tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8601832390588340028.post679881152454300616..comments2012-11-30T16:33:20.165-08:00Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07404282761207574043noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8601832390588340028.post-91602334238250067872012-11-30T16:33:20.165-08:002012-11-30T16:33:20.165-08:00I can&#39;t think of a time my moderating views have created conflict with family or friends. I will say that many family members worry about Bridget living in the UAE (and formerly Syria), and they worried about me traveling there. It is good I can share my positive perceptions of Arabs and Muslims as individuals and a society. Perhaps if I had Jewish friends this could be a more volatile subject matter in discussions.Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07404282761207574043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8601832390588340028.post-68947556759534355532012-11-30T07:31:15.825-08:002012-11-30T07:31:15.825-08:00I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this subject. My views have changed a lot on Israel during the last five years, and becoming more educated on the subject (reading, meeting Arabs both Christian and Muslim, traveling to Syria, talking to Americans who have lived in the Middle East) has certainly made an impact. <br /><br />I believe I have a more balanced view now, and no longer do I think &#39;blessing Israel&#39; means we give a thumbs-up to everything that country does. God never did in the examples provided in the OT. <br /><br />Does this evolved stance ever put you in conflict with your friends, family or acquaintances or are they open to your new viewpoints as you share what you have learned? Or is this topic not important enough to people in your life that they simply don&#39;t care what your opinions are on Israel?Susannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03115294023069458287noreply@blogger.com