Are British IN REALITY more tolerant with Muslims compared to Americans?

Question

There's a possibility of me moving to the States for some months. My American friends told me those who have travelled are very much different to those who haven't(in the States), so I shouldn't expect to conduct prayers "casually" like I do in England. They also said I should be prepared for negative remarks. So far, I have no problems being a Muslim in England. May be this is just me, or media influence is truly huge in the States?I heard Oprah showing disapproval when one suggested learning Islam to create understanding. Oprah's words are listened by American women. If this is true, then...I won't have female friends when I'm there.

I'm not blaming Oprah. Sorry if you're one of her fans. I'm just thinking that not only politicians who show hatred but also celebrities, with so many fans base out there. It goes to show how bad the situation really is.

Answer 1

I think you will find the American culture a lot more relaxed than the brits, but in a lot of ways you will find that we are not as 'tolerant,' Personally I believe that is because the english are very polite in not sticking their noses into other people's privite affairs such as religion, which is purely a personal and privite choice.
There is a lot of hatred directed at the muslims, but please understand that is not only due to President Bush, it is partially due to our media, and the ignorance about the muslim faith. I am fairly disgusted, because the other day, my teenage son came home expressing hatred for muslims, and I had to sit down and explain to him that not ALL muslims are terroists, etc., etc. I was completely disgusted when I realized that this is what he has been learning thru tv, the internet, and school. I'm hoping he understands more now than he did, but I suppose that remains to be seen. *sigh*
Honey, a lot of people listen to Oprah, but most of the people I know couldn't give a rat's *** about what she says or thinks.
Your friends are right though, and that you should be more discreet in your prayers and expect several negative remarks, but as an american myself, I ask you to please do not miss the opportunity to vist this country. Geographically it is very diverse, and there are many beautiful and historical places to vist. I also ask that you do not hold the opinions of a few that do not have the manners to be polite to a guest, to be the opinion of the whole.
I am very sorry to hear such negative remarks about my country though. We are supposed to be a nation of tolerance, and religious freedom, but it seems that tolerance is only given if you agree to believe as 'they do.'
What part of the country shall you be visiting? I live in North Dakota, and people here are far more tolerant than other places I have found, in cultures, religion, etc. If you will be up this way than feel free to contact me, and I would be more than happy to introduce you to some very nice people. Granted most of them will be farm wives...*LOL*
No I agree with Icarus. I believe that will be your "best bet." I do wish you the best though and if you do decide to go thru with your vist, I hope that it is everything you could ask for and than some.

Answer 2

I am going to give you first the bad news, then the good news.

Yes, British are actually more tolerant towards Muslims (and everyone else) than we Americans are. People will stare when you have to do your prayers in public. You will get negative comments made towards you.

But, that is the bad side. Not ALL of us are like that, I promise! And, Oprah was completely in the wrong showing any disapproval towards any religion and her smarter viewers will know that. (And the even smarter people don't watch her at all...)

You will still be able to have female friends. I personally have had Sikh friends, Muslim friends, Jewish friends, Christian friends, Wiccan friends... There are many of us who don't judge a person based on their religion. It will be easier if you move to a coast than the Bible belt or the South, of course; but, I live in the Bible belt and, even here, not everyone is discriminatory.

Don't be afraid to move here if it is something you need or want to do. Not everyone here is hateful. I wish you the best of luck, and who knows...maybe we'll end up being friends. :-)

Answer 3

I do not feel racism can be put with no trouble into phases that are similar to each other. Both have distinct explanations to hate Muslims and so is rough to investigate. Americans currently hate Muslims considering they feel that they're all terrorists, bomb stuff and kill all the infidels, which is bullshit. And seeing that their President tells them to hate and so, like obediant puppies, do as their advised. British hatred had nothing to do with Islam originally. It stems back to to late 70's and 80's when hundreds of thousands of Pakistani immigrants came to seek out work and since of Thatcher's encouragement of cheap labour and company, resulted in three half million British residents in umemployment. At the present time although, most of the hatred of Muslims is because of all of the asylum seekers which have swamped the country from Bosnia, Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, and many others, and get to live at no cost at the same time the relaxation of the working public have to pay for it through larger taxes. Identical crap exceptional reasons. I believe the cause why the British look more racist of their language is because they're much extra crude when speaking than their American counterparts. Americans are most of the time extra prissy in their spoken language. Nonetheless, an American comic will speak on stage about how they get frightened after they see a 'towelhead' board their plane, people will giggle and it's going to be played on national television, which wouldn't happen in the UK on the grounds that a big percent of its population is of center jap heritage and would rationale an outrage. Hard to evaluate to two, however I believe that the united states is much more racist as a result of their xenophobic nature and current obstacle in world politics. Its simply that the British prefer to swear more.

Answer 4

You can find Americans who will accept you, but expect to get a few stares if you wear one of those head-scarves (I can't recall what they are called at the moment, forgive me) or pray casually. From what I have experienced, there is a lot of hatreds towards Muslims in this country due to the stupid terrorists. It is sad, and I sincerely wish it wasn't that way, but it seems to me that it is like that. A lot of people I have come across in this country assume that all Muslims are terrorists that want a bloodbath in America and want anyone who is not Muslim dead. Muslims are very misunderstood people in this country, and MOST of the country does not know very much about them.

Answer 5

i do no longer think of racism may be placed unquestionably into levels that are corresponding to one yet another. the two have distinctive motives to hate Muslims and so is tough to be sure. human beings presently hate Muslims by way of fact they think of that they are all terrorists, bomb stuff and kill each and all of the infidels, that's bullshit. and because their President tells them to hate and so, like obediant dogs, do as their instructed. British hatred had no longer something to do with Islam initially. It stems back to to late 70's and 80's while hundreds of Pakistani immigrants got here to locate paintings and due to Thatcher's encouragement of inexpensive labour and corporation, led to 3 a million/2 million British citizens in umemployment. in recent times however, lots of the hatred of Muslims is via each and all of the asylum seekers that have swamped the country from Bosnia, Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, etc, and get to stay for unfastened mutually as something of the working public ought to pay for it via greater taxes. comparable crap distinctive motives. i think of the clarification why the British seem greater racist of their language is via the fact they're lots greater crude while talking than their American opposite numbers. human beings are frequently greater prissy of their spoken language. in spite of the undeniable fact that, an American comedian will communicate on point approximately how they get apprehensive while they see a 'towelhead' board their airplane, human beings will chortle and it would be performed on national television, which does no longer take place interior the united kingdom by way of fact a huge % of its inhabitants is of center jap historical past and can reason an outrage. hard to evaluate to 2, yet i think of that united statesa. is a lot greater racist by way of their xenophobic nature and present day concern in worldwide politics. Its purely that the British desire to swear greater.

Answer 6

Surely the best way to find out would be to contact Muslims who actually live there - I imagine there are groups, discussion lists etc.

Answer 7

defiantly UK is much better to live as compared to America specially after 9/11 sister. the first reason is that we are in great numbers in UK. and many other reasons. but i have people living in America who are Muslims but frankly speaking they are not religious at all. they don't pray they don't fast . and they are fine. but you do face problems when you are religious and praying and covering.

Answer 8

You must also know there are many in USA that are Muslim and Islam is the fastest growing religion in US, so definitely there might be people who are helpless to do anything about it and so they resort to sarcasm and likewise.

Hopefully you are grown enough to understand all this.

Answer 9

darn sure don't blame oprah. amazing out of all the people you look to blame you pick her.

Answer 10

Which race of Americans are you talking about?

The Monotheists or The Atheists?