posted March 13, 2012 07:17 PM            

I am far from spiritually/religiously egocentric, I am just trying to understand.

My daughter works at our local Cheesecake Factory.

She met these American Muslims when she first started there, whey they first opened this location. She is an Aqua and is very accepting of everybody, however, these individuals very much appaled her.

They, in their shrouds, looked down at her (she is 20 and beautiful.) They do not tip well at all, but fortunately come in in groups so the are gratuitied per policy.

They are mean to her.

I have seen more and more American Muslims coming to this city, San Antonio, TX, increasingly in the past year.

We are a mealting pot of cultures and welcome all!

Today, I was at the grocers, I had emptied all of my buys into my truck, had the windows rolled down and was securing this and that when I heard this yelling, this mad sort of screaming....turned around to see a Muslim woman shouting into her cell phone, driving a really big SUV.

Then she gets out with a bunch, and I mean a bunch of unruly brats, aged 7 to 12 ish.

(It is spring break here)

What is the deal? Why must they elevate themselves over us when, choosing to live in America or choosing the Muslim religion here belittle us?

I am SOOOOO conufused!

posted March 14, 2012 05:05 AM            

I would also say that religion might not be a factor in the yelling in the car thing, either. I've seen mothers of other ethnic groups/cultures do that, too. I've also encountered quite the number of unruly brats here in the US. Here, there's this mentality of "kids will be kids" and parents want to be their kids' friends instead of disciplining them and teaching them how to behave properly and respect others. I try to avoid kid-centric places for that reason (plus I really can't stand that kind of noise for a prolonged period of time; I tend to prefer quieter places, with few exceptions). So, I'm wondering if this is more of a modern American culture thing and the Muslim thing is sort of a coincidence.

However, as I said, I don't know many Muslims, and am not close to any, so I'm not sure if it would be normal in Muslim culture(s) to yell a lot. Some cultures do yell/are more comfortable with that, and others aren't.

posted March 14, 2012 12:03 PM            

As a matter of fact, the woman yesterday had on tight jeans, tight shirt, tight everything, then her head shrouded.

I do see traditional, obviously not from America, Muslim families. Once I saw one, at the same grocers, that was in full dress, top to bottem, but her head dress had peace signs all over it...

posted March 14, 2012 12:07 PM            

She, wears scant makeup (depending on how late she was up the night before), and is as sweet as pie (to her customers anyway )

posted March 14, 2012 05:42 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
Well, the majority I have enountered, that make me wonder are obvioiusly of American/anglo descent.

As a matter of fact, the woman yesterday had on tight jeans, tight shirt, tight everything, then her head shrouded.

I do see traditional, obviously not from America, Muslim families. Once I saw one, at the same grocers, that was in full dress, top to bottem, but her head dress had peace signs all over it...

LOVE IT!

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posted March 14, 2012 05:46 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
O, and regarding modest dress, where my daughter works they wear long sleeved white tops, white pants, white everything.

She, wears scant makeup (depending on how late she was up the night before), and is as sweet as pie (to her customers anyway )

They choose to be of their chosen religion in a country that is accepting of all, and I dont like it that they may judge another for their choice of dress.

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Hmm...

In that case, I'm thinking maybe cattiness or personality. Or else a VERY extreme (for America) idea about what modesty is: I suppose that even some Americans might go to extremes about that. People go to extremes about everything really.

Honestly, I'm Christian, and I wish that people would just kind of shut up and get along; I feel that people of faith could make a big positive difference if they'd stop wasting time with senseless bickering over differences in views and just work together to actual put faith into practice for the common good. But, that's just me.

I'm also a big believer in separating church and state. I don't feel that religion should ever be forced on people. Plus, a forced conversion isn't really sincere and doesn't really 'count': faith has to be accepted willingly, joyfully, and with sound mind/in full possession of one's faculties for it to be genuine, at least in my book. And I also don't understand when people want religious freedom (and I'm not referring to any particular religion; most religions are guilty of this at least sometimes), but then they want to impose their views on others. Isn't that the same thing that they speak out against?

Me, my thing is that I don't want other religions forced on me, so, while I talk about mine, I don't want to ever shove it down someone's throat or anything. I don't want to live in a theocracy, so I don't strive to create one.

posted March 14, 2012 06:54 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
OK, "tight everything" and then a head covering? NOT modest! And then to chastise someone else for not being modest? Yeah, I'm thinking maybe jealousy here rather than religious reasons.

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That is what Sam (my daughter thought) Tho as I said she is drop dead gorgeous and tries to go there at times...

But maybe not such a jealousy as what they have chosen to present themselves outwardly to, but a jealousy that Sam (and others) get to do it and they dont (per choice?)

I am so confused!

Tho why should I be, we are, afterall talking about "women"

posted March 14, 2012 06:56 PM            

I was born and baptised Christian, but have found my own way, and appreciate and learn from all religions...

(lol look around my house, Buddhas, Celtic Crosses, Bibles, Shivas, Besoms and Cloaks...)

Now the JW's...

posted March 14, 2012 07:15 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
Thanks for you input RP

I was born and baptised Christian, but have found my own way, and appreciate and learn from all religions...

(lol look around my house, Buddhas, Celtic Crosses, Bibles, Shivas, Besoms and Cloaks...)

Now the JW's...

Thats another thread

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I used to be in a conservative denomination, went on a journey that ended up in me leaving it when I realized I couldn't lie to myself and be something that I wasn't anymore. Then, I was atheist briefly, then agnostic for three years while I spend time figuring out which religious/spiritual path I wanted to take. Narrowed it down to three. It was between my current denomination, Unitarianism, and Reform Judaism. Unitarianism, didn't feel as much of a pull there. So, it was between Judaism and liberal Christianity. The issues of Jesus plus childfreeness were the largest deciding factors for me. (Judaism is very big on marriage and children, and I wanted to really follow a religion/not just follow it culturally, which I had done for awhile with Catholicism: I'm not knocking those who do, but it just wasn't for me, and I've known for many years that I don't want children--ever--and that I lean heavily towards 'no' on the marriage question).

When I stepped into the church that I go to now, I just *knew* that I picked the place where I was supposed to be. I've learned many lessons since then, and have had some major ups and downs, but I don't regret it. I've learned so much, and I feel in my heart that I'm on the path that speaks the most to me.

However, other paths spoke to me too, so I try not to forget what I've learned from other religions.

posted March 14, 2012 08:19 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
Thanks for you input RP

I was born and baptised Christian, but have found my own way, and appreciate and learn from all religions...

(lol look around my house, Buddhas, Celtic Crosses, Bibles, Shivas, Besoms and Cloaks...)

Now the JW's...

Thats another thread

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When I saw JW's, I thought Oh God, not the Jews

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted March 15, 2012 11:46 AM            

Now the incessant flow of Jehovas Witness that come to my door.

On the advice of a friend, who is JW, I asked them to please put me on their no call list.

posted March 15, 2012 01:02 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
LOL. AMI!

Now the incessant flow of Jehovas Witness that come to my door.

On the advice of a friend, who is JW, I asked them to please put me on their no call list.

But that is just not as fun as my many creative ways to get them to stop coming to my door

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I know! I just say I am a Born Again Christian and am not going to change and they go away. You have to be strong though lol

------------------
Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted March 16, 2012 10:28 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
But that is just not as fun as my many creative ways to get them to stop coming to my door

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I just stare at them and speak in Chinese. Game over.

Once I said "Escuchame por favor, no entendemos ingles! Lo siento, pero esta residencia habla espanol."

posted March 18, 2012 07:33 PM            

Another Texas favirot of mine is to answer the door with my 20ga pump....and recite Texas gun laws...

posted March 19, 2012 04:30 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:

I just stare at them and speak in Chinese. Game over.

Once I said "Escuchame por favor, no entendemos ingles! Lo siento, pero esta residencia habla espanol."

The guys stared at me in silence and just walked away Maybe they're coming back with their Latino gang

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LMAO

posted March 19, 2012 11:37 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
Well, the majority I have enountered, that make me wonder are obvioiusly of American/anglo descent.

As a matter of fact, the woman yesterday had on tight jeans, tight shirt, tight everything, then her head shrouded.

I do see traditional, obviously not from America, Muslim families. Once I saw one, at the same grocers, that was in full dress, top to bottem, but her head dress had peace signs all over it...

LOVE IT!

---

just saw this and wanted to help clarify the mode of dress.... not all Muslim women wear burqa's or even the head veil... it depends on where they live and what the
male head of the family dictates... as an example, we were in Egypt this past October and there were a number of young women wearing tighter jeans etc with the hijab (head veil)...in fact, very few women wore the burqa - Egypt had (at least at that time) a very liberal Muslim gov't that did not enforce this tradition, the choice was left to the individual head of household... Muslim women in Bangladesh wear sari's with or without covering their heads...

posted March 19, 2012 03:51 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by emitres:
just saw this and wanted to help clarify the mode of dress.... not all Muslim women wear burqa's or even the head veil... it depends on where they live and what the
male head of the family dictates... as an example, we were in Egypt this past October and there were a number of young women wearing tighter jeans etc with the hijab (head veil)...in fact, very few women wore the burqa - Egypt had (at least at that time) a very liberal Muslim gov't that did not enforce this tradition, the choice was left to the individual head of household... Muslim women in Bangladesh wear sari's with or without covering their heads...

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posted March 20, 2012 04:36 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by hippichick:
Thank you. I just dont understand why they are so mean to us who dont subscribe to their ways.....this is the US and we all are welcome here~

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Its the same with all fundamentalist groups. "It's our way or the highway."

If I truly want to find fault, there is lots of pinpointing to go around. Where I live, school/work is out on Yom Kippur but God forbid that Easter is a Public Holiday.

posted March 22, 2012 02:49 AM            

as a Muslim, who doesn’t wear head scarfs, and drinks alcohol, etc. i find it very hypocritical for a girl to cover her head and neck while wearing tight jeans that reveal every detail of her ass.

i dnt blame her though, and mind you i have deep respect for women who cover their heads and bodies and still have the courage to walk around with their heads held high, mingle, attend schools and universities, work etc.. but who i blame is our outdated society, where "some" young women are forced to wear head scarfs simply because dady said so..

Hippychick please tell your daughter that not all Muslims are like that, and i truly hope this wont let her have a prejudice against them in the future

i have so much more to say onthis but i really dont think anyone wants to hear me rambling

posted March 22, 2012 05:33 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Venus:
@hippychick,its awful that your daughter was mistreated, simply unacceptable.. but i dont think that a reason on its own to assume that the whole American Muslim community act this way ..

as a Muslim, who doesn’t wear head scarfs, and drinks alcohol, etc. i find it very hypocritical for a girl to cover her head and neck while wearing tight jeans that reveal every detail of her ass.

i dnt blame her though, and mind you i have deep respect for women who cover their heads and bodies and still have the courage to walk around with their heads held high, mingle, attend schools and universities, work etc.. but who i blame is our outdated society, where "some" young women are forced to wear head scarfs simply because dady said so..

Hippychick please tell your daughter that not all Muslims are like that, and i truly hope this wont let her have a prejudice against them in the future

i have so much more to say onthis but i really dont think anyone wants to hear me rambling

on another note my cousin bcame close friends with a JW who came knocking on her door one morning..

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posted March 22, 2012 07:56 AM            

practicing in itself differs from one Islam sect to another, Sunni, Shias etc.

now for Muslim's living abroad, especially in the US its particularly difficult. first of all they have been marginalized over the past decade post 9/11, they have been looked down to and labeled as terrorists. naturaly the American Muslim community would backlash to these harsh circumstances and the most obvious counter reaction would be huddling and forming clans to protect themselves (thats what i think).

for conservative Muslims it would be the hardest to exist in the US. After all it is one of the most culturally diverse countries there is and thus you cant just build a wall around yourself and expect to survive.