Why does Islam seem strange and threatening to some people in predominantly Christian countries?

Question

To what extent is this attitude shaped by knowledge of the teachings of Muhammad and the Quran, and to what extent is it based on lack of knowledge of the religion?

Answer 1

When Islam was new people were used to Christians and Jews but NOT vice versa.

The Qur'an acknowledges Christianity and Judaism, so every Muslim knows about them, even if they haven't met any.

But it is not so in Christian countries, especially the US.

I haven't written it down very well, but hopefully you'll get what I mean.

Good night

Answer 2

well let me see here. my uncle would say that he started hating Muslims about 2 hours after a airplane hit his office building.

not immediately because for the first 2 hours you are just running and hoping that nothing falls on you. he remarked that listening to the screams of the dieing was a real turn off too.

i would say that i see them as dangerous because they are willing to Kill people over a Cartoon. and burn buildings over an insult to their prophet. with this kind of mentality it is easy for warlords to recruit new fighters.

the lack of any public outcry by the Muslim community against the actions of Hamas and Al Quida. not to mention the many other terrorist groups. shows me that they agree with these activities.

oh yeah and that whole "CONVERT TO ISLAM OR WE CHOP YOUR HEAD OFF WITH A MACHETE" yeah that seems threatening to me.

i have studied the religion and i know that this is not what it is about...but it is the extreeme followers fo the religion that shape it's face. and with noone in the muslim community trying to organise and stop the evil things that are done in it's name it just looks like they agree with it.

Answer 3

it seems strang and threatening coz of ppl don't understand it , and ppl who understood it , either respect it , or convert to it, b4 u judge u must know well.
ISLAM is the religion of peace , there is no way in its teaching that promotes violence from any sort.

i'll give u examples:
1.When `Umar(one of the prophet's companions ,and the 2nd caliph of muslims) entered Jerusalem at the head of a Muslim army in 638 CE, just six years after the Prophet's death, he entered the city on foot, as a gesture of humility in a city sacred to Muslims, Christians, and Jews. There was no bloodshed. There were no massacres or forced conversions.
On the contrary, those who wanted to leave were allowed to do so with all their possessions. Those who wanted to stay were granted protection for their lives, their property, and their places of worship. `Umar very famously declined to pray one of the five daily prayers in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, lest in years to come Muslims might try to turn it into a mosque in his memory. Instead, `Umar cleansed the so-called Temple Mount with rose water and built a small mosque there, where the Dome of the Rock now stands.
All of this is in marked contrast to what happened when the Crusader armies later took Jerusalem. Seventy thousand men, women and children were slaughtered. Any remaining Muslims and Jews were driven out. When the city was recaptured by Salah Ad-Din (Saladin), the Christian inhabitants were granted protection and were escorted to safety by the Muslim army

2.When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) finally entered Makkah at the head of a Muslim army in AH 8, he did so not to force the Makkans to convert, but because they had violated their peace treaty with the Muslims. The Prophet entered with great humility, ordering that there should be no fighting or bloodshed. Instead, he forgave all those who had opposed him and the growth of Islam for so many years. Those who wanted to leave were allowed to do so. The whole city, so impressed by the men they had fought against for so long, converted to Islam.

3.Another great example that many deliberately choose to ignore is that of the Muslim presence in southern Spain for nearly eight centuries. Described as Islam's Golden Age, this was a time when the Islamic civilization flourished. It was centuries ahead of northern Europe in the way arts and sciences were encouraged and in the way cities and towns were advanced well beyond anything in Germany, France, or England at the same time.

During this Golden Age, the rights of Christians and Jews were respected and honored, and many of them rose to high positions at court. When the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella reconquered southern Spain, Muslims and Jews were either forced to convert to Christianity or were put to death. Mosques and synagogues were desecrated and destroyed. The excesses of the Spanish Inquisition had begun.

4.The greeting that Muslims give is "as-salamu `alaykum" (peace be upon you).

and here are some non muslims opinion about prophet muhammed, (peace be upon him)., like gandi , thomas carlyl,la martin, ....etc, feel free to see it:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvI9S17BP4GAEXNTNB6QP.bsy6IX?qid=20061117234957AAGQtqj
peace.

Answer 4

Muslims are predominantly peaceful people. There is one extremist group called Jihad, thats what is threatening us (america). This group has a passage in the Koran that says to kill all pageans, which is anyone who is not a muslim. They take this to the extreme. They will do anything to kill those who go against Allah, their God. But keep in mind this is not all Muslims...

Answer 5

CNN, Fox News, .... We see what they want us to see. And, radical Islamic sects justify the twisted view of the Quran's teaching, claiming they are participating in Jihad. But, the leaders behind them are like the leaders of the USA....they tell others what to think and do, but live comfortably and disconnected.

Answer 6

Could it be that some who call themselves Muslims fly airplanes into buildings, and Sunnis and Shitties routinely kill each other in Iraq? They riot because they object to Islam being linked to violence? Just some random thoughts.

Answer 7

Why are Muslims threatened by allowing Christianity and Judiism to operate freely in their country?

Answer 8

"Take not the Christians and the Jews as your friends."
Hmmmm. Not a very friendly passage from the Quran. And I'm sure that terrorism doesn't help either with our view of Muslims, even though not all of them are terrorists.

Answer 9

where were you on 9/11?

Answer 10

9-11?