Opinion  Ray Hanania
Take my wives...please!
By Ray Hanania
Published: 18.05.05, 16:23
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18 Talkbacks for this article
1. "If you can get an angry person to smile, you’ve won"..
Chaim Yankel   (05.19.05)
I'VE HEARD THAT QUITE A FEW SUICIDE BOMBERS SMILED JUST BEFORE THEY DETONATED..SO I DON'T KNOW???
2. Very Funny Ray
Cynthia   (05.19.05)
Thanks for the laugh! I'll remember the 72 sturgeons.
3. Why Ray????
Adnan ,   Chicago   (05.19.05)
I watched you many times on TV, I liked you very much, But why do you go to religious issues like this one? Why? I do not know even why you want to do a good thing at all, Do all the sins you like, and fourtunite you, Jessus loves you, You will go to heaven any way. For muslims, you like it or not...this is a joke, for christian who brought up on this, it is an absolute right. Therefore, I think we should not touch the absolute issues for muslims in theer Quran, and for christians in there bible.
4. Humour ignores the issues
Aaron ,   Canada   (05.19.05)
While humour can build bridges, at the end of the day if we fundamentally disagree on vital issues (eg- suicide bombers), humour does just that - allows you to make jokes with someone who justifies blowing you up. Nonetheless, if the issues are minor, I believe humour can build bridges. But only so far.
5. i don't think it's funny ....Ray!
mona ziad ,   jerusalem   (05.19.05)
i don't undersatnd how humour can make both sides laugh and forget about suicide bombers or even draw them closer from each other ... just by making jokes about it ,it only undermines the importance of resolving this critical matter... and one last remark..please don't make fun about religious beliefs ...mind you that there's a nation on the face of this planet that worship cows and rats ,,so how funny is that Ray???
6. this
me ,   here   (05.19.05)
If laughing matters, then it's who laughs last laughs the most
7. IT WAS FUNNY JOKES
Mazen ,   Jordan   (05.19.05)
Well, honestlly it was fun jokes. I agree with the Auther, if we can laugh together then we can live together. I hope I will read more of your jokes on this site.
8. Reply for poster #1
Ron   (05.19.05)
You made me smile.
9. not if s/he is occupying my place!
hamed ,   jerusalem   (05.19.05)
Humor, like many other exercises helps one see the human in the 'other', but frankly if one is raping you during the day (and night), you cannot take an hour break, have a laugh with and then go back to the 'usual stuf'. that is if the Israelis keep occupying all of Palestine, leaving Palestinians nothing to look forward to, not a future, etc., how on earth you expect them to sit with Israelis for fun. all Palestinian children and parents see of Israelis is 'they've seized this land/house, and evicted # of Palestinians', 'they've added another dozen settlements/colonies in this part of that part of their occupied land', etc. You've got to change reality, teach Israelis, literally teach them, how great the compromises Palestinians are considering or have made are (having accepted the very existence of a Jewish, not democratic, state - Israel- in the vast majority of their homeland, in hope of them getting just one fifth of the same. Get serious, and work on the resolution of the real issues at the core of the conflict, then you can get the best in the other. this is an advise for Israelis/Palestinians, and all peace loving nations as well.
10. There are no 72 virgins
Mike ,   USA   (05.20.05)
in the Koran, this myth does not exist- its racial propoganda and sterotyping- set out, most likes by anti- arab people- like many jews and israelis. people that feel arabs are their enemy. this type of stereotyping reminds me of th nazi propganda posters pre- WW2 against jews- like hooknose, greedy, etc.
11. 72 virgins - Mike's claim
Shai ,   Israel   (05.22.05)
See http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,631357,00.html I think this establishes that the propaganda is Islamic in origin, not as Mike has presented it.
12. #7-Mazen I like your attitude
Cynthia ,   USA   (05.23.05)
Laughter and communication bring people together. I think some of the negative posters need to see Ray's show as soon as possible.
13. A violent cult might lie about 72 virgins
Bunnie Meyer ,   Santa Monica, CA USA   (05.24.05)
A violent, irrational, irresponsible, evil, worthless cult might get someone to kill innocent people by promising them 72 virgins, but not a real religion. If you have even the least tiny bit of rational thought, you know that the Creator of the earth would not want innocent civilians killed by a terrorist who wanted to defile 72 virgins. And, would a woman get 72 male virgins or would she become a lesbian with 72 women eager to please her? Surely, 72 men would be more than she could handle and break in 72 inexperienced men? YUK! OY! FORGET IT ALREADY!
14. Thanks for feedback
Ray Hanania ,   Chicago, USA   (05.24.05)
The whole issue of 72 virgins is a part of the craziness of the extremists and those who distort religion. It is fair game for satire, humor and even serious debate and does not disrespect Islam. But Bunnie's suggestion about female suicide bombers is intriguing. How do the jihadists explain that? I believe humor is so important to preserving sanity. And while we can disagree about many issues (with and without passion) humor is a remider that we respect each other. I appreciate all the views here, even those with which I might disagree. Ray Hanania
15. A test for peace
daniel ,   amsterdam   (06.01.05)
If you want to know who can make peace and who cannot, just take a look who can laugh about this column and who can't.
16. To Mike, USA
NYC Girl   (06.05.05)
It's really sad that even talking about humor as a way for people to reach out to each other, elicits your same old, tiresome, racist response.
17. I do hope more people get to hear you...
David Capitanchik ,   United Kingdom   (06.28.05)
I do hope more people get to hear your stand-up comedian act. I know how funny you are because you and I were guests on a BBC programme last Monday. The London Jewish Chronicle has published a letter from me calling on UK Impressarios and agents to book you for a UK tour.
18. Thanks ... Arab comics
Ray Hanania ,   Chicago, USA   (07.01.05)
Thanks David ... I enjoyed doing the show. Iy was fun. The reality in America is most comedy clubs are afraid to book Palestinian comedians, and prefer to book "Muslim" non-Arab comedians instead ... it's part of the racism that exists in America. Still, it's nice to see my humor bringing Arabs and Jews together, even if they are just calling each other names sometimes. It's when they stop calling each other names that we have to worry ... Ray Hanania
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