As class is beginning to speed up, I have noticed a few things. Although I found the civil society reading this week to be interesting, I have found many of the previous readings difficult to comprehend. They tend to be lengthy and not very informative. I have discovered that the news articles I've been reading have been more beneficial because they prepare me for the discussions in class. I've noticed that cultural differences are creating a problem globally. Although the world is becoming more connected through media, and cultural tolerance is increasing, there seems to be small groups of people who wish to decrease cultural tolerance. The call for action against America for the film about the Prophet Mohammad is not decreasing as I had hoped. Perhaps people are angry because the film threatens, in some way, the Islamic way of life.
Earlier this week, I discussed women's inequality in Middle Eastern countries from the point of view as an American. I wondered why women in other countries did not have the same rights as me, and how they must feel. My opponent responded by stating that the MENA region has a different belief system, and that culturally, women should be treated differently then men. I pondered about how to respond, because all I could think of was that it wasn't right to not be allowed out of the home without a chaperone. I couldn't see how a different belief system is completely different. To some in the more religiously strict countries, these societal beliefs were the norm. It is necessary to view a culture through it's own eyes. If I viewed my society from the Islamic point of view, I would understand why many abhor the US. Celebrities, which are the focus of American society, sometimes behave very inappropriately, which may upset conservative religions.
I love the topic of Women's inequality. It's my jam. This reminds me of a conversation I had with a girl from my bible study today. I think it helps your point because historically western culture has a foundation in christian culture. The Bible says that the woman should submit to her husband, but it also says that the man should treat his wife like the church and submit to her. This puts them both on an equal playing field--both submitting to one another. I don't know enough about Islam to make any claims, but from what I gather...The woman submits to the husband and then they don't mention so much the mans equal submission. PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I've used to try and understand why it is that our culture has woman's rights when our predominant religion also says that woman need to submit to men. It's really how the man is viewed that is dictating women's roles in our two split cultures.
You bring up an interesting point about how the man is viewed. From what I believe about Islam, the man does have the higher authority in the family, and I do believe you are correct about the lack of the equal playing field. What I also think is important is that religion plays less of a role, although it is still there, in society. In Islamic societies, religion is a key aspect and rules all cultural norms. What I also personally believe is that many Christians have updated views about the Bible, while more Muslims hold traditional views about the Koran. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I believe that Islam is more reluctant to change, because it doesn't want to lose its culture to an increasing Western influence.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I'm reminded of a conversation I have had with a friend. A friend of mine(who is Muslim)told me that the reason they hold traditional views as opposed to our free form translation of the Bible is because it explicitly says in the Koran that it may not be interpreted any other way than how it is written. There is only one version and if it is a translated version than it is not considered the Koran. So you are definitely on spot with the idea of why they are reluctant. If there is no room for translation of the Koran, is there room for development of women's rights? Can these countries maintain a religious status and have equality between the sexes? Not a rhetorical question! I really don't know the answer.
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