Non-Muslim DU'ers: Would you visit Mecca if you could?

[Taverner]

I would love to, during the Hajj - just to see it.

(FTR I'm an Atheist who doesn't really like religion much, but can be awed by these things just like I can be awed by Angkor Wat or the Pyramids. Doesn't mean that I'm Buddhist or into Ra Worship)

[Inchworm]

1. Hells yea

just to see the mass mentality that surrounds it.

:hi:

[Taverner]

3. I imagine it would be much like Easter Mass at the Vatican

But I could be way wrong

[Inchworm]

9. If there are chants involved

it would be very cool to watch/be part of.

Like New Year's Eve in NYC.

:)

[MrCoffee]

2. Whatever, Ra-worshipper.

Tell it to Osiris, hippie.

[Taverner]

5. Im-Ho-Tep! Im-Ho-Tep! Im-Ho-Tep! Im-Ho-Tep! Im-Ho-Tep!

Im-Ho-Tep!

[LibertyLover]

69. As the chant for my old intermural softball team at the Oriental Institute went

Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure
We're with our team
All the Way,
Ra, Ra, Ra

[TZ]

4. Well...

As long as no one could figure out I'm Jewish (and I kinda look it)......:hide:

[UndertheOcean]

6. well, muslims and jews look alike anyways

your looks won't hurt.

[Taverner]

8. Sigh - wouldn't it be nice if there wasn't such hatred out there

I look more Jewish than any of my other backgrounds as well...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Yes...Along with many other places in the Middle East...

Too bad it's just so damn dangerous. :(

[JTG of the PRB]

30. Agreed! I would go to so many places over there in a heartbeat!

It's a shame it's so dangerous for Americans and other Westerners right now. I'm hoping I'll be able to safely go someday, but right now... I'm afraid not.

[supernova]

10. Possibly

I just haven't thought seriously about it before. There are a lot of other places, I'd like to see first.

But, if the opportunity arose and I had the chance to say, travel with someone who was making the journey, I think that would be rewarding.

[Taverner]

11. Yes - I saw the PBS special on it

They followed three American Muslims during the hajj, one female, two male. It seemed pretty intense - there was one part where they were "Stoning Shatan" and it almost turned into a stampede because of crowds.

[mainegreen]

12. Meh. I've seen meteorites before. They're all the same looking. Nothing special about one in a box.

I've probably made some conservative asshole imams mad with that, haven't I?

Good.

[supernova]

13. Is that what it is?

A meteorite in a display box?

[Aristus]

17. A piece of meteorite encased in a silver collar-thingy and embedded

in the side of a large square building in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

[YDogg]

47. That big Energon Cube?

From the Transformers movie?

:shrug:

[Critters2]

52. The very one!!

:)

[Taverner]

14. LOL

Is the rock supposed to be a meteorite?

[pokerfan]

28. The "Black Stone"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone

I've been to Mecca. I wasn't allowed inside the city proper of course and I had to drive the crappy Infidel Highway between Jeddah and Mecca. Believers get to use the nice freeway.

[Spacemom]

15. I would love to

I saw the documentary about it, and it looks amazing.

But, considering I have panic attacks when around more than about 10 people, I don't think I could handle it.

[laylah]

16. Absolutely!

[Shakespeare]

18. Probably, but what I REALLY want to see before I die is this:

The Shah-e-Cheragh mosque in Shiraz, Iran (featured in the film Baraka, and induces collective gasps in the audience every time they see it).

[ebdarcy]

27. Those pictures are stunning.

One more place to put on my places-to-see-before-I-die list. Thank you.

[Shakespeare]

29. You should see them on the big screen.

It'll take your breath away. I can only imagine how much MORE stunning it must be in person.

[SKKY]

19. I have. In 94. People we met were impressed that we were so...

...interested. I'm willing to bet that those days are long gone.

[Book Lover]

20. No

A) It's in the fucking desert. If I was supposed to enjoy the desert, I wouldn't have lost 3 large in Vegas.

B) It's a fucking stone that fell from the sky. It's not magic star metal, and God didn't drop it on anybody's head. BFD.

[no name no slogan]

38. That's like saying that Arizona is just the Sonora Desert

Mecca isn't just the Kabaa. There's a lot of other stuff there too.

[Book Lover]

43. Well ... so?

It's still the middle of the effing desert. And what else is there that an atheist feminist would enjoy?

on edit: ps, and I swear I'm not trying to be snarky here, but is that Lieberman as your avatar? I can't quite make the face out...

[no name no slogan]

48. Well, from a historical perspective, there's quite a bit in Mecca

It has been a city for 4000 years. It has been a center of Arab civilization since at least the 1st century AD. It is also a truly global city, with residents who come from all over the world.

And yes, that's Holy Joe. Some people here have Dubya as their avatar, but I think Joe's a better Republican.

[Book Lover]

50. Your point is appreciated

but I'm not going to let go of the fact that the city is currently controlled by people who will not let me enter. There are other ancient places that I can visit (that are not in the desert, which I am also not letting go of) where the surrounding environs are more conducive to my way of life. Life's short, and you gotta make choices. This is mine.

[Swede]

21. Stampede!

1979 November 21: On the first day of the 15th Islamic century, a group of 300 students from the Theological University of Medina take control over the Holy Mosque of Mecca. They keep control for two weeks, when 63 are captured alive and the mosque is recovered. All occupants are executed.
1987 July 31: Riot by Iranian pilgrims. More than 400 people die.
1989 July 9: Two bombs kill 1 person. Shi'is of Kuwait are accused, and 16 are executed.
1990 July 2: Stampede lead to 1402 people dead.
1994: A stampede kills 400 people.
1997 April 15: Fire kills 340 people.
2004 February 1: Stampede kills 244 people.
2006 January 13: More than 345 pilgrims dies in a stampede near the Jamrat Complex in Mina.

[LeftinOH]

71. That's plenty enough reason for me.. even Mardi Gras, Cancun and

every spring break destination put together can't match the Haj for mass deaths-by-stampede.. and those places are full of drunken hooligans!

[theredpen]

22. I had a friend who isn't Muslim (athiest, I think) who went on the Haj

He studied Islam, learned how to successfully appear in-group and did "the Haj." He said it was pretty intense.

[nomorenomore08]

23. Probably not, for the same reason I wouldn't visit the Vatican.

That much God-energy would probably make me freak out like a bad acid trip, or else spontaneously combust.

[Book Lover]

26. Let me tell you, I visited the Vatican back when I was pretty darn Catholic

God? Nowhere to be found there, my friend....

[Parche]

24. NEGATORY

I will never go to Saudia Arabia, never never never never

They are one of the most cruel regimes in the world.........:grr: :grr: :hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

25. Only if I can take an Olmec head with me and leave it there.

:P

[riderinthestorm]

31. No way. Religious mania combined with Saudi Arabia means Mecca is way down on my tourist list. nt

[rockymountaindem]

32. I can't

They apparently don't give entry visas to Jews.

[Fox Mulder]

33. Absolutely.

[ThomCat]

34. No. Not really.

First of all, no non-muslims are allowed.

Second, would you really want to be the only non-muslim there? I can't stand being the only athiest/agnostic in a group, and that's here in a culture I'm familiar with. Imagine how much more uncomfortable in a culture you're not familiar with, surounded by true believers who are on a holy pilgrimage. No thank you.

[Iggo]

35. Nope. Not a chance.

I like my head where it is...on my shoulders.

Thanks BushCo, for limiting my traveling choices to white christian nations.

[Guava Jelly]

36. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.

I'd rather do Europe.

[grannylib]

37. You bet - I'd travel just about anywhere, and a religious/cultural

event like that would be awesome to see

[Pacifist Patriot]

39. Yup

[NoPasaran]

40. Hot---Full of religious fanatics---No beer!

I think I'll pass.

[MrSlayer]

41. No, I wouldn't go over there for any reason.

I've seen pictures, it's enough.

[LeftyMom]

42. I don't belong to anybody. I think all religions are stupid. I'm mouthy.

Can you picture what a lovely time I'd have with the delightful fellas that run that dusty shithole? :rofl:

[Tektonik]

44. No I don't want to be circumcised

tbh though I'd love to experience the pilgrimage

[stuntcat]

45. Yeah

Religions are pathetic (and about to blow up all the monkeys) but a lot of history's happened there so I'd like to go.

[BulletproofLandshark]

46. Nah, I'd rather see the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul instead

This cathedral-turned-mosque has been standing for nearly 1500 years now. IMO it's also one of the most beautiful structures mankind has ever built.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia

[Critters2]

53. I have friends who've visited it. They say it's amazing!

I'd like to go someday!

[OhioChick]

49. I'd Love to!

A Friend that has been there said it's beautiful. :) However, since asshat has been in office for nearly 8 years, my friend said he would never advise me to go.

[GreenPartyVoter]

51. I'm drawn more to temperate places. Want to see Ireland and the UK, and other parts of Europe, also

some of Asia.

[Twillig]

54. I'd rather go to an European or South American soccer riot. n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

55. no, the segregation of genders is a problem to me. as is saudi treatment of women

[Deep13]

58. Right, if Sweetie can't come as an equal, I'm not going. nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

59. see this is why i love you. you are one of the true believers of equality

:hug:

gizmonic is one lucky woman

[Deep13]

61. Why thank you.

I am very fortunate to have found her.

:hi: :hug:

[Deep13]

56. I'm not going anywhere my wife can't go as an equal.

Frankly being there at a time of such religiousity would make me very anxious.

[bikebloke]

57. Sure, but off season.

I'm not religious, but have been to other sites - Jerusalem, the Ganges at Varanesi, Sarnat (where Buddha taught), the Vatican, a stone circle in Scotland, some European cathedrals.

I'm hoping to visit the Olive Garden one day. Then I'll probably convert.:evilgrin:

[LanternWaste]

60. Mecca, Jerusalem, Thebes, Stonehenge...

Mecca, Jerusalem, Thebes, Stonehenge-- I'd give my pinker finger to have the opportunity to visit any of them.

[momophile]

62. only if it was okay with the big guys

I'm not sneaking into anywhere. but if I was welcomed, then hells yes.

[IronLionZion]

63. Hell yeah I would. I'm fascinated by religions and cultures. nt

[JCMach1]

64. Haj is more psychological... you don't go for fun... people get trampled almost every year...

The Saudis have turned it into a tourist trap anyway. It's a cash cow. For example, I could only go if I were to book through a Saudi travel agency. Even if I had a visa to KSA, I couldn't just take my car and drive. You have to have SPECIAL MECCA/HAJ visa and that only comes when you book through an authorized dealer.

:argh:

The world is mad!

[ceile]

65. Absolutely! n/t

[AngryAmish]

66. Go to that backward-ass country - on vacation??

No f'n way. Vacations are supposed to be fun. No booze on a vacation? Unthinkable. Having half the population walking around completely covered, not driving? No thank you.

[bullwinkle428]

67. If Saudi Arabia is still officially banning Jews, then it won't be high

on my "places to see" list!

http://www.mideastweb.org/log/archives/00000205.htm

[LibertyLover]

68. Oh, heck yes -

I would love to see the Ka'aba.

[devilgrrl]

70. No. Saudi's are assholes.

That's according to a friend of mine that did the hajj. She told me that Saudis are biggest assholes alive and treat non-Saudis like crap.