Author: Hamida
Publication: Islam-Watch
Date: May 23, 2007
URL: http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Bitter-Frustrating-Experience-with-Islam.htm
Dear Editor,
I have increasingly had doubts with the idea
of a 'perfect' religion in the face of such a vast spiritual tradition around
the world which to me often surpasses Islam, and this idea of the Quran being
absolutely 'perfect'. My anger lies increasingly with the frustration I often
find in talking to Muslims and the frequent methods they use to side step
things, then at the same time turn it on me! I have been the victim a lot
of subtle pressure and bullying.
First of all, a common tactic often used is
the way many Muslims twist around questions, in order to fudge a particularly
uncomfortable question. I am sure many people can sympathize with me on this
point. What I mean is for example ? if a question is asked about, say, wife
beating ? then they suddenly jump on about girls being buried etc in pre-Islamic
Arabia and what Islam did to help them or about the prophet loving women etc.
In this way they get sucked into their own strange terrifying glass ball called
Islam in its 'perfectionism', and parrot things out like a robot ? "Islam
gave women rights 1400 years ago
!'" In this way they gradually,
and through a lot of fiery, passionate, flame-throwing talk, deflect attention
away from the first issue that I was talking about! By that time, I am already
tired and listless and can't be bothered to speak to them ? psychological
warring down to defend the deen!
The next time, I see them or people like them,
suddenly if there is a discussion about Islam. People look at me almost like
they are trying to 'explain' to me about Islam.. do they know meee? ...and
at that point I didn't even say anything about Islam
! I find myself
the subject of strange rebuttals, almost like they had 'heard' of me beforehand
from other. The underlying discourse of 'control' is thereby maintained. Many
times I have found myself wondering in a conversation, 'did I say that?'...'what
is this person doing, they are commenting about something I did not even say'...
I sometimes wonder if Muslims see me or the person they want to see behind
me, the ideal scapegoat who is influenced by the 'West', has trouble 'understanding'
the deeper wisdom of it all, and of course, needs to be nudged along a bit
? all in the spirit of Islam of course.
Other times an Imam or some older figure sits
down and explains to me about the great honour Islam has given to women
etc
like
I am stupid and need to be 'told' these things and yet within all the rhetoric
they don't deal with the real issues at hand, nor even the questions that
I asked them in the first place.
I have found Muslims often very covertly aggressive
and in many situations the pressure on me to accept their viewpoint occurs,
then great cheers that 'I have finally understood
mashallah'
Muslim
men have often pushed against me, or harassed me in other subtle ways almost
like its all about a battle of power for them and they feel a sense of sick
elation when they somehow 'win'. Muslim girls often also 'kiss' me oddly or
play me down in very subtle ways to prevent me from speaking. They are very
sly, very manipulative. But almost always these people don't face up to the
issues at hand !References to 'context', to 'cherry picking' and 'deeper'
meanings behind verses as well as of course certain verses 'canceling' out
others has been used.
What scares me the most is how much Muslims
themselves are the people of their own ignorance and have built up a glass
crystal ball which they so meticulously keep together. Its scary to watch
them live a lie within themselves, especially when they know subtly coercive
and oppressive tactics are used against people. I am sure they feel sad to
watch how people are harangued quite a bit and yet the uncomfortable 'gulping'
in that occurs is really sad. This is why I am now sick of them, not so much
because of things in Islam I disagree with (that's another book !) but because
of the gradual suffocation of one's mind that has arisen over time.
So many Muslims convince themselves to be
convinced even when deep inside, they are not convinced.. and even then they
convince themselves of the whisperings of Satan who is the cause of their
doubts- they must soldier on against this inner demon!- rather than their
own ludicrous attempts to cotton-wool and sugar-coat things
at least
save them from themselves!
Regards,
Hamida