Religion has been the cause of many disputes for thousands of years. In today's society, the ethnocentrism displayed by Christians causes conflict between them and other religious groups residing in America- especially Muslims. Muslims are a sub-culture to the more popular group of Christians, but does that mean that they are all terrorists or inclined to violence?
Recently, Christians have had a hard time adjusting to the fact that Muslims are becoming increasingly more dominant especially in some regions of the U.S. Christians in areas densely populated with Muslims have spoken out about their difficulty adjusting to the appearance of mosques in their neighborhood and do not like the prayer call that is played. In the episode of '30 Days' we watched in class, people were saying that when they thought of Muslims they thought of terrorists, violence, Aladdin's flying carpet and 9/11. Perhaps if Muslims, and other religions, were portrayed in the media with a more reputable manner there would be less misconception.
I see exactly where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteThis country was founded on a few central principles-- one was the idea that this could be a place where people could worship in any way they wish; although at the time Americans were probably only aware of Catholicism and Protestantism.
With that said, I'm often shocked (but not surprised) when I hear men and women on television, on the street, and in the workplace spouting on about how another religion is "evil" or "overzealous"-- we're told this about Islam constantly.
Honestly, I think judging someone based on how they worship is stupid (and I don't like using the word "stupid"). In fact the last time I cared to check each and every major religion on Earth has violated another religion(Zorastrians and Mandaeists have been all but wiped out), other ethnicities and have worsened the human condition to an equal extent.