[Religion] being friends with the kuffar (non-believer)

Couldn't that one-way street be flipped to the other end too though? If I were to present Islamic beliefs and values to a non-Muslim, I'd expect them to do the same as you said about me. "Be polite enough to listen but not change their mind." And I wouldn't expect them to, nor would I treat it like some kind of a conversion contest where I gain commission if I convert just one guy. It's not up to me to change a person's mind. All I could ask for is for them to learn a thing or two about Islam from someone who's actually Muslim or a reputable source rather than a questionable source (ie Media, a YouTube basher/critic or a anti-Islam website/source).

The intent for any sharing of religious ideals is for religious awareness and mutual respect. You're right that I'd be polite enough to listen but in the end stick to my beliefs, but at least I'd learn a thing or two from whomever is presenting their beliefs. I feel real change or conversion or what have you is usually through personal and voluntary study, not someone schooling another on a debate/discussion.

 

I have plenty of arab friends who are muslim or christian and none of them are particularly religious. I also have very religious jewish friends. Not all conversations have to be about religion, race or politics and these things aren't my primary focus on who is or isn't my friend.

I briefly dated a Muslim girl. She wasn't particularly religious, but it became clear early on she wanted someone to take home to mom, and that wasn't me. But to be fair, I've also dated christian and jewish girls that said they could only be with someone that shared their faith/culture even if it was mostly because of family pressure.

Three generations ago the brothers of my Italian grandmother beat up my Irish grandfather because he was the wrong "race." I try not to take it personally. If I want genetic diversity in my offspring I'll probably have to stick with atheist Russians.

 

You could do worse than that .

 

Intrusive ... and this where religion can go really really wrong against other good stuff it preaches.

 

What do i think about the OP?

The ones who believe this haven't had the opportunity to get out side the confines of their little bubble or even know people who have. Diversity is cool...seek it out.

It makes your life a little less scary even if it can be annoying at times....

Lies!

Seriously though, going from hardcore to drinking beers sounds like those hardcore straight edge born agains i met early on in college only for them to become recreational drug users by the time i graduated.

 

Here's a Quranic verse that pretty much stomps away any misunderstanding toward the "don't take unbelievers as friends" verse and the case I've made about interfaith friendships/relationships etc.

"O mankind, WE have created you from a male and a female; And WE have made you Nations/tribes and sub-tribes that you may know (or recognize) one another (not that you may despise one another). The best among you in the sight of GOD are those who are most righteous/best of conduct." (Holy Qur'an 49:13)

Nations, tribes and sub-tribes can include different nationalities, ethnicity and even of different faiths. And the reason is so "that we may know one another" aka mutual respect, tolerance, awareness. Oh how evil the Qur'an is!

Can't we all just get along? God says so.

 

I think even most reasonable people who do not believe in God would be able to get behind this message .

 

It's a little from column A and a little from column B.

If you are born into a religion that teaches you hate and violence, you're probably going to be a hateful, violent person.

Sometimes people seek out religion to suit their taste, but that is the exception, and not the rule.

 

Not the first time a religious fairytale contradicts itself.

As for such [of the unbelievers] as do not fight against you on account of [your] faith, and neither drive you forth from your homelands, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity: for, verily, God loves those who act equitably.

 

Uhhh, proof?

This is a ridiculous statement IMO. There is environment, there is parenting, there is school, there is access to information/education.

This thread is a tremendous example of how religion rarely teaches hate and violence, it's the interpretors and the teachers who teach hate and violence.

The same type of person may be an atheist that interprets capitalism and teaches that you should pursue self-interest even if an entire continent ends up starving to death.

In all cases, you can't guarantee hatefulness and violence just through birth.

 

Yes, if you are born into a religion that teaches you hate and violence you most likely will be hateful and violent. However, I don't know of any religion that teaches that.

 

It's an individual website posting dogmatic opinions by someone in a religion that doesn't have a formal enough clerical hierarchy for any one person's interpretations to fully represent the faith itself.

 

this

although I have met some that are completely hateful towards jews lol

 

That's true as well. Completely wrong too. Some people are just really closed-minded about people from other religions. That goes for people of all religions.

 

You must not know of many religions, then. That, or you only know of the Eastern/mysticism variety.

 

The angry need something to be angry about.

You would think guys like ATW, his minions and the millions who hate Muslims have had negative personal experiences with Arabs with all the hate they spew, but they're just angry people who need something to be angry about. Both the Jews and the Arabs have never done anything for/to them (although one does profit off their existence in society). One has the power to portray the other in a negative light. I don't think enemies have good things to say about each other. If they can't find something bad about them they can either make something up or create something.

 

Hold on a moment while I go do research for you that you won't bother believing and/or reading anyway.

Ironic, because this is probably the most easily reasoned and noncontroversial thing I've ever said on the topic of religion in the D&D.

Yes, and I never said those things did not exist or were not factors. However, someone who is born into a religion which teaches them to be hateful and violent will not have much of a chance of turning out any other way, since their parents/environment will probably reinforce such teachings. Otherwise they wouldn't have been "born into it" in the first place.

Hardly.

Wtf.

Which is why I said "probably" and not "definitely".

 

Its hilarious to see you guys arguing over something that isn't even real.

 

Is your existence real?

Cool username by the way.