And Muslims wonder why Americans have such a negative view of Islam?

Submitted by Ghostwriter (United States), Sep 18, 2014 at 06:01

If I were Muslim,I would wonder why many Americans have such a negative view of Islam. I read in a book once,that many in the Muslim world are upset over the comments on certain websites that attack their religion. I wonder how many of them ever stop and ask the question why the overwhelming majority of Americans feel this way. Could it be that many members of their religion act like they have the right to force their religion down our throats and we don't have the right not to feel angry about it? Could it be that for years even before September 11,2001,we in America have watched on our TV screens and read and seen photographs in our newspapers Muslims screaming "Death to America!!!" every five seconds while burning the American flag like they were at a festival? How did they expect us to feel about stuff like that and more?

For decades now,Americans have seen and read about airplane hijackings,Americans being kidnapped or killed by Muslim militants and no one in the Muslim world even condemning such vile actions once. There were no protests against Islamic Jihad,Hamas,or Hezbollah because innocent Americans were killed or things like that,but there were protests over things like American support for Israel. With stuff like that going on,what did they expect?! The Israelis weren't screaming for Americans' death or wanting to force their religion on us.

For decades now,the Muslim world has virtually sided with every American enemy since World War II. They sided with the Axis powers,the Soviet bloc,Al Qaeda,and others for a long time while Israel demonstrated time and again,that it was a reliable ally of the U.S. While the majority of Muslims all over the world were dancing in the streets,singing songs,and passing out candies on 9/11,the majority of Israelis were mourning those who perished on that awful day.

I've read complaints about their portrayals in Hollywood movies,novels,comic books,tv shows,political cartoons,and other things like that. Maybe they'd have a much better image if they weren't rioting over novels,cartoons,and trying to silence those who are critical of Islam. Things would be a lot better if you were condemning appalling acts of terrorism instead of delighting and celebrating them. It would be nice if there were a little more self-criticism and condemnation of terrorism instead of blaming all of their problems on America.

Americans are descended from people who left their own countries for a variety of reasons,including seeking safety from religious or ethnic persecution. Groups like ISIS are persistent reminders to us of what our ancestors left behind to come to this country and what we don't want coming here. Maybe that's why we have such a negative view of Islam. Mostly,we Americans are proud to be who we are and where we've come from. And whether we were born here or emigrated here,we Americans aren't going to be pushed around by a bunch of fanatics who want to force their religion on us or their idiotic apologists. If the Muslim world is serious about improving relations with the United States,it will have to admit to itself that Islam shouldn't be forced on Americans or anyone else who doesn't want it.

Unfortunately,that would require them to put themselves into the shoes of Americans and contemplating how we feel. But,they're not very good at doing that. They would rather use us as their whipping boy for all their problems or lying to our faces and trying to put a happy face on horrendous atrocities that members of their religion commit without even a hint of pity,mercy or any sign of a conscience. Maybe,if they did that,Americans wouldn't have such a negative view of Islam and we'd be more comfortable with them as neighbors like we are with Jews. We know that most American Jews are proud,patriotic folk. It's a shame that Muslim Americans are unable to show that same bit of patriotism.

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