what do people think of islam from a non-muslim point of view?

Answer 1

I have a few friends who are Islamic. They're good, peaceable people who have great values. I respect them and the majority of those I've met who are Islamic. The extreme terrorists, of course, I don't like. Those I think are making it hard for the rest to lead the respected lives they deserve, and it's causing a lot of misunderstanding.

Answer 2

It's going to be difficult for any individual to speak from a non-muslim point of view because there are a lot of other creeds out there, but I *think* I can make a comment on behalf of the majority of westerners. I'm British and my bloodline has been British for centuries, and I see myself as fairly typical of my people.

The prevalent view of religion here is that in the modern western world it really plays very little part in our lives. We believe that we are emancipated from it by virtue of science, and consequently sciences are far more widely taught than religious studies of any kind: we would rather believe in empirical truths than what we see as religious fantasy. Many of my contemporaries are agnostic; that is to say they don't like to exclude the possibility that there may be some greater power out there, but it's not something any of us can know until we're dead, so why worry about it, and why believe what a preacher may tell us when he can't possibly know either? Most are inclined to believe that in the afterlife, we are worm food. So we don't actually know a great deal about our own supposed religion (Church of England - Protestant here), much less yours.

The fact that there are so many devout Muslims in the world is what worries us. Devout enough to blow themselves and others, 'guilty' or otherwise, into a million bits, when surely reasoned negotiation of some description would be a more human approach. I can completely understand any kind of backlash against American foreign policy, which is almost universally despised in this country, but religiously-inspired violence isn't a solution. I'm ashamed that the British government won't do more to represent victims of these policies, siding instead with megalomaniac Bush for purely selfish economic reasons.

The society westerners live in today would not have been possible without the social control that religion has imposed over the ages with its threat of the unknown (the unwashed burning in lakes of fire and so on). But we feel we've evolved from there, and it worries us that many Muslims don't appear to have done so. After all you descibe yourselves as Muslims, and we are generally referred to as westerners, not as followers of any religion or religions. (Non-muslims is pretty good, but still doesn't suggest that we are adherents of any kind.) Not entirely surprising that we see many Muslims as further behind in the scale of the evolution of civilisation if the west (the US) intends to continue to control (for example) middle eastern assets though. We're not even giving them a chance.

Personally I admire hugely the accomplishments of various Muslim civilisations in the worlds of maths and science, the arts, philosophy and so on, but it's scary to see so many Muslims carry on today in the same way we did during the crusades.

Answer 3

There are a small few with a consistent undertaking in this right here. while the real answer is very basic. Britain helps all this is citizens and electorate the liberty to coach and stick to their religions freely. this is against the regulation to annoy absolutely everyone for his or her ideals. Britain is homestead to many Muslims the two accompanied and by utilising birthright. absolutely everyone who would not like the regulations in Britain which permit those freedoms could desire to leave it and if the regulations in e.g. France healthful them extra suited then flow to France. otherwise they obey and tolerate what stands by utilising the regulations of england.

Answer 4

I think there's a lot of intolerant bigots and hypocrites in the Islamic faith.

The practice of some offering the left hand when a non-Muslim offers to shake hands is a gross insult. I will remove my shoe and slap the face of the next to do such with the sole of my shoe. (hopefully with dog or pig feces on the sole)

And anyone claiming to be "Islamic" who uses violence is by definition a hypocrite.

Answer 5

I think the religion itself is good as it is a monotheist religion, western people tend to misenterpret the quran because of an ideology brought about by the middle eastern culture which is very different than that of the west.

Answer 6

I think, that Islam is a fake religion made up to unite the different warring tribes of the Arabian peninsula.

Koran isn't the word of God, never was and never will be.

Answer 7

Not a lot, I'd rather not have to know anything about it but it seems we aren't allowed to escape from it if we open a newspaper or listen to the radio or take in the news on television. Islam-o-fatigue I'm afraid.

Answer 8

A fine religion with every bit as much of right of existence as ANYTHING ELSE! Scientology? AS MANY RIGHTS AS ANYTHING! Creationism? EQUAL RIGHTS! Atheïsm? EQUAL RIGHTS! It's not hard people, it's a lot more simple than everyone thinks it is. Every belief must be considered equal because belief is relative. PERIOD!

I love capitol letters. They make your message stand out.

Answer 9

The Qu'ran allow men to assault their wives if she is rude, disobedient, or unfaithful. This is only a "last resort" as he must warn her first, then "cut her off"(not have sex with her).
Anyone who allows violence in their personal lives against another who is physically weaker would also allow violence in his community and political life. That to me explains a lot about the Islamic mentality.

Answer 10

Because I'm not muslim and I don't want to be. I don't want any religion controling me . Telling me what to eat,watch,read, think, and say upon pain of death is not my idea of a good time. You can keep it.