7 April 2008
Mormons and Muslims
Posted by Roy Bischoff under: Guest Blogger .
This is a guest blog contributed by Sharon Anderson
Benjamin mentioned there are good things about the Muslims. A couple of years ago I went to a lecture about the Near East where the speaker explained that Islam has been hijacked by extremists. These militants pose an increasing danger to western civilization. I think it may be increasingly difficult for those who do not agree with what is happening to know how to get Islam back. Hopefully we will figure out how to protect ourselves from the extremists and their acts of violence without “writing off” all Muslims because of the militant ones. While Mormons don’t proselyte among the Muslims, the LDS church, recognizing that they are also God’s children, is doing a good job of reaching out with good will and assistance to those of the Muslim faith. (If Christians and Muslims can get along, then maybe liberals and conservatives can too!)
Here are some interesting excerpts from an article about Mormons and Muslims that appeared in the LA Times.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-morlims2apr02,1,2488142.story :
The Mormon Church has to be among the most outgoing on earth; in recent years its leaders have reached out to, among others, Latinos, Koreans, Catholics and Jews. One of the most enthusiastic responses, however, has come from what some might consider a surprising source: U.S. Muslims.
“We are very aware of the history of Mormons as a group that was chastised in America,” says Maher Hathout, a senior advisor to the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles. “They can be a good model for any group that feels alienated.”
Which perhaps explains an open-mosque day held last fall at the Islamic Center of Irvine. More than half the guests were Mormons.
“A Mormon living in an Islamic society would be very comfortable,” said Steve Young, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attending the event.
The sentiment is echoed by Muslims. “When I go to a Mormon church I feel at ease,” said Haitham Bundakji, former chairman of the Islamic Society of Orange County.
. . .
The Mormon Church has become the biggest contributor to Buena Park-based Islamic Relief, touted by its administrators as the West’s largest Muslim-based charity. Relief officials say the church has donated $20 million in goods and services since the 2004 tsunami, equal to about 20% of the charity’s annual budget.
Both religions strongly emphasize family. . . “We both come from traditions where there has been persecution in the past and continues to be prejudice,” . . . (both discourage) marriage outside the religion and observing dietary laws, such as the Mormon prohibition against tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. But the clincher, . . . is that both communities “have been stung in recent years by the recurrence of scandals over which they have no control.” For Muslims, the obvious example is 9/11.”
15 Comments so far...
Angela Rogin Says:
7 April 2008 at 11:07 am.
I work with a Muslim woman and she is one of the kindest people I know. I admire her standards and I feel bad for her because I know some people mistrust her because of her religion or maybe just because she is an Arab. It is far to easy to write off a whole group because of the actions of a part of that group and it is crucial that we not do that. It is not Christ like. If we only love those who are just like us then we are not very loving.
Carrie Says:
7 April 2008 at 11:33 am.
I didn’t know this. I think I probably didn’t feel so good about Muslims but this makes me want to not be so judgmental. I guess there is good about everybody if we look for it.
Cameron Says:
7 April 2008 at 11:57 am.
Mormons and Muslims do have a lot of the same standards. I hope people won’t read this and start thinking there are Mormon extremists like there are Muslim extremists and become even more distrustful of you Mormons. It has been disturbing to me this last year to find out how many people hate Mormons. Christians should be about building bridges not burning them. I will never become a Mormon but I will never hate them either. I will try and have the same attitude toward Muslims.
Stumpy Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:01 pm.
I dont know Cammy. Yer to trusting. Jist a matter a time afore them mormons go nuts and do somethin crazy. How long can a man keep it together if he dont get his morning coffee? I tried it once an I ended up tryin to milk the cat and my Ass wouldnt eat her catfood so I kicked her. Still got the hoofprint in my behind from that altercashun.
Cameron Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:06 pm.
Leave the Mormons alone, Stumpy. They are good people. I don’t drink coffee and I’m not nuts.
Stumpy Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:13 pm.
Oh hell Cammy ya gotta start drinkin coffee today - NOW MAN. Dont y’all know that ya already got one foot in the water? If y’all see two boys in white shirts an they both got the first name a elder then dont open the door. An get that coffee fast.
E.E. Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:21 pm.
I noted yesterday that President Monson said we need to be kind to every person in the world and this means Muslims too. Good blog, Sharon. We really do need reminding to be tolerant of the rights of others to follow their religion and not persecute them for it. Some Christians quote parts of the Bible to excuse acting hateful to other religions they don’t agree with. It’s fine to disagree but the Lord would never tell us to act hatefully towards our enemies. You can disagree with love and kindness.
It is so important to remember how many Muslims do not support violence. We should give them the benefit of the doubt at the same time working to stop terrorism.
Nalvy Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:31 pm.
My sister has a friend who is Muslim and I have stayed with their family several times and i have to say they are some of the nicest kindest and most welcoming people I have met. My stepdad always goes on and on about how they are taught to hate us and other things and he never sees he is not giving them a fair chance. People are all different and it sickens me to see stereotypes so abundantly out there in the world. Why is it that people do not embrace the fact that we were made to be different?
Oh and I how exactly would there be an extremist Mormon?? What would we do exactly hahaha?
Stumpy I gave up coffee and let me tell you something…life is a lot easier without it!!!
Cameron Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:35 pm.
Nice sentiments E.E.
Stumpy, I love your ass.
Stumpy Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:40 pm.
I was jist pullin all y’all Mormons legs Nalvy girl. Well - maybe. Come ta think of it I have heard about you folks and yer church ball. All that aggression probably comes cause a grouchiness from no caffeine. EAT MORE CHOCOLATE!
E.E. Says:
7 April 2008 at 12:44 pm.
Stumpy, don’t say that. Mormons eat too much chocolate already. And you are right about church ball. There’s no more church basketball because it was too much like indoor football without the pads.
Benjamin Says:
7 April 2008 at 4:15 pm.
Thanks Sharon. Nice blog.
Bryon Says:
7 April 2008 at 8:32 pm.
A very aggressive game is good. I like competition. I also have friends who love mountain dew more that their mothers.
rorin Says:
8 April 2008 at 10:48 am.
Recently in one of my classes we had a Muslim student here at BYU come in and give a presentation to us. She told us that the biggest reason she had come to BYU is because of the standards upheld here are almost identical to the ones she believes in. She told us that before coming to the United States she was very worried about how to keep her standards and still have friends but it has been very easy for her at BYU.
Benjamin Says:
8 April 2008 at 11:48 am.
Rorin, that is great that the Muslims have a lot of respect for the Mormons. Thanks for sharing that.
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