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Warning: This is a Rant.

Here's the situation. H1N1 flu virus is running around like crazy here. A certain American gets the flu and is in need of medical attention. This American's contract says medical attention will be given on a "reimbursable basis". So no issues with the right to obtain medical services.

So here's a question. Who do you think would be more likely to help an American citizen out in a combat zone in this situation?

A.) American Christian soldiers who has a picture of Jesus in the lobby, biblical quotes on the wall (which actually referred to helping out your fellow man), has absolutely no customers, has nothing better to do than watch TV and has an obligation written in his mission statement to assist.

OR

B.) Egyptian Muslim soldiers who has absolutely no obligation and quite possibly could face problems from higher if he gives help to someone that is not directly supporting their mission/soldiers. And not to mention Sundays are "women only" days for their medical centers.

I'm sure I don't even need to say the answer. The point I'm getting at is that, as a whole, Christians, at least the American versions, are far more hypocritical than Muslims. These guys come up to me shake hands, kiss me on the cheek and welcome me to anything that is theirs even if they have nothing to spare. This is not just Egyptians, with the exception of Kuwaitis (Kuwaiti arrogance makes Americans look like the Christians they claim to be), every Muslim country I have been to has been more than welcoming to me, as long as you respect their religion, which, of course, I have absolutely no problem doing. I see the "good will towards fellow men" more from Muslims than I do from Christians. Not that Christians don't help people, but no Muslim has ever tried to convert me after helping me out. The closest thing I have came to their hospitality in the States is the Southern states, but even that doesn't come close.

Oh and btw, this is not just one instance, 4 separate occasions at different medical centers this has happened. I made sure to cough on the door knob when I left.

Rant Over

(Unless you have been to their countries and witnessed first hand their culture, I wouldn't suggest knocking it.)
- October 18th, 2009, 01:17 am
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Sorry, This was meant for the Religious Discussion Board. But I guess it could have to do with politics....failure of government ran health care, improper use of tax money, fraud waste and abuse, Muslim culture vs American (christian) culture, contractual obligations overlooked by the military.....whatever, if the mods wanna move it go ahead, I have no idea how to delete a thread.

Last edited by dwreese182; October 18th, 2009 at 01:46 am.
- October 18th, 2009, 01:42 am
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i don't know. do you think you'd feel the same if you were a woman?

also, at least at one point, i think catholic charities did the most AIDS hospice in the U.S.
- October 18th, 2009, 02:15 am
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lil_lamb wrote :
i don't know. do you think you'd feel the same if you were a woman?

I am what I am, I cannot change the fact that I am a man. Women are allowed to go to the doctor any day of the week. However, some of them prefer to be seen by a woman doctor and that's when the female doctor makes her rotation to this base. And for most women in Arab countries, excluding some of the more conservative states (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait), it is optional for women to wear the full dress and cover their faces. With the younger generation coming up in these countries you are seeing more of a "liberal" approach, a lot of these traditions are going away. Not that it is really any of the US's business how these people live their lives. The U.S. does not, and cannot understand Muslim culture. And contrary to popular western belief, most Arab/Muslim countries do not follow the Wahhabi traditions.

also, at least at one point, i think catholic charities did the most AIDS hospice in the U.S.

There just so happens to be more Catholic charities because there are more Catholics in the US. If you look around the US where there are a large populations of Muslims, such as Detroit, you will find Muslim Charity organizations. Charity organizations simply can't exist without someone to fund them. This was not my arguing point anyways.
My response in green.
- October 18th, 2009, 03:23 am
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DW, your story kind of reminds me of the Good Samaritan, where the priests neglect the man by the side of the road, but the Samaritan who is considered in that society to be a 'less than' takes care of him.

Gotta love the irony.
- October 18th, 2009, 04:25 am
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I'm a bit scared of this thread but think it's really interesting.

I live in East London, it's very ethnically diverse. It's also a very tiny slice of life so I'm not making any generalisations about Muslims and Christians, this is just my experience. Also I had an entirely secular childhood and do not belong to any religious group so I have no 'loyalities' one way or another.

I have several close friends who are muslim. They do not drink and pray 5 times a day and observe fasting during Ramadan. The girls cover their hair. My point is that their faith is central to their daily lives. None of them has any issue with the fact that I am not islamic and though they will happily discuss their faith none of them have ever tried to convert me. All of them have a strong sense of commitment and responsibility to their families and their work. They are current with their thinking, their dress and are entirely part of the broader culture of England in 2009. I feel confident that if I needed any help I could turn to them and they would help me if it was in their power. They are good people, good citizens, open minded and kind.

I don't have any close friends who are as devoutly christian as my Muslim mates are Islamic. Obviously living in England the vast majority of people that I know would describe themselves as Church of England but I do not see their faith being central to their daily lives in the same way. However, I am an elementary teacher and one of our support agencies for children with special educational needs is staffed almost entirely by self declared devout christians. I'm sad to say that despite the fact that they are employed to help little children they are an extremely uncaring bunch of professionals. Lots of little things like not saying hello and declaring their presence for blind children, routinely arriving very late to support children in their lessons, disappearing to make private cell calls and working to the letter of their contract rather than in the spirit of what's needed. They hound staff who are not members of the same church with petty issues and have large staff turnover problems. They conduct themselves with an air of smug superiority and leave you with the impression that it is because you are not 'religious' as they are. They are not prepared to do the job they are paid to do with a good christian spirit so I really can't see them doing much Samirtaning in their spare time. It may be quite simply that these are appalling people who just happen to be devout christians, a simple co-incidence, I don't know. Regular church attending christians are a rare breed in England, the vast majority of them may well be perfectly lovely.

I think it's all the more interesting to compare muslims and christians as their fundamental values are so similar. Despite being two religions with enormous memberships as far as religion goes they are in the minority as monotheisms. They both recognise jesus, hold the sanctity of marriage as a sacred building block for the family and therefore the wider society and both recognise that as society sustains us we have an obligation to make ourselves useful to our society when it needs us. Both have a holy book, places of worship and use prayer to connect with God.
- October 18th, 2009, 06:19 am
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peg099 wrote :
DW, your story kind of reminds me of the Good Samaritan, where the priests neglect the man by the side of the road, but the Samaritan who is considered in that society to be a 'less than' takes care of him.

Gotta love the irony.
I had the same thought too, peg.

I haven't known many Muslims, although the ones I've known personally have been gentle, hospitable people - about as far from terrorists as it is possible to be. I know lots of Christians. Most are kind people, but there are also some spiritually immature types who are more interested in thinking that being Christian makes them better than everyone else than in thinking about being like Jesus. Sadly, I suspect it has always been so......
- October 18th, 2009, 07:40 pm
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wrote :
I am what I am, I cannot change the fact that I am a man. Women are allowed to go to the doctor any day of the week. However, some of them prefer to be seen by a woman doctor and that's when the female doctor makes her rotation to this base. And for most women in Arab countries, excluding some of the more conservative states (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait), it is optional for women to wear the full dress and cover their faces. With the younger generation coming up in these countries you are seeing more of a "liberal" approach, a lot of these traditions are going away. Not that it is really any of the US's business how these people live their lives. The U.S. does not, and cannot understand Muslim culture. And contrary to popular western belief, most Arab/Muslim countries do not follow the Wahhabi traditions.
what do you mean "allowed" to see a doctor any day of the week?

if you are saying the west messed up big time with imperalism - yes, that's true. but i think the subject was who's kinder, no?

wrote :
There just so happens to be more Catholic charities because there are more Catholics in the US. If you look around the US where there are a large populations of Muslims, such as Detroit, you will find Muslim Charity organizations. Charity organizations simply can't exist without someone to fund them. This was not my arguing point anyways.
well, there's "more charity organizations" and "bigger scale" - and then there's the matter of where you put your efforts and what you think deserves compassion.
- October 19th, 2009, 02:35 am
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Interesting. Neither. It is the person's heart or mindset (I'm not sure what to call it) that determines how they will treat others.

If brought back solely to religion (as opposed to individuals within that religion) I've seen appalling behaviour on both sides ... and I'm sure there would be some who think very little of choices I've made in my treatment of others.
- October 19th, 2009, 04:40 am
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lil_lamb wrote :
what do you mean "allowed" to see a doctor any day of the week?
I mean "allowed", just like I'm "allowed" to see the doctor any day of the week? Do I have to give a definitions for kindergarten level vocabulary?

lil_lamb wrote :
if you are saying the west messed up big time with imperalism - yes, that's true. but i think the subject was who's kinder, no?
So because you don't see Muslim countries/organizations assisting in the western world you think that they are not as kind? If you make an effort not to see it then you won't. I don't see Christian organizations helping anyone out, but just because I'm not in Africa and poor Asia countries to see it first hand doesn't mean it's not happening. Do they need to make commercials to brag to the rest of the world that they are helping people? With the closet some Christians live in maybe they do. Anything short of slapping them in the face with it and they won't get it.

lil_lamb wrote :
well, there's "more charity organizations" and "bigger scale" - and then there's the matter of where you put your efforts and what you think deserves compassion.
Really? Bigger scale? Possibly in the US but take a look at the rest of the world. Of course, since Christianity has more members it obviously has more donations.

Here are a few you should take a look at before passing your judgment.

Mustim Hands (UK)
a UK Registered Charity (No. 1105056) and a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Muslim Hands' trustees, who are all volunteers, form the governing body of Muslim Hands and are legally responsible for all of the organisation's activities under the Charities Act.

Islamic Relief (UK)
is an international relief and development charity, which aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people. It is an independent Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded in the UK in 1984 by Dr Hany El Banna

Ilsamic-American Zakak Foundation (US)
is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt religious and charitable organization.Their mission is to provide assistance for food, shelter, clothing and transportation for the poor and needy, orphans, wayfarers, and other persons and needs deserving of charity under Islamic law by assessing, collecting and distributing obligatory and voluntary charity called zakat and sadaqa. Our primary objective is to serve poor and needy Muslims in the United States, eligible non-Muslims are also helped and some aid is sent abroad to help poor or needy orphans and other children.

Rahima Foundation (US, San Fransico-Oakland)
is a "San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose" Bay Area based non-profit, non-political, 501 (c) (3) charitable and educational organization (Tax ID #77-0442850) that does not discriminate in its provision of services on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical appearance, national origin, language, educational background or veteran status. No funds are used for any lobbying or any other political activity.

International Islamic Charitable Organization (World-Wide)
an independent non-political organization which offers a wide range of pure humanitarian services. IICO is working worldwide. It provides services for people all over the world regardless of their race, or nationality. IICO is providing help for the needy in social, economical, educational, medical, and cultural fields as well urgent relief aids in case of war, natural, disasters, epidemics, famines, and similar circumstances.

QAAF Aid Worldwide (UK/Worldwide)
"works towards attaining the relief of poverty, need, hardship, distress and sickness anywhere in the world. in particular but not exclusively, Asia or Africa. Any country affected by natural causes, wars, conflicts, foreign and domestic primarily by the provision of food, clothing, and sanitation and cleans drinking water."

The list goes on and on, but I'm not about to post every registered Muslim charity organization. Get off the Christian high-horse. You aren't better than anyone because of your religious affiliation.
- October 19th, 2009, 05:05 am
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