov 17 UTC
"This is narrow-mindedness. 'My religion is true while that of others is false'- this kind of belief is not right. It is not our business to correct the errors of other religions. He who has created the world will correct them in time. Our duty is in some way or other is to realize Him. God can be reached through many paths; each of these sectarian religions points out a path which ultimately leads to Divinity. yes, all religions are paths, but the paths are NOT God. I have seen all sects and all paths. I do not care for them any more. People belonging to these sects quarrel so much! After trying all religions, I have realized that God is the Whole and I am His part; that He is the Lord and I am His servant; again I realize, He is I; I am He."
Ramakrishna
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
10 Nov 17 UTC
(+1)
Islam's more militant passages have to be taken in context of their history Capt Brad. They had to fight as soldiers to survive early on against the Arab pagans who tried to suppress the religion.
yavuzovic (509 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Not right. If we're servant why don't we pray?!
God may... Why...
I'm so confused.
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
10 Nov 17 UTC
Sorry. I meant to say the Quran's more militant passages have to be taken in context of their history...
When Muslim forces captured Mecca, the Prophet pardoned all the people who had for years tried to kill him and his followers, reciting the Quranic proclamation of Joseph to his brothers in Egypt, "There is no reproach against you this day. May God forgive you, for He is the most Merciful of the merciful."
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
10 Nov 17 UTC
This thread was about Quranic verses but turned into something a bit different, so here's a verse from me.
"And walk not proudly upon the earth. Certainly, you cannot rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height." 17:37
yavuzovic (509 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
You know Islam better than me!
Was you?
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
10 Nov 17 UTC
What??
yavuzovic (509 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
You know a lot of information. Are/Was you Muslim?
Hannibal76 (100 D(B))
11 Nov 17 UTC
Yeah Muslim born and raised though I wouldn't say I know a lot I know very little :)
damian (675 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
If I was remiss in where I started you have my apologies. I did start at the very beginning, but felt I didn't have much to discuss, as it simply reminded me of the lord prayer. I'll loop back to the beginning as soon as I make it through the Surah of the Cow. I've been quite happy to see all the discussion going on. I feel like I'm learning a lot from all the back and forth.

With that said here is the next segment of the surah of the cow.
When they are told,
‘Do not cause corruption on the earth,’
they say, ‘We are only reformers!’
Look! They are themselves the agents of corruption,
but they are not aware.
And when they are told,
‘Believe like the people who have believed,’
they say, ‘Shall we believe
like the fools who have believed?’
Look! They are themselves the fools,
but they do not know.
When they meet the faithful,
they say, ‘We believe,’
but when they are alone with their devils,
they say, ‘We are with you;
we were only deriding [them].’
It is Allah who derides them,
and leaves them bewildered in their rebellion.
They are the ones who bought error
for guidance,
so their trade did not profit them,
nor were they guided.
Their parable
is that of one who lighted a torch,
and when it had lit up all around him,
Allah took away their light,
and left them sightless in a manifold darkness.
Deaf, dumb, and blind,
they will not come back.
Or that of a rainstorm from the sky,
wherein is darkness, thunder, and lightning:
they put their fingers in their ears
due to the thunderclaps, apprehensive of death;
and Allah besieges the faithless.
The lightning almost snatches away their sight:
whenever it shines for them, they walk in it,
and when the darkness falls upon them, they stand.
Had Allah willed,
He would have taken away their hearing
and their sight.
Indeed Allah has power over all things.
O mankind! Worship your Lord,
who created you
and those who were before you,
so that you may be Godwary.
He who made the earth a place of repose for you,
and the sky a canopy,
and He sends down water from the sky,
and with it He brings forth crops
for your sustenance.
So do not set up equals to Allah,
while you know.
And if you are in doubt
concerning what We have sent down
to Our servant,
then bring a sūrah like it,
and invoke your helpers besides Allah,
should you be truthful.
And if you do not—and you will not—
then beware the Fire whose fuel will be humans
and stones,
prepared for the faithless.
And give good news to those who have faith
and do righteous deeds,
that for them shall be gardens
with streams running in them:
whenever they are provided with their fruit
for nourishment,
they will say,
‘This is what we were provided before,’
and they were given something resembling it.
In it there will be chaste mates for them,
and they will remain in it [forever].
Indeed Allah is not ashamed to draw a parable
whether it is that of a gnat or something above it.
As for those who have faith,
they know it is the truth from their Lord;
and as for the faithless, they say,
‘What did Allah mean by this parable?’
Thereby He leads many astray,
and thereby He guides many;
and He leads no one astray thereby
except the transgressors
—those who break the covenant made with Allah
after having pledged it solemnly,
and sever
what Allah has commanded to be joined,
and cause corruption on the earth—
it is they who are the losers.
How can you be unfaithful to Allah,
[seeing that] you were lifeless
and He gave you life,
then He will make you die,
and then He shall bring you to life,
and then you will be brought back to Him?
It is He who created for you
all that is in the earth,
then He turned to the heaven,
and fashioned it into seven heavens,
and He has knowledge of all things.
It is He who created for you
all that is in the earth,
then He turned to the heaven,
and fashioned it into seven heavens,
and He has knowledge of all things.
When your Lord said to the angels,
‘Indeed I am going to set a viceroy on the earth,’
they said, ‘Will You set in it
someone who will cause corruption in it,
and shed blood,
while we celebrate Your praise
and proclaim Your sanctity?’
He said, ‘Indeed I know what you do not know.’
damian (675 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
I think to me, the most interesting part of this passage is "As for those who have faith,
they know it is the truth from their Lord;
and as for the faithless, they say,
‘What did Allah mean by this parable?’
Thereby He leads many astray,
and thereby He guides many;
and He leads no one astray thereby
except the transgressors"
Since it illustrates the principle of revealed truth and revelation particularly clearly. The idea that those who approach the words/parables in faith will understand the meaning. While other spend their time interpreting hopelessly. I find it particularly interesting because there are so many fascinating scholarly works produced during the golden age where two writers had opposing understandings, each bolstered by the sense that their understanding was the revealed truth. A humorous allegory perhaps for the broader religious communities.
It leave me wondering about forgiveness. It seems that those who do not understand the scripture are transgressors whom Allah will not allow to understand. I only read through it once and then damian's commentary. Does anyone have any additional insight. Are you just screwed if you don't understand the parables? Allah is leading you astray as a transgressor?
Blah* typo

It leaves me wondering
MajorMitchell (1605 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
@_Damien. Do you really think that all the faithless, those who do not believe in Islam will spend their time trying to understand the parables & interpreting them incorrectly ?
Please consider the possibility that some, or many of those who do not believe in Islam might not even bother wasting their time on a pointless exercise in interpretation of parables. That might be an important activity for a believer, but non believers, i would suggest, are not going see it as an important activity in any way.
They might have decided to study other things, physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, computer coding etc. Or they might decide to do other things with their time..go surfing, play sport, indulge in pleasure. The idea that non believers are all spending their time frantically studying Allah's parables is risible.

So the line that runs..as for the faithless, they say, what did Allah mean by this parable ? is I would suggest rather pompously innacurate. Pompous because it displays an arrogance, the assumption that non believers will give Allah's parables attention. Innacurate because clearly the overwhelming majority of non believers in Allah will not be devoting much time of energy into reading Allah's parables in the first place, or trying to interpret them.
MajorMitchell (1605 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
So it would probably be far more accurate if the line ran..as for the faithless, they mostly ignored the parables and Allah.
MajorMitchell (1605 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
"Revealed truth and revelation" are conveniences used to discredit interpretations that disagree the "orthodoxy of interpretations" as well as allowing for revisionism. That might be why "Revealed Truth and revelation" have enjoyed such popularity with proselytisers and theologians. When there is an embarrassing lack of verifiable evidence, the charlatans of the chattering religious classes have what they can ( incorrectly ) claim as irrefutable support for their particular spiel. As an example of the value of divine revelation, I offer all those mistaken claims that "divine revelations have revealed that judgement day was upon us" on countless occasions...yet clearly it wasn't.
MajorMitchell (1605 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
(+1)
@ yavosovic.. Sharia (law) makes peace through pressure ?
The idea that Sharia (law) makes peace irrespective of how it does so I find most novel. I suggest to you that the human experience is that wherever Sharia law has been imposed it creates as much, or more division, resentment, oppression and opposition than any elusive peace it delivers.
Damian has been away for a bit and I'd hate for this thread to die, though I can't promise to have as in depth thoughts as damian, and certainly not as expedient as he usually does. I also am deciding to make a clearer delineation between verse, and see how well it works, or if it ends up seeming unnecessary. Anyway, let us continue from where he left off, with the next 16 verses of the Surah of the Cow:

And He taught Adam the Names, all of them;
then presented them to the angels
and said, ‘Tell me the names of these,
if you are truthful.

They said, ‘Immaculate are You!
We have no knowledge
except what You have taught us.
Indeed You are
the All-knowing, the All-wise.’

He said, ‘O Adam,
inform them1 of their names,’
and when he had informed them of their names,
He said, ‘Did I not tell you
that I indeed know the Unseen in the heavens
and the earth,
and that I know whatever you disclose
and whatever you were concealing?’

And when We said to the angels,
‘Prostrate before Adam,’
they prostrated, but not Iblis:
he refused and acted arrogantly,
and he was one of the faithless.

We said, ‘O Adam,
dwell with your mate in paradise,
and eat thereof freely whencesoever you wish;
but do not approach this tree,
lest you should be among the wrongdoers.’
Then Satan caused them to stumble from it,
and he dislodged them from what they were in;
and We said, ‘Get down,
being enemies of one another!
On the earth shall be your abode
and sustenance for a time.’

Then Adam received certain words from his Lord,
and He turned to him clemently.
Indeed He is the All-clement, the All-merciful.

We said, ‘Get down from it, all together!
Yet, should any guidance come to you from Me,
those who follow My guidance
shall have no fear,
nor shall they grieve.

But those who are faithless and deny Our signs,
they shall be the inmates of the Fire
and they shall remain in it [forever].

O Children of Israel,
remember My blessing which
I bestowed upon you,
and fulfill My covenant
that I may fulfill your covenant,
and be in awe of Me [alone].

And believe in that which I have sent down
confirming that which is with you,
and do not be the first ones to defy it,
and do not sell My signs for a paltry gain,
and be wary of Me [alone].

And do not mix the truth with falsehood,
nor conceal the truth
while you know.

And maintain the prayer, and give the zakāt,
and bow along with those who bow [in prayer].

Will you bid others to piety
and forget yourselves,
while you recite the Book?
Do you not apply reason?

And take recourse in patience
and prayer,
and it is indeed hard
except for the humble

—those who are certain
that they will encounter their Lord,
and that they will return to Him.
Interestingly enough this passage is very in line with some major ideas and stories from Christianity, the fall of Lucifer, Adam being given dominion over the Earth and the lake of fire mentioned in revelation. I mean not to surprising, they are both Abraham religions, but aside from specific terms like zakat I could see these verses being in the Bible.
MajorMitchell (1605 D)
14 Nov 17 UTC
Well Vashta, Islam was conceived in the 6th century, so was well positioned to appropriate what it wanted to from early Christianity. It was a response to Christianity. Early Christianity was popular in Greek communities ( in Alexandrina as an example ) ... Islam provided Arabic tribes ( other than the Hassidic Arabs ) with a handy unifying alternative religion that also served political purposes. You see in Islam a notable piece of appropriation with it's use of Jesus. Islam treats Jesus as another prophet, which is wonderfully clever. A far better strategy than denying Jesus, to adopt him but downgrade him from Son of God status, to prophet of Allah status.


84 replies
mmcconkie (113 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Known World 901 - Playable?
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm fairly new around here. I'm looking through the variant maps, and I see one that looks like a lot of fun, the Known World 901 map. On the Variants page, it lists it as active, but when I go to create a new game I don't see it as an option to select.
12 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
12 Nov 17 UTC
(+1)
An open discussion about elaborate ways to restore reliability rating
I was thinking how there are members on this site who ruined their Reliability early and can never restore it to the 90th %tile. What if we did a series of experiments on these people. Hook them up to machines. Or perhaps put them in a room full of rats and see if they survive. The goal being we develop a way that someone could go from a 13% RR to a mighty 78%
12 replies
Open
Durga (3609 D)
02 Nov 17 UTC
3 more unranked gunboat games
Help me get better at gunboat again
40 replies
Open
Fluminator (1500 D)
09 Nov 17 UTC
(+3)
America appreciation thread.
I love the United States. I wish I lived there. Let's talk about how nice of a place it is.
88 replies
Open
Jamiet99uk (1307 D)
07 Nov 17 UTC
(+8)
I achieved a thing
I got my final results for my Master's degree that I've been doing part-time for the past two years* today.
39 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Democrats are in deep trouble!
LOL! They keep talking about Russia and indictments and the latest wave of wins in virginia. But what about the civil war? What about Jimmy Carter?
64 replies
Open
Valis2501 (2850 D(G))
09 Nov 17 UTC
SJ Whipping F2F Diplomacy 2018!
It's finally here everyone, the day you've been waiting for! SJ Whipping 2018 is back for another year!
13 replies
Open
Valis2501 (2850 D(G))
09 Nov 17 UTC
(+1)
Cascadia Open F2F Diplomacy 2018!
Vancouver baby!
https://www.meetup.com/Pacific-Northwest-Diplomacy/events/242801707/
https://www.facebook.com/events/887382088062452/
5 replies
Open
Matalienados (102 D)
07 Nov 17 UTC
Español
Hola amigos, podemos formar un grupo con nuestra lengua materna, para competir
23 replies
Open
yavuzovic (509 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Why did I cut chatting
I was writing post to Daily Qur'an Thread...
Did you remember my thread about mice in the dormitory?
A mouse run to another bed from under my bed.
Shit, I can't sleep more!
8 replies
Open
Ezio (1731 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
spring 1901
Which single move do you think has the most drastic impact on the game in 1901?
35 replies
Open
dargorygel (2684 DMod(G))
10 Nov 17 UTC
(+5)
Big News (for me) on a slow Forum Friday Morning
Friday mornings seem an inactive time on webDiplomacy. So I can announce that my daughter is in labor. Hooray! (which also means I am officially old. Boo!!)
17 replies
Open
Crazy Anglican (1100 D)
11 Nov 17 UTC
Happy Armistice Day
Happy Veterans Day in the USA!

99 years ago today this horrific war we like to recreate in bloodless speech ended :-)
5 replies
Open
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
11 Nov 17 UTC
#MeToo
There’s enough vile people on here I think this conversation would be fun to watch.
6 replies
Open
LeonWalras (865 D)
07 Nov 17 UTC
(+5)
We need extensive background checks
before people are allowed to shitpost on the forum.
44 replies
Open
JamesYanik (548 D)
10 Nov 17 UTC
Alabama GOP
Please go away.

-Sincerely, Everyone
20 replies
Open
Smokey Gem (154 D)
09 Nov 17 UTC
Is it possible that human kind will ever live in peace. ?
We all want it that incredible vast majority. o why do we do what we do . How can we be so benovolent and violent at thesame time?
23 replies
Open
CommanderByron (801 D(S))
08 Nov 17 UTC
Curiosity: Coloreds
Why are the countries colored differently than the original board? anyone with insight, not complaining just curious.
17 replies
Open
swordsman3003 (14058 D(G))
10 Nov 17 UTC
(+2)
hypothetical changes to classic map
Ideas I have had that I thought might improve balancing. Not saying that I would advocate for all of these; they're just ideas I think about sometimes.
12 replies
Open
damian (675 D)
08 Nov 17 UTC
48 Hour Full Press. GR 250+
Does anyone want to play a game?
39 replies
Open
brainbomb (295 D)
08 Nov 17 UTC
(+1)
After how many times Jurassic Park has failed why is there still investors?
How many times has this place failed or expeditions to it have failed? Seems like the liability lawsuits alone wouldve ensured that park wouldnt have ever been remade.
9 replies
Open
Randomizer (722 D)
07 Nov 17 UTC
It's easier to get a gun, than ….
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/16/health/getting-gun-ease-trnd/index.html

In the wake of the last two mass shootings, I didn't know that I would have a harder time buying a puppy than a gun. There are even more restrictions to join Diplomacy.
41 replies
Open
LeonWalras (865 D)
30 Oct 17 UTC
(+2)
Daily MARX
In celebration of recent forum breakthroughs, I thought we'd bring back the daily Marx thread. Post your Marx quotes here.
27 replies
Open
damo666 (100 D)
09 Nov 17 UTC
Players Ranks
How are these determined? Compare these two: a) Played 25 Defeated 7 (28%) Won 2 (8%) Drawn 11 (44%) Survived 5 (20%) Rank EXPERIENCED b) Played 21 Defeated 6 (29%) Won 4 (19%) Drawn 4 (19%) Survived 7 (33%) Rank POLITICAL PUPPET. Just wondering.....
10 replies
Open
HBbuc (103 D)
30 Oct 17 UTC
(+1)
Hypothetical scenario
Hypothetical scenario: Get rid of Gender pronouns and call everyone and everyone and everything "it" and other variations of that.

Your thoughts?
25 replies
Open
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