How do you perceive Islam?

[Beny]

As I pointed out before Milo, Christianity and Judaism do not technicly tollerate other religions... Hence the Idea that when the messiah came he would bring 'vengance' against Israel's pagan enimies.

My own personal belif was that Muhammad spent too long in the desert . (I'm sorry if that offends people, but if you truely belive then it wont matter to you).

[Rachael]

It's this "technically" bit that seems to me to be a problem when discussing "religion": discussion along such lines elevates some "pure" thing above what actually exists in any real place... and what's worse it seems to me to always be the pretty dodgy ideological formulations that get elevated in this way.

IF you want to elevate anything from the monotheistic religions.. faith strikes me as the bit to elevate. Instead we get (for instance) Christians who neither know nor car much about the historical ***** or about those who actually wrote (generally far later) assorted "authoritative" texts (or who decided which texts should be treated as authoritative, why, and for what purpose) elevating a dubious collection of such texts as "the word of god".

For my part I'll stick with responding to "Islam" as I find it on the ground (or as others report finding it on the ground) rather than worrying over-much about this lofty "true" Islam that "technically" means x, y and z: seems to me to come across better that way!

[King Aragorn]

Thank you all for your replies. It's all very much appreciated. I will try and give some explanations later when I can. And thanks to Zainub as well for sharing with us, to whatever extent, her life as a Muslim. Hopefully, other members will also voice their opinions as well.

Rachael,

Do you mean to say that you don't want to look at the teachings of the holy texts and rather prefer to look at the people who practise the religion in these times?

If so, then may I also ask you, how do you view science? Do you see it as something beneficial for mankind or not?

[Beny]

If so, then may I also ask you, how do you view science? Do you see it as something beneficial for mankind or not?

Excuse me for butting in here, but i'm fascinated as to where you are going with this?

[Milo]

Rachael, all muslims are expected to believe the five articles of faith. This is not discussing technicalities it is the very basis for the faith. The other articles are 1) God (Allah) 2) Angels 3) Scriptures (Qur'an the most sacred) 4) Prophets (Muhammad the last and greatest).

[Zainub]

Hi Pete, thanks for the link. After having read the complete article, and the context in which that hadeeth (saying of Holy Prophet pbuh) had been quoted I have concluded that it was meant to be interpreted as follows: Any woman who purposely puts on purfume for the sole reason to attract other men (non-mehrims) towards her will be considered an adultress. And I personally find nothing wrong with that. Otherwise use of perfume is perfectly allowed (look at quote), in fact it's one of the sunnats (ways) of the Prophet pbuh to put on perfume on Eid and on other special occasions as well as to please one's husband. The actual article was in respone to a lady's question of how women who work should conduct themselves.

Using perfume is recommended, as it gives one a good feeling. The Prophet used to like Musk more than any other kind of perfume. This is recommended for men but women should not use perfumes in public as it may attract the opposite sex, but women are allowed and encourage to use perfumes at home for their husbands. (link here)

[Richard Jenkins]

I don't know an awful lot about Islam,but it scares me. But so do most religions. I don't agree with fringe ideas or weird rules, but go along with living a life in an ethical way.

Christianity can be unforgiving and my experience of Christianity is of hyochrites eager to throw stones and jealous bigots I'm afraid. (apologies to all those in Church!)

Harper Roy - The Black Cloud Of Islam Lyrics

I'm sick to the teeth of the news on the screen
of hisbullah scum and jihad the obscene
whose men plant the bombs and then live feeling free
to watch women and children be killed on T.V.
which satan delivers a child a death curse
in the name of a worn out collection of verse
I've not read the book so I cannot recite
but I'd bet Salman Rushdie is just about right
underneath the black cloud of islam
What kind of publicity needs so much blood
that's not for some sad diablical god
selling himself as a two-bit Macbeth
as the expect in sentencing cousins to death
and what kind of god can this be anyway
that you have to prostrate to him five times a day
with hate in your heart and a gun in your hand
is force the only thing to understand
underneath the black cloud of islam?
and the butchers who've got all this blood on their hands
are the ones who need god to be stood where he stands
blessing this kidnapping, murder and war
with books written hundreds of ages before
and woman in veils walking paces behind
doesn't sit easy in my mind
it speaks of oppression and no other choice
that rigid compliance with the loudest voice
underneath the black cloud of islam
You can put a lead bullet clean through this guitar
'cos I'm not overjoyed with the story so far
sharing a world with the nutters of god
is as good as being six feet under the sod
words that are written are all here to say
and these are the latest there are anyway
and I am the prophet so don't believe me
I'm the same as the old ones expect that I'm free
to give you a piece of my mind which is this
you're the worst of jehovas blind witlessnesses
with your feet in the door of the deepest abyss
which is underneath the black cloud of islam

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Not a tolerent chap is this Harper Roy fellow is he ?

[Paoli]

How do I perceive Islam.

"They are all terrorists. They make women wear weird clothes and lock them up". I know what your probably thinking. I'm either absolutely nuts or I deserve to banned. But if you keep reading and please do, you'll realise I'm going somewhere. During a Religious Education excursion to a mosque last year, a bloke, who I believe is quite highly respected in this particular mosque started his speech with, "Muslims are all terrorists. Muslims make women wear weird clothes and lock them up", the line that I started with. Everyone's jaw dropped, and being Catholics, despite what we had heard, we were in shock. Then he went on to say "No we are not all terrorists. No we do not make our woman wear weird clothes and lock them up".

Now that he had got that out of the way, we were able to see what Islam was truly about. If anything, they are better people than Catholics. Turns out they only were the traditional garments because they don't want to be seen as higher in society than anyone else. Turns out that woman are allowed to pray with men around. Turns out that you can just go and pray, not sit for an hour and be bored in a mass.

I reckon Islam is one totally misunderstood religion; it's good name is being brought down by about a miniscule amount of people who want to kill and blow up things, as they believe it is in the name of Allah.

Moving on to catholicism, briefly, if you've read the Da Vinci Code you'll know. Bezu Fache, the investigator with Langdon, who was a staunch catholic said about those who molested children. "These priests should be hanged twice! Once for the abuse, and once for shaming the good name of the Catholic Church". Many believed it was the latter that bothered him.

I'm not gonna say this is the culture in the church, but I think some Catholic "High Flyers" believe this. At the end of the day, religion is what you make it; take it on face value.

[Beny]

religion is what you make it;

Now aint that a can of worms.

and once for shaming the good name of the Catholic Church".

You mean the same catholic church which supressed millions of people for almost 1000 years. The Same catholic church which had the inquisition, the crusades and the wars following the reformation. Possibly, over history, the most un-tolerant organisation the world has ever seen?