My mother preaches hatred?

Question

My mother feels that all Muslims are the terrorist in Iraq. On an Oprah show, she interviewed a Muslim woman, an American born and raised here, discussing her religion and some of the misconceptions.

There are roughly 1 billion Muslims in the world, & it's the second largest and fastest growing religion.

Are there terrorist who claim to be Muslim? Yes. Are there members of the KKK who claimed to be Christian? Yes. Does that mean that every Christian in the world hates black people--or that every Muslim is a terrorist?

I've tried showing examples, explaining how many Muslims in the world (vs the small number that are proven terrorists). Roughly the same number of terrorists claim to be Christian (Oklahoma City as an ex).

I am not allowed to introduce my Muslim friends to her, nor ever have them in her house. I would be banned from even seeing them except I'm an adult and there is nothing she can do. Any chance that she will ever let go of this hatred and accept Muslims as people?

Especially from people that have experience changing a family members hatred. Did you succeed and how?

Answer 1

People like to put others in pigeonholes, especially when they are not known personally. It makes things easier to think about.

Also, the media and her own church add to this through their portrayal of Muslims and other people.

Religion tends to promote an "us vs them" mentality. It is very hard to overcome. They preach that anybody who is outside their little circle is hellbound and corrupting the world. Those are rather drastic terms. It builds on people's natural fears of those around them.

This is yet another way that religion harms society.

Answer 2

Another case of reds under the beds. Get her some books on the dark ages, the christian witch hunts, burning at the stakes. Talk to her about the 6000 innocent Iraqi's killed by the US on the first day of their invasion. Talk to her about the bitter hatred that spews out of the mouths of xians like Pat Robinson/ Jerry Falwell etc. If she could see how so many xians portray themselves and have committed so many atrocities maybe she would be more realistic about the muslim population. A few radicals should not be reason to condemn a entire group of people.

Answer 3

I would try showing her the episode of 30 Days (It's a tv series by the same guy who did Super Size Me) where he sends a devout Christian to live with Muslims for 30 days. The Christian is kind of prejudiced himself and slowly changes most of his views, but not all--so it's believable. Ask her if she'd be willing to watch it for you. It's part of the 1st season. I show it to my students and they have all been pretty amazed by how little they knew and how their misconceptions were changed.

Answer 4

FIRST OF ALL --- Hatred is not what Christianity teaches.

She may think it's not right to be around people who do not believe that Jesus is our Lord. HOWEVER! Jesus teaches us to love one another. Of all commandments, the greatest of these is love, He says.

I understand how you feel about having a prejudice parent. It may be impossible to try and change her mind. Only time and prayer may make it possible.

As for my situation, growing up and moving out, is what helped. Then, if your mother comes to your home, with these people there, she can say nothing... because she is in your home.

God bless, good luck....

Answer 5

Sorry, but I have to go with your mother on this one. Does the fact that some muslims are decent people really give any value to the religion? Does the fact that not all muslims are terrorists really hide the fact that all international terrorists are muslims?

Answer 6

With proper education and sometime zyprexa (use only as directed, see a psychiatrist)schizoid delusional mental disorders like religious superstitions will quietly fade away. This will solve these kind of problems dear.

Answer 7

My guess is that your mom is a Christian. Nothing new about the faithful preaching hate.

Answer 8

If she's not willing to listen to reason, then she is probably just too old and stubborn to care. If she has gone her life judging without knowing then that's all she's going to know how to do.

Answer 9

No matter how hard I tried to tell my mother that Catholicism was not right for me she would not accept it. She just pushed harder to try to change me.

Answer 10

In my experience you can't open people's minds if they are closed. It's a shame that she is judging a group of people on propaganda and not on their individual merits.