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Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Locobot
Apparently I'm the only person here who has actually seen the show in question?
It airs on Rupert Murdoch's Spike TV. The show does not glamorize the Muslim lifestyle and in fact doesn't shy away from the negative aspects of Islam. Spurlock's show is the only reality show which makes an actual effort to portray something real. Comparison's above between it and "Fear Factor" are remiss.
The participant in this episode actually does have some of his opinions changed, but there is no hokey dramatic epiphany. One of the major things he learned, and myself as a viewer, was the high level of self-discipline required of Muslims. I also found the trip to the Muslim "Hal el" butcher pretty interesting, it's virtually identical to the Jewish Kosher practice except the animal carcasses are hung facing east, towards Mecca.
As to Roachboy's question whether this show's subject, Stacy, is representative of Americans at large, I would say yes. If anything Stacy is more open-minded than the general attitude I encounter these days, he did after all agree to live as a muslim for 30 days, something many Americans wouldn't do. It's amazing to me when I find myself in an all-white group of acquaintances or semi-strangers how quickly the racist dialogue begins. "Sand-nigger, towelhead, camel jockey etc." These are the terms and hatred I find bubbling under the surface with frightening regularity.
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Spike TV is an MTV Networks Channel.
TrioTv did a thing in Nov2004 called Turning Muslim in Texas. As far as the 30 days series, I do recall at one point in my youth a group that "helped people be blind or deaf for a day to help raise awareness of the difficulities faced by the deaf and blind.
I hope that positive items come out of these things.
Quote:
Turning Muslim in Texas
http://www.channel4.com/culture/micr...ot/texas1.html
George W Bush may be backed by Christian
fundamentalists but in his home state of Texas, Islam
is the latest big draw. The Bible belt is transferring
its allegiance to the Qur’an because, for many
erstwhile Christians, believe it or not, the church is
too liberal.
Eric was a Baptist preacher before he became a Muslim
14 years ago. Now he prays five times a day – even in
the middle of watching a football game. His wife,
Karen, also a convert, is covered from head to toe in
the traditional Muslim burka. Islam, says Eric, ‘is
everything I wanted Christianity to be’. His mother
has found it hard to come to terms with her son’s
conversion and believes he will return to the
Christian faith: ‘Then he will be a dynamic preacher.’
Eric says: ‘Maybe some day she’ll embrace Islam.’
Women are also becoming followers of Muhamed. Yasmine
(previously Mindy) arranged a marriage for herself and
has three children. Islam, she says is ‘the solution
to a lot of the prevailing evils: drugs, adultery,
fornication…’ Converts often see the religious laws
more clearly than those who have been brought up as
Muslims and Yasmine can spot a mistake at 20 paces.
She believes that she has a unique opportunity to help
people who are born into the religion get back to the
fundamentals.
Catherine has been a Muslim for two weeks. She came
from a privileged background – private school followed
by a career in PR. Now the established Muslim women
guide her through the purification rituals as she
washes before prayer and removes her nail varnish.
David is the only white Muslim in his little town on
Route 66. He believes his new religion makes him a
better American and, far from undermining liberties,
gives the individual more rights. He had an arranged
marriage and his wife, who was born a Muslim, was
shocked by the strictness with which he insists they
live their lives. His family – a white man with his
wife and daughter dressed in their hijabs
(headscarves) –are stared in the streets and
supermarkets of their one-horse town.
There are 400,000 Muslims in Texas alone and Islam is
the fastest growing religion in the USA. Since 9/11
there have been more converts to Islam than ever. Eric
believes that people are trying to understand Muslims
and want to learn about their religion. Yasmine says:
‘America should not be afraid. If it would be better
Muslims were the majority. If a child asks me: “Who
made this leaf?” I say, “Allah. Allah made
everything.”’
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