• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Blasphemous Balls anger Afghans

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
This is probably one of those situations where the vocal minority (the 100 demonstrators) don't represent the group. Think of all the demonstrations we have in the US over the stupidest things. The general Afghan population is probably snickering at this group as much as we are.

Maybe we need a thread about the stupid things groups of people have gotten upset over...

- when Lord of the Ring's Two Towers came out, people were complaining that it was trying to make money off of the 9/11 tragedy

- native american groups getting upset over Braves fans doing the Tomahawk chop saying it portrays them as violent

- etc
 
Originally posted by: StevenYoo
haha, no one unintentionally offends people better than us!

USA! USA!
Click to expand...

Actually this has been the case of west/mid-east relations all throughout history 🙁
 
Originally posted by: DLeRium
Originally posted by: Frackal
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I don't see the big deal. The American flag isn't supposed to touch the ground either, but only an overly patriotic wackjob would have a problem with a soccer ball or football with an American flag painted on it.
Click to expand...

You must not understand how religious most people are in the middle east.
Click to expand...



That's cause they don't have shit else to do (by their own doing.) No wonder they're not getting anywhere if they occupy themselves with this kind of stuff. And what if all their faith is based on is written by man and bullshit? Tools of an unmatched degree if so
Click to expand...

Ok. Just start painting US flags and the 50 state flags on your footballs that you see at Target. Then put in quotes from the Bible like John 3:16 and watch what will happen. It'll stir up a greater controversy than the pledge of allegiance crap in this country.

You might not agree with Muslims and their culture and what not, but that's no reason to insult them.

To know that you're already working with very sensitive individuals, wouldn't you think twice before sending these balls to children? It seems like whoever planned this did very little thinking. I tend to equate this to product development at any company. Marketing does good research then sends it off to R&D. Manufacturing takes over after that and then it goes down to quality and regulatory. Just thinking about putting Bible verses on footballs. Do you think that would actually ever get manufactured? Probably not because no company's management would allow such a product to ever get approved.
Click to expand...

Go to Wal Mart or Target or any other giant store and look at the toy area, they all have basketballs and footballs with US flags on them. And watch a football game sometime, should I be all offended that they wrote John 3:16 on some recycled piece of waste paper turned into posterboard? Personally they insult me with their stupid religion and beliefs.
 
Originally posted by: Kadarin
Is there ANYTHING that doesn't offend Muslims?
Click to expand...
yeah, but the army couldn't see this coming? why are there flags all over the football anyway? just drop a bunch of plain wilsons, still a fine gift. they can paint jebus on it and kick it.
 
Since President Bush and his buddies found this idea to be great, let's put President Bush's head on a football and start kicking it around.

& yes I know the President prob had nothing to do with 😛
 
The people in Khost are morons anyways. They hold demonstrations almost weekly about one thing or another. Its probably the same damn group that was demonstrating when I was there 2 years ago. At least they demonstrate peacefully.
 
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I don't see the big deal. The American flag isn't supposed to touch the ground either, but only an overly patriotic wackjob would have a problem with a soccer ball or football with an American flag painted on it.
Click to expand...

Are you really dumb? Or did you just mean wackjob?
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
It's amazing how the #1 country in the world, a military budget of billions, the best religious and ethnic experts in the world, can continue to make these types of mistakes. I believe Judaism has something similar (can't throw a piece of paper away that has the name of God on it. You have to burn it). It's a similar concept of a "holy word."
Click to expand...

Mistake? Muslims are insulted by nonmuslims' existence. And if we were to cease to exist, that would insult them as well. They're animals.

I'm not saying we haven't made huge mistakes (like going to war there) but soccer balls isn't one of them.
 
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
I'm amazed that so many people on this forum don't realize that a football is a soccer ball...


I wonder who is more easily offended... Muslim or Christian fundamentalist nutjobs
Click to expand...

The majority of Christians don't burn down buildings including West Civilization Embassy buildings when offed. I hope that gives you your answer. 😀

Originally posted by: DLeRiumOk. Just start painting US flags and the 50 state flags on your footballs that you see at Target. Then put in quotes from the Bible like John 3:16 and watch what will happen. It'll stir up a greater controversy than the pledge of allegiance crap in this country.
Click to expand...

Ermm, I bought a soccer ball with the American flag on it from Target...nice try though.
 
Am I the only one that thinks the weirdest part of this story is that Muslims are being offended by the Saudi Arabian flag? Apparently, it's more patriotic for Saudis NOT to display their country's flag. This begs the question: "Why have a flag at all in the first place if you don't want to look at?"
 
Originally posted by: Alkaline5
Am I the only one that thinks the weirdest part of this story is that Muslims are being offended by the Saudi Arabian flag? Apparently, it's more patriotic for Saudis NOT to display their country's flag. This begs the question: "Why have a flag at all in the first place if you don't want to look at?"
Click to expand...

It's not about their flag, it's the fact that their flag has Allah's name on it. They're oldschool, feet are low, undignified, to put Allah's name on something that's made to be kicked around by undignified feet, like a soccer ball, is taken as an insult to Allah.
 
Originally posted by: Frackal
Originally posted by: DLeRium
Originally posted by: Frackal
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I don't see the big deal. The American flag isn't supposed to touch the ground either, but only an overly patriotic wackjob would have a problem with a soccer ball or football with an American flag painted on it.
Click to expand...

You must not understand how religious most people are in the middle east.
Click to expand...



That's cause they don't have shit else to do (by their own doing.) No wonder they're not getting anywhere if they occupy themselves with this kind of stuff. And what if all their faith is based on is written by man and bullshit? Tools of an unmatched degree if so
Click to expand...

Ok. Just start painting US flags and the 50 state flags on your footballs that you see at Target. Then put in quotes from the Bible like John 3:16 and watch what will happen. It'll stir up a greater controversy than the pledge of allegiance crap in this country.
.
Click to expand...


I honestly doubt that many people would care about footballs found in target with state flags on them
Click to expand...

I think the most Christians would see it as "hey, its a way to get the word out". You would see a bunch of athiests screaming about church and state though 😛



 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
It's amazing how the #1 country in the world, a military budget of billions, the best religious and ethnic experts in the world, can continue to make these types of mistakes. I believe Judaism has something similar (can't throw a piece of paper away that has the name of God on it. You have to burn it). It's a similar concept of a "holy word."
Click to expand...

yup, and the lack of cultural understanding in this forum is equally unsettling too...
 
Originally posted by: CKent
Originally posted by: sygyzy
It's amazing how the #1 country in the world, a military budget of billions, the best religious and ethnic experts in the world, can continue to make these types of mistakes. I believe Judaism has something similar (can't throw a piece of paper away that has the name of God on it. You have to burn it). It's a similar concept of a "holy word."
Click to expand...

Mistake? Muslims are insulted by nonmuslims' existence. And if we were to cease to exist, that would insult them as well. They're animals.

I'm not saying we haven't made huge mistakes (like going to war there) but soccer balls isn't one of them.
Click to expand...

What a disgusting thing to say. :thumbsdown:
 
Originally posted by: andylawcc
Originally posted by: sygyzy
It's amazing how the #1 country in the world, a military budget of billions, the best religious and ethnic experts in the world, can continue to make these types of mistakes. I believe Judaism has something similar (can't throw a piece of paper away that has the name of God on it. You have to burn it). It's a similar concept of a "holy word."
Click to expand...

yup, and the lack of cultural understanding in this forum is equally unsettling too...
Click to expand...

It is of more like a case of a plain refusal to accept differences and acknowledge their way of life.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Afghan... oh well, those balls werent dropped in the US or another westernized country for sure. There is no universally accepted standard for customs and manners, and it is a clear sign of cultural arrogance when you cast someone out for keeping values different from what you consider the norm.

I just hope it was just a sincere misunderstanding/ingnorance, not a intentional act of disregard for the local traditions.

oh yeah, I do agree this is probably just a minor group from the looks of it.
 
Originally posted by: andylawcc
Originally posted by: sygyzy
It's amazing how the #1 country in the world, a military budget of billions, the best religious and ethnic experts in the world, can continue to make these types of mistakes. I believe Judaism has something similar (can't throw a piece of paper away that has the name of God on it. You have to burn it). It's a similar concept of a "holy word."
Click to expand...

yup, and the lack of cultural understanding in this forum is equally unsettling too...
Click to expand...

By contrast, the Islamic world is world renowned for its cultural understanding and tolerance.
 
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I don't see the big deal. The American flag isn't supposed to touch the ground either, but only an overly patriotic wackjob would have a problem with a soccer ball or football with an American flag painted on it.
Click to expand...

And only an overly patriotic wackjob would strap a bomb to themselves and go blowup somebody.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top