Do stories about your country define your religion?

Question

Seriously, if you read something in the paper, does that make it infallibly how everyone who looks or acts like that person representative of each and every member of that group? Take that Christian mother who was found today. Her ex husband, a selfish little twit, killed her because he didn't want to have the responsibility for paying child support for another child, which he should have thought about before cheating on his current wife. Does that mean all Christian men will kill their pregnant wives or lovers since we keep hearing stories about it?

No, that sounds stupid you say? Don't you think it sounds just as stupid when you see some people from other countries doing stupid stuff and generalize the same stupid stuff about them? And why is it that when these things happen, religion is not mentioned, but if it's a muslim who did it, there religion is the first thing the media shouts? I really don't get it. Parents killing and nuking kids, should I generalize the same?

Answer 1

Yes this news and generalizing sounds stupid to many but they always generalize Muslims in accordance with the news on the media. Too sad, eh? I wish people could be more open minded and tend to make some research about others before judging.

Answer 2

You know though, people from other countries sometimes DO look at the United States and all its nastiness and say "that's what Christians are like." This isn't unique to Islam! I remember reading a book or article by an Iranian who said that in a class once, two female figures were drawn on the board, one labeled Christian, the other labeled Muslim, and the teacher said "What's the difference?" The answer was "The Christian one isn't a virgin."

I'm not criticizing Muslims specifically, as I've heard misconceptions like that from all sorts of people (just like all sorts of people make misjudgements about Muslims)

Answer 3

Generalizing gives a chance for the critics to strike. For example, anti-Islam individuals always seek events that happen in the Islamic world to prove their points. Also, anti-Christianity do the same. This is a huge problem because people listen to the. When your faith is weak, you believe anything that is said. I, for example, do not believe everything I see on TV or read in the newspaper. But unfortunately there are many people who do. Someone with a strong faith will never believe everything said, especially from a non-reliable source. Allah said in his Quraan in Soorat Al Hujurat:

[49:6] O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done.

Answer 4

Are you kidding? No! Of course not! Have I taken Islamic countries as being a "true mirror" of Islam, I would never have converted to that great religion! Remember this; Christian countries do not represent Christianity, Muslim countries do not represent Islam and Israel does not represent Judaism.

Islam is a great religion that has captured the interest of many people (who were non-Muslims) before me. These people encouraged me to read a lot about Islam; which I did. Soon, I was convinced that this was the one true religion and I converted. Many of my friends (including Chrsitians) were disappointed, but my best friend was delighted and told me that Islam must triumph in the end. It was not my fault being born a Jew, but I thank God that He has guided me to Islam. I know that Muslims of today are generally un-Islamic, but that doesn't distract me; for those who read history must know that Islam does not depend upon a certain race.

Answer 5

I think the difference is what Jesus taught as opposed to what Muhammad taught. It is a person who does not know God who kills. In Islam a man can gain salvation from Allah for killing. A true Christian follows the teachings of Christ and does not kill as Jesus did not kill. A Muslim can follow Muhammad and kill.