[b]@Poster

I really do not know why you do not understand that a man should not slap, nor beat, a woman. That is the trait of a man that lacks control over his actions, and most women do not want to be with a man like that. It comes with proper training as one is growing up.

Now, women slapping men, to me, was portrayed first in the movies. When you watch many movies, you see women slapping a man for various reasons, and rarely do you see men slap them back. I do not agree with any form of physical abuse--whether it be from man to woman or woman to man. [/b]

My PASSION is people. I have been given the natural ability to talk, socialize, and and mingle with people from all walks of life. I can go up to virtually anyone and start a conversation that leads to meaninful exchange of thoughts and ideas. I love to get to know people and make them feel good about having had a connection with me.


I have been an administrator and Sales Manager, which really fit in with my passion. Currently, I am a teacher, and I love it! I feel as though I am making difference in other people's lives, and I get to talk to various students and my co-workers daily, which is what I love. I have a "gift of gab", and people are drawn to my outgoing personality.

So there you have it, people are my PASSION.

My motto, which is simple, is this: "I want people to be glad to see me come and sad to see me leave."

@NURU

You are welcome!

[b]@lukmond

Hello. I too am also a Christian and have a Muslim friend. I researched Ramadan when I read this thread, and according to what I found, Ramadan is observed for it honors the time when the angel Gabriel gave the Koran to Muhammad. It is a rememberance tribute in honor of that event. Ramadan is typically observed for 30 days. Muslims increase their prayers (usually 5 times a day), in which they worship and seek religious direction for their lives. Also, during the Ramadan observation, Muslims cannot eat nor drink nor have sex during the daylight hours. During the Ramadan, Muslims are suppose to feed the poor as well. There are probably many more things associated with Ramadan, but these are just a few things in which I researched after I read about it on nairaland. I found it peculiar that my friend, whom we are very close, did not mention Ramadan to me at all. But perhaps that is part of its observation (not proclaiming one's abstinence from food, drink, and sex). I just talked to him about it today, and he assured me he would explain it more fully. I read where you asked about its meaning, and you did not get a reply. Therefore, I wanted to get back with you, and at the same time, educate myself in the process.

If I have left something out and someone wants to elaborate more on the Ramadan, please feel free to do so. Even though Lukmond and I are Christians, that does not mean that we do not care about what goes on in the Muslim world. After all, we both have Muslim friends.

[center]LUKMOND, I COPIED AND PASTED THIS FROM THE WEBSITE WHERE I GOT MY INFORMATION FROM
The Holiday of Ramadan [/center]
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This month lasts 29 or 30 days and occurs during different seasons depending on the cycle of the calendar. It is believed that during this month the Qur'an or Koran was given to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. In 2004, Ramadan will Occur on or about October 16.

The fast of Ramadan lasts the entire month. During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. All those who have reached the age of puberty (usually 12 years of age) are expected to observe the fast. Sexual abstinence is also practiced during these hours. Each day a special effort is made to say the five daily prayers. Muslims are also expected to feed a poor person during this month. Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to concentrate on the practice of their faith. Time is spent praying, worshipping, contemplating, and receiving religious instruction. Muslims give thanks for the gift of the Koran. If one is ill or on a journey during Ramadan, one can fast the same number of days that were missed at a later time.

The fast is broken at sunset and begins again the next morning when there is enough light to distinguish a black thread from a white thread. The morning prayer is said after suhur, the pre-dawn meal.

During Ramadan, there is a festival-type atmosphere after sunset. In many cities Muslims go out after they have broken the fast to visit family and friends or to simply take a walk. Shopping areas and restaurants are open and busy and alive with conversation. On the 27th day of Ramadan, fireworks are often set off to celebrate the night of power-the night that Muhammed first received revelation of the Koran in 610.

Ramadan is a time to celebrate and give thanks for the gift of the Koran. It is a time to remember the poor, to practice self-mastery, and to recommit one's self to the Islamic faith.

The end of Ramadan is a joyous occasion known as Eid-el-Fitr, typically lasting three days. It is known as the festival of ever-recurring happiness and is celebrated with special prayers, feasts, sweets and gift giving. The time is also known as Kurban Bayrami, Hari Raya Puasa in South East Asia and Seker Bayrami in Turkey. I hope that helps.

Reference:

[http://www.mideastweb.org/ramadan.htm[/b]

[b]Personally, I believe there is a lot of infidelity going on with husbands and wives. As a Business graduate, statistics can be manipulated to a favorable outcome depending on what point of view you desire. The word of God is clear on adultery (not acceptable in God's sight). Socially, men's infidelity and multiple sex partners have always been pretty much expected, accepted, and encouraged (in some cultures) as a way of crossing over the bridge from a boy to a man. I did not say that God accepts this behavior, but the world "pats" a man on the back and is much more understanding if he cheats. However, when a women cheats, she is a LovePeddler, a slut, and her reputation is usually garnished for years.

Now, let us look at an adulterer that God loved, and God even said, this man, WAS A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART", and that man's name is David (yes, King David). David looked at another man's wife and lusted after her, sent for her to be brought into his house, slept with the woman, impregnated the woman, and set her husband up on the front line (in the heat of battle) to assure his death. David wrote most of Psalms, and God loved David so much that he proclaimed that David "was a man after his own heart"! Even though David committed adultery and killed Bathsheba's husband, inwardly, he TRULY LOVED GOD! You see we cannot imagine or accept that a person loves God, serves God, or fears God when he/she behaves in such a mannner, yet the bible gives us an example of a man that did. I believe sometimes people just get caught up for various reasons (lust, neglect, separation, infactuation, love, and probably too many reasons for me to list). Just because a person commits adultery, lies, steals, or falls short of what is written in the word of God does not mean that person's inward man (the heart of that person, the desire to serve God, the overall intent to do what is right even though they may be doing wrong at that moment) is not good.

How could God love a man like David after what he did, but HE DID! After all, God was with David when he was a young man watching over the sheep in his father's pastures, and God gave him the strength to kill a bear and a lion. God also took that same David and even though there were grown men standing around discussing the mighty giant Goliath, it was David that walked up to that giant with a stone and a sling and killed him swiftly.

David was not an evil man because he committed adultery, plotted a murder, and gave the order for the murder to be carried out, but David was simply a "HUMAN BEING" who allowed his lust, desire, and heart to get the better of him. One thing David did was to repent quickly when the prophet of God came and told him about his sin. Even though David was very sinful at that time in his life, he also loved God and was quick to repent.

None of us know what life holds: who we will meet, how this or that person will affect our lives in this or that situation. We can only hope and pray that we will hold true to what the word of God said and be faithful. But if any of us are unfaithful, and like David, get caught up in sin, then thank God for a merciful, loving, and powerful God that has the ability to pick a MAN or WOMAN up out of that state and restore them to their former self.

Does it matter whether more MEN or more WOMEN commit adultery? I don't think it does really. What matters is that God is able to help anyone who falls into that sin--whether they are a MAN or a WOMAN.

A man or woman can have sex with their spouse seven days a week, and do all the right things, but if that spouse allows their flesh (or desires) to get the better of them (whether through a planned meeting or something that happens in the heat of the moment), there is still hope for them and their marriage.

I understand you were quoting statistics and talking about a particular sect of people that commit adultery more than others, but ONLY GOD knows what others are doing. [/b]

[b]According to the word of God, God requires 10% of our earnings, which is referred to as TITHE. A particular amount was not stipulated for paying an offering. I pay whatever I feel led to do by God, and how I feel compelled in my heart to do. . According to the word of God, a person can be cursed for "robbing God of his 10%, but nothing is mentioned, again, about robbing God of a particular "offering amount". The main thing is to pay your tithe, so you can be financially blessed by God.

Now if someone is paying a low amount of money in church, that is between that person and God. In other words, it is no one's business how much offering (or even tithe money) someone pays in church. God is not going to ask me to give account of how much someone else paid, but how much I was obedient in reference to paying my tithe offering. Perhaps that person who paid the low amount that day in church was giving all he/she could afford to give. Why were you shocked? God has not appointed you, me, or anyone else, to monitor another person's giving. We ALL are responsible for our own deeds before God. Let us monitor our own actions in all walks of life.[/b]

[b]I don't believe Oprah said that!  I am an African American woman married to a Nigerian man.  Prayerfully, he will join me in the next few months.  I saw a special where Oprah was interviewing women who had been taken advantage of by Nigerian scammers, and each one told their story.  At the end of the special on television, Oprah said, "This is in no way to say ALL Nigerians are like this, but these particular "isolated" incidents occurred with Nigerian men".  She made that comment out of her own mouth.  

Now tell me, why would she turn right around and say something that negative about Nigerians.  Don't you know that Oprah has to be very careful not to attack any group of people, business, industry, etc., or she can be held legally liable for those words.  She and her producers are not stupid.  They, even if Oprah herself wanted to make a horrible comment like that, would not allow it.  Oprah is not so big in that her show cannot be cancelled if she breaks those rules by verbally debasing or attacking a select group of people.

Oprah is too wise for that.  There are just as many, probably more, corrupt people living in America that there are in Nigeria.   Why not get the "true" facts before you drag someone's name and reputation through the mud.  How would you like that to happen to you.  I would have NEVER posted the comment to get this discussion underway unless I had checked out those comments from the producers of the show--not some words written by someone else.  You can be sued in America for slandering someone's name!  

I, all too well, know how if feels to have people look at Nigerians and Nigeria in a negative manner, for I am experiencing that first hand by being married to a Nigerian man.  Some people are cruel, prejudice, and just negative due to the reputation of "some" Nigerians.  But do you actually think Oprah, who has been on television for years, donated so much money, time, and resources into Africa, knows all the legal ramifications of attacking someone or a group of people in a negative way on her show, would jeopardize ALL THAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED and say something like that.

Verify your facts from her producers!  Until then, please find something else to talk about.[/b]

[b]Look as long as you have eyes, you are going to see who crossing in front of you path of vision. We all look--don't we? I mean if a handsome guy walks by, even though I am married, am I suppose to pretend that I don't see him, or even admire his good looks. It is one thing to look and another to want to start to get that person's phone number, so hopefully you can meet later to have sex.

God gave us eyes, and when others cross our path we will look. To me, that is normal and natural. Now, I am not talking about looking until you are trying to picture that person without any clothes on, but I mean glancing at them as they pass. It is nothing wrong with admiring beauty.

I agree with a comment someone said. Next time a guy walks pass you and you are with your man, take a look at him and admire his looks. Stare at him a little, and see how your man reacts to it! That way if he says something, you will not be the first one who brought up the subject. Just let him know that he does that too while in your presence, so you were wondering how he would feel if you do that while in his presence. It is nothing wrong with glancing, but to stare someone down is different. After all, if neither one of you can never look at anyone else while you are spending time together, it will start to feel very uncomfortable, confining, and unnatural to me, which will strain the relationship.

Well that's my opinion. Best wishes![/b]

[b]As a Christian, for I cannot answer apart from who I am and what I believe, the word of God declares that God made man the head of the woman (the house). Why--perhaps it was that he created Adam first, and formed Eve, his wife, from him. He was created first, and then woman came after him. So, logically speaking (not biblically), it would not make sense to put the person who was formed from the first person in charge. Adam and God had a special relationship and bond. God walked in the "cool of the day" and talked with Adam. He entrusted and allowed him to name the animals on the earth. From the very start, Adam was given "head-ship" responsibilities.

As a woman, I personally do not mind my husband being the head of the house. I have been a manager for some time, worked in the business industry, and am now a Business Education teacher. I know what it is like to be the head of a department and over people, making decisions, but with those decisions come accountability and enormous responsibilities and pressure, which I handled very well. But, I got tired of the, what I call "rat race", and I opted for something more personally satisfying where I felt I was contributing something in someone's life (not just providing a service if you had the money to pay for it).

Man is the head because God said he should be, but a woman is a powerful force beside that man (I did not say behind the man but beside that man). In reality, even though the woman in the relationship does not have the "head-ship" title, she has a natural ability to control the reigns (but that is a different subject altogether). [/b]

Interesting

[b]There are evil spirits in this world, for even Jesus when he walked on the face of this earth cast out demons from indiviudals, but to say there is a SPIRIT OF POVERTY I cannot say.  In America, we hear a lot of ministers talk about GENERATIONAL CURSES being past down from one generation to the next.   For example if your mother and father is poor, and there parents were poor, and there parents before them were poor, and YOU and your family experience never being able to get to the point of plenty, riches, and living a life of abundance, then it is said that you have a GENERATIONAL CURSE on the family, which must be broken by the power of God.  I believe that, for if our parents do not show us, by the way they handle their funds, pay tithes and offerings (which according to the word of God affects your financial blessings), then how can we do any better--except someone show us.  These generational curses, or spirits of poverty come from a lack of knowledge of the word of God and just life in general.  Many times it is a matter of not knowing how to handle finances, and therefore, the cycle of poverty continues.  God's word does not fail nor lie, if we pay our tithe on that which we receive, even if it is just on one Naira or American dollar, God has promised to bless our finances.  Of course, it is not just a matter of paying tithes and offering, but we also must be GOOD STEWARDS of the finances God blesses us to get.  If we continually do not pay our bills on time or just before the man is about to turn us out the door, that is not being a wise and good steward over our finances.  So, it is a combination of obeying God and paying our tithe and offering AND handling our money correctly by making wise decisions with what God gives us.

If we combine all of those things above, I believe the generational curse of poverty will be broken.  Actually, it is MORE in our power than Gods, for we must FIRST DO THOSE THINGS, and he will bless our lives.  By saying there is a Spirit of Poverty, to me, places ALL THE BLAME on the spirit, and takes ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY for our own actions off of us!

That is just my opinion.   Try what the word of God says in paying your tithe and offering and ALSO handling your money wisely and see where that takes you--in the blessings of God's prospertity and abundance. No matter where you live (Nigeria or America) the word of God is true![/b]

There are different evil spirits out there, for even Jesus himself cast out demons when he walked on the earth. But for me to say there is a "SPIRIT OF POVERTY" I really cannot say. In America you hear a lot about GENERATIONAL CURSES

[b]Yes, as was pointed out by Tpia, I registered my traveling plans with the US Embassy online as well. I was highly encouraged to do so due to "Travel Warnings" in that part of the world.

A FEW MORE THINGS:

[list]
[li][/li]
[li][/li]
[/list]If you desire to communicate with family and friends after you cross over into another country as you travel, you must purchase a "World Phone", for the cell phone you were using (even if it has international service on it) will not allow you to call from another country back to the United States. I found out that the hard way! As I said in my article, it was my first time flying, and my first time traveling out of the country.
[list]
[li][/li]
[li][/li]
[/list]You will also be highly encouraged to purchase "traveler's insurance", which can be purchased on the internert. Usually if you purchase your tickets online with a particular airline, they have a section that will give you a quote for insurance coverage. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If you become ill or get injured while traveling or while in Lagos, Nigeria, your American insurance coverage does not have to be accepted to cover the medical costs, and you then MUST pay for all services, then and there, out-of-pocket.

As I think of more things that come to mind, I will add them here. I want to thank "Tpia" for reminding me about registering with the US Embassy, for I did not include it in my article.

Again, thank you, Tpia.

Patricia Daboh[/b]