Muslims. How do people feel about them?

[Telstra]

Maybe there should be a law banning all religious schools teaching children only 1 religion.
They should teach children facts about all religions and let them think for themselves.

 

[bankside]

Christianity wasn't compatible with Western civilisation either. Then we had the Reformation, and even better, the Enlightenment. Putting Christianity on a short leash has made all the difference. The same thing can work for Islam.

 

[bort138]

It's ironic that if it wasn't the invention of the internal combustion engine BY western civilization all of that oil in the ground in the middle east would be worthless and Islamic extremists would not be the problem that they are today. Every time we buy their oil we are directly funding Islamic terrorism and giving them the means to expand to the rest of the world. To say that the Islamic world has fallen behind is a gross understatement. The only thing that has changed in the middle east over the last 800 years is that they now can afford machine guns and nuclear weapons that were created by the west. Until Islam has some sort of reformation or enlightenment era it will continue to be a threat to the free world.

 

[Inverted]

I dunno, just try being gay in a Muslim country.

Come back to us later....

I don't think there would be much of a difference between the experience of the average gay man in a secular Muslim-majority country like Turkey and a gay man in most of the US except less visibility and legal rights. Countries that are Islamic states like Iran and Saudi Arabia are a different story, but there are definitely tons of active homosexuals in secret and it isn't uncommon for foreigners to travel and get sex easily (someone mentioned it here). In fact, and unsurprisingly, it's easier for gay men to get sex than it is for straight men.

It's ironic that if it wasn't the invention of the internal combustion engine BY western civilization all of that oil in the ground in the middle east would be worthless and Islamic extremists would not be the problem that they are today. Every time we buy their oil we are directly funding Islamic terrorism and giving them the means to expand to the rest of the world. To say that the Islamic world has fallen behind is a gross understatement. The only thing that has changed in the middle east over the last 800 years is that they now can afford machine guns and nuclear weapons that were created by the west. Until Islam has some sort of reformation or enlightenment era it will continue to be a threat to the free world.

Huh?

First, most of the Islamic world is not part of the Middle East. Most Muslims are from Asia-Pacific and you don't actually hear much from them. I don't see any of the Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan or Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia in the news.

Also, most Islamic terrorist groups that threaten the west actually comes from poorer South Asian countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, not Middle Eastern countries. Most Middle Eastern countries are developed and even rich so "now can afford machine guns and nuclear weapons"? Huh?

 

[bort138]

I understand that terrorists groups are not based solely in the Middle East but they are being funded by countries in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia that have access to oil reserves. 15 out of 19 hijackers of the hijackers on 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia. The economy of the Middle East is almost entirely based on crude oil exports and a large portion of this money is being used to fund terrorism and continue the spread of Islam to the West. How do you think these countries got rich if not for the oil?

 

[kallipolis]

I understand that terrorists groups are not based solely in the Middle East but they are being funded by countries in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia that have access to oil reserves. 15 out of 19 hijackers of the hijackers on 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia. The economy of the Middle East is almost entirely based on crude oil exports and a large portion of this money is being used to fund terrorism and continue the spread of Islam to the West. How do you think these countries got rich if not for the oil?

The 9/11 Saudi terrorists were not financed by the Saudi government, rather were enemies of the Kingdom of Saud.

The latest Al Qaeda attempt to down an American airliner was thwarted by a Saudi government double agent whose intelligence on this specific terrorist threat was passed on to the Americans.

 

[bort138]

It is true that they were not funded by the Saudi government but they were funded by people in Saudi Arabia.

 

[kallipolis]

It is true that they were not funded by the Saudi government but they were funded by people in Saudi Arabia.

I am sure that the FBI, and the Saudi Government would like to interview you that they may learn more about the Saudi sources funding the terrorists - per your allegation.

Would you care to share with us your privileged information?

 

[cityboy-stl]

Honestly, I have no idea what Moslems believe in. As a Christian, we have a statement of faith in the Nicene or Apostles Creed that clearly defines our belief. Do Moslems have a similar creed that defines their faith in a few paragraphs?

 

[bort138]

To even refer to as the system in place in Saudi Arabia as "government" is almost giving them too much credit. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy in which Islam is the state religion and the legal system is based entirely on Sharia Law. This country is dependent on the rest of the world's need for oil which has sustained it since its inception in 1932.

It's naive to think that the economy of the Middle East is in no way related to the spread of Islam in the West and rise of Islamic terrorist groups. The information is already there for people who are willing to connect the dots. I would like to hear your take on how Islamic terrorism is funded and whether it has any connection to people in the oil rich countries of the Middle East. If the money is not coming from these oil rich countries where is it coming from?

 

[cityboy-stl]

I can tell that you come from a Catholic background, because Protestants don't give the Nicene creed any weight.

But to answer your question: Yes, the Muslims have a creed. It's called the Koran.

Not reading the Koran. Too long. I said a few paragraphs.

 

[kallipolis]

To even refer to as the system in place in Saudi Arabia as "government" is almost giving them too much credit. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy in which Islam is the state religion and the legal system is based entirely on Sharia Law. This country is dependent on the rest of the world's need for oil which has sustained it since its inception in 1932.

It's naive to think that the economy of the Middle East is in no way related to the spread of Islam in the West and rise of Islamic terrorist groups. The information is already there for people who are willing to connect the dots. I would like to hear your take on how Islamic terrorism is funded and whether it has any connection to people in the oil rich countries of the Middle East. If the money is not coming from these oil rich countries where is it coming from?

I am still waiting for your privileged information identifying the source of Saudi funding for terrorism knowing that the rest of your post is merely repeating your often regurgitated anti Muslim prejudice.

I am not the poster making the allegations - that's your prerogative.

 

[kallipolis]

I can tell that you come from a Catholic background, because Protestants don't give the Nicene creed any weight.

But to answer your question: Yes, the Muslims have a creed. It's called the Koran.

Mainstream Protestant churches embrace the Nicene Creed, as do the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Catholic churches.

http://christianity.about.com/od/christiandoctrines/qt/thenicenecreed.htm

 

[bort138]

I am still waiting for your privileged information identifying the source of Saudi funding for terrorism knowing that the rest of your post is merely repeating your often regurgitated anti Muslim prejudice.

I am not the poster making the allegations - that's your prerogative.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/world/middleeast/06wikileaks-financing.html?_r=1

 

[cityboy-stl]

Mainstream Protestant churches embrace the Nicene Creed, as do the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Catholic churches.

The Nicene Creed - Learn About the Nicene Creed Christian Statement of Faith

Yes, I am Catholic. But my father was Lutheran and the times I've attended the Lutheran Church they said the Apostles Creed. A little Googling tells me Methodists, Presbyterians and other mainstream protestant churches embrace the creeds as well.

The original question is I still don't know what Moslems believe. I would think somewhere there would be a concise statement of Islamic belief. None of Islam makes any sense to me and I would like to know.

 

[opinterph]

The original question is I still don't know what Moslems believe. I would think somewhere there would be a concise statement of Islamic belief. None of Islam makes any sense to me and I would like to know.

Beliefs and Daily Lives of Muslims

Muslim Beliefs

A Short Summary of Islamic Beliefs and Eschatology

Haq Islam

The Muslim's Belief​

 

[jimmayy]

The Islamic position on homosexuality has become one of the most sensitive issues facing Muslims living in the West, particularly in Europe.

It is being held up as the key to any eventual “integration” of Muslims into Western culture, as if European culture and values could be reduced to the simple fact of accepting homosexuality. The contours of this de facto European culture is in a state of constant flux, shifting according to the topic of the day. Just as some insist, as do the Pope and certain intellectuals—often dogmatic and exclusivist defenders of the Enlightenment that Europe’s roots are Greek and Christian (thus excluding Muslims), so several homosexual spokesman and the politicians who support them are now declaring (with an identical rejection of Muslims) that the “integration of Muslims” depends on their acceptance of homosexuality????!!!!!!

The contradiction is a serious one: does Christianity, which forms the root structure of European culture, and which purports to embody European values and identity, not condemn homosexuality? NO. Unless the contradiction is intended to stigmatize Islam and Muslims by presenting them as “the Other”… without fear of self-contradiction...

its true that monotheistic religions refute homosexuality. (islam, judaism..etc...) not islam alone. and don't present islam as if it was the evil one rejecting that.

i'm homosexual, a gay hairy arab bear living in morocco and i can say to all of you. accepting homosexuality or homophobia depends on the individual (whatever he was muslim, buddhist or...)

How is a sexually dysfunctional, homophobic, misogynistic octogenerian running a backward postage stamp size "country", which only exists because of Mussolini, a defender of the enlightenment?

I can't stand it when people claim Europe's heritage and culture as "christian", the purpose of the enlightenment was to start digging the grave for christianity in this continent. And when it goes, I won't miss it. It took 1,400 years to convert this continent to that supersition and barely a century for it to go downhill massively.

I agree with you that it's ridiculous for people that get upset by homophobia to be specifically anti-muslim. It's bullshit. But I take issue with you suggesting that it's fully up to the individual, and trying to downplay the role that the abrahamic religions (especially christianity and islam due to their size) play in terms of homophobia, they make up the majority of it. When you said it depends on the individual, comparatively how many buddhists have you met that are homophobic compared to religious christians or muslims??????????????

Look at the fact that out of the 80 countries on earth that still criminalise gay sex, two are not majority christian or muslim.

Christianity and Islam both deserve flak for homophobia, misogyny and blocking progress. Gays should stop making excuses for either of the two, think of it as two trees that are rotten. Cut them both down!

 

[pat grimshaw]

Muslims. How do people feel about them?

I get extremely anxious when I see this

 

[palbert]

If they don't bother me I won't bother them. But unlawful activity is still unlawful, for whomever. Most of this should be in a fashion forum/ No one looks secondly ar orthodox jews.

 

[Mariatenebre]

I think there are many answers to the question.

A lot of people—some Americans, naturally, and probably Jewish people—think they are Medievals.

A lot of other people think that Muslims—especially the women—are victims of a terribly oppressive religion.

I have come to believe that there are some good Muslim people, and some bad ones, and that Islam, being an especially "strong" religion (compared to "weak" ones like Unitarianism), is a double-edged sword with especially sharp edges. Put another way, there is extreme good and extreme bad in the religion.

One thing no one has ever pointed out on this board is Islam's attitude towards animals. Animals are always to be treated with respect, and never abused. (When was the last time you heard of a Muslim abusing animals?) Moreover, when an animal is slaughtered, a special prayer (a "hamman"?) is said, thanking the creature for giving its life to sustain a human being, and the animal is slaughtered as humanely as possible to eliminate suffering.

The prophet Mohammed loved his cat so much that, when it fell asleep on his robe, he cut off the sleeve lest he awaken his cat.

I think that's a beautiful sentiment, being an animal lover myself, and, in this respect, maybe we Christians are the savages. (Hunting for sport I find an especially disgusting practice.)

Respect for animals, for your information animals in Islam are slaughtered under very inhumane ways. Also in Islam dogs are viewed as demonic and that they should be killed.
Muhammad and Dogs

Now while I do not hate all Muslims I certainly do hate Islam. Islam takes the worst aspects of Judaism and Christianity already very evil religions themselves and magnifies them. It is a sexist, homophobic, barbaric and cruel ideology that has no place in the civilized world.

The Islamic position on homosexuality has become one of the most sensitive issues facing Muslims living in the West, particularly in Europe.

It is being held up as the key to any eventual “integration” of Muslims into Western culture, as if European culture and values could be reduced to the simple fact of accepting homosexuality. The contours of this de facto European culture is in a state of constant flux, shifting according to the topic of the day. Just as some insist, as do the Pope and certain intellectuals—often dogmatic and exclusivist defenders of the Enlightenment that Europe’s roots are Greek and Christian (thus excluding Muslims), so several homosexual spokesman and the politicians who support them are now declaring (with an identical rejection of Muslims) that the “integration of Muslims” depends on their acceptance of homosexuality????!!!!!!

The contradiction is a serious one: does Christianity, which forms the root structure of European culture, and which purports to embody European values and identity, not condemn homosexuality? NO. Unless the contradiction is intended to stigmatize Islam and Muslims by presenting them as “the Other”… without fear of self-contradiction...

its true that monotheistic religions refute homosexuality. (islam, judaism..etc...) not islam alone. and don't present islam as if it was the evil one rejecting that.

i'm homosexual, a gay hairy arab bear living in morocco and i can say to all of you. accepting homosexuality or homophobia depends on the individual (whatever he was muslim, buddhist or...)

I am aware that all of the Abrahamic religions hate homosexuality and that is why they must be stopped. However I do agree if Muslims do not accept gays and wish for their death then they have no place in the civilized world and I would say the same for Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and every other patriarchal homophobic group.