Mac computer users and Muslims

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

i bet this has never been done before in an article - comparing being a Muslim, with being a Mac computer user.

i didn’t want to post the entire article, so just the excerpts i like the best. i think what’s most relevant to this forum, perhaps, is the last paragraph.

What do Macs and Islam have in common?, Asma Gull Hasan, SF Gate

…] Why do we do it? Why belong to a movement that is a source of comedy or scorn for many? Islam and Mac both started revolutions. Mac is a computer designed to be easy to use. Islam is a religion designed to be easy to use. Before Islam, the Arabs of Mecca prayed to one of more than 300 gods, whichever was assigned to their tribe. The gods of weak tribes were weak gods, while the gods of the strong tribes were seen as powerful and effective. Islam arrived with an innovation: we each pray directly to the same, single God, without the assistance of a saint, priest or other minister. The Koran says that God, being all powerful, hears the prayers of each of us equally.

The Mac operating system was created from scratch with the goal of being simple. When you turn a Mac on, the desktop is not an artificial environment created to navigate through DOS but is, in fact, the actual environment. Muslims are encouraged by the Koran to look at the world with curiosity and wonder, not to be afraid of scientific discovery. God’s creations are “signs” to us of his design, which God wants us to explore and theorize about. The Koran liberates us to ask, “Why?” This accessibility to God is a major attraction for many Muslim converts. Being Muslim, and also being a Mac user, is empowering because both put me in control.

As much as I enjoy being a Muslim, I certainly don’t expect everyone I know to become Muslim and start using a Mac. As every Mac user knows, suggesting a Mac product to a PC-using friend may end the friendship. I’d feel more comfortable encouraging a Christian friend to learn more about Islam. At least, out of sensitivity, my friend would not malign my religion. Paradoxically, it’s always open season on Macs. However, I accept that Macs, like Islam, are not for everybody. As much as I can’t imagine being something else, some people cannot imagine being what I am.

…] Faith is like computing. Whatever religion you are, you do it for yourself. I couldn’t count on Andy or anyone else to administer my faith or my computer. Repeated throughout the Koran is that God is the final judge of us all. My faith is a matter between God and me. This direct relationship with God is the revolution and, in a way, the burden of Islam: you and God are in it together. Maybe being Muslim has predisposed me to being a Mac user because I know that, when I write, it is between me and my Mac.

2

Oh Sher..where are you? :hehe:

<<Faith is like computing. Whatever religion you are, you do it for yourself.>

I like the above quote, that means keep it in your pants…no need to paste long drawn out articles about how great one faith is. If one’s faith need a constant reminder of how great it is, then the premise of greatness is faulty.

overall..insteresting article.

3

^^
Mac logo is Apple which is eaten by a man from one side since begining :-) . That man could not eat it all. i dont know why.

4

^ :confused: Sorry, how does that compare to being a Muslim?

5

Fun article, but I worry about one thing.

The Mac of course can always be portrayed as the underdog. It is the choice of the counter culture, the artsy types, at least if you believe their marketeers.

I have detected, among some Muslims, the strong sense of victimhood. With all of the "War on Islam" seeming like a fight against the more powerful Win/tel monopoly. To continue to portray Islam as the struggling counterculture is a bit misleading. 1.2 Billion people should be viewed as a partner, not as a noble underdog. Macs do not out number PCs, nor are they inferior in computing power.

6

Yes, but it is about marketing though OG. More aptly, product positioning...if Mac (apple) keeps going crying to the SEC about patent infringments because of some ill perceived threat from Big Blue, then after a while the culture of vicitmhood would typify the situation. It is best that Mac keeps focusing on it's core competecencies, to cater to the creative side of the world and let PC's cater to the more real needs like business, science and day to day operations.

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Macs and PC's both crash.

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[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Ohioguy: *
**To continue to portray Islam as the struggling counterculture is a bit misleading. 1.2 Billion people should be viewed as a partner, not as a noble underdog. Macs do not out number PCs, nor are they inferior in computing power.*
[/QUOTE]

hmmm interesting statements, OG, especially the last one.

hm i'd have to say - i disagree slightly. There is definitely a sense of victimhood amongst some, if not several, Muslims. Ideally, i'd like to see it as being an equal partnership the way you put it in your reply. But, honestly - i think it's a very one-sided relationship. When people reflect on what's happening to Palestinians in Rafah, and the total closed-eyes mentality individual govts. have adopted towards that, as well as towards what many Muslims see as an illegal Occupation in Iraq, then all the stereotypes against Muslims, then yeah - it is a very deep sense of victimhood and counterculture. i'm not saying Muslims are angels dropped down from the heavens, definitely our governments are not... (i so know someone is going to flame me). BUT - yes, there is a sense of being the underdogs amongst Muslims - and i think that sense is a legitimate one if you take a look at what's going on around the world vis-a-vis Muslims. i wish it was an equal partnership but historically i don't think it's ever been. The pendulum historically swung both ways; one 'group' has always been superior at the expense of the other.

But then i know you will disagree :p

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^ case in point about victim mentality.. :k:

10

Not keeping up with the times is bad for both computer sales and groups of people. It allows other computer companies and groups to surpass them. But then it depends what one considers 'surpassing'. Mac may be content with its small share but dominating the design market. Muslims may be content with their small share, but dominating something else.

11

Actually I don;t agree that muslims are like Mac. I think most muslims are PC users, they keep their OS in their pants and go abut the daily activities. SOme are like Mac users with a fasle sense of superiority and the resulting frustration that comes from not being able to achieve a good macro.

12

i think muslims r like linux users....
they know what they r doing, with a proper source which is suitable for almost all conditions, and yet is flexible to be altered to meet chaning environments (even on individual basis)....

13

Islam is the best deen it came to change the system not for the system to change it, and the calls from right wing fanatics in the west for it to be more western are wasting there breath. Islam is not like Macintosh or Windows 2000 it does`nt need no upgrade! :dhimpak:

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Re: Mac computer users and Muslims

Very creative and original piece of writing :k:

very thought provoking comment

15

Re: Mac computer users and Muslims

What a stupid comparison!