It isn't that there isn't any lust, but rather the sum total of the "chemical" lust is reduced because it isn't constantly in your face. There are no half naked women (or men) walking down the street , on billboards, or magazines. Think about this, when you are watching TV and every 11 minutes there is a food commercial, do you think this prompts you to eat more often? Also I'd like to point out that the practice of covering women is a social custom passed down instead of a religious one. The quran does not regulate what women wear wear except stating that it shouldn't attract too much attention to her.Runt said:Hmm... but if there is no lust in the Middle East... then what of the belief that when a man dies and goes to Heaven there will be virgins there for him? Is that not lust? I think lust is everywhere about equally; in cultures where the body is revealed and lust is almost socially acceptable, and in cultures where the body is concealed and lust is hidden and not acceptable.
And about that virgins stuff, more specifically, the 72 virgins, the quran doesn't exactly say that. it says, "Verily, for the Muttaqun [righteous], there will be a success (paradise); gardens and grapeyards; and young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age; and a full cup (of wine)"
Sounds nice, huh? Booze and babes are promised to those who lead a holy life. Sounds like marketing to me. My Middle eastern Studies and Godmother Mohja Khaf raised the important question, "Well what do the Women get?" to a Mullah. He came back with the answer, "If the women are faithful then they get to be with their husbands."
Heh, this and other things were the reasons of my break with islam. I feel, much like the christian church, power-hungry men have exploited and changed a noble religion into a form of mind control.