Before learning about the origins of Islam I didn’t realize how connected it was to Judaism and Christianity. I understood that it was a monotheistic religion and a few other facts about it, but other than that, that was all I really knew. There are two main components that contributed to my lack of knowledge.
Although I’d like to think of myself as a person who knows a diverse group of people, there was a lack of Islam in my life. I don’t know very many Muslims, and I don’t really compare and contrast the origins of Christianity and Islam with the ones that I do know. Not to say that I compare the origins of Christianity and Judaism with my Jewish friends, but I hear the phrase, “Jesus was Jewish,” all the time. I’ve never heard anyone say, “Muhammad was Christian,” or, “Muhammad was Jewish.” Because Islam wasn’t really a regular topic of discussion in my life I just didn’t know about it as much.
The attacks on 9/11 contributed to my ignorance as well. I did not hate Muslims after the attacks or anything drastic, but the government and the media were constantly talking about Islam. They presented the terrorists and Islam in such a way that they became very distant from Christianity and Judaism.
Because of current events (and life in general) I’m glad that I was able to study Islam. After learning so much more about it, it is interesting and easier to see the parallels between the three most popular religions in the world.
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I personally think 9/11 did mar Islam's reputation but positively or not what it also succeeded in doing was raising some awareness. Before 9/11 there were even less aspects of Islam that were talked about in the mainstream. So I mean if you look at it positively, at least we're talking about it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very optimistic way to think about it, though I'm not sure I disagree. Maybe the ultimate outcome, at least for your generation, will be increased understanding and tolerance. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteI sort of agree. While I think it may have made more people learn more about Islam, I think there are the same amount, who's views and or knowledge about Islam came about from 9/11. I don't think these people necessarily know about other parts of Islam than the "jihad" that saw from 9/11. But being positive is good!
ReplyDeleteI see what you are saying with how the 9/11 attacks but a damper on Islam and how people percieve it. I think that if people were more educated on the religion and they had a better understanding of how it all came about people would be less likely to judge
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