the title of "The West" can obscure the good peopl

[MichelleSeeking]

Dear Muslims in this forum,

I have read many great topics here and a lot of good points are made about the views and actions of Western society, as portrayed on TV and in the media. It's true: many women are not as free as they think they are when they are looked upon and used as lustful sexual objects. I get a knot in my stomach every time I see a scantily clad woman or girl strutting down the street or parading around on TV. I feel so sorry for them as they put themselves on display or give themselves to men under the false banner of "freedom" and "women's liberation".

However, please don't forget that there are hundreds of thousands of good moral God-fearing Christians and moral non-Christians in the West that live with deep convictions and beliefs in this sex-soaked society. Using the lable "The West" can obliterate the good people that dwell amongst the immoral. Christians come under attack here as their morals and teachings are trampled on and disregarded in the workplace, on television, and worse of all: in the public schools where pornographic and disgusting "sex education" is taught in great and careful detail while children fail math and reading in droves. Those of us who avoid drinking, pre-marital sex, and immodest dress are treated like simple minded idiots and tend to lead very lonely lives. (unless we are lucky enough to live with family, peers, or in a supportive community that accepts our beliefs.)

We Christians are doing our very best to live only for God in tough circumstances. In "The West" people are attempting to make it illegal for the Bible to be read in public. God has been removed from all public places, and while Witches and Wiccans can have spiritual meetings at public schools Christian kids can't even pray together without being harassed and censored. If one is anti-Jewish or anti-Muslim one finds themself fired from their job and in court being sued while it's perfectly acceptable to vocally bash Christians in private and in public. For crying out loud, they are even trying to remove "under God" from the Pledge of Aliegence. It's crazy here sometimes!

Yet I ask you all, please don't judge everyone in "The West" by the actions of those whom are seen on TV and in the media. The same TV and media that focuses on one slice of a big pie totally ignores the good, hard-working, modestly dressed, moral Christians and non-Christians. We are not a minority - we are plenty! - but the media coverage of moral people is few and far between. What you see on TV, in the movies, in the magazines, and hear in the music is just a tiny slice of a huge pie filled with interesting and unique cultures and beliefes in "The West". Even though you see men and women practically worshipping Movie and Music stars you need to understand that they are a small portion of "The West". Not everyone drools over the television and loads their head with sex-soaked pop music. Not everyone chases after the latest fashions, starves themselves thin, and gives their body to the highest bidder. Not every young woman loses her virginity in highschool and not every college student is passed out drunk in his dorm. For every person smoking pot there is someone working hard at a minimum wage job so they can pay their rent. Think of "The West" in layers: you have a top layer of immoral people that is always seen in the media. Then you have a middle layer of moral and God-fearing people that are not seen in the media much at all. Usually you hear about us after some religious fanatic starts a cult or a parent is harassed for home-schooling their kids. After this you have a final layer of non-believers that live good moral lives that you NEVER hear about in the media. They live in cities and in the country. They help the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, discipline their kids, are kind to their neighbors and are absolutely decent people. Because of this they are considered "boring" to the media. Yes, I wish they all knew and worshipped God, but I'm not going to consider them to be a part of the top layer simply because of their lack of belief!

The images of an immoral West are fed to us through the media while the rest of "The West" is totally ignored. For every scantilly clad lady I see on the street I also see a young woman wearing long skirts or pants, and decent shirts. For every girl giving her body to some boyfriend there is a girl saving herself for marriage. Even non-religious, non-Christian people live good lives and work hard. The distorted image of "The West" that is well known by the world is what leads to so much misunderstanding and sometimes hatred, which leads to things like terrorist attacks, racism, and Anti-American sentiments.

"The West" is not perfect. We have our problems both amongst the People and in the Government. Yet just remember that for all of our faults, the non-Western countries have just as many. Rather then judging one another through the narrow lense of the media we need to look "behind the scenes" and get to know one another on a personal and realistic level. That is the only way that we will truly understand one another. Let's throw off the shackles and quit being Slaves to the Media and seek the truth about "The West" and the "non-West" before it is too late.

Your Sister in God's love,

-Michelle

[Ali]

The term "WEST" was actually used by a lot of Muslim scholars when the Muslim countries were colonised, and very different from the "WEST". But now even many of the "Muslim" countries are following the man made rules of life. Secularism, interest based economy etc.

I, and that is my opinion, think that perhaps the term "The Materialistic World" would be more suitable.

And also if someone refers to Materialistic world as the West it shouldn't be taken as an attack on those who live in the West. I myself live in the West.

Because the word "The Westerners," or the West is used for so many centuries it would take time for some people to get rid of it. But I am sure that the intention isn't to belittle the good people who live in the West.

-- Ali

[Muslimah]

Michelle thank u very much for your insightful article. I guess what u r saying applies exactly on you receiving distorted or directed info about Muslims. I remember u asking what is actually happening in Palestine. May be u will find many material thinking as u stated. But we are well aware that good is still there.