Should Islam be protected by Freedom of Religion?

Well, several threads and posts have made me curious enough to ask this question out right. Do you believe Islam should be equal with all other religions in the US, and share the same freedoms other religions have? Or should Islam be restrained somewhat in comparison to other major religions in the US?

Pixel-Pirate

Islam as religion yes. Islam as ideology no.

That depends on exactly what you mean by "freedom of religion". If it simply means that they're allowed to believe whatever they believe without repurcussions, then of course Muslims should be "protected by it". If you mean "makes things easier for followers of the religion" then of course not. Muslims shouldn't get it easier or better than anybody else in your nation.

Also, I'm reading some pretty silly comments in this thread about how Islam is apparently responsible for inciting violence among its followers. For those think said stupidity is actually true, please take some time to think about the effects of social conditions and politics on a population. There's a reason why most of the "violent Muslims" come out of the ass-end of the Middle East and not, say, Indonesia.

That depends on exactly what you mean by "freedom of religion". If it simply means that they're allowed to believe whatever they believe without repurcussions, then of course Muslims should be "protected by it". If you mean "makes things easier for followers of the religion" then of course not. Muslims shouldn't get it easier or better than anybody else in your nation.

Barbariser

[QUOTE="Barbariser"]

That depends on exactly what you mean by "freedom of religion". If it simply means that they're allowed to believe whatever they believe without repurcussions, then of course Muslims should be "protected by it". If you mean "makes things easier for followers of the religion" then of course not. Muslims shouldn't get it easier or better than anybody else in your nation.

surrealnumber5

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

Well, several threads and posts have made me curious enough to ask this question out right. Do you believe Islam should be equal with all other religions in the US, and share the same freedoms other religions have? Or should Islam be restrained somewhat in comparison to other major religions in the US?

p2250

Indonesia, one of the world's largest Muslim nations, guarantees the freedom to practice any religion within its constitution. Its citizens have the right to choose whatever religion they want.

Lebanon, a predominently Muslim nation, is governed by a coalition of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. There are practicing Christians and Jews in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other predominently Muslim nations.

In the past, the Ottoman Empire observed religios tolerance.

I cannot think of a Muslim nation which expressly forbids the practice of other religions or which stipulates that an individual must practice Islam in order to reside within its borders.

[QUOTE="-Y2J-"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"] How is that even relevant to the discussion?..This is a discussion about Islam not Christianity...and even then..Christianity preaches peace and has not shown itself to be a hostile religion..Xx_Hopeless_xX

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/51722.stm

"The blast occured a week after 25th anniversary of the US Supreme Court legalising abortion in 1973. But it has become a contentious issue in the US with Christian fundamentalists wanting to see abortions banned completely."

"Recent violence by anti-abortion demonstrators has included the killing of two doctors and a large number of bombings."

"A year ago, two bombs went off an hour apart at a clinic in Atlanta injuring six people. That case is unsolved"

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

theone86

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

theone86

[QUOTE="theone86"]

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

surrealnumber5

I think it's hypocritical to ask for freedom of religion when it's one's own religion, but then to act as if one is justified in denying the same rights to a religion other than one's own. If one cannot understand the principles behind freedom of religion and understand that it only works when it's granted to all religions then one should not be allowed to enjoy that freedom.

Yes it should be.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

NintendoNite

I consider freedom of religion to encompass all systems of belief.

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"][QUOTE="theone86"]

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

theone86

I think it's hypocritical to ask for freedom of religion when it's one's own religion, but then to act as if one is justified in denying the same rights to a religion other than one's own. If one cannot understand the principles behind freedom of religion and understand that it only works when it's granted to all religions then one should not be allowed to enjoy that freedom.

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"][QUOTE="theone86"]

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

theone86

I think it's hypocritical to ask for freedom of religion when it's one's own religion, but then to act as if one is justified in denying the same rights to a religion other than one's own. If one cannot understand the principles behind freedom of religion and understand that it only works when it's granted to all religions then one should not be allowed to enjoy that freedom.

[QUOTE="NintendoNite"][QUOTE="theone86"]

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

theone86

I consider freedom of religion to encompass all systems of belief.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="NintendoNite"] what if the person who said it was an atheistsurrealnumber5

I consider freedom of religion to encompass all systems of belief.

If they think that Muslims shouldn't be included in freedom of religion then yes, but that's not a belief system that's simply an opinion.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"] i think that statement is hypocritical, but by all means disprove my thought LJS9502_basic

I think it's hypocritical to ask for freedom of religion when it's one's own religion, but then to act as if one is justified in denying the same rights to a religion other than one's own. If one cannot understand the principles behind freedom of religion and understand that it only works when it's granted to all religions then one should not be allowed to enjoy that freedom.

No he wasn't...

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="theone86"]

I think it's hypocritical to ask for freedom of religion when it's one's own religion, but then to act as if one is justified in denying the same rights to a religion other than one's own. If one cannot understand the principles behind freedom of religion and understand that it only works when it's granted to all religions then one should not be allowed to enjoy that freedom.

theone86

No he wasn't...

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] He was correct....LJS9502_basic

No he wasn't...

That's what I was saying.

[QUOTE="scorch-62"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"] Eh?..Xx_Hopeless_xX

hey why quote me just Surah 9:5 and never bring up 9:4?

=============================================

[9:4] (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous. ---

[9.5] But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. ---

[9.6] If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.

=============================================

Mind you these quotes are talking about the time when the Prophet (SAW) was fighting his war with the then-Pagan rulers of Mecca.

Don't gimme your BS.... no better then the Anti-American Polemics who've been harping on Islam. only to have their books fly off the shelves when 9/11 terrorist attacks.

There was a time when Christians were able to rationalize persecuting other religions in their realms. forced conversions and whatnot (and believe me other Muslims don't like me telling them this but it happened in our history too).

It is the same sort rationalization that some Jews give themselves to legitimize bull dozing and pushing out Palestinians off their land.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="theone86"]

No he wasn't...

theone86

That's what I was saying.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Yes he was. You can't advocate freedom of religion ONLY to who you wish.....

LJS9502_basic

That's what I was saying.

Nice strawman there, buddy, but I did no such thing. I never said anyone should have that freedom taken away in a practical sense, I said anyone who thinks that freedom of religion only applies to their religion doesn't deserve to have that protection.

hey why quote me just Surah 9:5 and never bring up 9:4? [9:4] (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous. --- [9.5] But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. --- [9.6] If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. Mind you these quotes are talking about the time when the Prophet (SAW) was fighting his war with the then-Pagan rulers of Mecca. Don't gimme your BS.... no better then the Anti-American Polemics who've been harping on Islam. only to have their books fly off the shelves when 9/11 terrorist attacks. There was a time when Christians were able to rationalize persecuting other religions in their realms. forced conversions and whatnot (and believe me other Muslims don't like me telling them this but it happened in our history too). It is the same sort rationalization that some Jews give themselves to legitimize bull dozing and pushing out Palestinians off their land. SaudiFury

Nice strawman there, buddy, but I did no such thing. I never said anyone should have that freedom taken away in a practical sense, I said anyone who thinks that freedom of religion only applies to their religion doesn't deserve to have that protection.

theone86

Anyone who says no shouldn't be alloed the luxury of freedom of religion.

theone86

Right...because I'm the ONLY one that got that interpretation from your post. Let's see...at least TWO other users did.....so it must have been the post lacking clarity.

Bad example on my part indeed. But who are these muslims demanding more rights than Christians? You can walk around with your face covered if you want, and there are independent schools for all religions.Ravensmash

I didn't know I could walk around the streets with a balaclava. Thanks for enlightening me.

The sooner I'm living in the ROI the better. The UK is a piece of ****.

[QUOTE="Ravensmash"] Bad example on my part indeed. But who are these muslims demanding more rights than Christians? You can walk around with your face covered if you want, and there are independent schools for all religions.CannedWorms

I didn't know I could walk around the streets with a balaclava. Thanks for enlightening me.

The sooner I'm living in the ROI the better. The UK is a piece of ****.

Uh.....I'm not saying I'm a scholar on the Islam religion...but those quotes seem to suggest killing anyone that doesn't convert.

LJS9502_basic

I replied to this post earlier....

Realize also as some people tend to want to keep pushing considering people wanna bring up Islamic terrorism as = to Islam.

Abu Bakr the successor to the Prophet Muhammed said this as instructions to the army.

"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone"

Considering what the 600 A.D's were like this was pretty revolutionary considering it makes the clear distinction between combatants and non-combatants (thought not formal but done at best possible in practice).

"If any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people" - Quran 5:32

similar to the Jewish quote of

a life is as though saving all mankind and taking a life is as though killing all of mankind.

" Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors" - Quran 2:190

one of my favorite quotes... but terrorists always transgress limits in war because they do not respect the protection of non-combatants.

a quote from the Hadith (report on the Prophet Muhammed) "You are neither hard-hearted nor of fierce character, nor one who shouts in the markets. You do not return evil for evil, but excuse and forgive." - Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 362

========================================

These points are reinforced by other sayings of Prophet Mohammed collected in The Book of Jihad and Expedition (Kitab Al-Jihad wa'l-Siyar)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah said: Do not desire an encounter with the enemy; but when you encounter them, be firm. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4313

It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah . He disapproved of the killing of women and children. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4319

It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah forbade the killing of women and children. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4320

----------------------

This attitude was also seen by Saladin (another Muslim). this quote is by Oliverus Scholasticus of the Frankish Army who was being fed by Saladin's army

"Who could doubt that such goodness, friendship and charity come from God? Men whose parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, had died in agony at our hands, whose lands we took, whom we drove naked from their homes, revived us with their own food when we were dying of hunger and showered us with kindness even when we were in their power."

pulled from wikipedia sourced from Judge Weeramantry, Christopher G. (1997). Justice Without Frontiers.

----------------------

The quotes i put up earlier from the Quran, the three of them are part of a surah that is talking about the battle between the people of Medina (led by the Muslims) and the then-pagans of Mecca. It is not a carte blanche call to kill all non-believers, it is telling history. What it is saying is during the war to not be afraid to kill the pagans (just like a US troops is told to not be afraid and kill the insurgent/terrorist) but it also states that if a pagan were to convert or ask for asylum that Muslims have to give to them and provide protection. we are also commanded to provide food and clothing for them. for enemy soldiers asylum amounted to being a POW.

however different Islamic scholars havecome along have had their own permutations on the religion.

Saudi Arabia vein of Islam is not from Abdul Waheb (commonly derogatorily called Wahabism) but from the Hanbali school of thought within Sunni Islam. However as a Muslim myself, i do not follow any school of thought but rather what i can interpret from the Quran and the Hadith's and reconcile them with living in the modern world as best as i can. About the best classification i can be called is i'm Sunni Muslim.

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

[QUOTE="swamprat_basic"]

It is a stupid question, because it is advocating discrimination, which the laws of the United States are clearly against.

swamprat_basic

How is asking someones opinion on a hot topic advocating discrimination?

Please point out in any of my posts where I said Islam should have it's rights stripped away or where I, you know, advocated anything. :|

By asking the question you are stating that you believe the topic is worth discussion.

That still doesn't explain how it's advocating. I am not pleading in favor of on side, arguing in favor of removing Islam from freedom of religion or anything of the sort.

And yes, I do believe it's a topic worth discussing. People in America, some, think Islam SHOULDN'T be protected. A shocking amount going by this thread. I think such intolerance is worth discussing, not burying our heads in the sand.

And yes, I do believe it's a topic worth discussing. People in America, some, think Islam SHOULDN'T be protected. A shocking amount going by this thread. I think such intolerance is worth discussing, not burying our heads in the sand.

Pixel-Pirate

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

And yes, I do believe it's a topic worth discussing. People in America, some, think Islam SHOULDN'T be protected. A shocking amount going by this thread. I think such intolerance is worth discussing, not burying our heads in the sand.

LJS9502_basic

As I don't see a way that reveals who voted for what, I must assume the majority of No voters are American. I had directed it toward Americans. Maybe I wasn't clear enough.

I'd say 70+% who replied negatively were from the US.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

And yes, I do believe it's a topic worth discussing. People in America, some, think Islam SHOULDN'T be protected. A shocking amount going by this thread. I think such intolerance is worth discussing, not burying our heads in the sand.

Pixel-Pirate

As I don't see a way that reveals who voted for what, I must assume the majority of No voters are American. I had directed it toward Americans. Maybe I wasn't clear enough.

I'd say 70+% who replied negatively were from the US.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Uh.....I'm not saying I'm a scholar on the Islam religion...but those quotes seem to suggest killing anyone that doesn't convert.

SaudiFury

I replied to this post earlier....

Realize also as some people tend to want to keep pushing considering people wanna bring up Islamic terrorism as = to Islam.

Abu Bakr the successor to the Prophet Muhammed said this as instructions to the army.

"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone"

Considering what the 600 A.D's were like this was pretty revolutionary considering it makes the clear distinction between combatants and non-combatants (thought not formal but done at best possible in practice).

"If any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people" - Quran 5:32

similar to the Jewish quote of

a life is as though saving all mankind and taking a life is as though killing all of mankind.

" Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors" - Quran 2:190

one of my favorite quotes... but terrorists always transgress limits in war because they do not respect the protection of non-combatants.

a quote from the Hadith (report on the Prophet Muhammed) "You are neither hard-hearted nor of fierce character, nor one who shouts in the markets. You do not return evil for evil, but excuse and forgive." - Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 362

========================================

These points are reinforced by other sayings of Prophet Mohammed collected in The Book of Jihad and Expedition (Kitab Al-Jihad wa'l-Siyar)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah said: Do not desire an encounter with the enemy; but when you encounter them, be firm. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4313

It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah . He disapproved of the killing of women and children. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4319

It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah forbade the killing of women and children. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4320

----------------------

This attitude was also seen by Saladin (another Muslim). this quote is by Oliverus Scholasticus of the Frankish Army who was being fed by Saladin's army

"Who could doubt that such goodness, friendship and charity come from God? Men whose parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, had died in agony at our hands, whose lands we took, whom we drove naked from their homes, revived us with their own food when we were dying of hunger and showered us with kindness even when we were in their power."

pulled from wikipedia sourced from Judge Weeramantry, Christopher G. (1997). Justice Without Frontiers.

----------------------

The quotes i put up earlier from the Quran, the three of them are part of a surah that is talking about the battle between the people of Medina (led by the Muslims) and the then-pagans of Mecca. It is not a carte blanche call to kill all non-believers, it is telling history. What it is saying is during the war to not be afraid to kill the pagans (just like a US troops is told to not be afraid and kill the insurgent/terrorist) but it also states that if a pagan were to convert or ask for asylum that Muslims have to give to them and provide protection. we are also commanded to provide food and clothing for them. for enemy soldiers asylum amounted to being a POW.

however different Islamic scholars havecome along have had their own permutations on the religion.

Saudi Arabia vein of Islam is not from Abdul Waheb (commonly derogatorily called Wahabism) but from the Hanbali school of thought within Sunni Islam. However as a Muslim myself, i do not follow any school of thought but rather what i can interpret from the Quran and the Hadith's and reconcile them with living in the modern world as best as i can. About the best classification i can be called is i'm Sunni Muslim.

Please continue to post. I am genuinely intrigued by your religion the more I learn about it.

I had once thought it to be barbaric until I came across this VH1 video on Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam)... his story touched me so much that it shook my predispositions, and I have since been trying to learn more.

Unfortunately Islam is attacked 24/7 in our country, so it's very very very very difficult to make a clear picture about it without actively going out of your way. The good thing is that youtube is filled with American-Muslim converts who make videos that are very easy to digest since they kind of translate in a very relateable way. Plus there are also American Muslim who've grown up here who do an excellent job as well.

Anyways, please continue posting. This was the most informative post i've read in OT ... ever.

Salaam :)

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="Pixel-Pirate"]

And yes, I do believe it's a topic worth discussing. People in America, some, think Islam SHOULDN'T be protected. A shocking amount going by this thread. I think such intolerance is worth discussing, not burying our heads in the sand.

Pixel-Pirate

As I don't see a way that reveals who voted for what, I must assume the majority of No voters are American. I had directed it toward Americans. Maybe I wasn't clear enough.

I'd say 70+% who replied negatively were from the US.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Uh.....I'm not saying I'm a scholar on the Islam religion...but those quotes seem to suggest killing anyone that doesn't convert.

SaudiFury

I replied to this post earlier....

Realize also as some people tend to want to keep pushing considering people wanna bring up Islamic terrorism as = to Islam.

Abu Bakr the successor to the Prophet Muhammed said this as instructions to the army.

"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone"

Considering what the 600 A.D's were like this was pretty revolutionary considering it makes the clear distinction between combatants and non-combatants (thought not formal but done at best possible in practice).

"If any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people" - Quran 5:32

similar to the Jewish quote of

a life is as though saving all mankind and taking a life is as though killing all of mankind.

" Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors" - Quran 2:190

one of my favorite quotes... but terrorists always transgress limits in war because they do not respect the protection of non-combatants.

a quote from the Hadith (report on the Prophet Muhammed) "You are neither hard-hearted nor of fierce character, nor one who shouts in the markets. You do not return evil for evil, but excuse and forgive." - Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 362

========================================

These points are reinforced by other sayings of Prophet Mohammed collected in The Book of Jihad and Expedition (Kitab Al-Jihad wa'l-Siyar)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah said: Do not desire an encounter with the enemy; but when you encounter them, be firm. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4313

It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah . He disapproved of the killing of women and children. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4319

It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah forbade the killing of women and children. - Muslim Book 019, Number 4320

----------------------

This attitude was also seen by Saladin (another Muslim). this quote is by Oliverus Scholasticus of the Frankish Army who was being fed by Saladin's army

"Who could doubt that such goodness, friendship and charity come from God? Men whose parents, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, had died in agony at our hands, whose lands we took, whom we drove naked from their homes, revived us with their own food when we were dying of hunger and showered us with kindness even when we were in their power."

pulled from wikipedia sourced from Judge Weeramantry, Christopher G. (1997). Justice Without Frontiers.

----------------------

The quotes i put up earlier from the Quran, the three of them are part of a surah that is talking about the battle between the people of Medina (led by the Muslims) and the then-pagans of Mecca. It is not a carte blanche call to kill all non-believers, it is telling history. What it is saying is during the war to not be afraid to kill the pagans (just like a US troops is told to not be afraid and kill the insurgent/terrorist) but it also states that if a pagan were to convert or ask for asylum that Muslims have to give to them and provide protection. we are also commanded to provide food and clothing for them. for enemy soldiers asylum amounted to being a POW.

however different Islamic scholars havecome along have had their own permutations on the religion.

Saudi Arabia vein of Islam is not from Abdul Waheb (commonly derogatorily called Wahabism) but from the Hanbali school of thought within Sunni Islam. However as a Muslim myself, i do not follow any school of thought but rather what i can interpret from the Quran and the Hadith's and reconcile them with living in the modern world as best as i can. About the best classification i can be called is i'm Sunni Muslim.

Please continue to post. I am genuinely intrigued by your religion the more I learn about it.

I had once thought it to be barbaric until I came across this VH1 video on Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam)... his story touched me so much that it shook my predispositions, and I have since been trying to learn more.

Unfortunately Islam is attacked 24/7 in our country, so it's very very very very difficult to make a clear picture about it without actively going out of your way. The good thing is that youtube is filled with American-Muslim converts who make videos that are very easy to digest since they kind of translate in a very relateable way. Plus there are also American Muslim who've grown up here who do an excellent job as well.

Anyways, please continue posting. This was the most informative post i've read in OT ... ever.

Salaam :)

I had once thought it to be barbaric until I came across this VH1 video on Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam)... his story touched me so much that it shook my predispositions, and I have since been trying to learn more.

Unfortunately Islam is attacked 24/7 in our country, so it's very very very very difficult to make a clear picture about it without actively going out of your way. The good thing is that youtube is filled with American-Muslim converts who make videos that are very easy to digest since they kind of translate in a very relateable way. Plus there are also American Muslim who've grown up here who do an excellent job as well.

Anyways, please continue posting. This was the most informative post i've read in OT ... ever.

Salaam :)

SquatsAreAwesom

SaudiFury

This was the most informative post i've read in OT ... ever.SquatsAreAwesom

You must not live in the US because most of the time the religion isn't mentioned.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

You must not live in the US because most of the time the religion isn't mentioned.

SquatsAreAwesom

Unfortunately Islam is attacked 24/7 in our country,SquatsAreAwesom

[QUOTE="SquatsAreAwesom"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] In fact I do, and I have no idea what you're ranting about this time.LJS9502_basic

Unfortunately Islam is attacked 24/7 in our country,SquatsAreAwesom