Safraz I agree with you

Submitted by Seamus Dafydd Dives MacNemi (United States), Oct 2, 2009 at 17:19

During ages passed my ancestors fought often with the armies of the Christian church who came with the intent to convert us or kill us. Though we were a minority group still the Church considered us to be a threat because we would not accept their Roman theology or their idea of Yeshua.

They drove us out of Spain in the thirteenth century and straight into the arms of the Turkish Sultan who welcomed us with the proviso that we do nothing to interfere with his rule. My ancestors served the Sultan as janisaries in his navy and indeed we were his navy for there were none other who were more qualified than we were as we as a people had a long tradition as sea farers and knew the waters from the shores of the Middle lands sea to the far reaches of the north and south to the horn of Africa and beyond. We were traders and sea raiders and often outright pirates willing to serve any one who could afford our services.

But we had our own tradition, our own religion, customs and language so we were a people apart from the rove where ever we went in the realms of the Church. The Turkish Sultan accepted us and our services gladly and we enjoyed great fame and wealth in his servece. And we did not have to convert to Islam.

Our agreement was with the Sultan only. We made pact with no other, not caliph nor tribal chieftan and the authority of the Sultan trumped all other claimants. If some Religious person questioned our nonconversion he was quickly reminded of his place. Nor did we have any trouble with the rov of the people because they were frightened to death of us because of our reputation for ferocity in battle and the authority of the Sultan.

For many generations my folk have been great friends withg the Jews going back to the time of Moses. Though we are not Jews still we share many beliefs and experiences in common in our history. That friendship still holds today and we are not loath to serve in the army of Israel against all commers be they Christian or Muslim or some other. We do not seek war but if it comes we are ready and we will fight for what we believe in to the death.

But, many years ago our elders taught us that wars were not won by the destruction of an enemy but by the creation of a friend and so we have proceeded in all of our generations. As friend you will find none more steadfast but as an enemy you will find none more implacable. That is the choice we offer to all who come before us. Life is a matter of choices. Choose wisely and live well. Choose otherwise and oh well, better luck next incarnation.

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