Dawkins makes you think lthat statements like - let's sort out our own flock means 'Muslims do Muslims Atheists do Atheists etc.'
The truth is that we don't need to focus on 'religion as the root of all evil' - we need to, as one community, root out sexism. It might be an unquestioned aspect of your faith that 'Islam or religions must be sexist' but to be honest this program of targeting religions just doesn't cut the mustard because really there are plenty of men and women - Muslim and Atheist - who know the religion intimately and see clearly that women can and do flourish in the religion of Islam. When Muslim women are actually listened to - instead if having silly opinions foisted upon them - there is not this grim picture of oppression that is assumed. Belief in God is not something that nessecitates abuse if females: as the many Muslim charities aiming to help eradicate domestic violence and support it's victims testify. These are done in the name of God - even if some people wish to say that they are not Muslims cos they are helping women.
Islam may be an alternative lifestyle but it just doesn't fit that you try to change the lifestyle as a whole to stop a problem within some members. Some may assume due to prejudgment that it is a particularly bad problem in the Muslim community (I expect that this is baseless) but surely the focus should be on stopping sexist practice.
The hijab is a great example - if a non-Muslim feminist wants to cover her sexuality in public this is seen as a free choice - no questions. But it is a Muslim female then automatically prejudging people foist on to her that it was a forced thing and that it is perpetuating sexism. The reality is that Muslim women wear the headscarf for a myriad of reasons - even frequently against their parents wishes - but this never gets accross.
My wife wears it from time to time - she says "in a bid to 'beat the system' and not subscribe to the pressures that this society puts on people." Think she's a liar? You've not based that on my wife but only your prejudgment.
The problem is that this free choice to adopt a certain form of dress (for cultural, aesthetic, feminist reasons - or even through just laziness) gets lost in a false story that Muslim women are weak. They are not - I've had the privelage to work alongside plenty who are inspirational females and the massive luck to be married to a strong and successful career minded woman - also a Muslim. Unfortunately this reality is hidden from view by mass media or people's lack of true engagement with Muslim women.
1 in 4 women in the UK are a victim of domestic abuse - would clearing the UK of religion solve this problem? Or would engaging with these women to see what should be done be a better answer?
Those who work with domestic abuse victims don't see eradication of religion as a solution to the real problem of this situation. Nor do most victims...
Let's look after our flock which is our diverse community
The problem is not a religious phenomenon.
Lets also not get sidetracked by trying to paint a religion as sexist when tackling these problems - those who are in the know about these things see that religion is something that can help in the struggle against domestic violence.
To assume that domestic violence is less prevalent in atheist households would be dangerous and if you believe it then lets find some evidence - instead of applying ill researched religious ideas onto a very real human crisis.
As a Muslim I put out my hand and say - let's tackle this together.
The truth is that we don't need to focus on 'religion as the root of all evil' - we need to, as one community, root out sexism. It might be an unquestioned aspect of your faith that 'Islam or religions must be sexist' but to be honest this program of targeting religions just doesn't cut the mustard because really there are plenty of men and women - Muslim and Atheist - who know the religion intimately and see clearly that women can and do flourish in the religion of Islam. When Muslim women are actually listened to - instead if having silly opinions foisted upon them - there is not this grim picture of oppression that is assumed. Belief in God is not something that nessecitates abuse if females: as the many Muslim charities aiming to help eradicate domestic violence and support it's victims testify. These are done in the name of God - even if some people wish to say that they are not Muslims cos they are helping women.
Islam may be an alternative lifestyle but it just doesn't fit that you try to change the lifestyle as a whole to stop a problem within some members. Some may assume due to prejudgment that it is a particularly bad problem in the Muslim community (I expect that this is baseless) but surely the focus should be on stopping sexist practice.
The hijab is a great example - if a non-Muslim feminist wants to cover her sexuality in public this is seen as a free choice - no questions. But it is a Muslim female then automatically prejudging people foist on to her that it was a forced thing and that it is perpetuating sexism. The reality is that Muslim women wear the headscarf for a myriad of reasons - even frequently against their parents wishes - but this never gets accross.
My wife wears it from time to time - she says "in a bid to 'beat the system' and not subscribe to the pressures that this society puts on people." Think she's a liar? You've not based that on my wife but only your prejudgment.
The problem is that this free choice to adopt a certain form of dress (for cultural, aesthetic, feminist reasons - or even through just laziness) gets lost in a false story that Muslim women are weak. They are not - I've had the privelage to work alongside plenty who are inspirational females and the massive luck to be married to a strong and successful career minded woman - also a Muslim. Unfortunately this reality is hidden from view by mass media or people's lack of true engagement with Muslim women.
1 in 4 women in the UK are a victim of domestic abuse - would clearing the UK of religion solve this problem? Or would engaging with these women to see what should be done be a better answer?
Those who work with domestic abuse victims don't see eradication of religion as a solution to the real problem of this situation. Nor do most victims...
Let's look after our flock which is our diverse community
The problem is not a religious phenomenon.
Lets also not get sidetracked by trying to paint a religion as sexist when tackling these problems - those who are in the know about these things see that religion is something that can help in the struggle against domestic violence.
To assume that domestic violence is less prevalent in atheist households would be dangerous and if you believe it then lets find some evidence - instead of applying ill researched religious ideas onto a very real human crisis.
As a Muslim I put out my hand and say - let's tackle this together.
Kudos given by (1): Dawud
