What is the publics opinion of Muslims?

Question

Particularly in comparison with other religions. If any muslims could answer as well, that would be very helpful. Nothing disrespectful, please.

Answer 1

Some Muslims are good and some aren't.
Like every other religion in the world...

Answer 2

Before I lived in a Muslim country, I considered converting to Islam. I had many Muslim friends in the States, and viewed them as equals, and their religion as pure and lovely.

Let me be clear - I still view ISLAM as something pure and lovely.

After living in a Muslim country for a few years, I have found that I don't particularly like what that kind of society does to people. Even though Morocco (where I live) is liberal and certainly not under Shari'a, I find that because of the fact that men have been denied certain things, they harass women twice as much as their Western counterparts. I find that the fact that so many things are culturally forbidden causes people to seek them out twice as much.

I have nothing against Islam, nor anything against Muslims, I suppose - but I think I prefer Muslims (even extremely devout ones) who live in non-Muslim countries. There's just something about that group think that really gets to me.

-Also, they get a bad rap by the media. Trusting the media will only cause you to hate Muslims - don't form an opinion until you've gotten to know some, please.

Answer 3

Muslims, as any other believers, have the right to follow their own beliefs. But,... Muslims have been and are manipulated by their "religious" leaders for the sake of their own agendas. The only version of the Quran accepted in the Muslim world as truthful is the one written in Old Classical Arabic, language that is no longer spoken, and it's completely different to the Arabic spoken today. The few countries that speak Arabic, have their very own dialect, different from each other. Only Muslim clerics versed in Old Classical Arabic, can read and truly understand the Quran, and, of course, translations of the Quran are not accepted as truthful. So, their clerics can say whatever they want and people will believe it.

But, Christianity did the same from the beginning. They twisted the teachings of Jesus. Infested Christianity with lots of pagan beliefs and doctrines. Translations of the Bible were not alowed, people were not even allowed "to own" a Bible, and challenging or breaking those rules was a death sentence. Read about the Inquisition and about the Crusades. And still nowadays Christian churches are trying to keep people in the dark.

Answer 4

Unfotunately the publics perceptions of Islam has been clouded and influenced by the media and politicians.
Because of 7th July (UK) and 11 September (USA) Islam has been generally branded as a terrorist religion. This is not true. Very few Muslims are terrorists, and they are condemned by the wider Muslim population.
There are just as many christian fanatics as islamic fanatics. These are the people who are perpetuating the chain of events that we see in the world today.
Is George Bush claiming he talks to god and then striding out into the world and bombing and killing any better than Osama Bin Laden talking to god and striding out in the world bombing and killing? No is the answer. They are both perpetrators of terror in the world.
Its time that more moderate, christian & muslim, voices were heard so that people can learn to live together peacefully and not under a cloud of suspicion and hatred.
Blessed Be

Answer 5

A great number of people view Muslims as terrorists. They fear them, particularly because they think they are volatile fanatics.

On the other hand, I have to disagree with that. No one has the right to generalize Muslims as such, because there are a lot of fanatics and terrorists who are not Muslim. Wrongful doings are forbidden by Islam! People act on their own free will. Religions may guide people into doing good but in the end people decide for themselves.

__________
I am Catholic

Answer 6

Before I began studying Islam I really had no opinions of Muslims. I just saw them as people. Now that I am studying Islam and married to a Muslim man, my opinion really has not changed all that much... they are people like anyone else. Many are very dedicated to their religion and its practices and I really respect that. Some distort their religion or simply do not practice it properly but you can find that in any religion. Sadly, the media tends to exaggerate how Islam is practiced and only shows the bad side of things. They do not show how most Muslims live pious, decent and honest lives and that Muslim men are commanded by their religion to love, honor and respect all of the women in their lives.

Answer 7

I have curiosity about a religion and culture that I know very little about, but I don't feel the disgust and anger that my government wants me to because of the terrorist attacks. I have a greater understanding that one cannot hate an entire people because of the horrific behavior of some.

Answer 8

i don't mean to be disrespectful, promise

but i have to admit i do get scared when i see women wearing the full face veil, because you can't see their face! I don't like it that u arent allowed to wear hoodies in shops but u can wear full face veils, i think that's really discriminative in favour of muslims which just isn't fair.

and i don't like the muslims that are terrorists, of course but i mean who does

other than that muslims are still humans and the same as us in that respect.

Answer 9

I can't give you "the public's" opinion as I am only one person. Personally it isn't something I'd care to engage in.
Don't believe everything you read in the media, either, for or against.
Blanket statements about one culture or another, or one religion or another, discount the value of the individuals hidden under that blanket.

Answer 10

My opinons are based on FACTS.

see the statistics from the ONS on Employment, ill health claims and birthrate in the UK for people of the muslim faith compared to other faiths, then make your own conclusions.