Originally Posted By Labuda Hey, all - I know quite a few of you here are what I consider well-read, so I'd like to see if you can suggest a book for me. Here's the deal - when I went to the home of the guy I'm dating last night, it became clear right away that he might be Muslim. Asked him, and yep, he is. SO, this morning I've wikied Muslim and read that entire page, but I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a better resource for me to learn about his religion. I figure I can locate a Qu'ran and read it, but I also kind of want a "so this is what Muslims believe" primer, if one exists. Can anyone point me to such a thing?
Originally Posted By imadisneygal I know when I started dating a guy who wasn't Jewish he went out and bought "Judaism for Dummies." Seriously! And it had lots of wonderful information about the basics and some of the intricasies of my religion. I am sure they have a similar book about Islam. I know it sounds very basic and the "For Dummies" title is a bit off-putting, but I actually like the series.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Why don't you just ask the guy you're dating? He's the best source of information. He'll appreciate your interest and he can probably steer you in the right direction for learning more about his religion.
Originally Posted By Labuda Yeah, I've already asked him about it some and gotten some info last night as we chatted, Hans, but I'd also like to learn at other times, and not sit around chatting religion nonstop. Hmmm, good idea, ima - I'll see if I can find an "Islam for Dummies" type of book. Thanks!
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Islam-Dummies-Malcolm-Clark/dp/0764555030" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Islam-Du...64555030</a>
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Do you know what flavor Muslim he is? There's so many different strains of Islam, just like Christianity, that you probably should know which one he is from before heading off and learning about the wrong thing.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Here's a thought. You might care more than he does. Just because he's a Muslim does not mean that's his entire identity. There are a lot of Christians and Catholics in the world who aren't all that into it. Not everybody is hardcore about their religion.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, I already know he's not THAT into it, as he and I had some Hennessey VSOP last night at his place. But, I know he's enough into it that he showed me all the artwork on his walls that are blessings written in Arabic, and praise for Allah. He also told me about why the peacock is so important to his religion and why he keeps peacock feathers. Anyhow, I can tell that while he's not an ultra-devout Muslim, it DOES matter to him, so I want to make sure I learn about it. Oh, and SPP - yep, that's the one I ordered!
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster If he thinks a blow job means being a suicide bomber then you'll know.
Originally Posted By Labuda Wow, way to take it to tacky, Churro. nicely done. Go eat a frozen fried dough stick, m'k?
Originally Posted By mele I dunno, Ann. I don't think I would date a man who is Muslim. I know that not every Muslim male has extreme views about a woman's place but I would always be afraid that at some point, there would be problems. However, you're a very strong, opinionated, liberated woman so it's very likely that this guy appreciates that in you and it won't be an issue.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, and since you're married and all, I REALLY hope you don't start dating a Muslim.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have dated Muslims, like Christians, there are some who are fantastic and moral, and some that are cracked. Personally I find the teachings of the Islam resonate more with me than the Christianity (though the bible makes up a major part of the Quran). Here is a good introduction: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/...s/islam/</a> This is also an excellent web site: <a href="http://islam101.net/home-mainmenu-1.html" target="_blank">http://islam101.net/home-mainmenu-1.html</a> The main covenent of Islam is to live an ethical and just life. Care for your neighbour. Do your very best to be the best you can be. I find the prejudice of a lot of the American people regarding Islam to be quite concerning. Yes, there have been some horrid atrocities in the name of Allah, but so too has there been in the name of god too. And it is not all in the Middle Ages either.
Originally Posted By Labuda Thanks, Dave! I'll be bookmarking both of those and reading as I get time. And, I've been chatting with Imran a bit about it today, and he's going to get me an English translation of the Quran to read and see if his Imam can find a couple of other texts for me. He had originally suggested I go to the Mosque myself, but since I don't know much at all about Islam and don't want to risk offending anyone by, say, having a shirt on without a high collar, or going into the men's side instead of the women's, he's going to get whatever for me.
Originally Posted By pecos bill Considering what Muslims have done to America, is it any real surprise that there is some prejudice? I mean, are we all really supposed to just let it go? As a person who has no religious beliefs, the most politically correct statement I can make on the original post is to just shut up.
Originally Posted By Mr X Wow, Pecos Bill...that's quite a mouthful you said there. I think you're right, with an attitude like that it is best to hold your tongue, particularly this this topic wasn't started with the intention of being a controversial one about the relative morality of a major religious group but rather more benign (I thought so, anyway). In any case, take your first sentence and replace "Muslims" with "Christians" and "America" with "the Middle East" and your sentiment remains just as true and valid. Doesn't it?
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Considering what Muslims have done to America, is it any real surprise that there is some prejudice? I mean, are we all really supposed to just let it go?*** This, too, speaks load and clear about the abhorrent, broad strokes nature of prejudice (and yes, you definitely used the correct term there boy howdy!). What "Muslims" did to America? All of them? Do you realize what a vast, diverse group of millions of people it is you just condemned? I'll focus my anger on the villains here, the terrorists of al Quada, thanks very much. Let's take another historical example, Pearl Harbor. Boy, they sure did a number on America. So, should we have collectively channeled our anger on all Asians. That's pretty much what you just did. Or how about all Buddhists. The Japanese were Buddhist, after all. Oh, but so were the Chinese. And lots of Indians. And plenty of others. Time to be prejudiced against all of them, I suppose. *sigh*
