Responding to anti-Muslim prejudices

[Jim]

I've thought for a long time that exposing the fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda is worse than useless, but now I might have seen some examples of where that might have done some good. Maybe it can do some good if it's done in the right spirit. One way I've thought of to help free people from anti'Muslim prejudices might be to help diversify their images of Muslims, but I haven't found any practical ways of doing that. I had some ideas that I tried on Facebook, but it took an enormous amount of searching on the Internet, and I couldn't keep it up. One way I've thought of to help counteract the effects of anti-Muslim prejudice is be a friend to some Muslims. Does anyone have any other ideas about how to help free people from anti-Muslim prejudices, and counteract their effects? Or maybe it isn't as big a problem as it sometimes appears to me to be in Internet discussions and media stories, and not even worth any attention.

 

[sooda]

I've thought for a long time that exposing the fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda is worse than useless, but now I might have seen some examples of where that might have done some good. Maybe it can do some good if it's done in the right spirit. One way I've thought of to help free people from anti'Muslim prejudices might be to help diversify their images of Muslims, but I haven't found any practical ways of doing that. I had some ideas that I tried on Facebook, but it took an enormous amount of searching on the Internet, and I couldn't keep it up. One way I've thought of to help counteract the effects of anti-Muslim prejudice is be a friend to some Muslims. Does anyone have any other ideas about how to help free people from anti-Muslim prejudices, and counteract their effects? Or maybe it isn't as big a problem as it sometimes appears to me to be in Internet discussions and media stories, and not even worth any attention.

I don't think you can change it. The Hebrews demonized the Canaanites. The Nazis demonized the Jews. The Israelis demonize the Palestinians..

You know the song:

The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles. Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch and I don't like anybody very much!

But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud for man's been endowed with a mushroom shaped cloud.

 

[Jim]

I remember now, I know where to look for answers to my question.

 

[LuisDantas]

If you truly want to be effective in confronting anti-Muslim prejudices, it will be of immense help to address the issues with Islaam itself, which is unfortunately a very thorny subject matter, and one that has still a long way to go before proper general awareness of the very dimensions of the problem is attained.

Until that achievement, we are bound to be trapped in a cycle of well-meaning yet ultimately pointless reminders that Muslims suffer from prejudice, that they are not of one mind, and the like. Those are all true and fair considerations, but skirt the actual issues.

Without conquering that hurdle, I fear that there is little to actually achieve by pointing out to people what they either already know or have little motivation to consider.

 

[sooda]

If you truly want to be effective in confronting anti-Muslim prejudices, it will be of immense help to address the issues with Islaam itself, which is unfortunately a very thorny subject matter, and one that has still a long way to go before proper general awareness of the very dimensions of the problem is attained.

Until that achievement, we are bound to be trapped in a cycle of well-meaning yet ultimately pointless reminders that Muslims suffer from prejudice, that they are not of one mind, and the like. Those are all true and fair considerations, but skirt the actual issues.

Who else do you want to "confront" other than Muslims?

 

[LuisDantas]

Who else do you want to "confront" other than Muslims?

Is this a rethorical question? Maybe you want to reword it?

I am a fierce critic of Islaam, no doubt. In large measure because I sympathise with Muslims, although I know better than to expect random Muslims to support me. Far as they are likely to realize, I am a kafir spreading "hatred". That is very far from reality, but I have to accept that they are indoctrinated to protect the reputation of the Qur'an and of Islaam over their own well-being.

Until and unless you understand and accept that, you will have a very hard time attempting to understand my goals and motivations that relate to Islaam and Muslims.

 

[Jim]

If you truly want to be effective in confronting anti-Muslim prejudices, it will be of immense help to address the issues with Islaam itself, which is unfortunately a very thorny subject matter, and one that has still a long way to go before proper general awareness of the very dimensions of the problem is attained.

Until that achievement, we are bound to be trapped in a cycle of well-meaning yet ultimately pointless reminders that Muslims suffer from prejudice, that they are not of one mind, and the like. Those are all true and fair considerations, but skirt the actual issues.

I would like very much to discuss those issues with you, but I would rather find or start another thread for that. Have you already raised those issues in some recent thread?

I don't want to confront anti-Muslim prejudices. I want to help free people from them, and help counteract their effects. Just out of curiosity, do you have any objection to diversifying people's images of Muslims, being a friend to some Muslims, or exposing fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda?

 

[sooda]

Is this a rethorical question? Maybe you want to reword it?

I am a fierce critic of Islaam, no doubt. In large measure because I sympathise with Muslims, although I know better than to expect the random Muslims to support me. Far as they are likely to realize, I am a kafir spreading "hatred". That is very far from reality, but I have to accept that they are indoctrinated to protect the reputation of the Qur'an and of Islaam over their own well-being.

Until and unless you understand and accept that, you will have a very hard time attempting to understand my goals and motivations that relate to Islaam and Muslims.

Your arrogance is over the top and a huge turn off. Who do you think you are?

 

[sun rise]

One way I've thought of to help counteract the effects of anti-Muslim prejudice is be a friend to some Muslims.

Confirmation bias is a real problem. With those who have a very black/white view of things, nothing will really be effective although getting to know Muslims might be helpful in introducing some to the idea that their view of Islam is not the only possible view and is not shared by many real Muslims.

 

[sooda]

I would like very much to discuss those issues with you, but I would rather find or start another thread for that. Have you already raised those issues in some recent thread?

I don't want to confront anti-Muslim prejudices. I want to help free people from them, and help counteract their effects. Just out of curiosity, do you have any objection to diversifying people's images of Muslims, being a friend to some Muslims, or exposing fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda?

@Ellen Brown


Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center - Official Site
https://sabeel.org

Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians. Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, to promote unity among them and lead them to act for justice and peace.

Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center is a Christian liberation theology organization based in Jerusalem.

It was founded by Palestinian Anglican priest, Rev. Naim Ateek, the former Canon of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. An official partner of the Presbyterian Church USA, Sabeel has Friends of Sabeel chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.

 

[Vinayaka]

I've thought for a long time that exposing the fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda is worse than useless, but now I might have seen some examples of where that might have done some good. Maybe it can do some good if it's done in the right spirit. One way I've thought of to help free people from anti'Muslim prejudices might be to help diversify their images of Muslims, but I haven't found any practical ways of doing that. I had some ideas that I tried on Facebook, but it took an enormous amount of searching on the Internet, and I couldn't keep it up. One way I've thought of to help counteract the effects of anti-Muslim prejudice is be a friend to some Muslims. Does anyone have any other ideas about how to help free people from anti-Muslim prejudices, and counteract their effects? Or maybe it isn't as big a problem as it sometimes appears to me to be in Internet discussions and media stories, and not even worth any attention.

Freeing someone from anti-Muslim 'prejudice' would be pretty hard in Sri Lanka today.

 

[sooda]

Freeing someone from anti-Muslim 'prejudice' would be pretty hard in Sri Lanka today.

No question. Have they identified the terrorists?

Sri Lanka bombings: All the latest updates

 

[Brickjectivity]

I've thought for a long time that exposing the fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda is worse than useless, but now I might have seen some examples of where that might have done some good. Maybe it can do some good if it's done in the right spirit. One way I've thought of to help free people from anti'Muslim prejudices might be to help diversify their images of Muslims, but I haven't found any practical ways of doing that. I had some ideas that I tried on Facebook, but it took an enormous amount of searching on the Internet, and I couldn't keep it up. One way I've thought of to help counteract the effects of anti-Muslim prejudice is be a friend to some Muslims. Does anyone have any other ideas about how to help free people from anti-Muslim prejudices, and counteract their effects? Or maybe it isn't as big a problem as it sometimes appears to me to be in Internet discussions and media stories, and not even worth any attention.

Each anti-Muslim prejudice is distinct. You could start by pointing out which ones are generally true and which ones are not.

The most common claim I hear is that Islam is not compatible with US citizenship. Is that a prejudice or a truth? You could explain how Muslims can accept American citizenship and still be Muslims. Muslims of my acquaintance seem torn about this. One feels guilty that he drinks. One feels he should take his children away from America, so they can be raised properly. I have reservations about whether Muslims can be satisfied with our constitution, because it was written to prevent religions from interfering with government. Can you argue that is compatible with Islam? I don't think anyone can make that argument. Look what happened in Turkey. They had separation of church and state, and it didn't last.

 

[Jim]

If you truly want to be effective in confronting anti-Muslim prejudices, it will be of immense help to address the issues with Islaam itself

Would this be a good place for that?
The Qur'an: Intentions vs. Effects

I'm not sure that you were genuinely trying to be helpful, but I'm not sure that you weren't. Your intentions towards me have always looked friendly to me. Can you at least list the issues with Islam that you think need to be addressed to be effective in reducing anti-Muslim prejudices and counteracting their effects; or point me to some honest and responsible discussion of those issues?

 

[sooda]

Each anti-Muslim prejudice is distinct. You could start by pointing out which ones are generally true and which ones are not.

The most common claim I hear is that Islam is not compatible with US citizenship. Is that a prejudice or a truth? You could explain how Muslims can accept American citizenship and still be Muslims. Muslims of my acquaintance seem torn about this. One feels guilty that he drinks. One feels he should take his children away from America, so they can be raised properly. I have reservations about whether Muslims can be satisfied with our constitution, because it was written to prevent religions from interfering with government. Can you argue that is compatible with Islam? I don't think anyone can make that argument. Look what happened in Turkey. They had separation of church and state, and it didn't last.

Muslims are told in the Koran that if they find the laws in a non Muslim country too difficult, they should leave.

Turkey has absorbed 3 waves of refugees from Iraq and Syria since 1992.

 

[Jim]

Freeing someone from anti-Muslim 'prejudice' would be pretty hard in Sri Lanka today.

Thank you for pointing our an issue that you have with Islam.

Do you have any objection to diversifying people's images of Muslims, being a friend to some Muslims, and exposing fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda?

 

[Jim]

Each anti-Muslim prejudice is distinct. You could start by pointing out which ones are generally true and which ones are not.

The most common claim I hear is that Islam is not compatible with US citizenship. Is that a prejudice or a truth? You could explain how Muslims can accept American citizenship and still be Muslims. Muslims of my acquaintance seem torn about this. One feels guilty that he drinks. One feels he should take his children away from America, so they can be raised properly. I have reservations about whether Muslims can be satisfied with our constitution, because it was written to prevent religions from interfering with government. Can you argue that is compatible with Islam? I don't think anyone can make that argument. Look what happened in Turkey. They had separation of church and state, and it didn't last.

Thank you for pointing out some issues that people have with Islam.

Do you have any objections to diversifying people's images of Muslims, being a friend to some Muslims, or exposing fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda?

 

[Vinayaka]

Thank you for pointing our an issue that you have with Islam.

Do you have any objection to diversifying people's images of Muslims, being a friend to some Muslims, and exposing fallacies in anti-Muslim propaganda?

I never said I had an issue with Islam. All I said was that if you lived in Sri Lanka right now, it would be difficult. I just came from meeting friends from Sri Lanka, and there was a great deal of sadness all around. Some were personally affected, and it seems right now that all the evidence points to the violence being inspired by Islam, as that's what that terrorist group is claiming. It's not anti-Muslim propaganda, but the news.

This won't change how I personally deal with Muslims in my community one iota. My point is that because of circumstances where it's closest to home, such stuff is a lot harder for some than for others.

 

[sooda]

Would this be a good place for that?
The Qur'an: Intentions vs. Effects

I'm not sure that you were genuinely trying to be helpful, but I'm not sure that you weren't. Your intentions towards me have always looked friendly to me. Can you at least list the issues with Islam that you think need to be addressed to be effective in reducing anti-Muslim prejudices and counteracting their effects; or point me to some honest and responsible discussion of those issues?

Do you belong to Sabeel?

 

[sooda]

Sri Lanka Muslims Had Warned Officials About Group Behind ...
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?...
Apr 22, 2019 · For members of Sri Lanka’s Muslim community, it’s no surprise that local jihadist group National Thowheed Jamath is being blamed for deadly bombings that killed nearly 300 people on Easter Sunday.
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
“Targeting the non-Muslim community is something they encourage -- they say you have to kill them in the name of religion,” Ahamed said in a phone interview from Colombo on Monday. “I personally have gone and handed over all the documents three years ago, giving names and details of all these people. They have sat on it. That’s the tragedy.”