what do you think?

I don't have a problem with middle eastern peoples in general, my mother's mother's family is middle eastern her mother didn't speak english, although my grand mother and all her sibling were born here, we are quite proud of our heritage in our family. They were all catholics for many generations back, no one can remember the family ever being anything else (muslim).
Not all middle easterners were responsable for 9/11, not all middle easterners are muslim.

 

What do I think of them?

I cringe now and become suspicious when I see a person that looks to be of Middle Eastern descent.

I don't think they're all bad, but before I didn't know that the ones who weren't would be willing to kill myself and my children and/or see us suffer horribly for no understandable reason.

I equate a certain middle eastern look with the muslim religion, and I now equate the muslim religion with people who are after blood.

So yes, I guess you could say that I now am prejudice against this group. Until 9-11 and the following events I was of the opinion that everyone was equal, that all races and nations and people were equal and worthy of the same consideration until they proved otherwise.
Now I'm of the belief that I have to be cautious and suspicious of all people who look to be of middle eastern descent until they prove they're NOT terrorists or not hoping and wishing I would die.

 

WOW! I can't believe a Christian would think this, much less say it in public.

I am sorry, I do not agree with you on this point at ALL. You can't, or shouldn't make judgements of a group of people just because some of them are bad.

What about the "bad" baptist's/Christian's in the world. You see it in the news all the time, does that mean the world should judge us, as Christians without even knowing us? No.

The Germans tried to take over the world with Hilter in power, should we judge ALL germans? Japan bombed our country, should we still look over our shoulder at anyone that is Japanese? The Russians didn't like us very much some years ago, does that mean ALL Russian people are bad?

I would hope and pray you rethink your position on this. You can be cautious when you have a reason to be, but don't put down a whole group of people just because they have some bads ones among them...

Jamie
Racism has turned a new page I suppose....

 

The other situations are different because

1. I didn't see it

2. I didn't have to watch the news and wonder if family was ok

3. They weren't targeting anyone and everyone simply because they were not Muslim

The poster asked. I answered, and I answered honestly. Terrorism has changed my view of Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent. Muslim terrorists believe I should die, and probably die a horrible death. They want to crash airplanes that my children are in. They want blood.
They have shown that their method is to blend in with us and strike from within.

God bless you if you can walk down the street, see a person of ME descent carrying a backpack, and not have a ray of suspicion dawn on you. I can't do that anymore. As long as middle eastern looking terrorists continue to run around trying to kill me, my fellow Americans, my fellow humans across the planet, and continue to do it in the name of their Muslim religion, I will continue to feel a degree of what you call "prejudice" whenever I see a Muslim/ME person.

PS I didn't say "they're all bad", read again

 

This is so correct....they targeted them for not being aryans. Jewish, handicap, anything but perfectly pure aryan and it was off to the gas chamber with you.

Believe me, I understand where you are. After 9-11, I was right there with you (you probably remember). God has softened my heart a bit since then and I know it is a struggle not to lump them all together. I pray that God will work with you the same way he did with me.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Racism and homophobia have something in common. Everytime someone makes a statement which disagrees with ana spect of either viewpoint he becomes anti all.

It just isn't the case. Gina prolly expressed the feelings of the majority. Gina would also prolly be the first to assist one of another race who happened to be in difficulty or distress.

Let's learn to understand the difference of discernment of a situation and actual discrimination because of nationality or race. The difference is huge.

Cheers,

Jim

 

After they proved they weren't terrorists.

 

Thank you Gina for an honest assessment of how life has changed for you. But, I hope you can get past it. When I think of Middle East countries I think of so many different visions -- the causeway in Bahrain, a beautiful example of bridge spans! Or the coffepot fountains which match the one I wear around my neck.

Or, the hotel in Dubai that looks like a huge sail, with the tennis court on top that gives a fantastic view, unmatched! I think of the sterling silver Mercedes an oil-rich Saudi purchased and wonder how it would look in the streets of broken concrete in Gaza or Lebanon.

I think of broken dreams, but of people that live there who still dream of change, peace and opportunity.

I think of Golda Meier and of her dream that the children will be loved so much by all "sides" that peace will become an acceptable alternative for everyone.

And that may mean learning to walk up to someone you perceive to be Middle Eastern and asking "May I help you?"

 

I agree, and I think the the above statement was actual discrimination. I am sorry.

In my other post, I mentioned that if you had a reason to suspect something, then I would side with the side of caution, this would be the discernment of a situation.

To just throw a race of people to the wind because of some bad apples is wrong.

Plain and simple.. wrong.


Jamie

 

During the second world war, I threw a race of people to the wind..the Germans....they elected Hitler and backed him and they were bombing my home in London. You don't think I had just cause?

During the Korean Conflict, the Chinese and Koreans were trying to kill me...Do you think I was wrong to distruct all Chinese? Or Korean civilians for that matter? They also carried bombs.

There is a difference, think as you may. When you have been through a few wars, maybe you will understand.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim,

I think, by human standards of the world, you, me, and Gina are all totally justified to distrust or perhaps even hate those of another race because of what others of their race have done and continue to do. I am not so sure, however, that we are justified in the eyes of God, however. DOn't get me wrong. I understand where you have been and where Gina is now. I have been there. I just pray that God will penetrate the mistrust so that we don't end up hardening our hearts to the command of God to love our enemies. Again, I understand the feelings and the struggle to trust them again. I do not condemn you or Gina for it, as I am not any better. It is only by the grace of God that I have changed my mind. I know what he has done for me, he can do for you. I pray that God will tear down the walls of hate and mistrust in all our lives in his own time.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I'm not throwing an entire race of people to the wind. Please take a more thorough look at what I said if that's what you think.

And btw the comment that "I can't believe a Christian would think this, let alone say it in public".

Why would I not say it in public? I am not seeing anything that isn't Christian in this reaction.

And however do I manage such diversity in my life? :tongue3: I'm a liberal for being against the (undeclared and thus not really a) war that is killing innocent middle easterners, and accused of being unchristian because I'm "on the side of terrorists", but when I express that I am more cautious and nervous now against people who look to be the same religion/nationality as the people everyone wants to kill because of the terrorists...well, then I'm being unchristian.

*sigh*

I honestly don't feel unchristian for either of those views. I don't feel bad about sharing them either.
I'll obviously never win a majority approval from people on this earth, or even on this board. I guess I'll try not to feel too bad about that either.

But...I would like for people to actually read what I say and consider the meaning and intent before they draw their conclusions.

 

Yes, I understand. I was speaking in past tense, of course..what happened then...both the Germans and the Chinese and Koreans...

Our bridesmatron and her husband were both German, and from Germany for our wedding...best friends.

I risked my life in the early years of the Civil Rights Movement and even spent 3 days in an Alabama jail for defending the Blacks. Anyone who knows me, knows I will not tolerate prejudice of any kind........but caution! Certainly. We would be fools to throw caution to the wind. To love the enemy is not to hold his bomb whilst he recites verses of love and good wishes.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Gina

You articulately wrote the truth . . .

. . . I apologize that others were not able to read the truth for what it was.

Scenario: There is a shooting on the corner of 1st and 2nd street in broad daylight - two white men about 20 years of age ran up to a car and shot the driver. You pull up to 1st and 2nd streets. 2 young men start running your way. You lock your doors (electric) and think about running the red light . . .

Only a fool would do other wise.

God bless you

Wayne

 

When they are guilty until you find out otherwise, which is pretty much what you said unless I am misunderstanding you, you are throwing a whole group/race of people to the wind.

My point of this statement was, I didn't think it was the way Christ would have us act. We are to love people and trust in the Lord. If you have to "wonder" about what someone will do to you, are you trusting in the Lord?

If I have misread what you said or misunderstood, then I am sorry, but from what I read, you "cringe now and become suspicious" just because of what way someone looks/or is from...



I believe, we as Christians should have more compassion and love for people, even if their are our enemies. I know I am not perfect, but I do strive for it, and I would never outright say I would cringe and become suspicious of someone just because of their race or background.

Sorry..

Jamie

 

In my first post in this thread, I said that if you had a reason to think otherwise, then you should be cautious, but that doesn't mean to lump any and everyone that is of Middle Eastern background into the "They want to kill me file."


Caution and Prejustice is two different things..


Jamie

 

The truth according to some standards, not mine.

Did you read my post at all? In this thread, several times I have mentioned that if you had a reason to think someone would hurt you, then you would be right in showing caution. In your scenario, you would have a reason..

In the scenario that some Middle Eastern people are trying to kill me, so therefore I am going to think ALL Middle Eastern people are going to try to kill me isn't the same.



Jamie

 

Jamie

I did not read your post. Thank you for wasting your time.

I was writing to a particular person and gave a specific example.

 

It showed in your post.

I didn't waste my time, but thanks anyway...

Your example was flawed, as I pointed out...but again, thanks for trying...


Jamie