Islam in a Catholic world

[Johnny B]

I was a Jehovahs Witness growing up! Quite offended actually.

? I wasn't rude to them at all if that's what you mean. I do own an 'I Love Satan T-shirt', but I'm well within my rights to love Satan and wear a shirt that proclaims it so, particularly on my own doorstep

 

[Abbysal]

I was only joshing buddy,I don't give a sh@# about religion, I was one though. I have fond memories of pissing people off every Sunday, and also of hiding from them myself when I realised they were just the same as any other self righteous religion, Hypocrites!!

 

[SeldoM]

As a Muslim...I must say that I was really interested when I saw this debate pop up on VC.net! Who would have thought? Moreover, reading the thread, I was pleasantly surprised at just how openly minded the people on this forum are. That's another +1 for the VC.net community in my book!

Now I just want to address a few of the issues people have brought up here from my perspective.

The wearing of the veil is meant to show modesty and of course, the whole lust aspect people were talking about is entirely part of it. However, that being said, muslim men must also do the same as it is mentioned in the Koran to dress modestly. Although it is a rule which "should" apply to both men and women, it's obvious who has the short end of the stick here...

Now this bring me to my next point, although I agree with you about women being mistreated in arab countries, you musn't forget that a lot of this attitude is instilled deep within their culture and their respective countries' mores. Even without Islam, I'd bet my life that arab men would be as controlling and unfair towards women as they are now...Religion has just become an excuse for them to maintain their old nomadic ways in our modern world.

I'll be open with it, I'm a guy who prays 5 times a day and celebrates the holy days but I'd NEVER want to impose my faith on anyone. It's a choice to be made...One that can't be forced upon an unwilling person. I never understood the concept of mass conversions...You'd think quality is always better (especially in the eyes of God) than quantity...The Jews got it right lol...

Speaking of Jews, I think a lot of the "jew hate" and animosity between jews and arabs comes from the Israel-Palestine conflict. I do think that Israel is certainly going about their zionistic agenda the wrong way...Don't get my wrong, there is something very noble about trying to bring together all the jews of the world but you can't do it at the expense of others' freedoms and rights. But let's leave that for another thread, shall we?

Oh and...hi Zephyr, I don't hate you and I don't think you should be so worried or scared about muslims...Sure lots of them will be like that but there's a lot of easier-going and more open-minded Muslims out there (more than you'd think actually!). By the way, if it isn't too indiscreet, how did you "find out" about your jewish heritage? I'm only asking cause a friend of mine recently found out lol...Made for an interesting conversation when she told me...I ended the talk with: "so when's the batmitzvah?!:lol:

Cheers y'all,
Seldom

 

[Abbysal]

Seldom, could you do me a favor just because I would have you give me your view on it. Could you perhaps try to attain the aforementioned CH4 Documentary: Britain's Islamic Republic, here's a link.http://eztv.it/ep/18926/ch4-britain-s-islamic-republic-pdtv-xvid-ac3-mvgroup/ if you don't have time or can't be bothered I'll totally understand, just thought it would be nice to hear your view as I am not the most learned scholar here so probably have a bit of a blunt perspective.

Cheers

 

[Zephyr]

Oh and...hi Zephyr, I don't hate you and I don't think you should be so worried or scared about muslims...Sure lots of them will be like that but there's a lot of easier-going and more open-minded Muslims out there (more than you'd think actually!). By the way, if it isn't too indiscreet, how did you "find out" about your jewish heritage? I'm only asking cause a friend of mine recently found out lol...Made for an interesting conversation when she told me...I ended the talk with: "so when's the batmitzvah?!:lol:

First of all cool that you posted here as it's a bit awkward to talk about Islam without an actual Muslim chiming in. At least now we can expect to be slapped on the wrist when we say something totally stupid.

As for being worried about my safety that has to do a little bit with past experiences and wholly with the area I live in. This city is filled with Muslims I think you would be ashamed of; they are extremist nuts and cause frequent problems here. Two families were recently thrown out of their house for going too far so you can kind of see why I am afraid as they don't just throw you out for nothing.
I simply carry my yarmulka with me and when I'm out in the "safe zone" I put it on. I already had some very nasty stares when my rabbi visited me as he's easy to spot being a Chassid(you know, the dudes in black with the hats, curls and all that jazz). I was sweating like mad and told him it might be better if I visited him instead but he just shrugged and said that after so many centuries we should be getting used to it by now :lol:

Like I said in my post, or maybe that didn't come across as such, I know there are decent Muslims out there as I've met a few but sadly most of my experiences have been negative.
I just hope others can follow where I'm going in that if you've met people from a certain religion which are numb-nuts it doesn't mean all of them are but I understand it can color your views quite a lot.
I therefore also understand some of the views folks have about Jews as we can come across as stiff-necked whiners, oi vey can we whine about nothing at all! It's simply in our genes or something I swear.

And yes like you mentioned there's the whole Israeli-Palestine conflict to add fuel to the fire and as the majority of religious Jews are all for a two State solution I think we should be a lot more vocal about it. It's like this secret law where you cannot speak out against the Israeli government or even say that some Palestinians are treated like animals because it means you are not a true Jew...yeah uh-huh says the secular government whom I trust as far as I can swing them.

Oh and as for your question; I found out after my dad started doing his Great Big Genealogy-project. We always knew it was on my dad's side but my mother's side was a "dirty secret". Let's just say parents disappeared during WWII, kids got adopted and converted to Catholicism and indoctrinated that Jews were Christ-killers and la-dee-dah. My mom still has issues with it as she's been totally brainwashed and feels I'm going to hell in a hand basket. I know my dad is secretly very proud.
Oh...I don't hate Catholics either (just in case a Catholic pops in). I don't hate any religion nor do I hate atheists, pagans and whatnot.

 

[SeldoM]

Seldom, could you do me a favor just because I would have you give me your view on it. Could you perhaps try to attain the aforementioned CH4 Documentary: Britain's Islamic Republic, here's a link.http://eztv.it/ep/18926/ch4-britain-s-islamic-republic-pdtv-xvid-ac3-mvgroup/ if you don't have time or can't be bothered I'll totally understand, just thought it would be nice to hear your view as I am not the most learned scholar here so probably have a bit of a blunt perspective.

Cheers

Sorry Abbysal but I really don't have the time for it right now. My finals are fast approaching and the very little precious time I have is spent procrastinating (i.e. hanging out on forums like these LOL). Sorry again

Zephyr, no need to tell me how dense religious people can be! I actually despise all people who take religion TOO far. I should mention though that I do agree with the removal of the full veil and support the idea of putting out a law against it. It's one thing to dress modestly and cover your head but there is no way a person can ever function in today's society and be respected as an individual with full rights when she (or he for that matter) is wearing something like that.

And on that note, I go back to studying