What is your idea of Muslims and Islam?

Question

In your opinion, what is a muslim and what is Islam?

Answer 1

My sense is that Muslims are very much like Christians, but that they have a longstanding historical conflict (the Crusades etc.). I read that Mohamed started Islam because he felt that Christ's message had been misinterpreted, and that his followers created the Koran or Q'uran and developed specific practices to ensure that it would not be altered.

Islam has a great history as a tolerant and beneficent culture.

However, it is now divided into many sects, just like Christianity, and there are many disagreements about what constitutes proper belief and practice within both faiths. It seems that often what starts out as a good idea for improving humanity and instilling some humility, love and decency, becomes perverted into a disrespect for, or active dislike of others because their ways are divergent.

The Muslims I know are very nice and have a positive path in Islam, and I admire them. I don't personally know any Muslims who behave otherwise, although I have often seen them - and their society - so depicted in the media. The same is true of Christians.

Answer 2

A monotheistic religion that for the most part want's it's followers to be spiritual and search for truth through the Koran (sp).
They seem to place too many restrictions on their women, while men seem to get many benefits. Somewhat backwards for the modern man and woman.

Islam and being Muslim are one in the same.....no?
The radical Islamics are to be FEARED, they (the radicals) seem to HATE everyone that doesn't belive just as they do. Willing to take anyone "out" at the drop of a hat! Strap a bomb on their back and die for Allah w/out blinking an eye.