A Challenge to All Non-Muslim

Originally posted by OpinionatedB
reply to post by Minnie1985

 

We see the news, but it is so opposite to what I personally am, and what I personally know of other Muslims, that I have often wondered, well do I simply know extraordinary Muslims or are most of us just like me... and I have come to the conclusion that most really are just like me

edit on 29-6-2012 by OpinionatedB because: (no reason given)

I agree, I believe most Muslims are simply regular people living their life to the fullest, and not warmongering extremists.

But the MSM has forever linked the words Muslim and Terrorist. They've become synonyms.

Which is why honest and open dialogue, such as this thread, are so important.

Ignorance breeds fear; fear breeds hate.....but knowledge breeds understanding.

Originally posted by smyleegrl
reply to post by CrimsonKapital

 

Islamic extremists are responsible. Don't confuse a group of fanatical extremists with the norm; they are, in fact, the exception.

Think of it this way. Say 25 Australians were caught plotting to bomb New Zealand. By the logic you used, one could equate all Australians with hatred of New Zealand.

I don't sweep all muslims under the extremist category but the fact remains that ONLY muslims have planned terrorist attacks, no other religion has.....

reply to post by PuterMan


I agree with everything you say, including the burqa.... first, I think the eyes should always show, in Muslim countries I will cover my face, but only the nose down, but I never will in the west, first it is off-putting and scary to non muslims, and terrifying people is not the point of hijab anyway...

The point is simply to be seen for who we are inside and not our beauty, and to be seen as respectable religious women... in the west a simple scarf and modest dress does suffice for this... in Muslim countries where men learn at birth how to see through the hijab... it is a bit different!

But yeah, the government needs the fear factor to take the rights away of the citizens, and we are simply the scapegoat of the day!

Originally posted by CrimsonKapital

Originally posted by smyleegrl
reply to post by CrimsonKapital

 

Islamic extremists are responsible. Don't confuse a group of fanatical extremists with the norm; they are, in fact, the exception.

Think of it this way. Say 25 Australians were caught plotting to bomb New Zealand. By the logic you used, one could equate all Australians with hatred of New Zealand.

I don't sweep all muslims under the extremist category but the fact remains that ONLY muslims have planned terrorist attacks, no other religion has.....

Let's not derail this thread, okay? The OP is simply requesting that we try and see things from a different viewpoint.

reply to post by OpinionatedB


I honestly think it is the extremists who twist a religion into something it is not to justify their own actions that are to blame for much of the bad press. No religion I know is exempt from them. Certainly Christianity has had many of them in the past with the Inquisitions, Crusades, and so forth. Sometimes it is easy for such people to sway others into thinking their way is God's way. Sometimes it is easy for the world to think the few represent the many.

I am fortunate to know people from all over the world, many skin colors, many languages, and many faiths. Most people are the same the world over on the inside. Most people want to do what is right, most want to provide for their family the best that they can and most want to leave a better world for their children.

reply to post by OpinionatedB

I believe that my religion teaches us it is better to cover, and not wear make-up,

Had to stop there, sorry. When religion becomes so concerned about hair and facial powders isn't time to rethink that religion? Funny how we all cry out for less government, yet your religion comes pretty close to telling you how to breathe.

If you donate time and money to help the less fortunate, this makes you a good person without religion or a god to threaten you into doing such respectable things.

Peace, from an atheist.

reply to post by OpinionatedB


May I ask a few questions?

How many Muslim countries have you visited, and which ones?

Did you notice a difference in the treatment of women from different countries?

Have you ever been told you had to wear a burqa? If you've worn one, is it incredibly hot underneath?

Originally posted by smyleegrl

Originally posted by CrimsonKapital

Originally posted by smyleegrl
reply to post by CrimsonKapital

 

Islamic extremists are responsible. Don't confuse a group of fanatical extremists with the norm; they are, in fact, the exception.

Think of it this way. Say 25 Australians were caught plotting to bomb New Zealand. By the logic you used, one could equate all Australians with hatred of New Zealand.

I don't sweep all muslims under the extremist category but the fact remains that ONLY muslims have planned terrorist attacks, no other religion has.....

Let's not derail this thread, okay? The OP is simply requesting that we try and see things from a different viewpoint.

I'm not derailing the thread, your just trying to take the heat off yourself.

I responded to the OP respectfully and gave an honest answer, she in my opinion is playing the victim card. Take a look at how minority religions such as Christianity is treated in the Middle East, Coptic Christians .... - Need I say anymore?

Originally posted by Frogs
reply to post by OpinionatedB

 

I honestly think it is the extremists who twist a religion into something it is not to justify their own actions that are to blame for much of the bad press. No religion I know is exempt from them. Certainly Christianity has had many of them in the past with the Inquisitions, Crusades, and so forth. Sometimes it is easy for such people to sway others into thinking their way is God's way. Sometimes it is easy for the world to think the few represent the many.

I am fortunate to know people from all over the world, many skin colors, many languages, and many faiths. Most people are the same the world over on the inside. Most people want to do what is right, most want to provide for their family the best that they can and most want to leave a better world for their children.

The Crusades were in DEFENCE of Christians, look it up if you don't believe me. Islam conquered almost all of Christendom and was invading Europe killing and converting along the way. Eventually the Pope ordered all of the Christian armies to unite and retake the lands the Muslim invaders stole off them.

The Inquisition was also an attempt to retake the Spainish Peninsular after Muslims had invaded it.

reply to post by CrimsonKapital

“In fact, I would go as far as to say there is a hatred of our nation. This is because it is perceived as ‘fallen’ and ‘evil’ due to the fact that mainstream Australia allows women choice, broadly supports gay marriage, immigration from other cultures, and the promotion of a green energy future through a carbon tax.

Was this said about Muslims? Uh no, the previous paragraph was

“In Australia, there is a growing movement that equates adherence to fundamentalist Christianity with hatred of the federal Labor government. There is a growing resentment among fundamentalist Christian and ‘conservative’ political movements that equates godliness with hatred of our federal government.

lawcrimepolitics.com...

Now I realise this one is not Australia, but your implication was that only Muslims are terrorists and that is just not the case:

To give an example of the distance fundamentalist Christianity has gone to, you just have to look at the fundamentalist driven group ‘Army of God’. Believing that their activity is lawful and theologically justified, they are a pro life terrorist organization which resolves to use deadly forced in its attempt to end abortion within the United States. Their acts of terrorism included bombings and kidnappings as well being linked to as many as 280 anthrax threats towards abortion clinics since Sept 11 2001. But even before the turn of the century we had experienced the serious crimes of fundamentalism with America, in the summer of 1994 Reverend David C. Trosch wrote to congress warning those politicians who do not strongly oppose abortion, along with those who speak in favor of abortion would be at grave risk. Two weeks later, former minister Paul Hill drove to the ladies centre, an abortion clinic in Pensacola, Florida and shot and killed Dr. John Bayard Britton and James Barrett the doctors Escort. Later that year bullets were mailed along with death threats to other doctors. These events show how acts of terrorism are a part of Christian fundamentalism. Many may argue that not all fundamentalists are terrorists and will not go as far as to commit these sorts of crimes and I agree, but these organizations are built by a larger body of moderates that fuel the front line. Fundamentalists also condone the use of contraceptives which leads the way for a higher pregnancy rate with young Christian teenage girls. Teenage pregnancy is then accompanied in most cases with poverty and lack of education which then shapes our society, all because ones faith is so strongly against the practical use of birth control.

www.rajbits.com...

Far Right-Christian Jihad – Why we should be worried in Australia

Don't worry, it will be there soon if it is not already.

reply to post by smyleegrl


I have been in Syria, Iraq, and Iran...Syria had the most freedoms.... Iran is very nice and if I ever go back I will stay for several more years... I enjoyed Iran very much....Iraq the people there are wonderful... these are simply different cultures from here....

No I have never worn a burqa... different types of dress are cultural, and are found only in certain areas. But burqas, actually any full hijab (which includes everything not just the scarf) are made specifically for hot weather... it is cooler to wear that type of clothing in hot weather, and warmer to wear it in winter because you simply layer clothing underneath...(and heavier material is used for cold weather wear)

The material for summer is so light weight that the breeze goes directly through it, and if you have a little sweat on your body this actually acts like an air conditioner...and the material protects your skin from sun which is also cooler.... I could not imagine wearing shorts and t-shirt in summer, I have put it on before and did not like it because you are too hot that way...

reply to post by PuterMan


I never said other religions haven't comitted terrorist attacks, I said NO OTHER RELIGION OTHER THAN ISLAM HAS PLANNED TO COMMIT A TERRORIST ATTACK IN AUSTRALIA. I was talking about Australia you ignoramus.

reply to post by CrimsonKapital


The OP is playing the victim's card simply because she asks you to look outside the box? Seriously?

Yes, Muslims commit horrible acts. So do Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and atheists.

The IRA was responsible for how many deaths in Great Britain? Good Christian boys, all. And how about the fundamental Christian extremists who shoot abortion clinicians? How about Westboro Baptist and their hateful agenda?

reply to post by PuterMan


Also the reason for that so called "far right hatred of Labour government" is because Labour in Australia has been undemocratically unelected. It is an extremely unpopular government in Australia, don't comment on things who have no idea about.

reply to post by CrimsonKapital


What do you think the indigenous peoples of Australia thought it was when England dumped so many people on their shores who thus started killing them?


I do not want to make this what religion or belief system is worse... because all have good and all have bad....

the point of this thread is to show we can live side by side, in compassion and respect and understanding of the rights of everyone....

The Majority is never alike to fringe minorities...

reply to post by CrimsonKapital

Take a look at how minority religions such as Christianity is treated in the Middle East, Coptic Christians

Did you know that before the State of Israel was created Muslim, Christian and Orthodox - and Jew, all lived together relatively peacefully and in virtually all Muslin countries it was live and let live within fairly strict boundaries. You do realise that Christians, Jews and Muslims live side by side in that "terrorist" country Iran?

The State of Israel changed all that, and the Arabs were NOT the ones in the war of 'independence', as it is euphemistically called, who destroyed the Christian churches.

Now I am not denying that the Moors brought the Muslim religion into southern Europe but it was more about slaves than religion. To suggest that the Crusaders had a right to Jerusalem as Christians is just plain wrong. It was religious fundamentalism by the Pope. The Spanish Inquisition was purely about control of the aristocracy and the peasants by the Catholic church and in total the Christian religion was responsible for the deaths of something in the order of 5.5 million women as witches.

Nice religion eh?

reply to post by OpinionatedB


That is very interesting about the burqa. I had no idea it's designed to keep you cool. It was 103 today in NC, very hot.

When you were oversees, did you ever feel like the men thought of you as inferior? I mean, did they talk to you or to your male companion (if you had one). Did you ever feel like they were speaking "down" to you? Or was it pretty much like the States, just regular conversation?

Forgive the rudeness of that question, but I've read several books that purport to tell the "truth" about how women are treated and I've got a rather negative viewpoint of Muslim men as a result. I KNOW this is absurd, but hearing it from a woman who's been in the middle east makes a world of difference.

I've practiced with my scarf, will report tomorrow.

Originally posted by smyleegrl
reply to post by CrimsonKapital

 

The OP is playing the victim's card simply because she asks you to look outside the box? Seriously?

Yes, Muslims commit horrible acts. So do Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and atheists.

The IRA was responsible for how many deaths in Great Britain? Good Christian boys, all. And how about the fundamental Christian extremists who shoot abortion clinicians? How about Westboro Baptist and their hateful agenda?

Yes the OP is playing the victim card, all she suffers in the West is some abuse and gets some "looks" from strangers. In the Middle East a Christian would be tortured and stoned to death, churchs get burned to the ground regularly, and most Christians there have to hide their identity for fear of death.

If you don't see the difference in that then you are a hypocrite.

I thought the IRA was Protestant, anyway Christians, Jews, Buddhists, etc don't commit the same amount of terrorist attacks as Muslims.

In the past 24 hours there has been this going on by Muslims:

uk.eurosport.yahoo.com...

www.middle-east-online.com...

www.stripes.com...

www.rediff.com...

Were any of those by Christian/Jewish/Buddhist terrorists?

reply to post by CrimsonKapital

you ignoramus.

OK, what ever you say my friend. I don't have time to argue points with people who have to resort to name calling as a substitute for reason.

Originally posted by PuterMan
reply to post by CrimsonKapital

 

Take a look at how minority religions such as Christianity is treated in the Middle East, Coptic Christians

Did you know that before the State of Israel was created Muslim, Christian and Orthodox - and Jew, all lived together relatively peacefully and in virtually all Muslin countries it was live and let live within fairly strict boundaries. You do realise that Christians, Jews and Muslims live side by side in that "terrorist" country Iran?

The State of Israel changed all that, and the Arabs were NOT the ones in the war of 'independence', as it is euphemistically called, who destroyed the Christian churches.

Now I am not denying that the Moors brought the Muslim religion into southern Europe but it was more about slaves than religion. To suggest that the Crusaders had a right to Jerusalem as Christians is just plain wrong. It was religious fundamentalism by the Pope. The Spanish Inquisition was purely about control of the aristocracy and the peasants by the Catholic church and in total the Christian religion was responsible for the deaths of something in the order of 5.5 million women as witches.

Nice religion eh?

And you do realise the only reason the Christians/Jews/and Muslims lived side by side was because the Muslims were the ones in control. The Muslims will not let the Christians or Jews in those countries join the military, etc, because that could give them power.


The Crusades was in defence of Christendom, more than half of Christendom was conquered in an unprovoked Jihad by Muslims against the Christians. The pope was desperate to retake the Holy land to stop the Muslim armies from invading Europe.