A Good Idea Or A Bad One?

[Sukerkin]

I read this on the BBC news site this morning:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8078344.stm

On the surface this is a very positive move and certainly helps to give those not of the faith a more balanced, less 'scary', view of those that are.

But will it ultimately do any good?

 

[JadecloudAlchemist]

In Miami we have the same thing. It was advertised on the Buses.

I think its a good idea. Many people are affraid or have misconceptions of Muslims so anything that can straighten things out is a welcoming sign.

 

[Carol]

Yes it will. Because what the BBC article is not saying is that there are also web sites and other forms of communication that promote a more militant and hardline stance on religion. The controversy of these sites serve as a word-of-mouth advertising vehicle (file under "no such thing as bad publicity") and the slant of these particular sites often equates character/godliness with the depth of orthodoxy.

A look at today's current affairs reveals that many political issues have hardline stances, often accompanied by a binary choice ie: "You're either with us, or you're against us". In reality though...I don't think politics is that binary, I don't think religion is either.

I think this professor is offering something that is becoming harder and harder to find - a reasonble stance, and encouragement for the seeker to think critically and come to their own conclusions, rather than (only) deciding between one or the other.

I wish him, and his callers, lots of luck. :asian:

 

[Flea]

We should probably have one for Christianity too.

<shrug>

 

[girlbug2]

I think it's a good idea. It has the potential to help thousands of Muslims know the different schools of thought on their faith, and an alternative to radical interpretations that may be pushed on them by radicals in their neighborhoods.

 

[tellner]

Not a bad idea. The degree of ignorance and prejudice around Islam is truly appalling. Anything that helps reduce it is for the better. I expect that there will be calls from the usual crew of foaming-at-the-mouth twits to demand that it include every horror story and hateful bit of anti-Islamic bigotry they've been preaching for the last twenty years.

 

[Twin Fist]

Not a bad idea. The degree of ignorance and prejudice around Islam is truly appalling.

yeah it is. It is sad that people refuse to admit that islam is a violent religion, started by a WARLORD, that preaches conversion by force, kills rape victims, endorses molesting children, endorses honor killings, and teaches it's followers that it is thier duty to kill infidels.

 

[elder999]

yeah it is. It is sad that people refuse to admit that islam is a violent religion, started by a WARLORD, that preaches conversion by force, kills rape victims, endorses molesting children, endorses honor killings, and teaches it's followers that it is thier duty to kill infidels.

All of those things are products of the culture that Islam finds itself in, not Islam itself. They are almost universally arab cultural constructs, in this context-the same sort of the inequities exist or have existed in a variety of cultures that are neither Arabic or Islamic, as in the honor killings of Latin American countries-quite legal up into the 80's and 90's, btw. As for Islam itself, the majority of its practitioners are neither Arabic or people who preach conversion by force, kill rape victims, endorse molesting children (please, not again!), endorse honor killings or teach that it is duty to kill (or convert) infidels.

In fact, the case can be made that it teaches the opposite of those things: not to kill non-combatants, convert by force, and to honor women and children.

Many of the Muslims I've known have been Sufis-and a most wonderful, kind and respectful bunch of people.

And most of the Arabs I have known were steadfast friends for life to those they befriended of any faith (though I didn't like a few of them, personally) and excellent hosts.

THis is a good idea. Twin Fist's post is proof enough of that.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Probably a good idea, but

It’s still that one person at the other end of the phone lines interpretation of the scriptures. You can ask a dozen Priests, Ministers, Rabbis or Mullah’s view points on an issue and back an equal amount of opinions.

It’ll be interesting to see how it all works out for them.

 

[Twin Fist]

All of those things are products of the culture that Islam finds itself in, not Islam itself.

not so fast Slick

1) the prophet was in fact a warlord

2) he was violent

3) he preached violence

4) he was a child molester

5) he preached conversion BY FORCE

6) he is the prophet, therefore everything he did was right, therefore all those things are right.

those are facts you cant get around.

i'll give you the honor killings are cultural. They mainly exist is islamic cultures. wonder why..........

 

[LuckyKBoxer]

And most of the Arabs I have known were steadfast friends for life to those they befriended of any faith (though I didn't like a few of them, personally) and excellent hosts.

was that supposed to read Beheaded???

all kidding aside more power to the religion for marketing like professionals..

I am curious if they will be as tolerant of certain types of people, as those people seem to be of them... I doubt it. I have not known a bad Muslim personally, but I have no interest in discussing their religion, and most muslims I know have their religion all out front and in your face starting with how they dress, and act. I have little interest in discussing religion with anyone of any religious type, I find it funny when Muslims flaunt their religion its passed off as okay, when christians do it its complained about as bothersome and irritating... seems like a great double standard used by people who just want to complain about something.

 

[Bruno@MT]

yeah it is. It is sad that people refuse to admit that islam is a violent religion, started by a WARLORD, that preaches conversion by force, kills rape victims, endorses molesting children, endorses honor killings, and teaches it's followers that it is thier duty to kill infidels.

The crusades were more of a group holiday with good perks.
The inquisition just wanted people to see the light.
The witchhunts were more of a family event (roast yer marshmallows by the bonfire).
Galileo was a whiner who didn't know when to shut up.
And the people from Albi and Carcasonne had it coming to them anyway.

Christianity is really so much better at spreading peace throughout the world since 0AD

 

[Domino]

This is a good idea if it used sensibly, but lets face it, alot of people will ridicule and prank this idea.

 

[Sukerkin]

"when Muslims flaunt their religion its passed off as okay"

Not in my house it isn't and I would be equally unhappy for said 'flaunting' to be going on in my street, my town, my country or indeed my world either.

But that does not apply to just radical Muslims, it applies to all religious extremists.

I think that it is this perception of all members of a faith being screaming loonies that causes all kinds of troubles - screaming loony on the left, screaming loony on the right ... where do the non-loonies get to stand?

 

[Twin Fist]

i knew it wouldnt take long for some moral relativist to pipe up.

the crusades were a reaction to MUSLIMS invasion.

as for the rest, got anything newer than 400 years ago to bash christianity with?

and 'they did it too" is sloppy technique

The crusades were more of a group holiday with good perks.
The inquisition just wanted people to see the light.
The witchhunts were more of a family event (roast yer marshmallows by the bonfire).
Galileo was a whiner who didn't know when to shut up.
And the people from Albi and Carcasonne had it coming to them anyway.

Christianity is really so much better at spreading peace throughout the world since 0AD

 

[tellner]

Thank you, Twinne, for being completely predictable. You never disappoint and never surprise.

 

[Bruno@MT]

Christianity was once the vehicle of extreme cruelty.
Islam arrive late to the party. They're still making up for it.

My point was that one religion is not better than the other. They are just means to an end which can be abused by people with power and an agenda.

Btw, recapturing Jerusalem and the holy lands... they weren't ours to begin with. Btw, nothing wrong with moral relativism. If Christians are less violent than Muslims in the present day, it's because the people involved, not the religion. Theirs is no worse than ours. Religion is usually a matter of rooting for the home team.

 

[girlbug2]

Just for the record, I'm a moral absolutist. I believe in Jesus and what he preached as the truth, period. I also know that most of the world doesn't believe what I do and that there is no way to force them to. Picking fights about whose religion is to blame for this or that evil in the world won't win any converts.

When another religion such as Islam has the reputation for being violent radicals who forment terrorism in their neighborhoods, it's comforting to know that there are moderates out there among them who are willing to speak out against violence and extremism. If that's through a hotline or any other means then I'm all for it.

 

[Ken Morgan]

What’s that quote? A definition of a religious war, are people arguing over who has the best imaginary friend.

I don’t have any issue with religion; it’s just not my cup of tea. What I do have an issue with are extremists who try to shove their religious cult down everyone’s throat. If this phone line can curb the religious zealots, more power to them.

 

[Twin Fist]

you get slapped around alot, dont ya?

Thank you, Twinne, for being completely predictable. You never disappoint and never surprise.