Report on religious field research:
Abstract
This religious report explains the different misconceptions that Christians have towards Muslims. Scarceness of information that Christians have towards Muslims and other religions is the leading cause of these misconceptions. Misconceptions towards other religions are extremely popular and will continue to survive from one generation to the next generation. These misconceptions are extremely dangerous since they hit Muslims relationship with other religions unconstructively. The best method to curb this problem-Enroll for a course in world religions whereby, you get to learn of the various customs that are practiced by these religious, minimizing any chance for uncertainties which are the leading cause of these misconceptions. Lack of knowledge and facts makes innocent members of Christian church jump into theoretical conclusion backing up the misconceptions-towards Muslims. Search for knowledge is the only solution to help solve these misconceptions.
I visited a religious education center whereby I interviewed one of the members of that faith for a couple of hours. I selected this method because, it is the only method that could have satisfied my thirst for knowledge about misconceptions that Christians have towards Muslims, I believed I could get first hand information which was free of discrimination and also the information gathered would be sufficient to answer all my misconceptions towards Muslims religion.
These are the misconceptions that I had about the faith I researched and how my previous knowledge about this religion was altered-Muslims religion.
Many of these acts have been conducted by Muslim making as to conclude that it is part of their culture that must be passed from one generation to the next. This misconception was reversed after I visited Muslim training center where I was in a condition of interviewing a senior member of this faith. I wanted to see whether they practice and continue to practice this barbaric ritual. The information that I received was quite the opposite of what I knew (John, 2004). The sect member made it clear that they do not overlook such acts in their religion arguing that when terrorist is conducted by other religions it is not considered terrorist, but when it is conducted by Muslim it is taken as terrorist (John, 2006). He told me of an example by Mc Veigh Timothy who bombed Oklahoma in the 90’s bearing in mind that he was a Christian, and no attempt was taken to condemn him as a Christian terrorist raising this question-Why is it that when a Muslim does wrong is considered the responsibility of her or his religion? He went ahead citing verses from the Quran in order to strengthen his opinion. For example, “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not contravene limits. God does not love transgressors.”(Quran 2:190). Another quotation in the Qur’an says, “If they try to find peace, then seek you peace.”(QURAN 8:61)
Given the above information, it is quite clear that this misconception is untrue, and it should be brought to an end since it just brings wrangles and differences between Muslims and other religions (John, 2004). It contributes also in execution of extremely essential traits - peaceful relationship among religion
Christian thinks that Jihad essentially means fighting against the non-Muslim.
We have different forms of jihad; killing the enemy through armed conflict is considered a `Qital,’ the only form of Jihad by non Muslims. However, I learnt that the Muslim most prominent types of jihad is `jihad bil nafs’, struggle against the self, every other skirmish stems out of this. Jihad bil nafs means the constant struggle to conquer and gain complete control of our animal desires. It has no relation to the killing of non- Muslim which is a strong misconception among the non –Muslim (John, 2006).
Many non Muslim believes in the reality of women oppression among the Muslim.
Women are treated unfairly. These unlawful acts performed by individuals are wrongly attributed to Muslim religion rather than to the individuals who give them. From the information that I was able to collect, this misconception was quite different from what I believed in (John, 2006). The member whom I was interviewing referred to this misconception as western propaganda whereby they judges the role, responsibilities, treatment of women and position according to their customs and practices. He backed up this statement by giving a brief history performed by the Muslim. Islam liberated the women in Arabia giving them powers and rights that outweighed many nations at that particular time. The wearing of the stereotype of the veil by women is argued as one of the cruelty towards women. I learnt that this misconception is totally devoid, and one should take actions, like I did, so as to understand the meaning of this custom instead of jumping into theoretical conclusions (Wilson, 2008). He reinforced this misconception by comparing the bible and the Quran say about women. St.Paul in the New Testament declares, ‘A woman should learn in quietness and full compliance. I woman should not be allowed to have power over a man; she needs be understood. For Adam was first to be created, then Eve followed. Adam was not swindled to; it was the woman who was lied and became a sinner’’. This is what the Quran says about women, ‘Whoever works uprightness, man and woman, and has conviction, verily to him/her we will provide a new life that is excellent and genuine, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the top of their actions.”From this, I learnt that Muslim women have even more rights as compared to Christian women (Wilson, 2008). They can take control of their property, and the husbands have no part in it-The Muslim find right to own property as critical (John, 2004).
Many religions believe that the Muslims do not believe in Jesus.
As Christians, we tend to think that Jesus and extra prophets are not well thought-out by Muslims as God’s messengers. I learnt that this misconception is not true since I was assured that if I totally led the Quran, then I could get all the prophets mentioned in the Judaic and Christian scriptures with enormous respect and admiration. Jesus is mentioned several times in the Qur’an such as, ``O Mary, God gives you latest revelation of a sound from Him whose given name shall be the Messiah, Jesus child of Mary, privileged in this earth and the henceforward, and solitary of persons brought close to God. He shall talk to the inhabitants from this cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.’’(Qur’an chapter 3)
Christians believes that polygamy is a tradition that is inevitable among the Muslims.
They believe that a Muslim person should have at least four wives. I learnt that marrying of more wives is a choice and not mandatory. In order to marry another wife, there are some customs and practices that must be met such as identical conduct of the wives. This Muslim unit also added that he is usually surprised on how polygamy is criticized among the Muslims and yet nothing is talked about when it comes to immorality and extra-marital exposure resulting to children born out of marriage vows among the western cultures.
Christians also believe that Muslims have no regard to civilization and culture.
This information is fully backed up in many texts that characterize Muslims as barbaric and uncivilized. With the information that I was able to collect on this misconception, I learnt that Muslim armies do not condone violence acts such as killing elderly or children, destroying crops, livestock, trees etc.., Harming civilians by demolishing buildings and breaking agreements (John, 2006). With the mentioned rules- that are not condoned by Muslims armies, then it would be unfair to refer to Muslims as barbaric.
Christians believe that Islam was founded by Muhammad.
We, Christians also go an extra mile believing that Muslims worship him as well as Allah. I learnt that one does not just become a Muslim, but first of all he/she must pronounce the testimony of faith, Shahadah, which goes as follow, ``I stand observe that there is no supernatural being commendable of adoration apart from Allah, and I accept observer that Muhammad(SAW)is his slave and messenger’’. Also in chapter 33 of the Qur’an states that, ``O Prophet, Verily We have sent you a witness and a carrier of glad tidings and a Warner and as one who invites unto God by His leave and an enlightening lamp. ’’This clearly proofs that Muslims do not worship Prophet Muhammad, but they do identify him as a slave of God (Wilson, 2008).
Many non –Muslims judge that Islam does not put up with supplementary religions, and it authorizes Muslims to kill all the infidels. This misconception is strengthened by the actions of a handful of rotten apples with the teachings of Islam about natives of other faiths is severe discrimination (John, 2004). I was able to gather information which proofs this misconception wrong from the interview. He quoted a verse from the Qur’an which says, ``Beware! Whoever is mean and tough on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their human rights, or burdens them with more than they can tolerate, or takes whatever thing from them in opposition to their free determination ; I, Prophet Muhammad, will protest in opposition to the person on the day of Judgment.’’(Sunnan Abu Dawud)This is a clear indication that Muslims consider the existence of non-Muslims and it is their responsibility to live well with them without any form of mistreatment.
My misconceptions towards Muslims were totally reversed after carrying out the examine. I was proficient in gathering relevant and consistent data that filled the emptiness in me.
Misconceptions towards other religions are extremely common since no measures have been taken to curb this threat.
Misconceptions to other religions or people are extremely common and will continue to persist until better methods are deployed –to help come up with a universal religion accepted by all human inhabitants. These misconceptions can be as a result of alleged incompatibility of religion (Wilson, 2008). This is the existence of Different religions with different customs and beliefs which are not compatible. These misconceptions are highly catalyzed by depending on a misunderstanding of the functions of the different religions that exist. We are not willing, or we are reluctant to take efforts in studying these religions from the source, the actual religion we want to study, instead of relying on books which may be distorted. Lack of genuine investigation into sufficient knowledge of other religions, why they perform what they do, is a clear source of these misconceptions and also acts as food to keep these misconceptions a live and moving (John, 2004).
Step that should be taken to lessen misconceptions natives have about religions, not their hold.
If we were to minimize these existing misconceptions that people have towards other religions, then we should be willing to learn. You can accomplish this through doing interviews where you interview someone from another religion and get to learn of their beliefs. You can also enroll for a course in world religions.
Reference
John, P. (2004). The misconception trilogy: book 1 : the genesis of misconception. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford.
John, P. (2006). The misconception trilogy: book 2 : Christianity : the ultimate urban legend. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford.
John, P. (2006). Christianity: the ultimate urban legend. Victoria, B.C.: Trafford.
Wilson, J. R., & Burgh, G. (2008). Energizing our future: rational choices for the 21st century. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Interscience.
