What Stereotypes Do Muslims and Christians Hold About One Another?

In our day Muslims and Christians hold concepts about their different faiths and adherents that are either nowhere to be found in the real practice of their faiths, or are otherwise misunderstood. A few of these are:

Muslim Stereotypes of Christianity and Christians -

# Christians believe in three Gods

# Christianity is synonymous with the Evils of The West - porn, drugs, divorce, etc.

# Christians hate Muslims everywhere

Christian Stereotypes of Islam and Muslims -

# All Muslims are radicals

# Islam is a violent religion by default

# Muslims are dogmatists and intolerant.

Certainly, there are more to add to the list - and we can classify them as either politically motivated, religiously instigated, or humanistically ridiculous, etc. The issue here is that this thread seeks to offer the opportunity to adherents of both faiths - (Christians and Muslims; as well as others who hold any stereotypes of these faiths) - to correct these misconceptions and provide well-reasoned discussions to counter them. For example, non-Muslims (whether Christians, atheists or people of other faiths) many times see Islam as synonymous with violence, and most Muslims have had a hard time trying to convince the world that Islam by the books is not violent but rather is a 'religion of peace.' On the other hand, non-Christians have often seen Christianity as responsible for some social ills like sexual immorality, scandals and financial fraud in 'high places!' How do Christians plead to these allegations?

Okay, I'm a Christian - so I'm not allowed to sit on the fence. Thus I'll be actively participating in this thread to allay the fears of people holding anti-Christian stereotypes, especially pointing them to the Bible about what Christianity really is. I hope that our Muslim friends would take good advantage of this opportunity to set us straight about some of the misconceptions we often hold about Islam.

4get_me,

I must confess that I like this approach of yours in trying to allay the fears of the 'warring' religious parties. This I believe is a more religious, mature and objective approach to resolving the various arguments that  have been posted on this forum.

For me my approach is to take every one as an individual and not generalise based on religious beliefs. After all, we did not choose the religions we were born into and should leave our 'salvation' for God to decide. That is if u believe in destiny.

For I have realised that every individual has his/her own interpretation of their various guiding scriptures and so will act differently in different situations.

Live and let live!!

I agree this is quite a mature approach to inter-faith understanding.

This question has been on my mind for quite a while now: Muslims have always claimed that Islam is the only authentic monotheistic religion in the world. How can this be substantiated by the seeming plurality of deities that claim to be acting like the Islamic 'Allah'?

shahan,

i need your proof

@shahan,

where was it written in the Quran and maybe u will explain whom God was talking to when he said 'let us make man in our own image' if he was talking to someone, whats the evidence?

@ muske:

"let us make man in our own image" -
- In Genesis, God was talking to the other members of the Trinity - i.e Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity doctrine is that the three members of the Trinity work in unison and are the same, yet holding different offices. Let me give a good example to further illustrate this :->

Matter has three states i.e solid, liquid and gaseous. What makes them similar is that they are matter. What makes them different is their states.

I hope u get the overall picture. . .

. . . And furthermore, the evidence itself is the Bible which you picked that verse from.

@muske & babs787,

I was a muslim, and I would like to see how you defend the polytheism of the *Allah* being worshipped in Islam.

babs787:

shahan,
i need your proof

As already supplied by a former Muslim, here they are:

Sura 6 vs.94
"And behold! ye come to Us bare and alone as We created you for the first time. . ."

Sura 7 vs.11
"It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis; He refused to be of those who prostrate."

Q.23 vs.12
"Verily We created man from a product of wet earth"

Q.51 vs.47-49
"And the heaven, We raised it high with power, and most surely We are the makers of things ample. . . And of every thing We have created pairs. . ."

Sura 10 vs.12
"When trouble toucheth a man, he crieth unto Us (in all postures)- lying down on his side, or sitting, or standing. But when We have solved his trouble, he passeth on his way as if he had never cried to Us for a trouble that touched him! thus do the deeds of transgressors seem fair in their eyes!"

Q.21 vs.73
"And We made them Imams who guided (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of the alms, and Us (alone) did they serve"  (transl. by Pickthal: "and they were worshippers of Us (alone).".

Q.21 vs.35
"Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return."


If you need more, just call for it when you have finished waiting. 

Can any Muslim explain to me the meaning of the following verse:

004.034
YUSUFALI: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Do they oblige or condone in such contexts,the physical "reproach" of disobedient women?

Coming from the Muslim thread, I had suggested that we bring our enquiries here. Like I observed earlier, this issue has been dealt with in another thread --


Glorious Qur'an -- (https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-25738.64.html#msg808353).

If anyone's interested, they could see how well-articulated the several replies there have been, to the point that Islam permits Muslim men to BEAT their wives.

@pilgrim

Coming from the Muslim thread, I had suggested that we bring our enquiries here. Like I observed earlier, this issue has been dealt with in another thread --

Glorious Qur'an -- (https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-25738.64.html#msg808353).


If anyone's interested, they could see how well-articulated the several replies there have been, to the point that Islam permits Muslim men to BEAT their wives.

I am not surprised at your roundabout argument cos I am well known to it. I thoght your sister raised the issue of 'we' in the Quran and it has been dealt with in one of the threads. Rather than concentrate on that, you tried diverting to another link which answers have also been provided.

The picture in that link doesnt mean that Muslims beat their wives. Jus because you saw a picture of a man beating his wife doesnt mean that all muslims beat their wives. Its not done and I have never and will never do that.

Are you trying to tell me that there are no 'men of God' in christianity that beat their wives? Be honest to yourself while providing the answer.



Thanks

babs787:

I am not surprised at your roundabout argument because I am well known to it. I thoght your sister raised the issue of 'we' in the Quran and it has been dealt with in one of the threads.

Absolute bunkum! What has "we" got to do with what I have posted? Do you have eyes to read, or you just take pleasure in displaying your talent for deception?

babs787:

Rather than concentrate on that, you tried diverting to another link which answers have also been provided.

Concentrate on what? And who gave 'answers', when the only thing that comes from Muslims is tomes of denials upon denials even when clear and straightforward evidence is presented to them?

babs787:

The picture in that link doesnt mean that Muslims beat their wives. Jus because you saw a picture of a man beating his wife doesnt mean that all muslims beat their wives. Its not done and I have never and will never do that.

Two things here, babs: (a) if there were no pictures, it still will not hide the fact that the Qur'an permits Muslim men to BEAT their wives; (b) to assert that "it is not done" is to deny the clear evidence in both those pictures and movie clips in that link.

When will you grow up and stop the dishonest antics, babs? The Qur'an clearly says that Muslim men can BEAT their wives; and the pictures prove that they do precisely that!

babs787:

Are you trying to tell me that there are no 'men of God' in christianity that beat their wives? Be honest to yourself while providing the answer.

Those who beat their wives are losers - so says shahan, and I strongly agree. I'm only asking that you offer me a verse in the Bible that says CHRISTIAN men are to BEAT their wives. And yes, be honest to yourself for once when you try another one of those usual MUSLIM deceptions - it has never worked on pilgrim.1 - and it will NEVER work!

@Shahan

Anywhere you come across such words as 'WE', 'US', and 'OUR' as used in the context of the Qur'anic verses you quoted and many more, they simply depict royalty.
Take a look at the usage of the word 'we' in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

we/wi:/ - Detailed Guide 6.2. [/i]pers pron (used as the subject of a v) 1 I and another or others; I and you: [i]We've moved to London. 2 (fml) (used instead of 'I' by a King, queen or pope or by the writer of an editorial article in a newspaper, etc). Cf THE ROYAL WE (ROYAL). 3 (used when speaking to children, sick people, etc to indicate kindly superiority): Now what are we doing here?

I hope this not only answers your question, but also satisfies your curiosity.

Peace!

abidebyme, at least you sound a bit smarter than the regular dull folks we get here but you are trying to shoot urself in the foot.
Do you think mohammed and his cohorts had a copy of the Oxford english dictionary when they got the quran?

Stop attempting to hoodwink us by importing what did not exist in the quran. it is obvious who the we and us are in the quran and it definitely was not about royalty!

@Abidebyme,

First, let me welcome you to the Forum.

Now, I'd like to draw your attention to the flaw in your reply by the reference your offered:

Abidebyme:

Anywhere you come across such words as 'WE', 'US', and 'OUR' as used in the context of the Qur'anic verses you quoted and many more, they simply depict royalty.
Take a look at the usage of the word 'we' in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

we/wi:/ - Detailed Guide 6.2. [/i]pers pron (used as the subject of a v) 1 I and another or others; I and you: [i]We've moved to London. 2 (fml) (used instead of 'I' by a King, queen or pope or by the writer of an editorial article in a newspaper, etc). Cf THE ROYAL WE (ROYAL). 3 (used when speaking to children, sick people, etc to indicate kindly superiority): Now what are we doing here?

I wonder if you noticed that in all cases, those pronouns ('WE', 'US', and 'OUR') were a matter of PLURALITY and not singularity? Try and delineate them neatly and see for yourself:

>> 1 I and another or others; I and you: We've moved to London.

When you say "I and another", that is definitely MORE THAN ONE! You're speaking of SEVERAL people.


>> 2 (fml) (used instead of 'I' by a King, queen or pope or by the writer of an editorial article in a newspaper, etc). Cf THE ROYAL WE (ROYAL)

I believe shahan made this clear and offered a reference already to show precisely that when a Queen is speaking or addressing  others directly (especially speaking to dignitaries), she uses the singular pronouns 'I', 'MY' and 'ME' - e.g., "My lords and members of the House of Commons, my government will pursue policies aimed at meeting the challenges which the United Kingdom faces at home and abroad."

But when she is referring to herself and another (which is a dignitary or royalty besides herself alone) she clearly uses the plural pronouns 'WE', 'US', and 'OUR' - e.g., "The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our State Visit to the United States of America in May 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement. We also look forward to receiving the President of Ghana and Mrs Kufuor." Source: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6150274.stm). 

It is therefore important to understand what you mean by referencing 'THE ROYAL WE (ROYAL)' when addressing this issue, so that one does not get confused and suppose that the Queen alone would be referring to herself as 'WE', 'US', and 'OUR'.


>> 3 (used when speaking to children, sick people, etc to indicate kindly superiority): Now what are we doing here?

Of course, you can see that the speaker does not speak of himself alone - he is addressing others beside him: "what are WE doing here". Even though you may be superior to your neighbours children, if you were alone on 3rd Mainland Bridge, you CANNOT say to yourself "what are WE doing here" when it is clear you're standing there alone! Much less would Allah be ascribing the divine matters of PRAYER, WORSHIP and CREATION to others besides him and speaking of himself ALONE as 'WE', 'OUR' and 'US' if he did not intend clearly to mean that he was referring to others. Those plural pronounce in the Qur'an cannot be applied to a singular entity - and the 'evidence' Muslim apologists try to offer only disprove what they try to obfuscate in the Qur'an.


Unfortunately, your reference does not explicate the PLURAL pronouns of Allah in the Qur'an. More than that, you should remember that the Qur'an was written in Arabic and translated into other languages; so you can't be offering explanations of English pronouns for the plurality of the Arabic Qur'an where Allah speaks as a plurality of deities. I don't think your pointers helped to clarify issues at all.

@PTH,
Ofcourse, the Oxford Advanced Learner's did not exist at the time and it definitely wouldn't have been a reference here were we not talking of translated texts of the Qur'an. Since the translation was in English, I guess it would only be right to employ an authority in that language to explain. You can be sure that I stand to gain naught by hoodwinking you or anyone at all as a matter of fact.
This whole thing is premised on semantics and you would necessarily agree that it's not localised to English language only. I'm sure you know that the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic which, was the language of its direct recipients at the time.
Without a doubt, were a single individual to address me thus: 'Awa yi ti di onile leko yi!' (Yoruba for 'We have become landlords in this Lagos!'), I would conclude that he/she is simply being pompous for trying to show that he/she is superior to me in that regard.
Take it from me, the words 'WE', 'US' and 'OUR' in those verses contextually imply ROYALTY and SUPERIORITY!

Peace.

@Pilgrim.1,
I only lifted the dictionary text for reference purposes but kindly focus on item 2 of the definition.

2 (fml) (used instead of 'I' by a king, queen or pope or by the writer of an editorial article in a newspaper, etc). Cf THE ROYAL WE (ROYAL).

From the above, it is quite obvious that the indefinite article 'a' before 'king' also applies to 'queen' and 'pope' and all these are in the singular form. What is to be inferred form this definition, therefore, is that a single individual can use the plural form of the first person singular either in the subject, object, or possessive to show royalty. That's all there really is to it!
Consequently, it would be a great disservice to anyone to tie this to 'the Queen'. (Don't be confused by your supposition).

About the Qur'an being revealed in Arabic, like I said to PTH, this issue is all about semantics and I'ld like to believe that you agree English language cannot claim a monopoly over this. Whether translated in English, Greek, French, Spanish, Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa, the words 'WE', 'US' and 'OUR' as used in those Qur'anic verses simply depict ROYALTY and SUPERIORITY!

Peace!

@Abidebyme,

Abidebyme:

I only lifted the dictionary text for reference purposes but kindly focus on item 2 of the definition.

2 (fml) (used instead of 'I' by a king, queen or pope or by the writer of an editorial article in a newspaper, etc). Cf THE ROYAL WE (ROYAL).

Did you carefully consider the context in which that could apply? Have you ever seen where 'a' King or 'a' Queen speaks of himself or herself as 'WE', 'US' and 'OUR'? Did you consider the example I gave you, or you just simply want to maintain an argument where you have nothing to show your case?

Abidebyme:

From the above, it is quite obvious that the indefinite article 'a' before 'king' also applies to 'queen' and 'pope' and all these are in the singular form. What is to be inferred form this definition, therefore, is that a single individual can use the plural form of the first person singular either in the subject, object, or possessive to show royalty. That's all there really is to it!

That is not all there is to it, because 'a' King, 'a' Queen', 'a' Pope etc use the plural pronouns when referring to themselves AND OTHERS besides them! I've given you the example of the Queen's speech earlier - please go there and read it to find out that she never used the plural pronouns in speaking ONLY of herself. She used the plural pronouns when referring to both herself and someone else - the Duke of Edinburgh! Please go read it again and let's not play games with this issue!

Abidebyme:

Consequently, it would be a great disservice to anyone to tie this to 'the Queen'. (Don't be confused by your supposition).

The disservice is the supposition Muslims make by trying to refer to, and thus confuse, issues that are plain for all to see. 'A' Queen uses a singular pronoun in addressing herself to others; she uses the plural pronouns in addressing BOTH herself AND another royalty to her audience. No confusion there - and you can go read it for yourself (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6150274.stm).

Abidebyme:

About the Qur'an being revealed in Arabic, like I said to PTH, this issue is all about semantics and I'ld like to believe that you agree English language cannot claim a monopoly over this. Whether translated in English, Greek, French, Spanish, Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa, the words 'WE', 'US' and 'OUR' as used in those Qur'anic verses simply depict ROYALTY and SUPERIORITY!

English grammar is simple and straight forward - as applies as well in French, Spanish, and the Nigerian languages (Greek has perculiar nuances, if you care to find out). And there is no way you can argue away the PLURALITY of deities in the Qur'an by wishing away the fact that Allah speaks in plural pronouns as depicting others besides himself.

@ pilgrim.1, you get time to argue with these hypocritical revisionists. If truly this new "royalty" definition for the we conundrum is the truth, why are we just hearing it?

It's not even that we're just hearing it from them. Aside from the fact that some misplaced mullah has tried to re-engineer the simple meanings of English pronouns, why is it that Muslim apologists argue from silence and have indicated nothing to show as examples of what they argue?

is it not a shame that the same people who cry about the quran being the undiluted words of allah would rush to the oxford english dictionary to help them make the so-called holy words sound politically correct.

Hehe. . I no fit laugh again! Haven't you heard that the Qur'an no longer remains the word of Allah whenever it is translated into another language? And if you leave it in Qur'anic arabic, the mullahs cannot agree on what it says. I just tire for them.

and when you attempt to use the violent and sometimes immoral hadiths to explain that book of inchoate ramblings they tell you the hadiths are fake. what are we to believe now?

Having been away for a while‚ i return to see that this thread has been kept going by no others than PTH and Pilgrim.1. isn't that funny?
Even [b]Shahan[/b]who raised the initial question has decided to hold her peace.
On a lighter note‚ this thread is about dealing with stereotypes and no one is here for a brawl. You guys don't have to get so up tight.
I offered an English answer to a question posed in English Language; where lies the crime herein? Do you really think it would have helped you at all if the answer came in Arabic?
I really love u guys so please‚ don't get yourselves unnecessarily worked up over this. i believe that my earlier posts suffice‚ in all ramifications‚ as answers to the original question so‚ if you have any other real questions‚ feel very free to ask.

Peace!

Abidebyme:

Having been away for a while‚ i return to see that this thread has been kept going by no others than PTH and Pilgrim.1. isn't that funny?

lol we all know the average muslim does not like people who never give up. I'm not surprised many of u run away from threads that have myself and pilgrim.1 involved. The typical muslim is afraid of being exposed.

Abidebyme:

Even [b]Shahan[/b]who raised the initial question has decided to hold her peace.

are you advocating we also hold our peace?

Abidebyme:

On a lighter note‚ this thread is about dealing with stereotypes and no one is here for a brawl. You guys don't have to get so up tight.
I offered an English answer to a question posed in English Language; where lies the crime herein? Do you really think it would have helped you at all if the answer came in Arabic?
I really love u guys so please‚ don't get yourselves unnecessarily worked up over this. i believe that my earlier posts suffice‚ in all ramifications‚ as answers to the original question so‚ if you have any other real questions‚ feel very free to ask.

Peace!

you have not offered any answers but merely your own way of dribbling round an embarrasing issue that has stumped several muslims. What if the english language and the oxford ditionary did not exist how would you have explained it? How do muslims who dont understand english explain the same verse away?

[/quote]
lol we all know the average muslim does not like people who never give up.

Perseverence is actually a virtue in Islam so there's absolutely no reason whatsoever for us to be averse to those who positively persist. However, persistence in trying to evade the truth is seen otherwise.

The typical muslim is afraid of being exposed.

How does someone who has naught to hide become afraid of being exposed?

are you advocating we also hold our peace?

I only believe that it's more honorable for a man to appreciate and acknowledge the truth and sound reasoning even if it's against his whims and caprices.

What if the english language and the oxford ditionary did not exist how would you have explained it?

I guess we wouldn't have had any cause to be here in the first place since you wouldn't have been able to comprehend the Arabic texts, not to talk of query them.

[quote]

How do muslims who don't understand english explain the same verse away?

I'm quite sure English Language isn't your mothertongue and before you learnt the very diction you now use, people were able to communicate effectively in their various languages. You don't have to be so ecstatic about English; afterall, there are languages that are richer and more refined than it (e.g. Arabic).

While you think of posting your next reply, kindly throw more light on the issue of trinity and what position Jesus Christ supposedly assumes in it. I hope to get educated.

Peace!

lol we all know the average muslim does not like people who never give up.

Perseverence is actually a virtue in Islam so there's absolutely no reason whatsoever for us to be averse to those who positively persist. However, persistence in trying to evade the truth is seen otherwise.

The typical muslim is afraid of being exposed.

How does someone who has naught to hide become afraid of being exposed?

are you advocating we also hold our peace?

I only believe that it's more honorable for a man to appreciate and acknowledge the truth and sound reasoning even if it's against his whims and caprices.

What if the english language and the oxford ditionary did not exist how would you have explained it?

I guess we wouldn't have had any cause to be here in the first place since you wouldn't have been able to comprehend the Arabic texts, not to talk of query them.

What if the english language and the oxford ditionary did not exist how would you have explained it?

I'm quite sure English Language isn't your mothertongue and before you learnt the very diction you now use, people were able to communicate effectively in their various languages. You don't have to be so ecstatic about English; afterall, there are languages that are richer and more refined than it (e.g. Arabic).

While you think of posting your next reply, kindly throw more light on the issue of trinity and what position Jesus Christ supposedly assumes in it. I hope to get educated.

Peace!

pilgrim.1:

Hehe. .  I no fit laugh again!   Haven't you heard that the Qur'an no longer remains the word of Allah whenever it is translated into another language? And if you leave it in Qur'anic arabic, the mullahs cannot agree on what it says. I just tire for them.

Islam is the deification of Arab cultural practices coupled with the plagiarism of other religions.It began essentially as an Arab nationalist cause hence the prominence Arabism plays in Islam today.

Devout Muslims have to adopt Arab names,read in Arabic,pray in it and wear clothing originating from the Arab world.They also have to visit the Arab world in pilgrimage.The Muslim god is an Arab! Prayers at the Mosque cannot be conducted in Igbo,Yoruba,Hausa.e.tc because Allah prefers Arabic

Abidebyme:

I'm quite sure English Language isn't your mothertongue and before you learnt the very diction you now use, people were able to communicate effectively in their various languages. You don't have to be so ecstatic about English; afterall, there are languages that are richer and more refined than it (e.g. Arabic).

English language is my mother tongue. In what way is the arabic richer and more refined? In the fact that English is the most widely used language in existence today?

Abidebyme:

While you think of posting your next reply, kindly throw more light on the issue of trinity and what position Jesus Christ supposedly assumes in it. I hope to get educated.

u're not seeking education, its the same muslim game. When cornered with difficult questions, pop another one of the tired oft repeated questions so as to shift the goal posts. I wont dignify you with a response because this question has been asked AND ANSWERED one too many times on this board.

@PTH
It's unfortunate that that's your response because I really would like us to reason together. Besides that was my first time of making any request of you; the least you could have done would have been to refer me to the relevant links. I thought this thread was about shedding light on grey areas.
I would be away for some time but hope to continue when I get back.
Take care.

Peace!

@Abidebyme,

Abidebyme:

Having been away for a while‚ i return to see that this thread has been kept going by no others than PTH and Pilgrim.1. isn't that funny?

What's funny about that?

Abidebyme:

Even [b]Shahan[/b]who raised the initial question has decided to hold her peace.

I hope that's not a sigh of trepidation on your part? We wouldn't have had to come this far if you guys gave direct, reasoned and honest answers at the onset. Besides, I brought a different concern here because I'd wanted you guys to enjoy the Muslim thread. It's unfortunate that the few Muslims barging in here didn't see that.

Abidebyme:

On a lighter note‚ this thread is about dealing with stereotypes and no one is here for a brawl. You guys don't have to get so up tight.

No one's getting so uptight about anything. Isn't it fascinating that most Muslims never keep to the topic of a thread, and would rather employ deflections where their suppositions are being called in question?

Abidebyme:

I offered an English answer to a question posed in English Language; where lies the crime herein? Do you really think it would have helped you at all if the answer came in Arabic?

Dude, the question was not an English one - it was a matter of what's written in the Qur'an. If you had reasoned out the answers even from a translation of the Qur'an to demonstrate your case, we would consider it in all simplicity.

Abidebyme:

I really love u guys so please‚ don't get yourselves unnecessarily worked up over this. i believe that my earlier posts suffice‚ in all ramifications‚ as answers to the original question so‚ if you have any other real questions‚ feel very free to ask.

Well, as they say, I take no prisoners. Love to you as well.