Aspartame Islam

Submitted by R. Robert Delfin (United States), Dec 21, 2002 at 21:21

I just saw a repeat broadcast of the PBS show tonight from 6-8 p.m. (EST). None of the Muslim Americans interviewed - I repeat none - didn't really give the impression that they've read the entire Koran. One subject - the female Muslim doctor from Dearborn, Michigan - would repeatedly praise Mohammed and would always say, "Mohammed would do it this way..." The Muslim firefighter, Kevin James, seems harmless, calm and sincere - as well as Michael Wolfe (from beliefnet.com). In fact, everyone in the show seemed painfully moderate and tranquil.

The whole show was produced obviously as an attempt to persuade Americans that Islam is not a terroristic religion, but why did the producers wait until after 9/11 to prove this? There is still no outpouring of grief from these so-called moderate Muslims towards the victims and families of the 9/11 incidents. A very annoying scenario in the documentary: a potential Catholic deacon assists with Muslim volunteers in a soup kitchen; he tells the Muslims that he didn't realize that Islam preaches charity and helping the poor, and from what I sensed, that he might convert to Islam because of this!

The Muslim Americans interviewed in the program gave generic, positive comments that could be applied to any religion - sense of community and belonging, following a role model, importance of morality and modesty, etc. However, I felt a bit disturbed when three subjects mentioned the concept of gender equality in Islam - which is not entirely true in mostly Islamic societies. I was also shocked by Karen Armstrong's statement that Mohammed represented total human submission to God. I guess Jesus's death on the cross was pure fiction. And what about Mary, the mother of Jesus? She never doubted or questioned God's authority. Compare her with Mohammed who doubted for a while!

Overall, the show was disappointing.

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