Wednesday, October 24, 2007
"Is there any remover of difficulties, save God..."
Difficulties abound and that prevents me from writing. I don't like to write angry, frustrated, or in any negative state as it manipulations what I write. Things tend to gravitate toward the unhappiness or difficulties I face instead of the positive aspects of the story or issue. I prefer to write happy or content. That way I'm able to convey the positive message thusly. I could continue rambling on about this, but instead get some finality. I pray. Throw it all into Lake Michigan or ask God to sort out all the things I have no control over. Liberation then occurs and I'm able to focus on the things that need to be addressed and thrive.
As-Salāmu `Alaykum?
There have been several situations where I felt the desire to speak up or say something but didn't. Walking to class, sitting in the lobby of the English/Modern Languages building and hearing a conversations, or in class as my professor lectured on Constantine imposing Christianity in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia Minor in the early to mid-forth century. Why can't I say anything? Is it simply a situation of my not knowing enough and therefore resisting for fear of humiliation or misinformation? Am I just shy?
It could be both and more than likely is, but this leads me to wonder what I can do to remedy the situation? Can I push myself to learn more, or invest some time speaking up? Seeing someone as I walk and opening my mouth to say 'Salaam'. Would this be misunderstood? Would they think I was mocking them? That I was a Muslim too? That might open with glee over a connection and end with them calling me an infidel, a heretic. This hasn't been the case before, but who's to say that those previous examples weren't flukes?
No, I couldn't open myself to such a think. Can't reasonably invite it to happen. Instead, I'll remain as shy and quiet as I normally am until a situation of ignorance or intolerance presents itself. Then, I'll stand up. Inform them of the beauty, peace, and love that are the pinnacles of Islam. Try my best to be that voice Baha'is are supposed to be: protectors of Islam. Defenders of the faith that preceded our own, that continued the message God was revealing for humankind, that brought some of the most important discoveries and things of beauty ever understood or created on this earth; all for the love of God (Allah) and His Profit, Muhammad. I'll do that, be that, but never reveal myself to any Muslims as attacks would follow, a misunderstanding would ensue, the breaking down of the love I have for their Faith as it is revealed from god that therefore should be. Until then, I'll see them, smile, with love and respect, and hope that eventually the misunderstood comments will dissipate or disappear completely, have Muslims to despise and loathe us by way of a different kind of misunderstanding. And the cycle will continue but not forever...as God has deemed it so.
It could be both and more than likely is, but this leads me to wonder what I can do to remedy the situation? Can I push myself to learn more, or invest some time speaking up? Seeing someone as I walk and opening my mouth to say 'Salaam'. Would this be misunderstood? Would they think I was mocking them? That I was a Muslim too? That might open with glee over a connection and end with them calling me an infidel, a heretic. This hasn't been the case before, but who's to say that those previous examples weren't flukes?
No, I couldn't open myself to such a think. Can't reasonably invite it to happen. Instead, I'll remain as shy and quiet as I normally am until a situation of ignorance or intolerance presents itself. Then, I'll stand up. Inform them of the beauty, peace, and love that are the pinnacles of Islam. Try my best to be that voice Baha'is are supposed to be: protectors of Islam. Defenders of the faith that preceded our own, that continued the message God was revealing for humankind, that brought some of the most important discoveries and things of beauty ever understood or created on this earth; all for the love of God (Allah) and His Profit, Muhammad. I'll do that, be that, but never reveal myself to any Muslims as attacks would follow, a misunderstanding would ensue, the breaking down of the love I have for their Faith as it is revealed from god that therefore should be. Until then, I'll see them, smile, with love and respect, and hope that eventually the misunderstood comments will dissipate or disappear completely, have Muslims to despise and loathe us by way of a different kind of misunderstanding. And the cycle will continue but not forever...as God has deemed it so.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
To my Philosophy professor
I wrote this quickly and did no proofread before sending it off...so there were a lot of typos that I've since corrected.
Professor "Person",
I have a few questions and comments regarding what we were talking about in class on Tuesday, and wanted to clarify a few things.
First, in 345 A.D. a primary faith of Europe was non-existant. As far as history suggests, there was a collection of ideas that people appropriated to create a belief structure that, as far as I recall, was not uniform (save Paganism; which wasn't entirely without its branches and offshoots). Historically they had no Profits of God, no messengers to proclaim a message, and it was not until Rome's force of Christianity that they began to conform. As well, when Rome decided to impose their beliefs those people were killed or converted, yes; however, they also moved east and began a nomadic life as "gypsies" or in hiding as Pagans. Most of the people were accepting of Christianity as Christians adopted their holidays into the Christian Faith, making it easier for people to make the transition.
As well, you had mentioned that Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus were spread out through the land the Romans would convert. This, as far as I can recall, is incorrect. Muhammad did not reveal His mission until 610 A. D., so it would be impossible for His Faith to exist in Europe at the time. Going along with that, Buddha and Krishna's Faith's began before Christianity yet within the far east of Asia, and didn't spread themselves very far at all. While there may have been pockets somewhere in Europe and Asia Minor, the likelihood is low.
Lastly, Spain was taken by the Muslims for quite some time. "The religion was dominant in the south of Spain from 711 AD until 1492 AD under the rule of the Arabs and Moors of al-Andalus." (Wikipedia article on the 'Timeline of the Muslim presence in the Iberian peninsula') During this time, Muslims made many of the discoveries that would later be credited to Angelo-, Spanish-, French-, or Portuguese-Christians as some of the most glaringly biased and ignorant maneuverings ever (in my opinion). The Faith prospered in the fields of science, medicine, engineering, creating architecture, etc during the "Dark Ages" as many Christians squabbled amongst themselves and attempted to cure diseases they thought were brought on by the devil by using leeches, often times killed people for no reason other than a cold.
I don't mean this as a lecture, history lesson, a showing you up, or anything like that. If that were my intent, I would have made mention of this during class; which would have been counterproductive and disruptive as the purpose of the comments seemed to be based on illustrating a point about the force of Christianity by the Romans on Europe in the mid-4th century. I just feel very strongly that Islam not be misrepresented in any way shape or form. Based solely on conversations I've heard on DePaul's campus and in the workplace, most people don't know anything of Islam passed the words Islam, Muslim, Allah, and, possibly, Quran, and this is a grave under-sight for such a beautiful, loving, and proud Faith of God to be ignored, misrepresented, or slandered in anyway shape or form.
Please also note that I would have done the same in regards to Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, or any of the other Revealed Religions of God.
I do hope you understand, again, that this is not meant as a slight to you. I think you're a wonderful professor and are doing a fantastic job dealing with a class where many of the students refuse to open their mouths or the few who are, perhaps, overly eager to answer as often as we possibly can.
After my next class with him he informed me that he wanted to print the ramble off and show it to the class, not giving an answer why. It felt kind of weird to have him say that since I was writing something private. Regardless...now it is public.
Professor "Person",
I have a few questions and comments regarding what we were talking about in class on Tuesday, and wanted to clarify a few things.
First, in 345 A.D. a primary faith of Europe was non-existant. As far as history suggests, there was a collection of ideas that people appropriated to create a belief structure that, as far as I recall, was not uniform (save Paganism; which wasn't entirely without its branches and offshoots). Historically they had no Profits of God, no messengers to proclaim a message, and it was not until Rome's force of Christianity that they began to conform. As well, when Rome decided to impose their beliefs those people were killed or converted, yes; however, they also moved east and began a nomadic life as "gypsies" or in hiding as Pagans. Most of the people were accepting of Christianity as Christians adopted their holidays into the Christian Faith, making it easier for people to make the transition.
As well, you had mentioned that Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus were spread out through the land the Romans would convert. This, as far as I can recall, is incorrect. Muhammad did not reveal His mission until 610 A. D., so it would be impossible for His Faith to exist in Europe at the time. Going along with that, Buddha and Krishna's Faith's began before Christianity yet within the far east of Asia, and didn't spread themselves very far at all. While there may have been pockets somewhere in Europe and Asia Minor, the likelihood is low.
Lastly, Spain was taken by the Muslims for quite some time. "The religion was dominant in the south of Spain from 711 AD until 1492 AD under the rule of the Arabs and Moors of al-Andalus." (Wikipedia article on the 'Timeline of the Muslim presence in the Iberian peninsula') During this time, Muslims made many of the discoveries that would later be credited to Angelo-, Spanish-, French-, or Portuguese-Christians as some of the most glaringly biased and ignorant maneuverings ever (in my opinion). The Faith prospered in the fields of science, medicine, engineering, creating architecture, etc during the "Dark Ages" as many Christians squabbled amongst themselves and attempted to cure diseases they thought were brought on by the devil by using leeches, often times killed people for no reason other than a cold.
I don't mean this as a lecture, history lesson, a showing you up, or anything like that. If that were my intent, I would have made mention of this during class; which would have been counterproductive and disruptive as the purpose of the comments seemed to be based on illustrating a point about the force of Christianity by the Romans on Europe in the mid-4th century. I just feel very strongly that Islam not be misrepresented in any way shape or form. Based solely on conversations I've heard on DePaul's campus and in the workplace, most people don't know anything of Islam passed the words Islam, Muslim, Allah, and, possibly, Quran, and this is a grave under-sight for such a beautiful, loving, and proud Faith of God to be ignored, misrepresented, or slandered in anyway shape or form.
Please also note that I would have done the same in regards to Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, or any of the other Revealed Religions of God.
I do hope you understand, again, that this is not meant as a slight to you. I think you're a wonderful professor and are doing a fantastic job dealing with a class where many of the students refuse to open their mouths or the few who are, perhaps, overly eager to answer as often as we possibly can.
After my next class with him he informed me that he wanted to print the ramble off and show it to the class, not giving an answer why. It felt kind of weird to have him say that since I was writing something private. Regardless...now it is public.
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