Islam a peaceful religion

Of all the bad things that people say about Islam, it really bothers me that they think it’s such a violent religion..The more I learn about it, it seems that it really is a peaceful religion. I met a guy who I found out is a convert to Islam, and before I found out I kept thinking that he is such a nice friendly person and that more people should be like him. After I found out I asked him why he converted (he’s from a traditional Christian family) and he simply said that it brought him peace. And I’ve heard that same thing from so many people. I actually went to mosque with a friend and her family once and participated in the prayer, and it really did give me a sense of peace, something I never felt when I went to church with my family. It seems like they’re more into it and like they really mean everything..

Do people follow Islam more strictly than other religions?

There was a post that said something about people following some religions more strictly than others..I suppose I don’t have much to back up my opinion, but just from observing some of my own friends and their families, it seems that Muslims DO follow their religion more strictly. I know sooooo many people who consider themselves “faithful Christians” and “very religious” and it seems like they’re only saying that to feel better about themselves or something because they do pretty much EVERYTHING that is not allowed plus more. Even my own parents who are Catholic don’t seem to follow their religion as closely as they should. Muslims on the other hand (at least from what I have seen) really take into account what they can and can’t do and they discipline themselves to be true followers of Islam. I really like that; if someone chooses a religion they might as well do it right…

Comedy, religion and everything else

Especially in American society it is really hard to figure out what is acceptable and what is not. At times it is ok to poke fun at religion, race or gender and others it is looked at as ignorant and offensive. In the case of Allah made me funny or any other comedy show that jokes about sensitive subjects, it all depends on how you WANT to take the jokes. Also, sometimes its ok to make fun of OTHER religions, races and genders while other times your being an ass.

I’m not sure about the rest of the world, but i know for sure that American society puts too much emphasis on being politically correct which is why we have the problem of deciding if some comedy is funny or offensive. Everyone should just relax and take comedy for what it is…entertainment, and if you don’t like what someone is saying just turn it off. easy as that!!

Muslims and Catholic Charities response

I must say I agree with the post. Catholic charities are give much praise and support by the US government. However, I remember hearing of many Muslim Charity organizations being questioned over whether or not the money was being give to terrorist networks. I am positively sure Catholic Charities are not monitored to the extent Muslim charities are. However some do believe, due to terrorist claims of being Muslims, perhaps the increased watch over Muslim organizations is somewhat justifies. Its a tricky question. Islam is still regarded as the religion of terrorist. The way Muslim organizations, including charities, are viewed, shows this .

Is This Offensive Response 4

I agree with the others, stereotypical jokes are predictable and over rated, but I don’t see much of a difference between Jeff Dunham’s material, and the material we’re going to see in Allah Made Me Funny. As a matter of fact, the only difference I could pick out was Jeff Dunham isn’t a Muslim.
I’m not trying to advocate racism or anything like that. I think when it comes to something like comedy things should be taken with a grain of salt. I laugh at racist jokes against my race. I think the world would function a little better if they just relaxed and enjoyed the humor behind things.
It’s different today, I suppose, because Muslims are getting the short end of the stick society wise, but honestly, what minority group isn’t lately?

Muslims and Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities, as you may know, is “The largest private network of social service organizations in the United States.”  It provides thousands and thousands of needy families with different needs through social service networks.  Why mnention this in a class on Islam?  Because every tax-paying Muslim in the US pays for their services.  All but 30% of the Charities resources are given to them by the US Government.  It is a clear case of a Church being advertised by a State.  When people receive the services they identify Catholicism with the help they got.  What if the same was happening in the name of a Muslim based Charity group?  I think folks would be up in arms against the support if this were to happen.

Also, what if you were a Muslim and needed support that could only be sought through Catholic Charities?  Or, would you have to deny the services because you would be making the State your ilah?  There is no doubt that Catholic Charities does good work but they are a religous group being heavily supported by all taxpayers.

Women In Islam

There have been a few posts concerning the rules of marriage to women.  It does seem very interesting.  Mohammad did marry a woman who was very much older than himself who he went to for advice many times.  He also stood up for woman’s rights by speaking out against the sexually charged infanticide.  The polygamous relationships seem very confusing to people then, as it does for me, but probably not for the same reason.  I do not think it is strange for a number of women to all be married to one man.  I do not see this being at odds with the tenets of Islam.  I do find it intriguing that their aren’t any mentions of women with multiple husbands.

Also, i find Mohammad’s limitation of marriages to be very interesting.  It seems as if he chose a trivial number and stuck to it.  Why not more than four wives?  Would having more than four wives not allow you to do right by Allah?  What couldn’t you do for Allah with 3 wives that you couldn’t do with 5?

The more the merrier?

As I was reading the book about Muhammad’s life, I saw that he was married to about 5 women. It also said that the Quran states that a man can marry up to 4 wives, but the Prophet Muhammad was an exception. First of all, am I getting this correct? Does Islamic law allow these multiple marriages to the present day?

Second, is it right to have that many wives? I can see how a guy might be happy with this arrangement, but that is besides the point? Wouldn’t allowing multiple wives not only lead to jealousy and competition among the household, but also distracting the people from their own religion?

Response to “Is this Offensive?” 3

Oddly enough I had already seen this stand up sketch last year or earlier this year, dunno, but I think it’s just another way of using ignorant stereotypes for a few laughs such as Chappell’s Show, Mind of Mencia, Lisa Lamponelli, among an infinite number of others who do this type of comedy far better than this man.  Do I find it offensive? No, I guess you just have to learn how to take jokes and everything would be good, I mean, I’ve heard these jokes and more in other stand up’s and yeah, not offensive, not as funny, man needs to eat.  Maybe the Jewish men and the penny or the priests and the young bloke along with Michael Jackson, but c’mon, who hasn’t used, overused, these jokes before?

Response to “Is This Offensive?” 2

In response to Professor Mozaffar’s recent post concerning the questionably offensive nature of a ventriloquist’s routine involving a puppet which represented a dead terrorist, I must say, that I personally did not find any of it offensive.  Comedy can be used as a powerful social tool to aid in the understanding of any socio-economic group, regardless of if they be a part of the majority or a minority.  Of course, a caveat to this is, however, that the comedy routine must illuminate the experiences of the members of the group (gender, race, religion, class, sexual orientation).  An excellent example of comedy that serves to both entertain and increase social understanding would be any number of sketches on Chappelle’s Show.  The ventriloquist routine in question, though I did find parts of it humorous, I feel failed to shed any new truths upon the present Muslim experience and as a result can be thought of only as mindless humor aimed at shock value.