I am always fascinated when I stumble across fundamental differences in culture. Here's the one I've been pondering lately. (This will be best read with a glass of wine..... )
It appears that the Muslim culture likes to place "evil" firmly on the temptation -- not on the man/human. At least this seems to be true with the treatment of sex and women. If a woman is attractive, she's evil. If a man acts on that attraction - he's often seen as the victim. Western culture is evil. The people of the Muslim world that enjoy it are the victims. I'm not sure if this extends further, but it flies in the face of American thinking.
Here, if a woman chooses to wear a skimpy skirt and gets raped, you better not go blaming the woman. She can wear anything she wants. The rapist committed the sin. (BTW, I do agree!!!) We've extended that thinking to TV and radio programming. If you don't like it, turn it off. It isn't evil, but if you choose it or enjoy it maybe *you* are. Our choices define us, but we don't label the creation as evil in general.
Does anyone else see this? I'm sure I'm oversimplifying, but it's an entertaining thought. Maybe the more religious among you could tell me if there is a direct conflict between the Koran, the Bible and the Torah. Or if each society just picks the parts of the religion that suit the culture. Or if I need to stop philosophizing and get on with life.
It appears that the Muslim culture likes to place "evil" firmly on the temptation -- not on the man/human. At least this seems to be true with the treatment of sex and women. If a woman is attractive, she's evil. If a man acts on that attraction - he's often seen as the victim. Western culture is evil. The people of the Muslim world that enjoy it are the victims. I'm not sure if this extends further, but it flies in the face of American thinking.
Here, if a woman chooses to wear a skimpy skirt and gets raped, you better not go blaming the woman. She can wear anything she wants. The rapist committed the sin. (BTW, I do agree!!!) We've extended that thinking to TV and radio programming. If you don't like it, turn it off. It isn't evil, but if you choose it or enjoy it maybe *you* are. Our choices define us, but we don't label the creation as evil in general.
Does anyone else see this? I'm sure I'm oversimplifying, but it's an entertaining thought. Maybe the more religious among you could tell me if there is a direct conflict between the Koran, the Bible and the Torah. Or if each society just picks the parts of the religion that suit the culture. Or if I need to stop philosophizing and get on with life.
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