I work daily with a great many Muslim people. They are all uniformly
polite and articulate. Over the past Ten years I have listened to a great
many statements these people have made and I must say that I am afraid
that cultural misunderstandings work BOTH ways. I will list a few points.
No matter how earnest a person, and how intelligent a person, the
individual who is explaining Islam to somone who isnt already Islamic:
The majority of the common people of the USA do not now, nor will they
ever agree to abandon their own faith, for Islam.
They do not agree that Islam is morally superior to whatever religion
they are already members of.
They will NEVER change their minds. And in fact, it offends them that anyone
should think they SHOULD change their minds.
They also do not agree that people who wish to come to the USA should simply be allowed to do so. In fact quite the opposite.
The country is becomming quite insular.
The common USA citizen does NOT expect anyone to automaticly accept
USA norms. In fact they would be appalled if it were suggested somone
WAS. The majority wish to live simply as they wish. Without their life
being dominated by any religion.
The idea that anyones life is dominated by a religion is simply anathema.
Such people do exist of course. But they are by far a minority.
Insofaras Iran and the USA, that topic is polemical.
The greatest problem that US citizens have with Islam, is the idea that
the Sharia should be a standard for all behaviors.
I am afraid that will NEVER be accepted. And I do mean NEVER.
I have tried to post respectfully, and hopefully without offence.
Hi, welcome to the forum.
I read over your comment.
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
I work daily with a great many Muslim people. They are all uniformly
polite and articulate. Over the past Ten years I have listened to a great
many statements these people have made and I must say that I am afraid
that cultural misunderstandings work BOTH ways. I will list a few points.
it seems like your post is about how the Muslims misunderstand Americans not "cultural misunderstandings work BOTH ways",
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
No matter how earnest a person, and how intelligent a person, the
individual who is explaining Islam to somone who isnt already Islamic:
I agree as much as I do hate admitting it. For example a person might say "In Islam you have to pray 5x a day" but they never pray. I know people like this. but you shouldn't judge a religion based on the people because this is the case with every religion, not just Islam.
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
They do not agree that Islam is morally superior to whatever religion
they are already members of.
It’s sad that they fail to recognize this. Since you’re on this forum, I encourage you to take the opportunity to reexamine your own faith.
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
They will NEVER change their minds. And in fact, it offends them that anyone
should think they SHOULD change their minds.
It is up to an individual to decide if they should accept the truth or reject it. A Muslim cannot force anyone to convert to Islam. Its simply our duty to present the truth and your job to decide wether or not you want to live on the true path.
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
The greatest problem that US citizens have with Islam, is the idea that
the Sharia should be a standard for all behaviors.
why is that a problem. Sharia is our way of life and I mean literally our guide to everyday living. y should that be a problem if "common USA citizen does NOT expect anyone to automaticly accept
USA norms."
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
I am afraid that will NEVER be accepted. And I do mean NEVER.
the world belongs to God and everything is within His dominion and control. if He wishes to establish Sharia in the US no one can stop Him.
format_quote Originally Posted by Chiteng
I have tried to post respectfully, and hopefully without offence.
why is that a problem. Sharia is our way of life and I mean literally our guide to everyday living. y should that be a problem if "common USA citizen does NOT expect anyone to automaticly accept
USA norms."
the world belongs to God and everything is within His dominion and control. if He wishes to establish Sharia in the US no one can stop Him.
I hope I replied the same way.
It is difficult to give a meaningfull reply, and at the same time avoid being
polemical. It is NOT my intent to start a fight. Merely to impart information
as best I can. I must explain that I am now an old man and have few years left.
The best answer to your implied question is that:
It is YOUR way of life, not theirs.
and
They have no desire to live that way, none at all.
They do not mind how, you live your life, it doesnt concern them.
However, they care a great deal when someone tries to impose upon them
a different way. This I fear, is the root cause of almost all conflict.
The US citizen does NOT agree that secular issues be merged with political
issues. Nor do they see the Koran, as being 'linked' to the Sharia.
It is YOUR way of life, not theirs.
and
They have no desire to live that way, none at all.
They do not mind how, you live your life, it doesnt concern them.
However, they care a great deal when someone tries to impose upon them
a different way. This I fear, is the root cause of almost all conflict.
The US citizen does NOT agree that secular issues be merged with political
issues. Nor do they see the Koran, as being 'linked' to the Sharia.
Posted w/o polemical intent,
Chiteng
I agree that its our way of life. But on one is trying to impose Shari'ah in the US. As a Muslim raised in the US, I simply want to be able to practice my religion and apply the Shari'ah in my own life without intervention from the political sphere. But its the other way around. You see the US is trying to abolish all aspects of Shari'ah in order to establish democracy. And this is the root problem of all the conflict in the world today.
Don't misunderstand a Muslim when they try to invite you to Islam. Its not that they're trying to impose Shari'ah upon you. They are simply presenting you with the truth and giving you the chance to accept it. If you refuse no one is going to force you against your will.
I hope I replied without offending you in way. If I did, please forgive me.
peace
-SI-
I can understand friction about inviting others to Islam. I favour the more 'optimistic' approach to da'wa; rather than focusing on what might appear to me as weaknesses in the other person's religion, I just show them the strengths of mine. People tend to get (understandably) shirty when you start saying their entire way of life is fundamentally flawed, rather than showing them what you think is a better way through your actions, and them making their own decision.
I don't know, I've always been a live and let live type of person.
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