Seniors ~ Your Opinion Should Americans Learn More About?

Question

should American's learn more about Islam? Opinions.

Answer 1

It is important not to be completely in the dark on issues, people and events that are going on in our country.
Having knowledge about Islam doesn't mean that we have to agree or disagree. We just need to better understand each other. Discriminating against something we know nothing about can be dangerous.

Answer 2

For some, like myself, it was a learning experience to read the Quran. For others, if it isn't in the scope of their immediate lives, it is too much to do. The problem with that, in my opinion, is everyone always has opinions about everything and when it comes to Islam like most everything else, they 'assume' that the general public is right, without ever doing any checking themselves. It may be wrong, but there is a reason that Americans are considered the most uneducated civilized country in the world, and that reason, in my opinion, is ignorance knows no bounds.

Answer 3

I believe that Americans should use the educational benefits provided by living in an open society; and this includes spending at least some time learning about different religions and religious traditions-including Islam. We are free to choose what we study, and I think too few of us take advantage of this privilege.

I do wonder, Wickwire, if you are referring strictly to the religion-Islam, or if you meant studying the different cultures that include Islam in some way. I believe that our lack of understanding of some cultures has already contributed to some of the attacks and threats we are now dealing with. For example; I am still haunted by the fact that the US contributed support & training, probably funds, and possibly weapons to the Mujahidin in Afghanistan during the Soviet era. Osama bin Laden was one of the Majahidin....so basicly we helped train a fanatic and it has come back to bite us.

The world is too small for us to be too self absorbed.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
~Aritotle in Philosophy

Answer 4

I do not think American's, for the most part want to know about Islam! I do think there are many here, who do study the extremists viewpoint. The wise always know thier enemy! America, is very hated by these terror mongers but, what they do not understand, is we DO understand they hide to do warfare. We do understand they have NO respect for our lives nor, for their own life! We also, know that this is NOT over. Therefore, I think American's are more aware of anything, out of the "norm."

One thing is certain, we all have a God given right to protect our lives! American's will protect thier families as we have the right the bear arms! This was proven when our fellow Americans, rushed the cockpit, once they knew what was going on! What a selfless act and one I greatly admire. It is this spirit, in which these terrorists will struggle the most!

In as much, we refuse to live feeling threatened by such extremists. Yes, we understand the danger and their goal of "Death to America." Therefore, I think we are very much aware but, unwavering in our spirit for freedom!

Answer 5

I know several muslims personally, to say they have no respect for the lives of others or for themselves is judging the majority by the acts of the few. This is wrong. It is wrong.

Most muslims go about their day to day lives just as you do, never make the news, just as you dont, raise their families, just as you do, want the best for their children, just as you do, and would prefer to live without this kind of blind prejudice and hate that they dont deserve.

This kind of willful ignorance is what fosters racism, religious intolerance, hate, fear, violence and wars.

Ignorance is dangerous.

You CANNOT judge the majority by the acts of the few. Do you believe all German people are nazis? ALL white people are KKK racists? etc.

Education never hurt anyone. Refusing to learn about other countries, other religions and other cultures means you are making choices, voicing opinioons, and passing judgement with NO knowledge, just parroting what someone else has told you to think, feel or believe.

And I dont mean watching the biased rantings and ravings of TV documentaires either - that isnt education, thats brain washing and fear mongering.

I cant see woeful ignorance as a good thing.

I have zero tolerance for this kind of religious hate mongering that is going on since 9/11, and I DONT mean from muslims.

If some of you feel offended, so be it, this is how I feel and I will not ever apologize for educating myself about other cultures, religions and countries so I can form an independent and informed opinion,

Answer 6

Up front. I have learned plenty if not enough already about Islam. After several years, I can honestly say I don't feel comfortable with what I have learned. And maybe, just maybe it would be important for others to learn about it.
Before 9/11 I had accumulated enough information to believe that there was plenty to make me uneasy. After 9/11 I was convinced.

Answer 7

Definetely. Knowledge is power and ignorance breeds fear.

My mum was an anglican and my dad was a muslim. They showed beyond doubt that harmony and unity do and can exist. That there IS good to be found in people in other religions.

There ARE muslim extremists but there are christian extremists TOO!==Look at the you tube of that nutjob baptist woman who thanks god for dead soldiers.

Understanding what makes people tick helps you to deal with situations when they arise.
Do NOT generalise and lump all muslims in the same basket.i am a christian but I would not want to be lumped in the same basket as that crazy baptist woman!!!

There are some very peace loving friendly muslims out there who are as shocked as others by the behaviour of the extremists.

So YES by all means you should learn more!!!

Answer 8

I read ALOT about Islam after 9/11. Still trying to get interested in the koran, the more I read, the angreir I became, so I have put them aside. I have a friend who has been in the USA for many years, she is still afraid of reprisals from her home land because she has accepted our way of life.

Answer 9

To the second answer, yes. We need to be aware of the Islamic faith. It will help us better understand our "enemies"

We need to learn about all people rather than judge them based on ignorance. That is the answer to the first question.

Answer 10

I think we've learned enough to not trust them. Between the murderers from the Middle East and Louis Farrakhan with his encouraging the Nation of Islam to slay all whites and Jews (as said at the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. in October of '95, we should be well enough aware to not trust any Muslim who MIGHT subscribe to world domination by Islam.
Ok, now you can scream at me, "YOU IGNORANT BIGOT!"
Like it matters to me. Deal with it.