Why do a lot of American Catholics not like Muslims?

[steve_b]

Today, there are preconceptions that Islam is spreading by use of force. Not always true but the news drives perception especially in the West.

From what I’ve read, catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/other-religions/islam.html and other (links that follow) from its inception,** Islam and Jihad**, were together. NOT seperate. (can they even be seperated if one is Muslim?)

Therefore, from it’s origin / beginning, it was NOT a religion of peace, spread by love of God with one’s whole heart soul, mind, and strength, and love of neighbor as themselves, but was a religion spread by the sword. Mohammed and Mohammedanism
808:

Some people believe the same of the Crusaders in the Middle Ages but they forget the rest of the Christian church did NOT go to war with the Saracens, Moors, or Ottomans.

By “rest of the Christian Church” do you mean those Eastern Catholic Christians who ultimately seperated from the Catholic Church and called themselves the Orthodox? Before that split happened, their populations that usually split along ethnic lines, had already suffered descimation among their populations by Islam’s advance. The Crusades were also designed to liberate THEM from that persecution as well.
808:

Again, the “crusaders” were sent by their kings in defense of the church not directly by the church.

After 400+ years of Islamic Jihad, the writing was on the wall. Pope Urban II called for the Crusades. It’s clear to me, the crusades were a defensive move not an offensive one. From conception, Islam grew by the sword NOT by peaceful means. Neither Christians nor any non Muslim were safe nor had a right to exist as Christian, Jew, etc etc. Even today, many Muslims not cut from a certain brand of Muslim, aren’t safe among their own either. It needs to be said though, that in the beginning of Islam, the choice was either convert to Islam, be a slave, or die. After 400+ years of that carnage and exodus of Christians from their lands & particularly holy sites in Christendom, the first crusade was called for by Pope Urban. I say that again. AFTER 400+ years of persecution and brutality against Christians, THEN the pope acted against the persecuters…
808:

It’s been my opinion people fear most what they don’t understand.

It’s also the case where people fear MOST what they** DO understand**.

catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/the-crusades/the-real-history-of-the-crusades.html

A fool otoh, is a person who lacks good sense or judgment in the information that is there for them to see.

Unfortunately there are too many people IMV, that fall into the last category.
808:

I believe all 3 monotheistic religions have common beliefs that we could one day build a health understanding.
To do this, we have to WANT to understand then take actions to understand. This is very difficult to do when there are people of a specific religious faith who commit atrocities in their name of their religion; misguided or not.

Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit guide us all to desire better understanding so that we may work to true and lasting peace.

There’s also the problem that there are too many people who don’t read history. Those folks will surely repeat the mistakes of the past because they don’t know the past… But let’s say even if one knows nothing of the past, they can look at this subject first hand from what is in the here & now… When certain muslims get control of a country, and their law is now the only one that exists. How does that go for the survival of any other religion in **that **country? The answer is, it is disasterous. Looking back at history, that’s NOT new to Islam in general, nor just with any certain brand of Islam today. Even though to be fair, Islam has factions within itself today, and within these brands, there is intollerance with each other as well.

But that only raises the questions. Out of 1.5 billion members,

• which Muslim country today displays peace and tollerance for other religions? Which do NOT?

If it can be asked this way,

• how big is the Islam that wants to convert the world by jihad?

Especially considering the Quran / Koran teaches Jihad (holy war) against pagans Jews and Christians

catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/other-religions/islam.html

 

[Pythons]

Hello everyone. I am 17 years old. I have noticed on these forums and a lot of other places that American Catholics seem not to trust Muslim people and are very wary of them. Why is this happening? They seem to distance themselves from them and not trust them at all and seem to assume that all Muslim people are terrorists, which is completely false. I personally like integrating with cultures and I feel as if I don’t belong to one culture and I am open to learning about other religions/cultures. I’ve looked into the Muslim faith and I’ve met many Muslim people and they’re all peaceful and they all denounce extremist actions. I know people have told me that the Quran says some things that indicate an extremist attitude but we need to contextualize and look at the historical background of the creation of the Quran. Also, Muslims and Catholics believe in the same God of Abraham, so why emphasize the fact that we are so different? I’ve been noticing this anti-Islam sentiment coming mainly from American Catholics, wheras European and Canadian Catholics are more open to them. Why is this?

I think the concern is directed at the devout Muslims ( those Muslims who are “Fundamentalist” in their belief…
…A devout Catholic or “fundamentalist Catholic” does not do the sort of things an Islamic Fundamentalist does.
…I believe herein lies the concern you illustrated.

Myself, I’ve known several Muslims who were, as they described themselves, not really practicing the Religion…
…These were nice folks, just like anyone else who is nice.
…By their own identification they were NOT DEVOUT.

 

[BartholomewB]

Also, Muslims and Catholics believe in the same God of Abraham, so why emphasize the fact that we are so different?

That is disputed by some people, both Christians and Muslims. The God of Abraham is the God of both Jews and Christians, but it is risky to assert, as if it were an established fact, that Allah, the god of the Muslims, is also the God of Abraham. The Christian Church had its origin as a splinter group within Judaism, but the origin of Islam had no such direct connection with either of the two older religions.

In Malaysia, as we know (link below), it is illegal for Bibles in the Malay language to use the name “Allah” to designate the Jewish and Christian God. Clearly the Muslim authorities in Malaysia are asserting that Allah is a different god from the God of Abraham.

nytimes.com/2014/11/04/world/asia/in-malaysia-allah-is-reserved-for-muslims-only.html?_r=0

 

[Presence]

I’ve looked into the Muslim faith and I’ve met many Muslim people and they’re all peaceful and they all denounce extremist actions. I know people have told me that the Quran says some things that indicate an extremist attitude but we need to contextualize and look at the historical background of the creation of the Quran. Also, Muslims and Catholics believe in the same God of Abraham, so why emphasize the fact that we are so different? I’ve been noticing this anti-Islam sentiment coming mainly from American Catholics, wheras European and Canadian Catholics are more open to them. Why is this?

I think many Muslims “denounce” extremism because they’ve been influenced by western Judeo-Christian culture…or they do so out of fear for their own safety. It definitely doesn’t seem to be a common theme: Muslims denouncing the actions of other Muslims.

While I don’t like to make blanket assumptions about people of any creed or color I don’t feel guilty of anything for withholding a certain amount of trust towards a person who claims to be Muslim.

I do think you have a perspective on things that may not reflect the way things objectively are. I don’t see an emphasis in American Catholicism about the difference between Islam and Christianity from where I’m standing, but I do see that emphasis outside of American Catholicism. Also, just saying one God is the same as another doesn’t make it so and I do not believe Islam worships the same God as the Jews and Christians.

 

[HungerNThirst4R]

First of all id like to commend you JCats1 on not just being tolerant, but interested about learning about different cultures and religions as well as embracing all people. We need more young people like you to lead in the right direction.

You must realize that American media is bombarded with anti-Islam fear mongering (this same tactic has been employed by the media against African-Americans for a very long time, imagine you are part of both groups). This fuels the “weariness” of many Americans.

I also believe it depends on where you are geographically. Here on the eastcoast there is a large Muslim population and I’ve personally never heard any Catholics speaking ill of Muslims. One of my closest friends is Muslim and we end up having conversations about faith a lot, more with her than any other person I know and its never about arguments or debating. Now if you are from regions where there aren’t many Muslims a prejudice can easily come about because people are weary about what they don’t know or understand.
If all you know about Islam is ISIS, ISIL, Boko Haram and Al-Qida then you’re not going to have a good opinion of it.

Knowledge is power. Some may use the “they believe Jesus was only a prophet” defense but Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses have very similar beliefs but we see people trashing them far less.

I love my faith because we give logic and reason such high priority as God intended us to. Catholicism teaches all to love all. Please pray for true Catholics to follow this teaching and love others as we love ourselves.
Click the link below to see what the Church teaches about our Muslim brothers and sisters.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm

 

[HungerNThirst4R]

I think many Muslims “denounce” extremism because they’ve been influenced by western Judeo-Christian culture…or they do so out of fear for their own safety. It definitely doesn’t seem to be a common theme: Muslims denouncing the actions of other Muslims…

“Muslim” literally means to submit and be peaceful.

While I don’t like to make blanket assumptions about people of any creed or color I don’t feel guilty of anything for withholding a certain amount of trust towards a person who claims to be Muslim…

Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of a female Muslim prisoner, no trust withheld judging from that action.

Also, just saying one God is the same as another doesn’t make it so and I do not believe Islam worships the same God as the Jews and Christians.

I cant stand it when people say that! Yes we have difference in our faiths, most obviously being the Divinity of Jesus but Jewish people don’t believe He is Divine either yet no mistrust of them?! There is a lot more commonality between the two faiths than you would think. Such as the high honor given to Mary, actually the Quran has more on her early life than the Bible. Maybe you should give it a read sometime. It was worthy of a kiss from Pope Francis and Pope Saint JP II, couldn’t hurt to leisurely read it if you are strong in your own faith.

Knowledge is Power.

 

[PseuTonym]

Also, Muslims and Catholics believe in the same God

That statement might be an over-simplification.

See the following thread …

Malaysia poised to enact partial ban on Bibles with ?Allah’ [CWN]
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=962541

In that thread, see the following post in particular (about a decision made by the Supreme Court of Malaysia):

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=13011009&postcount=5

 

[HungerNThirst4R]

Malaysia poised to enact partial ban on Bibles with ?Allah’ [CWN]
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=962541
In that thread, see the following post in particular (about a decision made by the Supreme Court of Malaysia):

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=13011009&postcount=5

Malaysia is a country, it does not speak for the whole World Religion of Islam. Although it is sad that such a law exists when Christians were calling God Allah before Islam existed. The thing is that Muslims believe that the Divine Name of God is God (Allah). If Jews or Christians saw the Divine Name as we know it in another book we may get offended, it is so sacred most Bible and definitely no Torahs publish it.

 

[Reuben_J]

“Muslim” literally means to submit and be peaceful.

Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of a female Muslim prisoner, no trust withheld judging from that action.

I cant stand it when people say that! Yes we have difference in our faiths,** most obviously being the Divinity of Jesus** but Jewish people don’t believe He is Divine either yet no mistrust of them?! There is a lot more commonality between the two faiths than you would think. Such as the high honor given to Mary, actually the Quran has more on her early life than the Bible. Maybe you should give it a read sometime. It was worthy of a kiss from Pope Francis and Pope Saint JP II, couldn’t hurt to leisurely read it if you are strong in your own faith.

Knowledge is Power.

This sounds like an appeal from Muslims for Christians to respect Muhammad since they (Muslims) respect Jesus, think highly of him, and why, they even consider him as a prophet.

While I agree with most of what you said, in particular with your take on what the Pope did, in a theological discussion the highlighted part would bear an honest difference between Islam and Christianity. I would not mind granting them this difference and yet still defer to the Church teaching that we worship the same one God of Abraham.

But Islamic belief is not merely a theological derivation that Jesus is not divine, it denies the historical fact that Jesus was crucified on the cross, and thus ‘rewrote’ the Gospel narration of the passion and death of the Lord rendering core Christian belief as one huge sham.

We can argue theological difference as we do with the Jews, based on the same scripture, no problem with that. With Muslims, it is an another ball game altogether - they basically tell you that your scripture is a lie.

If us saying that Muhammad is not a prophet of God is an insult, their saying that Jesus is not God is also an insult to our belief. Saying that Jesus is merely a prophet is greater insult since that entails saying that the Gospels were lying (on Jesus death).

So people have to take this kind of differences as mature adults and decide whether they would go into a mud slinging match or just being honest and frank and call a spade, a spade. The latter, of course, would be the way to go here in this Forum.

Reuben

 

[JaminB123]

I have noticed on these forums and a lot of other places that American Catholics seem not to trust Muslim people and are very wary of them. Why is this happening?

In my profession, I’ve had the chance to interact in depth with Muslims from many different nations (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi, Turkey, etc.). Almost every Muslim I have every interacted with is friendly, gracious, generous, respectful, devout. The worst I can say about the ones I’ve known is that some of them tend to be quite sexist by our standards but that’s cultural and I don’t get too hung up on it. I have no personal problem with Muslims and could easily share a friendship. I trust the Muslims I’ve known and I’m not wary of them.

But do I trust Islam? No. Are I wary of Islam? Yes.

I believe Christianity is peaceful in it’s origins (see the example of Christ and ours earliest martyrs) and peaceful its goals (although we’ve often fallen short). By contrast, I believe Islam is violent at its origins (see the example of Mohammed and the early Islamic leaders) and violent in its goals (insert Koranic quote here). Apart from the violent aspect, Christ told us to be wary of false prophets and I think we’re wise to be wary of any post-Christian prophets.

Some of our recent Popes have been very gracious towards Islam and I understand the example they are trying to set. But I’m still wary…

 

[leekonghian]

I doubt that people hate non-violent Muslims, just the terrorist ones.

 

[agnes_therese]

I doubt that people hate non-violent Muslims, just the terrorist ones.

I would hope that’s true. But a lot of people seem to lump all Muslims in together.

 

[BartholomewB]

Such as the high honor given to Mary, actually the Quran has more on her early life than the Bible.

Where did the author of the Quran get his information from about the early life of Mary? Are his sources reliable? And, if so, how can you be sure of that?

 

[eightydeuce82]

Where did the author of the Quran get his information from about the early life of Mary? Are his sources reliable? And, if so, how can you be sure of that?

He borrowed them from many different sources and glommed together something that would try to appeal to all faiths. He was a used care salesman honesty.

 

[BartholomewB]

If Jews or Christians saw the Divine Name as we know it in another book we may get offended, it is so sacred most Bible and definitely no Torahs publish it.

In the Torah, God has at least two names, Elohim and Jehovah/Yahweh. Which is the one that, according to your information, is “so sacred that definitely no Torahs publish it"?

 

[Thomas1981]

Are American Catholics in particular more hostile towards Muslims? I have not seen this to be the case. Americans in general are pretty hostile towards Muslims, look at the Pew Research polls. American atheists have been among the most hostile voices towards Islam I’ve seen (not limited to Islam of course). It doesn’t help when people get killed for drawing Muhammad cartoons and you see ISIS beheading Christians. If I heard of more Muslim voices rise up to support the dying Christian communities in the Middle East, it would certainly help opinions.

It certainly isn’t fair to paint the whole religion with this broad brush, but we live in a media driven society, people’s opinions are shaped by what they see on the news. Pretty much every religion gets caricatured by the media, so Muslims are not alone here. How many priests have faced ridicule and suspicion because of the actions of the small minority that has abused children? It reminds me of when God offered David a choice to receive punishment by God or be delivered into the hands of human enemies and David chose God, because God is less vengeful than Man. Such is the world.

 

[Thomas1981]

pewforum.org/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/

Here is a link to the Pew survey. Catholic opinion of Muslims is exactly on the average among all Americans. Political affiliation means more than religious affiliation on this question. Basically, right-leaning Catholics will be more anti-Muslim than left-leaning Catholics. My guess is the loudest voices in the room get heard, and this colors how the OP might view how Catholics in general look at Muslims.

 

[kimg901]

Hello everyone. I am 17 years old. I have noticed on these forums and a lot of other places that American Catholics seem not to trust Muslim people and are very wary of them. Why is this happening? They seem to distance themselves from them and not trust them at all and seem to assume that all Muslim people are terrorists, which is completely false. I personally like integrating with cultures and I feel as if I don’t belong to one culture and I am open to learning about other religions/cultures. I’ve looked into the Muslim faith and I’ve met many Muslim people and they’re all peaceful and they all denounce extremist actions. I know people have told me that the Quran says some things that indicate an extremist attitude but we need to contextualize and look at the historical background of the creation of the Quran. Also, Muslims and Catholics believe in the same God of Abraham, so why emphasize the fact that we are so different? I’ve been noticing this anti-Islam sentiment coming mainly from American Catholics, wheras European and Canadian Catholics are more open to them. Why is this?

I wouldn’t say I hate Muslims. Only those extreme muslims. And as for we believe in the same God, no. Their god changed his mind according to an angel.

 

[Randy_Carson]

Hello everyone. I am 17 years old. I have noticed on these forums and a lot of other places that American Catholics seem not to trust Muslim people and are very wary of them. Why is this happening? They seem to distance themselves from them and not trust them at all and seem to assume that all Muslim people are terrorists, which is completely false. I personally like integrating with cultures and I feel as if I don’t belong to one culture and I am open to learning about other religions/cultures. I’ve looked into the Muslim faith and I’ve met many Muslim people and they’re all peaceful and they all denounce extremist actions. I know people have told me that the Quran says some things that indicate an extremist attitude but we need to contextualize and look at the historical background of the creation of the Quran. Also, Muslims and Catholics believe in the same God of Abraham, so why emphasize the fact that we are so different? I’ve been noticing this anti-Islam sentiment coming mainly from American Catholics, wheras European and Canadian Catholics are more open to them. Why is this?

I don’t dislike any Muslims. I don’t know any.

However, I am opposed to:

• honor killing
• genital mutilation
• beheading
• anti-semitism
• homophobia
• censorship
• rape being considered a crime caused by the woman
• temporary marriages used to justify prositution

I’m also opposed to being threatened with death if I don’t accept a false prophet, having my country referred to as the “Great Satan”, and being told that Jesus is not God and did not die upon the cross.

But if I were to meet any Muslims, I’m sure none of these things would be an issue, and I would probably like them very much.

 

[mark_a]

Why do a lot of American Catholics not like Muslims?

Because unfamiliarity breeds contempt,