Could you please stop the hatred?

Question

All I keep hearing Such hateful things here directed to Islam and Muslims and our Prophet.
I keep hearing nothing but terrorism in your texts
Why? Please Please stop
How many Muslims do you know in your day to day life?
and are they bad people?

Father K u have proven my point on this subject. I feel very badly because I respect you. You have answered some of my friends questions before, and very well :(

Answer 1

Such hatred disgusts me too!

I have known several muslims, and they all were some of the most intelligent, articulate, peaceful, and amazing people I have met. It is a shame that a very few extremists have become our culture's dominant definition of people of this faith.

Sometimes I really wonder why it is the extremists that always end up defining cultural views towards that relgion. It seems like non-Christians these days think we all want Christianity to be made the legal and political rule in this country (which we don't), and they all seem to think that we are homophobic, and stand on street corners yelling that people who don't believe are going to Hell.

And it seems like the worst few Wiccans and Pagans have defined for most people who aren't Wiccan and Pagan, what Wicca and Pagan "is" and that too is sad.

What must non-religious and non-spirituality oriented people think of us when they look at this site, and see such continuous hatred and ignorance?

Answer 2

You must know the vast majority of the dead in Iraq are from Muslim on Muslim attacks - or do you not read the papers or listen to the news?

You need to understand that when 9/11 happened that was in effect an act of war. Other attacks have occurred in the UK, Spain France Thailand and many other countries and all heralded as in the name of Islam. Worse follows in the hatred shown by Muslim demonstrators in the streets calling for people to be murdered for drawing the prophet. The Pope made a derogatory comment and churches were fired and a nun killed.

The hatred seems to be coming from Muslims and it is only Muslims that can stop that. And it is only Muslims that can convince others that they do not support violence and want peace.

But violence between Shia and Sunni began in the Fitna following the Prophets death and it appears that since then it has continued almost unabated.

The reaction you see from the rest of the world is fear and loathing of a religion that appears happy to be used by terrorists and whose members appearing in the public eye seem to be all extremists.

The Christian religion has been responsible for far more killing and will no doubt also continue with sectarian violence in Lebanon and other countries. Ireland is still not totally free of sectarian violence.

Having said that most religions preach peace but suffer people who call for, and commit violent acts.

What all religions have to remember is that well known quote - All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing!

Answer 3

When the alleged majority of Muslims stand up, publicly, in word and deed, to denounce, reject and rid themselves of the evil that is preached and perpetrated by Islamic leaders and clerics and their loyal minions, then maybe, just maybe, the rest of the world will be able to form a different opinion of Islam and muslims.

Until then, when speaking of muslims and Islam in general terms, expect to hear the ugly truth of what those who seek evil and destruction do and say.

It's time for muslims to stop acting like spoiled children and going off in violent tantrums whenever they perceive even the mildest slight. If you want to be known as peaceful people, start acting that way, as a whole. A few individuals here or there mean nothing.

Answer 4

Hon, there is a campaign to portray Islam (and Muslims) in a particular light because our government wants us to see you as the enemy. If we all think you're lovely people, and if we all have personal knowledge of Islam rather than what we're TOLD, we won't be able to think of you as the enemy.

I DO know Muslims, two of whom are quite dear friends. They are not very different from me. They love their family. They do their best to be good citizens and good people.

And I have attended services at the local Mosque so that I could have the experience of that rather than relying on what other people tell me.

I am sorry to say that the propaganda is not likely to stop, and people are not likely to become willing to investigate for themselves with an open mind.


I feel for you. I relate to your experience (though on a less rampant level) - most people also don't want to find out what is "actual and factual" about my religion; they just take as true what others who ALSO are ignorant say about Pagans.

You have my commitment to being as fair-minded as I know how to be on this issue, as willing to study and understand as I would be towards any religion or any people.

Answer 5

I posted two questions today, and the Muslims who responded had the most well-thought out and respectful responses of all responders. It's really a shame that so much negative attention is directed at Islam today because of the extremists garnering all the press. I hope for nothing but the best to the peaceful followers of Islam, who clearly understand the true word of the Prophet.

Bright blessings!
)O(

Answer 6

i dont know of any muslims but i would like the hatred to stop as well.this world is full of it and the only way ppl can stop the hate is to stop it themselves.they have pride in the hatred of what they see in i guess.so i dont like the world the way it is though,but with that i know will never get better.the war in iraq is the biggest problem of where the hate is coming from like you said on the terrisom part.but recently i seen on netscape homepage that the leader of iraq was going to take charge in civil rights of the country.he was going to train more of the iraqee troops into fighting better as soldiers,and the government was going to be more stronger within the year of 2007,the year of our Goddess.whoever heard of such nonsense?!the iraqi ppl will never be strong enough to stand on their own unless they can stand up to the shites and the others that are terrorising them.and the president will never let our troops come home safely and give up the iraqi freedom neither.so i ask u today,
will terrorism ever stop?no
will hatred ever be stopped even without the war?no
will we ever realize the fact that we are doing wrong to others?
no
so i must say that all of these we will never see peace with.
may the world see the peace that they are longing for in so many years.
blessed be,
Morrigan)O(
Live and let live

Answer 7

Some Muslims are not bad people, I guess. I knew a really nice, down to earth cool couple from Turkey.

But it bothers people when Muslims deny that CURRENTLY horrible, horrible things are being done in the name of Islam.
So, most of us try and read about Islam so we aren't so against it, but reading the life story of your prophet disgusts us because we relate it to the life of Jesus or current times.

Do you not deny that you religion is very backwards in the way it is practiced in most Muslim nations?

Of course, no Muslim will seriously address this.

Answer 8

Im sorry people are so hateful,It may have to do with the war in Iraq,people are just raw.They may not understand all of the convictions and faith of these religions.And have put it all in the same catagory as the 9/11 attacks.I do not know any of these religious groups or there convictions, it is all hear say.But I do not hate any of them.As in any group of religion there can be cult behaviors that go on,maybe that is what they are hateful towards.Not the individuals.

Answer 9

I hear almost everybody that discusses Islam say time and again that NOT ALL MUSLEMS ARE EXTREMISTS.

You should acknowledge as well that there are extremists within ISLAM and THEY claim to be the TRUE MUSLEMS.

One educated about the Prophet and haddith can find justification for/ or against violence. Since it is a fundamental belief of Islam that the Prophet is perfect then NO ONE can say violence against non-Muslims is a violation of Islam.

Answer 10

I have worked with many Muslims, and some of the guys at my gym are Muslims. All are respectful and considerate and it is a pleasure to know them.

To focus on terrorism is like suggesting that other groups and religions are perfect, and everybody knows that is false. If in doubt, turn on your local newscast at 6pm, and you will see many non-Muslims who are making the headlines.