Are you tolerant?

Question

If so, why, and if not, why not? What does this say to you?

"In the name of God, The Most Merciful, The Most Gracious.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet you with the traditional Islamic greeting, 'Assalamu Alaikum', (Peace be upon you), this greeting represents the sincere effort of the faithful to spread love and tolerance among all people, whatever their language, belief, or social system.

Common misconceptions about Islam and Religious Tolerance
I would like first to begin by dispelling some of the misconceptions that have clouded the understanding of many Christians and westerners alike concerning Islam. Many believe that Islam was spread by the sword, and that Islam is synonymous with oppression, coercion and the denial of basic rights and freedoms. Furthermore, many western nations equate Islam with intolerance and extremism. Even well-educated non-Muslim thinkers, politicians, and clergymen, have persisted in clinging to this negative and erroneous image.

It is this stereotype that must be removed by presenting a clear and truthful image of Islam to western people."

Answer 1

Well said. Many, many people treat others in a way...that they themselves would not like to be treated. If they happen to be Christian, then many are not going by the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Many Muslims are called intolerant, and many of these people who are calling them intolerant are claiming so in an intolerant way themselves.

Many Christians accuse Islam and Muslims for things their own Bible preaches. For example, the Bible says that during prayer, women should cover her head or shave it. Instead of abiding by this rule, they ridicule Muslim women about their covering (shaving the head is not part of Islam). Many Christians also accuse Islam of stoning. The Bible has plenty of cases where stoning is the prime lesson. Yet not one Christian dares to bring that up.

They also seem to forget that it was Christians who carried out the Inquisition, Salem Witch Trials, witch hunting, intolerance and racism, slavery, the Crusades, amongst many more. How come there is a double standard when it comes to Islam and Christianity?

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to single out Christianity. But I don't see, how they cannot see, that they are being hypocrites.

Many people base their facts on ignorance. And this ignorance was probably derived from the bias media, which directs its hate to the western world especially. Unfortunately, Muslims are the victims of this propoganda, as many lies, rumors, and misconceptions about Islam are being mass-spread across the world. So we can only find ourselves teaching other people about the TRUTH of Islam, not the "truth" they seem to know.

I feel sorry that we have to be discriminated against like that. Hopefully in the near future more people will learn from their rights and wrongs and this world would be more peaceful altogether. Good luck, and Inshallah Allah will guide you.

Answer 2

I am a practicing Christian and have met some very lovely, well-educated, righteous Muslims. One of them said to me, "We all worship the same God," and I agree. There are different branches of Islam, some more zealous and fundamentalist than others, correct? I think a big problem for us here in the U.S. is that some of the people we have trusted have turned out to hate us and want to obliterate us, our society, and our Judeo-Christian religion. Now we don't know what to think or who to trust.

What common misconceptions do Muslims have about Christians and Jews, specifically those of us in western nations? Apparently some Muslims, at least, also have erroneous and negative images of us.

First of all, I think we should all quit calling each other "infidel." That might be a good start.

I have to wonder why someone gave my reply a thumbs-down.

Answer 3

I would tolerate people who hold different opinions than me, unless they were really disgusting or if the person acted out badly. For example, I wouldn't tolerate a man who believes he has a right to beat or rape a woman, though I would tolerate a man who thinks women should be housewives. It's best to kill people with kindness. If I act like a rational normal person, the other might take my opinions more seriously. People who rant and rave at anyone who seems intolerant will only look like as bad a loony as the person they don't like.

Answer 4

Awalikum Salam.
I am an extremely tolerant individual. My by born faith is Roman Catholic, my husband of 16 years is Muslim we are each tolerant of each others beliefs. My Mother in law lives with me since 1995 she prays 5 times a day and uses hajib. (head covering)
I have complete and total respect for every religion that expects its worshipers to bring forth peace, love and understanding of world people. This includes Christians, Muslims and Jews as well as lesser known or spoken of religions of the world. If hate is practiced or expected this is wrong this is evil. No decent religion preaches evil.
I think that most people believe that Islam is controlling, evil and deviant, by brainwashing its followers into believing that all who do not believe in Islam are infidels and should perish from the earth. Believe it or not, Christianity and Judaism also preach these beliefs but not so radically. As a Catholic, I was taught in Catholic school that Catholocism was the true religion, and one of my best friends who was Jewish told me that he was taught he was a chosen one. We were both taught the same thing, to go forth and bring new followers into our religion and we would be sure to to go heaven.
You see we are not very different at all. We were just not made to believe that we should be the ones to kill those who refused to follow our religions.
People are only made aware of the EXTREME Muslims who are seeking to make everyone follow the laws of Islam and create a mono society. This of course is all we hear about.
You must understand that it is frightening to some who do not fully understand that those who think like this are truly the ones who are brainwashed into thinking this is the only truth.
I believe that there are good and bad people among us from all walks of life, from all different religions. Not all Muslims are radical or extreme. It would be like saying all whites were KKK, all blacks were black panthers, it's not true. It is a generalization of the fearful..

I, like you hope and pray for world tolerance and peace.

Perhaps people like us can achieve it TOGETHER.

God Bless You.

Assalamu Alaikum.

Andrea Mamun

Answer 5

Yes, I agree with you sis., Islam teaches tolerence and not intolerence like many people think,
Jazaki Allah khair

Answer 6

If I were a Muslim . . . I would not worry about intolerance.

I would worry about the KILLERS that want to hijack your religion!

Stop them . . speak out against cutting westerners throats on video tape in the name of Islam.

Kick out the fascists that are inside your religious halls and rooms, teaching hatred and murder. Make a public display of this DIFFERENCE . . .

Answer 7

wa alekom al salam
Alhamdulillah,I am a tolerant cause I am a Muslim
Islam is the religion of tolerance and peace.

Answer 8

I consider myself quite tolerant. IMO, each to his or her own. I can live with you and your beliefs if you can live with me and my beliefs, even if they contradict each other. I won't shove my ideas down your throat even if you do try to shove your ideas down mine. As they say, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Answer 9

i am muslim then yes i am tolerant

Answer 10

yes because im muslim