Which culture is better: Western or Islamic?

Question

Before 911 this question would get a "who cares" response from Americans, but as we all know today, muslims care very much and are fixated on the differences.

So which is better, a culture that allows all other cultures to exist within its boundaries or one that is intolerant of all other cultures?

Do you prefer communities where men and woman freely mingle or one where feminity is completely ripped out of society?

Do you like music, comedy, art, and theater or would you prefer a culture that produces none of the above and largely condemns such activity?

Is crime an important issue for you? If so, would you prefer a transparent government where increases in crime can be identified and addressed or a government with no transparency but plenty of boasts about no crime?

If you like spending almost all of your life with angry men, then Islam is the right choice, but if you love communities where speech and art flourish, and where flirtation is not illegal...then the west is the best.

Answer 1

You've stated your case quite well, but this is a loaded question/statement.
Although, provoking a response is one of the many freedoms that our western society grants us so by all means take the opportunity whenever you get the chance.
Too many idiots out there fail to see the wonderful benefits of a free society and will put you down for expressing your love of the western culture.
To all of those I'm sure you'll agree when i say that they all can kiss my/our collective *ss's.

Answer 2

Regarding "A Dane's Sweetheart", I think you're a little confused on the differences between East and West. As for "Lokasenna", I'm sorry but Christian culture is an inescapable part of living in either Europe, North American or South America. Christian ideas and principles affect the thoughts of every Westerner whether or not they realize it. Lastly, "Kenshao", yes there are Muslims in the West, but it is unfair to call the asker a "moron" considering their incredibly small numbers.

To answer the asker's question. One must first ask what criteria we should use to compare Eastern and Western societies. Obviously, the west has been better in the areas of wealth, military might, law and order, health care, and so on for quite some time (this has not always been the case!). The East has been better in the areas of... well, I'm sure there's something... I just can't think of it. Anyway, personally I'm quite happy to be living in the west, hopefully you are, too.

Answer 3

Actually, the synergism of both cultures in the 8-12th centuries(ie, Ummayid) produced a 'renaissance' that is ignored by most Western historians and is certainly not taught in school.. During this time, math (algebra), astronomy (star charting), philosophy (Ibn Rushi, Ibn Tufayl, Averroes), medicine (curatives and sanitation) all took place when the cultures were BLENDED>

Thus, my response to your question is the both cultures can bring out the best in each other if they seek community and not competition..

To answer specifics:

Muslim progressive cultures are very integrated...Western culture is quite prejudiced against Islam (look at yourself and your question for an example of this)

The 'mingling' of men and women in the US results in over a million rapes per year. In Islam, femininity has strong roots in the culture...

Read about Islamic comedy...how about the Arabian Knights. Actually, Islamic cultures have the same level of music, comedy and art that Western cultuers have. BTW< have you hear any anti-war songs in the top 40 since the War in Iraq began (hmm, I smell a rat in the music industry...which directly funds the defense industry)

Neither. The US has 30x as many murders in a year as all the fatalities attributed to the Iraqi insurgents. More people are murdered in Houston TX than in Japan and Korea combined.

Hmm...seems that the adult literacy rate in Irag is higher than it's counterpart in the US. One of the reasons is the Quranic principle that stresses literacy "read "Read!" sura in Qu'ran for more about this).

Many of the men I encounter in the US are very angry. Spouse abuse, lack of accommodating neighbors, drunkenness and such are much higher here than many other developed countries. No wonder the Europeans look at us and think 'ignorant savages".

BTW, women flirt in most Islamic countries...it's just more subtle and courtly than the standard here in the US>

I'm assuming that your notion of Western culture is American-Imperativist, as you mention 9/11 and America and didn't mention any of the other 70 or so "Western culture" nations...many of which hold the US in low esteem because of our global policy, squandering of resources and problems with civil disobedience (ever wonder why the people of the US spend 3x as much on illegal drugs as they spend on movies and eating out COMBINED?)

I would suggest you read the Idiot's Guide to Islam to learn a few facts. Also, the Beginners Guide to Islam is a good source for basic info about Islamic culture.

If you wish, Google Edward Said, who is a strict opponent of the 'cultural fault-lines' concept of anthropology, and notice he is a good apologist for Islamic culture.

I hope that your opinions aren't predominately shaped by your local news, newspaper or CNNFoXMSMNBC and their ilk. 5 minute newsbytes do not tell the tale....

Answer 4

Much as I agree with your opinion, this isn't a question, really. It's rhetorical in nature and completely subjective.

Perhaps a slight rephrasing?

Which culture do you prefer? Western, or Islamic? Why? How do you factor women's rights, freedom of speech, the right to the pursuit of happiness and the separation of Church and State into your decision?

See, THAT will get a nice variety of answers...

Orion

Answer 5

Should you not rephrase your question? Islam is a religion. There are many Muslim countries around the world and not all of them practice the Islam to the tee. There are many different cultures for each of those countries. So, you should say America vs. a particular country because Muslim countries all have different cultures.

Answer 6

No culture is better than another. And it would be ignorant to think otherwise. "Freedom", in all it's forms, is something that we know. Others may not be accustomed to this. But you can't judge a culture by their values, morals, or practices. This is where "you're only afraid of that which you do not understand" comes in to play. I, along with everyone else in the United States, was affected by what happened on 9/11, but you certainly can't blame a whole culture for the act of relatively small group of people.

Answer 7

Well, you are not honest about this question because you already given your own opinion, Anyway in America, everywhere you live, there are bound to be a registered sexual offender as your neighbour, If living in a care-free society like America with a crime statistics, where at anytime you can get murdered or rape, good luck!

USA crimes in 2005:
(per Hour)
MURDER : 16692 ( 2)
RAPE : 93934 (11)
ROBBERY : 417122 (48)
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT : 862947 (98)
BURGLARY : 2.15 MILLION (245)
LARCENY-THEFT : 6.M MILLION (776)
M/VEHICLE THEFT : 1.2 MILLION (136)
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/

And 95% of Americans had premarital sex.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=59549

2.2 MILLION inmates in American Prison.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm

Answer 8

I think islamic cuz they dont have naturist and nudist, incest, their culture dont have a place for lesbians and gays, no drinkings and prostitution, gambling, nightclubs and dance bars where woman is treated less than a *****......Muslim respects woman and woman has a superior place in Islam then man.....so my vote will go to Islamic culture cuz its diffrent then the way Animals live wdout any norms and social laws and this is wat i think culture means if this dont exists culture dont exists. Agreed?

Answer 9

your question is obviously your opinoin.
I definetly prefer islamic. there is plenty of speech and art in Islam. And i dont want to be a sex object as women here in america are(no offense ment) i like my hijab.

Answer 10

kay so as that they are undesirable for stoning the female for adultery? yet in united states women each man or woman is dealt with like dogs. i mean come on look on the strip golf equipment, females the way they gown and being pregnant from wedlock. the middle east females dont do this. And a minimum of center jap international locations comprehend a thanks to inform a human from a animal. you wana discuss human rights?! look on the way we are treating human beings in Gitmo. do your rattling study earlier you initiate pointing palms at human beings.