Is it a sin to make fun of Islam?

[Hermione]

I have been reading negative things about Islam. Specifically about Mohammed’s support for violence, the fact that he had a 9 year old wife (in addition to other wives and slave girls), that Muslim scriptures sanction domestic abuse, and other similar facts about the religion.

I’ve also read very negative things about the way Muslim men treat women. (Honor killings, 4 male witnesses for a rape, forced marriages of young girls, taking a wife for a night etc.)

So… I have been making insulting jokes about Islam and saying bad things about Muslim men throughout the day.

Now I am wondering if this is in some way sinful because we’re supposed to be charitable to all…

Is it sinful? Mortally sinful?

(I also got upset about the way men have treated women throughout history, and statistics stating that 20% of women get raped, similar number or more are abused by men, there were no rape-in-marriage laws until relatively recently etc. So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

 

[godsent]

In my opinion you shouldnt mock anybodys else’s faith full stop,its what people believe,ill admit i have had a joke about there religion once or twice but i try my hardest not too!

 

[Genesis315]

I think you can definitely speak your mind on why their beliefs are wrong, but joking about it might be in bad taste. Just my opinion.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hermione:

I So… I have been making insulting jokes about Islam and saying bad things about Muslim men throughout the day.

Now I am wondering if this is in some way sinful because we’re supposed to be charitable to all…

Is it sinful? Mortally sinful?

(I also got upset about the way men have treated women throughout history, and statistics stating that 20% of women get raped, similar number or more are abused by men, there were no rape-in-marriage laws until relatively recently etc. So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

Telling the objective truth about anybody or any institution is not wrong and in fact is obligatory, but be sure it is the truth, not internet rumor, personal opinion or experience presented as global truth, presented in context, fully and completely.

Demeaning, ridiculing or attacking individuals based on religious affiliation, race or any other attribute is sinful always, and contrary to Jesus’ teaching.

 

[deb1]

Hermione:

So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

Just a thought about the “Men are evil” quote. I think women sometimes forget that we too have our dark side. Its absolute power over another person that corrupts, not the person’s particular gender. If we women were in complete power over men then we would find our own unique way of being abusive and controling. So don’t say, “look what happens when men have power.” Say “Look what too much power can do to a human being.”

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Probably depends on context but in general making fun of an erroneous faith is not inherently sinful but likely imprudent or in bad taste.

Scott

 

[BLB_Oregon]

Hermione:

I have been making insulting jokes about Islam and saying bad things about Muslim men throughout the day.

Now I am wondering if this is in some way sinful because we’re supposed to be charitable to all…

Is it sinful? Mortally sinful?

(I also got upset about the way men have treated women throughout history, and statistics stating that 20% of women get raped, similar number or more are abused by men, there were no rape-in-marriage laws until relatively recently etc. So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

Well, first off… if men were inherently evil, Our Lord would not have become a man, nor chosen his disciples from among men. God made us all in his image and likeness. One only needs to spend time at an all-girls school to realize that while the most common sins encountered there are of a different nature than those at an all-boys school, women are not inherently sinless from birth.

It is wrong to mock the holy right along with those who pretend holiness or deceive themselves about their holiness, as if the two were the same–and there are some profoundly holy, devout, and pious men among the Muslims. It is also wrong to leave behind recognition of one’s own sins when challenging evil in others. Still, humor need not be restricted to self-effacing admissions and harmless silliness. It is entirely proper to use satire on behalf of the powerless to challenge those who abuse power. So whether you have anything to confess (and repent of) depends on what it was that you were doing.

Consider also that simple-minded insults such as “Men are evil” are not only slander, but also so obviously foolish as to turn any wise person from listening to another word that you have to say. That is not just putting your light under a basket… it is throwing wet sand on it. Just a little something to think about.

 

[Corinthians]

BLB_Oregon:

One only needs to spend time at an all-girls school to realize that while the most common sins encountered there are of a different nature than those at an all-boys school, women are not inherently sinless from birth.

What are you getting at?

 

[bjorn]

Hermione:

I have been reading negative things about Islam. Specifically about Mohammed’s support for violence, the fact that he had a 9 year old wife (in addition to other wives and slave girls), that Muslim scriptures sanction domestic abuse, and other similar facts about the religion.

I’ve also read very negative things about the way Muslim men treat women. (Honor killings, 4 male witnesses for a rape, forced marriages of young girls, taking a wife for a night etc.)

So… I have been making insulting jokes about Islam and saying bad things about Muslim men throughout the day.

Now I am wondering if this is in some way sinful because we’re supposed to be charitable to all…

Is it sinful? Mortally sinful?

(I also got upset about the way men have treated women throughout history, and statistics stating that 20% of women get raped, similar number or more are abused by men, there were no rape-in-marriage laws until relatively recently etc. So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

try replacing the muslim faith with another that you dont agree with and see if it would change anything.
for instance would it be ok to make fun of jews, buddhists, hindus, protestants or amish? see if that changes your feelings at all.

 

[cutecathchic]

Hermione:

I have been reading negative things about Islam. Specifically about Mohammed’s support for violence, the fact that he had a 9 year old wife (in addition to other wives and slave girls), that Muslim scriptures sanction domestic abuse, and other similar facts about the religion.

I’ve also read very negative things about the way Muslim men treat women. (Honor killings, 4 male witnesses for a rape, forced marriages of young girls, taking a wife for a night etc.)

So… I have been making insulting jokes about Islam and saying bad things about Muslim men throughout the day.

Now I am wondering if this is in some way sinful because we’re supposed to be charitable to all…

Is it sinful? Mortally sinful?

(I also got upset about the way men have treated women throughout history, and statistics stating that 20% of women get raped, similar number or more are abused by men, there were no rape-in-marriage laws until relatively recently etc. So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

about making fun of islam i would say that it is in poor taste to joke about someones faith. disagree yes but joke no. about men i would say “right on girlfriend”

 

[Pinklady]

Would you like it if someone made fun of Catholocism?

 

[Hermione]

I don’t think men are evil, or that all Muslims are evil. But sometimes when I read about things like “4 male witnesses needed to testify that a rape occured,” or about “honor killings,” or the number of rapes that happen in our society (I have a 20% chance of being raped!!!) I’ll get really upset and say things like that.

I’m engaged to a wonderful man myself, and Our Lord Himself became a man! So obviously there are some good men.

I can say a lot of negative things when I get upset.

Do you think I sinned mortally? (I want to go to mass tomorrow, but there’s no confession!)

 

[Della]

I can say a lot of negative things when I get upset.

Do you think I sinned mortally? (I want to go to mass tomorrow, but there’s no confession!)

Most people say negative things when upset. It’s a part of our fallen nature to want to blame someone else for making us feel badly. Being angry at injustices is not wrong but how we respond can be very wrong, can’t it?

I can’t say if what you feel you are guilty of is a mortal sin or not, but if you think you are you should refrain from receiving the Eucharist until you can get to confession, although you could make an act of perfect contrition and still receive. But, denying yourself the Body and Blood of Christ might be a good way to do some preemptive penance, don’t you think?

 

[cutecathchic]

Hermione:

I don’t think men are evil, or that all Muslims are evil. But sometimes when I read about things like “4 male witnesses needed to testify that a rape occured,” or about “honor killings,” or the number of rapes that happen in our society (I have a 20% chance of being raped!!!) I’ll get really upset and say things like that.

I’m engaged to a wonderful man myself, and Our Lord Himself became a man! So obviously there are some good men.

I can say a lot of negative things when I get upset.

Do you think I sinned mortally? (I want to go to mass tomorrow, but there’s no confession!)

dont back down from the truth.we women have been exploited by men throughout history and not much has changed in modern times. men have to be called to task for their actions and we women need to stand up for ourselves.

 

[tuopaolo]

Hermione:

So… I have been making insulting jokes about Islam and saying bad things about Muslim men throughout the day.

Now I am wondering if this is in some way sinful because we’re supposed to be charitable to all…

No it is not a sin. If you made the comments to a Muslim in order to make him feel bad it might be a sin but otherwise it’s not a sin. Muslims as human beings deserve our respect but Islam does not deserve our respect as it is a false religion.

Is it sinful? Mortally sinful?

Even if you committed some venial sin, it is for sure not a mortal sin.

(I also got upset about the way men have treated women throughout history, and statistics stating that 20% of women get raped, similar number or more are abused by men, there were no rape-in-marriage laws until relatively recently etc. So, I have made statments like “men are evil,” “look what happens when men have power” etc.)

Do I need to confess this?

You can confess it if you want but I don’t see a need to unless you willed harm upon men.

 

[BLB_Oregon]

Corinthians:

What are you getting at?

That an all-girls school is hardly the equivalent of a convent, any more than an all-boys school is the equivalent of a monastery… and I get this from adults who have taught at both. Neither males nor females are inherently evil or inherently sinless, nor can one make the blanket statement that one group is inherently worse than the other.

(By the way, I am** not** saying that there is any unequivocal advantage to co-ed schools! To the contrary, I have heard that there is considerable educational advantage to be had in separating boys and girls for their schooling during the years of puberty and very early adulthood.)

 

[BLB_Oregon]

tuopaolo:

Muslims as human beings deserve our respect but Islam does not deserve our respect as it is a false religion.

Not so fast… it is not so simple. Consider the attitude of John Paul II (may he rest in peace!) and his tireless outreach to Islam:

"When John Paul II hosted the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Muslims accepted the Pope’s invitation to world religions to observe a day of fasting and prayer for peace. John Paul’s outreach to Islam began with his address to 50,000 young Muslims in the stadium at Casablanca. King Hussein introduced the Pope to the crowd as “an educator and a defender of values that are shared by Islam and Christianity.” The Pope told his young listeners:

“Christians and Muslims generally we have understood each other badly. Sometimes in the past we have opposed each other and even exhausted ourselves in polemics and wars. I believe that God is calling us today to change our old habits. We have to respect each other and stimulate each other in good works upon the path indicated by God. In a world that desires unity and peace, but which experiences a thousand tensions and conflicts, believers should foster friendship and union among humanity and the people who comprise a single community on earth” (*L’Osservatore Romano, *August 1985). …

John Paul II has typically called the Muslims “brothers.” Only a few months after his election, in an appeal for peace in Lebanon, the Pope invoked Mary as Queen of Peace: “We know that the Mother of God is greatly venerated also by our Muslim brothers.” …

Despite modest results, John Paul II has extended the hand of brotherhood and forgiveness to “our younger brothers born in Abraham.”

That does not sound like the attitude of someone trying to teach us that Islam is a false religion, unworthy of the respect of Christians!

Many is the action in this world that is worthy of neither respect nor any other sort of approval, but it is still a wise policy to examine yourself closely whenever you think yourself free to act in disrespect. Be wise in how you apply yourself to it, lest you judge where you should not be judging or burn bridges that prudence would leave standing.

 

[tuopaolo]

BLB_Oregon:

Not so fast… it is not so simple.

It is simple. Islam is a false religion. Falsehood does not deserve respect. Therefore Islam should not be respected.

In the quotes you provided the Pope speaks of respecting “each other” – I agree completely; we should respect each other, we should respect Muslims as fellow human beings. Nothing in the quotes you provided shows the Pope saying that we should respect Islam.

It seems that you deny that Islam is a false religion. Islam and Catholicism can’t both be true religions. That’s relativism. And the Pope was no relativist. To say that Islam is a true religion is to repudiate the Catholic faith.

 

[nike248]

tuopaolo:

It is simple. Islam is a false religion. Falsehood does not deserve respect. Therefore Islam should not be respected.

In the quotes you provided the Pope speaks of respecting “each other” – I agree completely; we should respect each other, we should respect Muslims as fellow human beings. Nothing in the quotes you provided shows the Pope saying that we should respect Islam.

It seems that you deny that Islam is a false religion. Islam and Catholicism can’t both be true religions. That’s relativism. And the Pope was no relativist. To say that Islam is a true religion is to repudiate the Catholic faith.

I hope you don’t take this attitude with Muslims. This is no way to help them. While I’ll agree with you that Islam is a false religion, we should respect it out of respect for our Muslim brothers and in order to bring them into the fold(As hard as that may be).

 

[ktm]

Della:

Most people say negative things when upset. It’s a part of our fallen nature to want to blame someone else for making us feel badly. Being angry at injustices is not wrong but how we respond can be very wrong, can’t it?

I can’t say if what you feel you are guilty of is a mortal sin or not, but if you think you are you should refrain from receiving the Eucharist until you can get to confession, although you could make an act of perfect contrition and still receive. But, denying yourself the Body and Blood of Christ might be a good way to do some preemptive penance, don’t you think?

Absolutely not. Refraining from Communion without a good reason is without merit. Jesus instituted the Eucharist for a reason, and it wasn’t for us to deny ourselves the sacrament. We are obligated to refrain from taking Communion only certain, clearly defined circumstances (e.g., we are conscious of unconfessed mortal sin, we have not observed the fast, we have already received Communion twice that day, etc.) Scrupulous people should not rely on their feelings to help them decide whether they are in mortal sin. That is the last thing they must do.

Hermione, you’ve got to stop thinking so much about your sins. Take it from someone who also suffers from scruples, although not as badly as I used to. You are going to drive yourself totally crazy if you keep this up, and it will serve only to ruin your relationship with God.

The best things I have found to control my scruples were find a confessor I trust, only go to him for confession, never question his advice, and pray to God to end my scruples. The newsletters from Scrupulous Anonymous have also been a great help.

You mustn’t rely on the CA forums for every question about a moral issue. You need to get a confessor you trust. In answer to your question, is saying nasty things about Islam or Muslims (or Catholics or Protestants or doctors or children or teachers or whatever) sinful? Yes, of course it is. Is it bad manners? Yes. Is it a mortal sin? No way.

I mentioned to you in another thread that pride plays a part in scruples, and you replied in your case it’s OCD, not pride. I would contend we are both correct – you (and I) are obsessed with trying to be perfect, which is impossible. Only God is perfect. All we can do is try our best. As time passes you will hopefully gain confidence and if/when you commit an actual mortal sin, there will be zero question in your mind. I bet you have spent many, many hours reading about the Ten Commandments, the moral teachings of the church, articles from apologetics groups, etc. So you know the moral law. You need to get yourself a good confessor/spiritual advisor who will help you to learn how to apply it. If you keep posting on these forums with such questions you are going to get 20 different answers to your posts, which will serve only to confuse you and make you very unhappy. Take it from someone who knows.