Does it scare you that so many people buy into the propganda that's been spread against Islam?

Question

Just browsing Yahoo answers, I see so many Americans writing slander against Islam. It's disgusting on so many levels. Mainly because the propaganda in our news and media has actually worked. The US government is trying to get you to hate Muslims, FYI, so as to gain support for more acts of empirical expansion that have been referred to as "liberating Iraq" or "fighting the axis of evil." If you ever actually talked to any Muslim people, you would know they are good and decent, and Islam is nowhere near as extreme as the media would have you believe. I wish these people could see what is really going on, and how they have been led by propganda to hate these people, but I feel like there is no way to combat the brainwashing that has already taken place.

Does anyone understand what I'm saying.

Answer 1

The only way to see through all the brainwashing is to do your own research.

Do you know much about Islam? Perhaps you should make yourself more informed. I don't think it's wise to say they are all peace loving, they are not all the same, some actually are violent and you don't know every single one of them, do you? There are different types of Muslims.

Racism is unfair, however, I believe the hatred between Muslims and Westerners is due to a lack of understanding. Our cultures don't mingle as much as they should, and there are so many differences. There is just as much, if not more, anti-Western propaganda in the Middle East. For example, some Muslims wont drink Coca Cola, they say if they put the label in the mirror, it reads in arabic "No Mohammed, No Mecca". Which is ridiculous!

The fact is there are many things in their culture that many Westerners are opposed to and find offensive and upseting, like circumcision, animal cruelty, incest, polygamy, and more.. No wonder we worry if they know whats wrong & right & call them terrorists..

And yet Muslims believe we are evil because we do things that the Koran says is evil, that people in the Middle East get jailed and murdered for, like eat pork, drink alcohol, stealing, worship Jesus, s*x before marriage, and more..

There are a few Muslims guilty of stealing from & raping non-believers, and justifying those acts and violence as being halal (permissible). This is a very extreme attitude, not all Muslims have it, but some actually do..

Nobody is ever going to get along unless we interact with eachother, learn about eachother, become desensitised, try not to upset the other culture, and finally come to some sort of agreement or compromise where we can all finally accept eachother.

There are always going to be arrogant people on both sides who are more conservative or liberal in their beliefs. In the end, everyone is just a human being, you can't force everyone to think a certain way, there's always going to be differences, people should be able to do what they want and we all have to learn to live side by side..

Answer 2

foxnews is a problem

totally dumb scares me too

Answer 3

Megan, I know exactly what you mean, and yes, it scares me too. Several people have cited the fact that conversion to Islam is at an all-time high, but that doesn't speak of the hundreds of millions of non-Muslims who haven't converted. I know they are trying to help, but I think that many of them have had the insulation of living within Muslim communities.

I have personally been the victim of a hate crime -- property damage only, Alhamdulillah -- and I have lived in and still travel to many rural areas where I do not wear my scarf. I used to moderate a forum for Muslim women, and I know several sisters who have had to face the fears associated with living outside of a larger Muslim community in urban areas.

Both in real life and online, I have spent numerous hours trying to defend against the people who buy into all of the hype. Of course, in their minds, we in the states don't have propaganda, that's only a tool of the enemy. Many people truly believe everything they see and hear about Muslims, and have done very little to educate themselves otherwise -- nor do they have any interest.  

You know, recently the FLDS polygamist compounds have been in the news. So, if I were living in another country and watching all of this on the news, should I assume that all Christians and/or Americans wear prairie garb and practice polygamy with child brides? Of course not, they represent a very small segment of the greater society. Yet that is what many of us do here in the states. People see or hear something about Muslims or Islam, and assume that those are the same beliefs and practices of all Muslims.

I also like to ask people what they think would happen if a group like Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority were to take over the government. What do they think would happen?  Would we find ourselves in a situation comparable to the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan? Would most Christians or Americans feel that the attitudes of that group represents everyone? Would all Americans support that government?

Another example: there are some Christian groups, especially in the Appalachian region of the US, who handle snakes as part of their religious practice. So if I were living in in another country, and saw a documentary about this, or a news story, should I then ascribe snake handling as a common or acceptable behavior to everyone in "the Christian World?"  Certainly not, as this represents a very, very small fraction of the population -- but this is the type of viewpoint westerners have about "the Muslim World' in regards to practices like female circumcision among some African groups -- they try to ascribe this cultural behavior among a fraction of the population to the wider community at whole.

I could go on and on for pages, literally, but the central point here is that many westerners or non-Muslims are, due primarily to the media and the internet, being extremely ethnocentric. They are quick to list complaints about others without being able to look inwardly for comparisons in our own culture.

Answer 4

Anti-Muslim AND anti-Western propaganda both scare me.

Western bashers see Muslims as backward and violent, Muslim bashers see the West as immoral.

Western bashers donot see Muslims who are tolerant, easy going and respectful. Muslim bashers donot see people from different creeds and atheists who are tolerant, easy going and respectful.

That's why people from both sides MUST stand up to bashers of their own side in addition to bashers from the opposite side.

Answer 5

I feel the same way and I'm only 14. I have friends from different cultures and religions and when i found this section i was appalled by some of the comments. I mean i never knew anyone hated us MUSLIMS. And another thing if there religion teaches them to hate then i am more than proud to be a Muslim because being a Muslim teaches me to be peaceful,non-violent,to take everything i have as a blessing from ALLAH, never taking anything what so ever for granted, never to lie, cheat,steal,KILL, doing drugs,s*x before marriage everything thats good and just cause some people messed up doesn't give the media or anybody else the right to hate us. For one thing there is way more than enough hate and cruelty in this world. And i do pray for these non-believers and people who "HATE" us so that no harm may come to them and that some day if ALLAH is willing to forgive them of there sins and open there eyes which ALLAH has so gracefully bestowed upon you.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for understanding.

May ALLAH Keep you safe.

Salam    

Answer 6

I understand. I am a revert to Islam, a former Christian. I accepted Islam after 9/11. I studied Islam to investigate the mass propaganda against Islam and I found all baseless. If someone is logical and rational then he/she should accept the truth of Islam.

Answer 7

In the aftermath of 9/11, the media linked the attacks with Muslim terrorists. This lead to the image that Muslims are violent and provoking. However, the number of people who converted/reverted to Islam also increased after that. More people began to search the truth about Islam. Many were astounded and thus converted to Islam.

As Tweety said, the more they give us their attention, the more people seem confused and search for the truth themselves.

Truth will prevail over falsehood.

Answer 8

Yes, let them leave America, go to their countries and the problem will be solved.

Answer 9

I don't think it's propaganda.  I think all the horrible things that come out about Islam, are just the tip of the iceberg.

Answer 10

No My dear it never scarce Muslims. Allah knows what Americans are doing and all the slander they write against Prophet of Allah and His religion Islam. . A true Muslim never worries about the brainwashing that media does.  I feel that British people are wiser than American general public. This is why more British men and women are reverting to Islam as compared to Americans. British were in touch with Islam for more than 200 years whereas Americans have too much arrogance for their fire power and look down at every culture.  They refuse to learn and see where lies the truth.

Following Ayahs of Quran give us comfort and strength in all circumstances:

And they (disbelievers) plotted (to kill Iesa (Jesus) ), and Allah planned too. And Allah is the best of the planners.  

(  ÃƒÂ˜Ã‚³Ã™ÂˆÃ˜Â±Ã˜Â© آل عمران  , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #54)

He said: "Only Allah will bring it (the punishment) on you, if He will, and then you will escape not.  

(  ÃƒÂ˜Ã‚³Ã™ÂˆÃ˜Â±Ã˜Â© هود  , Hud, Chapter #11, Verse #33)

And not equal are the blind and those who see, nor are (equal) those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous good deeds, and those who do evil. Little do you remember!  

(  ÃƒÂ˜Ã‚³Ã™ÂˆÃ˜Â±Ã˜Â© غافر  , Ghafir, Chapter #40, Verse #58)

But surely, We shall cause those who disbelieve to taste a severe torment, and certainly, We shall requite them the worst of what they used to do.  

(  ÃƒÂ˜Ã‚³Ã™ÂˆÃ˜Â±Ã˜Â© فصلت  , Fussilat, Chapter #41, Verse #27)

May Allah guide us all and keep us on to the true path of Allah.

Answer 11

Truth stands out from error.

The Qur'an speaks of truth never being hidden for long.

And the more curious people are, the more they will convert!!

Answer 12

I am ready to convert to something. The Holy Rollers and evangelical jerks have destroyed America. They came in with Reagan and robbed the Middle Class. No better with being Jewish, just another brand of mayonaise. I like Buddhist ways but not many around my neighborhood to talk with. Maybe Islam has something better to offer. I know the gangstas and the rich oil guys just believe in ripping off the middle class and kicking the poor into the gutter. Most of the voters have no souls.  

Answer 13

You should move to Malaysia. There, they ensure you don't hear anti-Islam propaganda... a Buddhist teacher gave a lecture in Malaysia on Buddhism and it was against the law for a muslim to hear his talk. Blanketing even hearing non-muslim views is a great way to protect yourself from 'lies'. Malaysians love freedom of religion though, so non-muslims are more than welcome to attend talks on the greatness of Islam.

Answer 14

there is bias against Muslims in the media, thats a given.  However, I do not believe that this bias is the only reason there is animosity towards Muslims.  If it were just the bias, I believe we could ewasily counteract the effect.  But unfortunately it is the bias, plus the bad behavior of muslims.  I believe that we are realy our own worst enemy and often times we give the media the ammunition to make us look bad.  There is a general lack of responsibility in this regard and a lot of blaming. We have to get out of this ut if we are ever going to see things improve.  

Answer 15

it just bothers me, but islam is the fastest growing religion in the world

Answer 16

I used to think like you.. but when I hear things like Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth.. and as a single group, if you seperate all the christian sects.. Islam is far overtaking it.. More muslims than jews now in USA..

this makes me feel wonderful.. No one is twisting their arms to convert, especially in these times when hate against Islam is more powerful than ever, but more than ever are converting in droves...

The message is getting out there slowly but surely... With the good, comes the bad.. but still, we are winning! ^_^ .. Allah wins!  

Answer 17

No.

All the attention they are giving to Islam is good. That's why lots of people are converting to Islam because they might hear something bad about Islam on Fox news, so then they go and read the Quran and find out what its all about, and then bingo, within a few months they convert.