Neo-Nomad, Neo-Bedouin, Do Nothing Do Everything Sacred Drifter.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Muslim Country
by AJ
Im currently in Malaysia- a majority muslim country. And yet no one has threatened me. There are no suicide bombers. The place is quite peaceful. The people are very friendly.
Why doesn't the American media show this face of Islam?
Phil, I think you found the key distinction. What we need is direct contact with other people, other cultures. Its not enough to read about them.
A great many of Americans hold intense opinions about Muslims/Islam/Arabs.... and for most, its all virtual reality. They've never had a relationship of any kind with a muslim. Theyve never met a muslim.
Rather, they watch TV and read a few books and think they are experts.
But that is nothing but mediated propaganda. For the truth, you need direct contact and experience... such as your parents gave you.
We could use more parents like yours in the States.
Flip Side I should note that Im not advocating a white-wash of Islam (or Christianity or Judaism). I certainly have BIG problems with much of the dogma of these religions... especially their emphasis on obedience, authority, language...
And another HUGE problem with these organized religions is their horrific treatment of women (a problem shared by organized Hinduism and Buddhism too).
But these traits are strong in Christianity as well, so it is very dishonest for the American media to emphasize them when covering Islam and whitewash them when it comes to Christianity.
2 comments:
Contact and Experience
Phil, I think you found the key distinction. What we need is direct contact with other people, other cultures. Its not enough to read about them.
A great many of Americans hold intense opinions about Muslims/Islam/Arabs.... and for most, its all virtual reality. They've never had a relationship of any kind with a muslim. Theyve never met a muslim.
Rather, they watch TV and read a few books and think they are experts.
But that is nothing but mediated propaganda. For the truth, you need direct contact and experience... such as your parents gave you.
We could use more parents like yours in the States.
.....
Flip Side
I should note that Im not advocating a white-wash of Islam (or Christianity or Judaism). I certainly have BIG problems with much of the dogma of these religions... especially their emphasis on obedience, authority, language...
And another HUGE problem with these organized religions is their horrific treatment of women (a problem shared by organized Hinduism and Buddhism too).
But these traits are strong in Christianity as well, so it is very dishonest for the American media to emphasize them when covering Islam and whitewash them when it comes to Christianity.
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