Hajj pilgrimage offers US traveler a reset

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

Salman Azhar and his wife, Azleena, had been thinking of making the hajj for a while now. This year they finally received what they called “an invitation.”
As Muslims, the couple believes that when the time is right, God sends an invitation to make the physically demanding and spiritually uplifting pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of their faith.

To read more:

http://religionnews.com/2017/09/01/hajj-pilgrimage-offers-us-traveler-a-reset/

[MineralMan]

1. Many American Muslims make hajj.

Many American Catholics travel to the Vatican.
Many American Jews journey to Israel.

Were you surprised at this story? You made no comment regarding it.

[guillaumeb]

2. I recently posted another article on the pilgrimage.

Informational only, for those who are interested. I think that more articles like this are needed, especially in the mainstream media, to provide a more balanced view.

The previous post, will 1000 or so views:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218253969

[MineralMan]

3. Why? Do you think people are unaware of Americans

who make hajj? I know several American hajjis, just as I know many Americans of other faiths who have journeyed to visit places that are the root of their religion.

Why do you think such articles are needed. They seem rather mundane and uninformative to me, really.

I won't visit Mecca, because I am not a follower of Islam. I'd like to see it, but I'll have to settle for travelogues, and the like. I probably won't journey to Israel, either.

Where is the balanced view from this article? I'm not seeing it.

[guillaumeb]

4. Over 1000 people viewed the other post.

I could have asked in a survey whether they liked the post or not, but I feel that posting a variety of articles dealing with religion and religious customs and beliefs is a good thing. If you disagree, I understand and I still appreciate the feedback.

[trotsky]

5. False.

A "view" on a DU thread isn't a unique view. You are completely wrong to say 1000 people viewed the other thread. If you went and clicked on your own thread a thousand times, it would register that number as well.

[guillaumeb]

6. If you have information that proves I am wrong, feel free to present it.

Otherwise, thank you for the insight.

[Lordquinton]

13. I looked at the view count, it was 197

I then refreshed it 3 times, watching each time as it ticked up one to 200. It was kinda thrilling actually.

[guillaumeb]

14. Why would anyone wish to do so?

I can think of better ways to waste time, like arguing with the various right wing posters at Discussionist.

[Lordquinton]

16. Honestly I think you have those reversed

It's just pointing out that the numbers are very soft, and can be easily inflated. The chance that someone it doing that to that extent is small, but recs and replies are hard numbers. Even replying adds 2 views to the count.

[MineralMan]

7. No. 1000 people did not view that post.

That thread had over 1000 views. Every time you clicked on that thread, there was a view recorded. Similarly, each time someone who participated in that thread returned to it, another view was recorded. Far fewer than 1000 people viewed the thread.

[guillaumeb]

8. A fascinating mini-controversy.

Shall we next discuss how many angels can dance on a pin?

Looking at the other post, only 5 people, including myself, actually responded. So, unless we are to assume that someone clicked on the post 995 times, I will state that the post was viewed 1000 times. Did one or more person view the post multiple times? One can only speculate. But to what point?

[trotsky]

9. There is absolutely nothing "controversial" about it.

MineralMan and I both just explained to you how this message board's software works.

Apparently you have decided you have your own beliefs about how the software functions. Good for you. You're still wrong, however.

[guillaumeb]

11. Obviously I should use the "sarcasm" label.

And your insight is noted.

[trotsky]

12. Oh but of course. The old fallback.

[MineralMan]

10. I did not post in that thread. I have clicked on it several times,

in hopes that something interesting might be found therein. No joy on that account, though.

There are not 1000 people in total who ever even come to the Religion Group, I guarantee. There might be 200 or so who come here regularly and fewer who bother to post in threads here.

[AtheistCrusader]

15. Pretty sure the RSS feeds count as a 'view' too.