karina, I just wanted to point out here what I disagree with in what you wrote. We obviously have different belief systems, but I wanted to give you my viewpoint, as a muslim, just as you are free to give yours as a Buddhist. In the end, its my opinion, so please bare with me. Thanks.
You said:
Pakistanis cannot for some reason tolerate a muslim, especially an Indian muslim speaking out against them or Islam.
I say: This is a huge generalization. It is a muslims duty to speak out against anyone, muslim or not, if they perceive what is being said to be falsehood about the religion. How some people go about this may be inappropriate behavior, but please dont label all Pakistanis as behaving as such. It takes two to tango. Often times when this arises, both may act inappropriately, so just blaming one isnt always correct. This behavior isnt only found amongst Pakistanis, so if theres going to be a generalization it should be for the world population over. Just my opinion.
You said: I will start by saying I will NOT degrade Islam.
I say: There have been quite a few incidents of degredation on this board. From muslims to non-muslims, muslims to muslims, and non-muslims to muslims. The person stating it may not perceive it as degredation, but whom do you ask is doing the degrading? The one who says it or the "victim"? Who has the right to the claim? And who should accept that degredation has been done? Not saying you have degraded anyone, just making a point.
You said: Had I been born a muslim no doubt today I would have been just as devout as you all, if not more. And had any of you been born a hindu you would have talked like me. No don't gasp- trust me you wouldn't have run to covert to Islam as soon as you could walk, no one does.
I say: Muslims believe you were born a muslim. And that your parents changed your views, or you did later. Meaning that muslims believe that the knowledge of One true God is within yourself, and that it is upto you to seek it. You and everyone else who isnt muslim wont want to believe this, but this is what muslims perceive.
You said: Which means of course that human beings are pretty much programmed to love what their parents love. I am saying this to make you understand that there is no need to fight for our respective religions just as we don't fight over whose mom is better.
I say: What I stated above pretty much covers this. Indeed we dont need to fight over whose religion is better, yet amazingly lots of ppl still tend to get into discussions on this, muslim and non. I as a muslim am not responsible for the fact you have chosen Buddhism, therefore it is of no consequence to me or any muslim that you believe as you do. You are free to do so. However, you must understand that it is a muslims duty, whether non-muslims like it or not, that we are urged to "tell you" about Islam. And unlike some muslims want to believe, we are not supposed to "shove it down your throat". Then it is upto you to want to follow or not. Christians understand this point well. But what I find intriguing is that, people of other faiths do not acknowledge that this same principle is in their own faith, one which they do not admit to, but this is another discussion altogether.
You said: I know enough about muslims to know that 99% of them have neither the capacity nor will to understand a religion like Budhism or hinduism. Please don't think I am being nasty.
I say: I dont think you are being nasty. However I do think that you dont know 99% of muslims, and thus your statement is in error. I have studied Buddhism, if nobody else on this board has, although I know plenty of others here that have as well. Read books by some of the very first "teachers".
You said: I don't have the capacity to understand Islam either. It is too strict. It encourages dependence on the written word and discourages individuality. If I'm wrong bear with me, it is only my perception.
I say: You are wrong. Indeed it is your perception, and the most I can do is guide to some readings that will perhaps enlighten your view. I would say you are very wrong about the satement that it discourages individuality. To hear it from a Buddhist, is intriguing, considering a Buddhists way of life. But this is a different issue again, and I dont wish to debate Buddhism because I like to use references, and they are all in the library. smile
You said: I think the main difference between us is that you are forbidden to try and understand God, while we are encouraged to, for only by understanding God and yourself can you realise the purpose of creation.
I say: This is probably the statement that would offend many muslims. But it is your right to believe so, I will just say that I believe you are very wrong on this one. You havent really studied Islam, so I will just say that you are not read on the matter, if I may say so.
You said: It took me years to even grasp what it was all about, and I still feel like a novice. For eg, you say Islam 'tolerates' other religions, whereas I am not supposed to tolerate you but erase the duality of 'I' am different from 'you'.
I say: The Qur'an was brought down over a period of several years. Any muslim will tell you it is not something that is understood in a year, etc. Islam is a lifelong experience, and muslims should strive to continue learning, and Islam encourages it, and the best example is the fact that it wasnt brought down in a day. As for toleration, no, muslims are taught to live in peace with others, toleration is not a good word, in my opinion. You mention that "I" am different from "You", yet you stated all the above, and clearly made it evident that "You" are different from "I". This again is another discussion, about nirvana, etc.
You said: If it is not haram to read a book like this, try it, you might be surprised.
I say: When statements are made in this fashion, "if it is not haram", others will almost naturally react defensively, because it looks like an "offense" move. I do not but I can imagine some would. I think you could have left that part out, just my opinion.
You said: ps. someone said we should learn the good points from other religions. I can give you one good point about Islam that I like - it's emphasis on 10% of profit goes to charity, even if people don't follow it.
I say: I can give you several good points about Buddhism, not just one.
Just wanted to give you my thoughts, and did not look to offend. I believe a good dialogue can come out of this. A dialogue of more understanding. smile
P.S. If I sound condesending in my writing, I dont mean to. I am not a good communicator, and thus need to brush up on my skills.
