Islam

[feral]

With the war looking pretty certain, I've heard a lot of people talking about the effect it will have on Muslims. I myself have noticed a lot of discrimination towards Muslims, like jokes and demands that they "go back to their country" even if they were born in America. I've heard a lot of derogatory slang against Muslims or Arab peoples (even non-Muslims). What do you think? Have you noticed any bias towards Muslims where you live?

I was curious also about what people know or understand about Islam. I've started studying it...along with my many others...and I've found that the Qur'an isn't actually anti-women as many believe. It's really interesting! What do you think of Islam, especially in light of terrorism, war, etc.

 

[David Gould]

Today at 12:59 PM feral said this in Post #1

With the war looking pretty certain, I've heard a lot of people talking about the effect it will have on Muslims. I myself have noticed a lot of discrimination towards Muslims, like jokes and demands that they "go back to their country" even if they were born in America. I've heard a lot of derogatory slang against Muslims or Arab peoples (even non-Muslims). What do you think? Have you noticed any bias towards Muslims where you live?

I was curious also about what people know or understand about Islam. I've started studying it...along with my many others...and I've found that the Qur'an isn't actually anti-women as many believe. It's really interesting! What do you think of Islam, especially in light of terrorism, war, etc.

There is a lot of discrimination against Moslems in Australia. It is very tough for them, especially so for their women as they stand out. We have even had one of our conservative Christian politicians calling for a ban on the coverings that Moslem women wear because 'They might be concealing a bomb under there.'   

Islam is a religion that is very similar to Christianity. One of the main differences is that it has not undergone a reformation and counter-reformation process. This means that liberal Islam has developed in a different fashion than liberal Christianity.

Islam was actually the first religion to start a process heading towards rights for women. The adultery law penned by Mohammed was designed to make it impossible for a woman to be convicted - it required three witnesses to the sexual act itself for a conviction to be possible.

Over the centuries, like in Christianity, different interpretations have held sway. For example, during Islam's expansionist phase many new converts to Islam became pacifists because of the way they interpreted certain parts of the text. Many who did not become completely pacifist refused to fight Moslems, Christians and Jews. This is one of the reasons why Janisarries (slave soldiers, although the 'slave' part is somewhat misleadgin) were employed by many Islamic governments.

Anyway, fundamentalism is the enemy, not Islam.

 

 

[Arikay]

Yep, I have noticed quite a bit of muslim prejudice. I think a lot of it comes from people missunderstanding islam and then deciding their views are right and that their missunderstandings are reason to hate a group of people.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I've noticed a distinct anti-Muslim increase since 911 which has been largely based on ignorance as with any predjudice.

I've looked into Islam myself and personally it doesn't add up for me but at the same time I do respect those who live by it (their day to day reverance for God and respect/hospitality towards others).

That said, I don't think much of those who hide behind it to persecute/kill non-Muslims though.

 

[Billdemart]

I don't see any where I live personally but I do remember going to McDonalds with a friend of mine who is Indian right after 9-11 and there were definitely some funny looks thrown his way. 

But other than that I haven't seen it.  It doesn't help that of the 22 top Wanted Terrorists by the FBI, that all 22 are Muslims. 

This also brings up another point.  People who say that the US attacking Iraq is an attack on Islam and will result in more terrorist attacks is ridiculous.  It may result in more terrorist attacks and the psychos will use this war as justification but Saddam Hussein has killed more Muslims than ANYONE in the modern era. 

Why aren't they terrorist attacking him?  It's all a load of garbage.

 

[JLovesUSo]

As much as we Christians want to jump out there and condemn and/or verbally barrage someone - we have to kill that flesh part of us (I work on this every day) that wants to do so and become more like Jesus and follow His commandments to love and show mercy: 

Luke 6:27 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful"

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."


On the issue of Islam - I disagree with their doctrine (although I think Mohammed taught some good things) but I still love them and try to show the love of Christ to them and if they are interested in discussing Christian/Islam things, I welcome that and have learned quite a bit from my muslim friends.  They have also showed me the peaceful and humble side of Islam and I respect them that they set aside 5 times a day to pray.  As Christians, we should be doing the same.

 

[feral]

Yesterday at 06:49 PM JLovesUSo said this in Post #6


On the issue of Islam - I disagree with their doctrine (although I think Mohammed taught some good things) but I still love them and try to show the love of Christ to them and if they are interested in discussing Christian/Islam things, I welcome that and have learned quite a bit from my muslim friends.  They have also showed me the peaceful and humble side of Islam and I respect them that they set aside 5 times a day to pray.  As Christians, we should be doing the same.

interesting that you would mention this. i've always wondered if islamics are simply more devout or more religious then christians, or if they just benefit from a combined church and state. in islamically governed countries...everyone goes to prayer. work takes a break, lives are arranged around it. in america, religion is something you have on sundays or when you can fit it in. maybe that's why many atheists/agnostics or casual believers don't fit it important to understand their religion or make it a part of their life.

 

[shout2thelord]

Well i come from England and the area i lived in growing up was largely muslim. Also the school i went to was about 90% muslim even though it was a church school. so ive learnt a lot about islam from an early age (up until the age of 11 i knew more about Islam than christianity).

I have many muslim friends and i dont compare them to the terrists because i know they are different. Also i have heard many variances in beleifs between the different muslims ive met.

There has always been a lot of racism in the town both ways. The asians (mainly muslim but some hindus, and some who have no religion) and the whites have been racist towrds one another. There is a lot in the news about racism on asians but never much about racism towards whites even though many of us in the area have seen it happen.
One news story that was covered was when my friends brother was attacked by a gang of asian lads.

 

[jodrey]

I live in a pretty diverse area, so the people who condemn all of Islam for 9-11 are the minority.

We've actually come a long way. Remember WWII and the Japanese internment camps in the west? I'd have to say that that was much worse than any common prejudices held against Muslims today.

The day of the 9-11 attack I went to school and all the Muslims I talked to that day were very distrought about it. None agreed with it, none supported the Islamic terrorists, and some refused to acknowledge them as Muslim at all. Osama's little party is really a minority of Islam. Most aren't that crazy or that stupid. My religions prof. compared the "Islamic" terrorists to the "Christian" KKK. They're in small groups, totally extreme and fanatical, and they should not be viewed as representatives of the Middle-east.

 

[vajradhara]

Islam was actually the first religion to start a process heading towards rights for women. The adultery law penned by Mohammed was designed to make it impossible for a woman to be convicted - it required three witnesses to the sexual act itself for a conviction to be possible.

Namaste,

thank you for the post.

This is a bit inaccurate in several respects. Buddhism was actually the first religion (should you choose to call it such) that claimed that, spiritually, women and men were equal and both could attain equal enlightenment.

in actuality, the adultery law is explained a bit backwards here.. the essence of it is that a woman cannot bring a charge of adultery against a man unless it was witnessed by another man. i'll let you (the forum readers) debate the merit of that system however, to my mind, that would severly inhibit women in many parts of the world.

~compassionately~

 

[vajradhara]

Namaste all,

something else that should be kept in mind when discussing Islam and it's doctrine and so forth. Islam derives it's total Doctrine from three primary sources, Qur'an, Hadith and Sunna. It would be incorrect to site sura from the Qur'an without the clarifing statements from the Hadith and Sunna to completely understand it's meaning and intent.

this is not, however, the case for Christianity which relies upon a single text as it's Doctrinal source.

of course in my tradition there are are plenty of legitimate source material from which to choose, depending on one's aptitude

~compassionately~