What is the best approach to use withnon-Muslim westerners to refute misconceptions about Islam?

Question

For bridging gaps between the two cultures, trying to make more room for civilized, neutral dialogue between westerners and Muslims, I want to know what are the fears and concerns that the west have towards Islam so that we can refute these misconception in an honest , correct and simple way.
I believe western media has only been showing one side of the truth and that there maybe other sides that non-Muslims still need to know about Islam in a way to change traditional "stereo types" that has only been leading to more conflicts between both ends.

Is Islam a religion of terrorism? Then why has it been the most up growing religion in the west "Europe & USA" in the last few years? Why there are still some people at the west who make Islam their first choice? What are the facts that westerners will be shocked to know about Islam? All these questions I am sure the western media has never been open enough to answer, we want to answer them for the sake of a more peaceful life.

Answer 1

Just ask them to read this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banu_Qurayza#The_killing_of_the_Banu_Qurayza_men

Answer 2

I think you all need to pack up and go the Saudi and other Islamic nations if you want to be Muslims. That way, no one will be trying to change you to fit into Western culture, and you will be in your own element. There will be no beefing over veils at school, because all the girls who are allowed to attend a school in Islamic nations will be veiled, and Western rules for security and safety purposes won't have to be violated.

It's not fair that you all want a country like the US who has fought long and hard for fair rights of all citizens to revert back 2,000 some odd years. Go over there where you all can do what you do. Why do you all even come to the western world anyway and try to change it? The way we do things? If we tried that in Saudi, we'd either be thrown in a filthy dungeon for life, tortured or killed. Get real, and pick up a koran for the sake of blue diamonds and purple horseshoes. The koran calls for this violence towards "nonbeleivers". It not only promotes it, but encourages it. I won't be sold on your lies. Islam is NOT peaceful. Buddhists are peaceful. Christians are quasi-peaceful. Muslims are like a cache of plastiques just awaiting heat, pressure and detonation. Go sell these lies on E-bay...maybe some dummy will buy it.

Answer 3

i'm an Eclectic Pagan, so misconceptions abound... #a million... i'm a neo-pagan, yet now not neccessarily a Wiccan. #2... i do now not worship devil. #3... i do now not "steal" my religious practices from distinctive faiths. as a replace, I respectfully borrow the diverse themes that artwork. #4... i'm now not a hippie. #5... I do stick to a ethical code, regardless of the reality that it's not a strict doctrine indoors my religious practices. #6... i do now not could opt to define myself as a strict monotheist, dualtheist, pantheist, or polytheist, etc. that's all i can think of of of, extremely.

Answer 4

There is no approach. Media is controlled by the super powers. It serves them to show terrorists only. Many people think of 9/11 when Islam comes to mind, thanks to Bush. He planned the whole blast and blamed it on a nut like Bin Laden. Has any other US president hated Islam before? Self bombings is suicide, it is abhorred in Islam as much as in other Godly (not man made) religions. I wonder who triggered this method, so devilish.

Answer 5

Western Muslims should just show by their example that they are regular decent folks. It also helps to ask them whether their source of information was unbiased, and to remind them that in the media, hate sells. You can also correct their misconceptions with truths.

Answer 6

I don't believe there are any misconceptions except for those who believe the lie that this is a peacful religion.

Answer 7

Have you read this book and what are your view or answers to the list below from this book?

The Truth About Muhammad
by Robert Spencer

Meet the real Muhammad:


Muhammad's bizarre reaction to his first "revelation": "I will go to the top of the mountain and throw myself down that I may kill myself"

The heretical Christian who convinced Muhammad he was a prophet – and may have taught him his erroneous views of Christianity

Islamic borrowings from Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism – and Muhammad's enraged replies to charges that he borrowed material rather than received actual divine revelations

The "revelation" that allowed Muhammad to marry his beautiful daughter-in-law

The strange incident in Muhammad's life that makes it virtually impossible to prove rape in Islamic countries today

The real "Satanic Verses" incident (not the Salman Rushdie version): how Muhammad's attempt to win over his opponents ended with his saying he had been inspired not by God, but by Satan

How the Qur'an's teaching on warfare against unbelievers developed – with constant war to establish the hegemony of Islamic law as the last stage

The first year of the Muslim calendar: not when Muhammad was born or became a prophet, but when he became a warlord

How Muhammad used the graphic lure of Islamic Paradise to urge his warriors to fight furiously to extend his rule

"Kill every Jew who comes into your power": why Muhammad became so angry with both Jews and Christians – with disastrous consequences that are still playing out in the world today

The momentous command by Muhammad that led to good being identified with anything that benefited the Muslims, and evil with anything that harmed them --without reference to any larger moral standard

Muhammad's child bride – and the terrible consequences his marriage to a nine-year-old still has in the Islamic world

"This is the caravan of the Quraysh possessing wealth. It is likely that Allah may give it to you as booty": how Muhammad gave divine sanction to the Muslims' bloody raids

"War is deceit": the permission Muhammad gave his followers to lie in order to gain an advantage over their enemies

How Muhammad broke the principal treaty he entered into, again setting a pattern for Muslim states thereafter

Muhammad's commands to his followers to wage perpetual war against non-Muslims, including Jews and Christians

Muhammad on women's rights: women "are prisoners with you having no control of their persons"

"If justice is not to be found with me then where will you find it?" Why Muhammad still stands for Muslims as the supreme model for human behavior

"I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula, and will not leave any but Muslims" – and other statements by Muhammad that contemporary jihadists take very seriously

Islamic tolerance? The onerous tax burden and other discriminatory regulations mandated for non-Muslims under Islamic law

How Muhammad ordered the killing of apostates from Islam

The massacre of a Jewish tribe by Muhammad that was invoked by modern-day jihadists at the beginning of Israel's July 2006 operations against Hizballah in Lebanon

"Embrace Islam, and your lives and property will be safe": Muhammad's threatening letters to the rulers of the lands around Arabia

Muhammad's frequent avowals that the Muslims would overcome the empires bordering on Arabia and one day stand as masters of the world

"I have been made victorious with terror" – and other statements of Muhammad on his deathbed

Six steps that American leaders can and must take in order to protect our nation from Islamic jihad terrorism

Answer 8

"wa iza khatibunal jahiloona, qalu salama"

"when dealing with the ignorant, tell them "peace" "

The advice of Allah is to ignore them.

They're the ones who are at a loss if they choose not to listen. You can't force anyone.

Answer 9

Handle it with kid gloves.Tell the truth in love.