A great concern for us western non-Muslims....

[Pygoscelis]

We just need more educated and less intolerant Americans to make that happen.

LOL! I'm sorry to laugh at this but its just so over the top that I can't help it. "Pork Spray"? LOL This is terrible. Its like when fundamentalist christians tell me atheists can't have morals. Stupid people. So over the top that its hard to take it seriously.

At least the experiment in the 2nd video had 13 people stand up for the muslim lady and 6 (still way too many) support her abuse. The remainder, who were silent does sound ****ing but not as much so if you have read up on the bystander effect (a psychological phenomenon that can lead people to walk right by people dying on the street without helping them).

 

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you Pygoscelis;

At least the experiment in the 2nd video had 13 people stand up for the muslim lady and 6 (still way too many) support her abuse. The remainder, who were silent does sound ****ing but not as much so if you have read up on the bystander effect (a psychological phenomenon that can lead people to walk right by people dying on the street without helping them).

It seems a frightening thought that only a third of the people in the second video stood up for justice, about 15 percent seemed openly hostile to justice, and the ruling majority remained silent. Does this reflect democracy, when the silent majority seem to allow discrimination to happen? This seems a recipe for the existence of the Nazi or KKK

In the spirit of praying for justice for all people

Eric

 

[Mister Agenda]

The US Constitution is supposed to protect America from democracy's great weakness: tyranny of the majority. The results have been mixed, with the courts repeatedly pitted against a legislature trying to get around our founding document. Our politicians have learned the game well: they can do almost anything if they successfully propagandize the population into supporting them, and in the short-term Americans will buy into almost anything that's sold to them. I hope the pendulum is swinging the other way. Ron Paul was a footnote in the last election, the only Republican who was against war in the Middle East. Now he's a front-runner. I don't know if he will actually get the nomination as he is widely regarded as a 'crazy Libertarian', but I would love to see the president have to debate someone who wants to end military intervention and occupation of countries that haven't attacked us, since Mr. Obama ran on peace but maintained a war stance indistinguishable from his predecessor's.

 

[Mister Agenda]

In regards to the OP, the fears you're describing are largely propaganda-induced. Inciting paranoia regarding Muslims has become like a cottage industry for the Christian right. I've known many Muslims personally and the fear-mongering doesn't match up to what I can see for myself. As far as I can research, their crime statistics aren't any worse than those of Christians, just more likely to make the news, especially if there is a cultural component to the crime. From my point of view as a secular humanist, Muslims enrich our culture and diversity, and share a common interest with us in keeping American laws neutral regarding religion.

 

[Pygoscelis]

Greetings and peace be with you Pygoscelis;


It seems a frightening thought that only a third of the people in the second video stood up for justice, about 15 percent seemed openly hostile to justice, and the ruling majority remained silent. Does this reflect democracy, when the silent majority seem to allow discrimination to happen? This seems a recipe for the existence of the Nazi or KKK

In the spirit of praying for justice for all people

Eric

What surprises an alarms me most is the people standing up in favour of the injustice. The bystanders who fail to act is actually a well documented phenomenon I already knew about. A while back I think we had a thread on here (or maybe it was another forum) about a chinese child who was bleeding in the street and most people ignored her. The Bystander Effect is that the more people there are around, the less likely anybody is to help somebody in need or speak up against injustice, especially if the injustice is being done by an authority or quasi-authority figure.

 

[Pygoscelis]

In regards to the OP, the fears you're describing are largely propaganda-induced. Inciting paranoia regarding Muslims has become like a cottage industry for the Christian right. I've known many Muslims personally and the fear-mongering doesn't match up to what I can see for myself. As far as I can research, their crime statistics aren't any worse than those of Christians, just more likely to make the news, especially if there is a cultural component to the crime. From my point of view as a secular humanist, Muslims enrich our culture and diversity, and share a common interest with us in keeping American laws neutral regarding religion.

I completely agree.

 

[Sothis Girl]

Hi sis, we muslims never have intention to create a certain "new world order" ;D. okay, an example is when Prophet Muhammad moved to Absynnia to seek protection for his new followers, where Absynnia is a Christian kingdom led by a Christian king - diplomacy worked greatly and no intention for prophet to build a theocracy.

Muslims should follow shari'a rules personally wherever they are. And sometimes it can criss-cross with the foreign country they're living in. For example, porks and alcohol are largely consumed in Western countries, and every derivatives of porks and alcohol are in every food you can imagine - while they are unlawful for muslims. Hence, the muslims who wanted to be careful about what they eat, joined and united to seek more easier halaal foods. It doesn't mean they will force the native community to fulfill what they want. because shari'a is very personal, but essential to muslim's life

 

[GodIsAll]

There seems to be some animosity here. I thought melankoli's questions were legitimate, well stated and respectful.

It is very difficult for American non-Muslims to perceive Muslims' (and particularly overseas Muslims') perspective. We live in different societies and cultures. Keep in mind that all the information that we have comes from our media or other internet resources.

That is why we're here: To explore the truth.

Always remember this (as I will): We are all God's creations. Never forget that most of the American people are kind and righteous people. Contrary to what some of you hear or see, very few are wealthy, sex-crazed, drug using homosexuals. Most of us embrace our One Omniprescent God with our hearts and attempt to do his will every day.

American government and American foreign policy does not equal many or most of the American people.

Love to each and every reader!