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Originally Posted by Ananas
I asked about The Kite Runner because that's been my most recent exposure to an Islamic nation, and thought about what you said earlier about homosexuality being a sin. The book/film depicted several assaults against young boys, so I wondered how the Taliban (or any Muslim) would square that with religious injunctions. Knowing that there are always those that will skirt or break the laws I don't want you to think you have to answer for their indiscretions - just curious.
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like i said i did hear about the book and that it contained abuse of young boys. i dont know much more than that. but at the end of the day, just because you wear turban does not make you more or less religious. everyone's human and sin and make mistakes in the same way that those 'of the cloth' are susceptible to sin
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Why is art a target of destruction (the giant Buddhas that were destroyed)? It almost seems the opposite of what the Spanish did in the 15th century when Ferdinand & Isabella took control of Spain.
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its not really art that they attacked. You will find islamic art everywhere throught all the islamic dynasties. it is the notion of idolatory that they attacked. You will find that there are no ikons or idols in mosques that you would see in catholic and orthodox chruches, but rather the mosques are decorated with quranic verses and islamic art.
The Bamiyan buddhas were considered as an abomination to the strict hardliners of the Taliban due to the strict wahhabi ideology they adhered to. howeverm there have been other circumstances in hisory where historic monuments were not destroyed as is the case with the Sphynx in Egypt. One of the companions of prophet Muhammad Amr Bin al Aas who was appointed as governer of egypt after the death of prophet Muhammad didnt touch any of the historic relics in egypt, even though those relics prescribed to idolatory and other gods. so it really does come down to interpretation and education.
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How do the various Muslim sects view the West in terms of culture, business, lifestyles, etc.?
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depends on which part of the muslim world you speak of. saudi is more of a closed society, next door UAE is more of an accepting and open society where you have a mix of everything and is like living in the west almost. every muslim culture wants to do business with each other and the rest of the world, some bend the rules more than others.
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Are there many atheists or non-believers in Muslim communities?
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yes. ktsp one of our members here mentioned it above. though the numbers are not as high as in the west. exact numbers would be hard to come by though.
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What do you do for fun, or enjoyment, and is there anything you'd like to do but are restricted by the tenets of your beliefs?
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personally, travelling is my past time. you may notice some of my other posts around the board. i also trek and run and play different sports and teach swimming. i dont drink or smoke either. i enjoy what i do and dont feel restricted in what i want to do. i may sound odd as a typical muslim, but i consider myself progressive, and i see no issues with reconciling islam with the west.
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I know, lots of questions, and I hope you have the patience to answer them. It is very interesting to me.
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happy to answer any questions. its part of my aim to break down barriers between my culture and religion and the rest of the world.