Day 32 - Whoa! Time Out!!

Wow, I got alot of backlash from that last post, so let me pleeeeease clarify some things that I said:

The part where I said [End Objectivism, Begin Opinion] meant that I was beginning my opinion - my PERCEPTION, my experience of Islam. I am trying to experience the religions (not just Islam, however, Islam is my first in this experiment). The other religions will recieve the same scrutiny but also the same positivity that I gave Islam. I wanted to present a true picture not only of the religion, but also of MY EXPERIENCE within the religion.

Thirty Days is not enough time to do that, so I missed a million things. I will miss a million things on every religion. Hang in there, these are just hors d'oeuvres. You need to check them out for yourself for the full meal!

That said, in my last post, I pointed out some things that I didn't think too highly of. But there were many parts of Islam that I really loved:

:: I think the prayer five times a day speaks to dedication and honoring God. I did not meet a single Muslim woman who did not do the prayer five times a day. They didn't do this at gunpoint, it was their choice.

:: I think the Muslim family values, the importance placed on family, while it might be overly beneficial for fathers (who I believe in this day and age should share equally in parenting responsibilities), is something American society could use an injection of.

I don't have a problem with Moms who choose to stay home and choose to go down the path of being a mother and making that their career. And I think that American society today undermines the choices of stay at home moms and devalues them as a whole, labeling them "women without a choice", or women "giving up" everything for their families.

That said, I don't believe that being a stay-at-home mom is the first choice for all women (myself included), and I think some women are pressured to do EVERYTHING. I believe that mothers and fathers should have equal responsibility in the whole raising-a-child thing. If the mother has dreams and goals outside the home, why is she less worthy of going after those than a father, simply because she doesnt have a penis?

Obviously there were exceptions (as I pointed out). "Many" does not mean "All". I would say, in my case, that I am the EXCEPTION for Christians, and maybe I am wrong, but I think most Christians would not delve into other religions and discover what they believe and what is beautiful about their religions. At least most Christians I know. And don't think this has been a cake walk on my end, either. My family was, for the most part, horrified when I told them of the experiment. My boss would not allow me to take part in the experiment while I was at work, and wanted to know nothing about Muslims. Some friends deleted me on facebook, some friends sent me lengthy emails about opening spiritual doors and making myself vulnerable to satan. I am not lying.

:: Muslim views on women being able to have an abortion, at least in theory, and their views on the importance of a woman in Islam spoke very highly among its peer religions. While I am not pro-abortion, I AM pro-choice, and I think that people SHOULD have a choice about what happens to their bodies. There are lines I draw, sure, and I certainly don't like abortion or agree with it under all circumstances, but hats off to Islam for giving women permission to not raise a child they didn't want (especially in situations like rape or incest)!

:: Lastly, regarding Patriotism, as way of explanation: I am from a military family. I UNDERSTAND that not everyone feels the same way about America that I do, and that is ok. I'm not going to tell you that if you don't put your hand over your heart and pledge allegiance to the flag that you should pack your things and leave this country. But I will say that I raise my children to love this country, respect the freedom that we have (ESPECIALLY religious freedom) and to understand that if they can try to walk in other people's shoes and live with compassion, they will make this country a better place to live.


In conclusion, this blog is as much for my children as it is for myself. It is about showing my children that people are similar, even if their beliefs are different. It is to educate my children when they grow older, in whatever way I can, to the cultures and beliefs of other people. It is to teach them to love. And it is, in some way, to teach them to think and make decisions on their own, and use thier minds to compare and contrast.

In truth, almost everything I write is truly for my children. I want them to understand a different perspective is not always a wrong perspective. I want them to believe in the power to dream. I want them to have permission to become whatever they desire - spiritually, religiously, politically, educationally and career-wise. And if something happens to me and I don't get to be part of their lives in the future(God forbid), I want them to know who I am and how I thought. Call it ego, call it legacy - I want to leave something for my children and grandchildren to see, and more than that, I want my voice to be heard. I want my children to grow up with the belief that people should be judged individually based on their character and actions, rather than stereotyped. I want them to change this world for the better and live a life of open curiousity and radical compassion. I want them to not be AFRAID to try something new just because it is unfamiliar.

I hope I didn't offend too many Muslims during this 30 days... I understand people are passionate about their religion, and I never meant to be disrespectful. The women I met were nothing but hospitable and loving toward me and I respect and admire them all greatly - both the Fort Worthers and the Dallas-ites. I welcome any and all feed back!

My next post will be some of the responses I got on my 30th day as a Muslim.