Why are Muslims hateful?
That is clearly an unfair question because I am certain Muslims are not hateful.
If you want to know what it is like to be 80-years old, look at an 80-year old person. If you want to know what it is like to be a Baha’i, look at a Baha’i. If you want to know what it is like to be a Muslim, look at a Muslim.
The point… each of us has an obligation to set an example that reflects what we are and what we believe in. If I am a Catholic and I am hateful, people who look at me as a Catholic and see my hatefulness, see Catholics as hateful. If I am 63-years old, over-weight, out of shape and dragging my butt from day to day with a frown on my face, people will perceive 63-years old as a bad age to be, and justifiably so.
I am obligated to my children and to my children’s children to set an example of what the future holds for them and what it is like to be whatever they perceive I AM.
I am at peace with Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Native American Spirituality, Celtic Spirituality… but I struggle with Islam. I do not want to struggle with Islam. The opening words of the Qur’an as translated by the esteemed Abdullah Yusuf Ali are:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds;
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
Show us the straight way.
The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, Those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
The way of those… whose portion is not wrath…. Those without wrath who will not go astray…
I do not believe Muslims are hateful, but I see much ‘wrath’ around the world willingly accepted by Muslims who proudly acknowlegde their ‘wrath.’ Lord, help me to understand why so much hate in the world flows from Muslims…. If you are a Muslim and you can help me to understand, PLEASE comment.
Let us all be good examples to our chidren. Geno, thanks for your insights and your example.
If there is really one God, one spiritual presence in the world, then all religions and beliefs are seeking the way of God, the same God. Just going along separate paths, different ways, but all must accept that the God is the same.
The beliefs and religions you are at peace with are those which do accept this, or are moving towards an acceptance.
Only Islam remains willing to condemn non-believers and even sanctions killing them, justifies this.
I believe that searching for the supreme being makes us better human beings, and better to each other. Therefore, any belief which accepts this is better than no belief at all. Except for Islam.