A Show of Good Faith... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jorgelito · 09-11-2005, 10:23 PM

Sometimes I think that we are too eager to label or paint groups with one, monolithic brush, whether it be race, religion, ethnicity, gender etc. Oftentimes, especially in these threads, we all too easily draw conclusions based on perceived biases, much of the time without basis or merit. Partisanship, sometimes becomes a blindfold and ear plugs to otherwise intelligent and critical minds.

This story struck me in particular today, especially in light of the date and recent events. Additionall, I felt it was moving and worthy of discussion.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/11/kat....ap/index.html

I for one, do not see "these people" as the enemy nor judge the whole by the actions of the few. Just as I hope that others will not judge me by the actions of a "few" of my "Christian brothers/extremists/fundamentalists".

analog · 09-11-2005, 11:05 PM

for the link-weary... (please everyone remember to post the full text, many do not like clicking links)... and i'm still curious what the discussion is.

Quote:

"Muslim groups help Katrina victims on 9/11 anniversary"

HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- About 2,000 Muslim volunteers helped victims of Hurricane Katrina at the city's downtown convention center Sunday, the fourth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Muslim leaders from around the country who were in Houston for the volunteer effort said the anniversary was coincidental. But they welcomed the opportunity to highlight their faith's true meaning.

"We're not trying to prove anything, other than what our faith requires us to do," said Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Muslim American Society. "What goes with our faith is to help others, to respond and show compassion when people need it, and I'm glad we can do it."

Parvez Ahmed, chairman of the board of the nonprofit Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Muslim leaders viewed Sunday's volunteer opportunity as another chance to show that the September 11 attacks were carried out by Islamic extremists who do not represent the true meaning of their faith.

Religious and community groups who volunteered to help at shelters picked through a random drawing what day they would work. Houston's Muslim community got Sunday.

"If today not only happens to be a day where we are feeding people and helping people and doing our Islamic duties ... but at the same time it also presents an opportunity to dispel myths about Islam and terrorism, then so be it," Ahmed said.

CAIR, along with other Muslim groups such as Islamic Relief and the Muslim American Society, are part of the Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force, which is raising $10 million for victims of Katrina. Ahmed said the groups so far have raised between $3 million and $4 million.

Anwar Ali, a computer consultant from Dallas, began his volunteer shift at 4 a.m. Sunday and was still working by mid-afternoon. He had brought carts filled with food to the cafeteria area and helped elderly people walk from one part of the convention center to another.

"You find people of different faiths coming together, working together, feeding the poor. It's amazing. It's a wonderful feeling," said Ali, 38, who already was scheduled to be in Houston this week on a work-related project but came to town late Saturday so he could volunteer.

mandy · 09-12-2005, 12:04 AM

analog...the discussion is about the article and about sometimes how people put other people "in a box" or discriminate against, on the basis of their color, religion or ethnicity. basically, why is it like that when most people aren't what other people make them out to be?

i think everyone at some stage is guilty of that at some time in their lives.like it or not, its part of you.

why we put people "in a box" is because it's the only way we know how.it can however be a dangerous thing when it goes too far. what i'm trying to say is that putt ing people in a box, is not nessicarily a bad thing because that is the way we differentiate between them but, when you do it in a way so as not to discriminate against them because they are a different color or religion or belong to a different ethnic group. for example...if i were to speak about muslims and make a statement saying that because you are a muslim, you are a terrorist( please dont get me wrong, im only making an example) or ...all black people of my country(yet another example) are corrupt.then i would be discriminating against religion in the first instance and race in the second instance.hope you get what i'm trying to say...

as for the article it was really good of them to help eachther out.i think that when a tragedy like this happens, all biases tend to go out the window. helping people in any way you can despite whoever they are becomes more important.life is way too short to have all taht hate inside you.

raeanna74 · 09-12-2005, 04:51 AM

We fear what we don't understand. When we don't understand the 'black' culture, the Islamic Faith, or the homosexual lifestyle then our gut reaction is to be afraid of it. When we are afraid our animalistic response is to attack it before it hurts us.

All the more reason for education to expose students to all faiths, all abilities, and all races. When our children learn that people who have different colored skin still have emotions and feelings like white people do then we aren't as afraid. Putting 'in a box' is a way to protect ourselves from what we're afraid of it's as basic as that.

meembo · 09-12-2005, 11:53 AM

The synchronicity of that Islamic group serving on the anniversay of 9/11 by chance is interesting, but was entirely coincidental, as the article explains.

I also remember a few faith vs. science discussions here on TFP that broadbrushed Christians and other people of faith as sub-intelligent to those who subscribe to science primarily to define their human experience. I think the swords of ignorance and prejudice cut broadly in any direction.

09-11-2005, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	A Show of Good Faith... Sometimes I think that we are too eager to label or paint groups with one, monolithic brush, whether it be race, religion, ethnicity, gender etc. Oftentimes, especially in these threads, we all too easily draw conclusions based on perceived biases, much of the time without basis or merit. Partisanship, sometimes becomes a blindfold and ear plugs to otherwise intelligent and critical minds. This story struck me in particular today, especially in light of the date and recent events. Additionall, I felt it was moving and worthy of discussion. http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/11/kat....ap/index.html I for one, do not see "these people" as the enemy nor judge the whole by the actions of the few. Just as I hope that others will not judge me by the actions of a "few" of my "Christian brothers/extremists/fundamentalists". __________________ "The race is not always to the swift, nor battle to the strong, but to the one that endures to the end." "Demand more from yourself, more than anyone else could ever ask!" - My recruiter

09-12-2005, 04:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	We fear what we don't understand. When we don't understand the 'black' culture, the Islamic Faith, or the homosexual lifestyle then our gut reaction is to be afraid of it. When we are afraid our animalistic response is to attack it before it hurts us. All the more reason for education to expose students to all faiths, all abilities, and all races. When our children learn that people who have different colored skin still have emotions and feelings like white people do then we aren't as afraid. Putting 'in a box' is a way to protect ourselves from what we're afraid of it's as basic as that. __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

09-12-2005, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
meembo Junkie Location: Connecticut	The synchronicity of that Islamic group serving on the anniversay of 9/11 by chance is interesting, but was entirely coincidental, as the article explains. I also remember a few faith vs. science discussions here on TFP that broadbrushed Christians and other people of faith as sub-intelligent to those who subscribe to science primarily to define their human experience. I think the swords of ignorance and prejudice cut broadly in any direction. __________________ less I say, smarter I am

09-12-2005, 12:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
mandy Addict Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa	analog...the discussion is about the article and about sometimes how people put other people "in a box" or discriminate against, on the basis of their color, religion or ethnicity. basically, why is it like that when most people aren't what other people make them out to be? i think everyone at some stage is guilty of that at some time in their lives.like it or not, its part of you. why we put people "in a box" is because it's the only way we know how.it can however be a dangerous thing when it goes too far. what i'm trying to say is that putt ing people in a box, is not nessicarily a bad thing because that is the way we differentiate between them but, when you do it in a way so as not to discriminate against them because they are a different color or religion or belong to a different ethnic group. for example...if i were to speak about muslims and make a statement saying that because you are a muslim, you are a terrorist( please dont get me wrong, im only making an example) or ...all black people of my country(yet another example) are corrupt.then i would be discriminating against religion in the first instance and race in the second instance.hope you get what i'm trying to say... as for the article it was really good of them to help eachther out.i think that when a tragedy like this happens, all biases tend to go out the window. helping people in any way you can despite whoever they are becomes more important.life is way too short to have all taht hate inside you.