# Ask a muslim man **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 26, 2005, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729 "2005-01-26T07:48:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/41 "2005-01-27T00:48:54Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > This one has been bugging me for some time: Why does the SDMB attract so few Muslims? Our previous Most Prominent Muslim Man could come up with many reasons but since they were mostly based on his preconceptions of the attitudes of non-Muslim Americans and his never-ending attempts to force-fit people’s responses into those preconceptions it was not a happy relationship. I don’t know, i’ve been perusing the SDMB for over 3 years now. It’s not a perfect place but it’s very useful and quite entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/42 "2005-01-27T01:03:57Z")
> [@](#): > > **Guinastasia** said: > I’m guessing the reason for pork being forbidden to Jews and Muslims had to do with, back in the day, porkworm. If it wasn’t cooked properly, or thoroughly, people could become deathly ill, or so I’ve heard. Is that a realistic concern that should be obvious in a modern, industrialized country with knowledge of safe handling and food inspection? I suppose I just don’t understand why it’s still adhered to. > [@](#): > > **recurriman** said: > Someone else explained the deal with not eating pork earlier in the thread. Same question as above: is it still practical considering what we now know about pork and the widely available trichinella-free pork? Also, I know that there are some Jews, such as a friend of mine who is a Reform Jew, who will eat pork. Is there such a thing in the Muslim world? (I know I seem to have a weird obsession with pork. I suppose that is because of my Polish heritage where we loves us some kielbasa with our pierogies.) ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/43 "2005-01-27T01:18:22Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > Disclaimer: The stuff below may seem confrontational, it’s not. Just trying to be engaging. > > My first post was worded broadly: ‘altered states of consciousness’. So, does the ban apply to only alcohol or to all intoxicants? If I remember my history right, opium wasn’t illegal in Iran till mid-50s. Is tobacco considered an intoxicant? What’s the status of pot? > > People **may** do stupid things on alcohol. 10% of the heaviest users buy 50%+ of alcohol (20% -\> around 75%). So, aren’t these dictates punishing those who may not need to be? I have a very thick skin , no need for disclaimers. Tobacco is considered harmful but it is not an intoxicant. Your change in behavior is negligeable while smoking or after smoking. It isn’t recommended to smoke. (but it’s so hard to quit…) The status of any substance is easy to find out: -How much harm will it cause to you? -How much harm will it cause your family, friends and fellow humans. As you can see, alcohol is clearly A Bad Thing ™. Pot, much less so. Heroin or crack would probably be trailing closely behind alcohol, etc. As to your second question: I’m not sure why you think of it as punishment. Alcohol is not that great. on top of that, You’re not going to hell just for drinking alcohol. Remember what I said earlier. Allah the merciful and forgiving. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/44 "2005-01-27T01:27:18Z")
> [@Jojo](#): > > The 1960s and 70s were dark days for the world. During these times, Morocco almost single-handedly kept the world hash market alive. Sure there was some red Lebanese about (and Colombian) but Morocco took the lions share. This was before the days of hydroponics and homegrown etc. Does your heart swell with pride when you think of such things (mine would)? > > Oh and what are your thoughts on al Qaeda (and specifically the bomb in Casablanca)? Hahaha. On some superficial level, yeah. It’s always nice to be the first producer in the world (whatever the product is) The bastards caused me to wait 15 days for my student visa! Seriously though, killing innocents (whether it’s in Morocco, the U.S, Turkey or Spain) is the greatest sin of all. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/45 "2005-01-27T01:31:15Z")
> [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](#): > > Have you experienced any hostility or rudeness from other Americans who knew (or guessed) your religious heritage? Nothing noticeable. no. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/46 "2005-01-27T01:43:12Z")
> [@wisernow](#): > > **recurriman** I am not sure I really understand the purpose of the op. The op says “Ask a muslim man” and then you appear to confess that you have not read the Koran and thereby perhaps implying that you have very limited knowledge of Islam. Also, you come across as a typical and normal adult with liberal ideas. > So what is the status that you are trying to project when you are inviting questions to a “muslim”? Is it an effort at letting people know that “muslims” can also be liberal and engage in typically “non-muslim” activities like getting intoxicated and homosexuality? > As far as I can see, your answers, at least until now, have been no different than what would have been given by a non-muslim! I am sorry, but I do not understand the purpose of the op, and why you have specifically mentioned “ask the **muslim** ”. I did read parts of the qur’an and I do plan to read all of it eventually. Most muslims have not read the qur’an in its entirety either. I have as much knowledge of Islam as an average moroccan. I didn’t name this post “ask the islam expert” or “ask the imam” or anything like that. If I come across as a typical and normal adult with liberal ideas, it’s because I am! I’m answering all questions in a rigorously honest fashion. I have only one agenda and it is to give you the straightdope about “a” muslim man, namely myself. Of course, you have no particular reason to trust me and I can’t prove a negative so I won’t try. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/47 "2005-01-27T01:50:46Z")
> [@recurriman](#): > > -How much harm will it cause to you? > -How much harm will it cause your family, friends and fellow humans. > As you can see, alcohol is clearly A Bad Thing ™. Pot, much less so. Heroin or crack would probably be trailing closely behind alcohol, etc. Aren’t you losing nuance in this? Moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 glasses of wine/day) decreases risk of stroke and dementia, and is associated with [improved cognitive function](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15257997&dopt=Abstract). And I quoted the figures to show that a minority of drinkers have problems with it. Alcohol is neither clearly A Good Thing nor clearly A Bad Thing. In fact, hardly any drug is. It’s how you use it. Doesn’t promoting stereotypical attitudes hamper cultivating good risk management skills? > [@](#): > > As to your second question: I’m not sure why you think of it as punishment. Well, if alcohol is prohibited, doesn’t it risk ostracizing/segregating Muslims who otherwise are sincere? > [@](#): > > Alcohol is not that great Agreed, much better and safer options out there. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/48 "2005-01-27T01:54:17Z")
**recurriman** , I’ve copied my post from the ‘Ask a moslim woman’ thread and added one of **Rune** ’s questions. What do you think of the Fatwa on Salman Rushdie, and the killing of Theo van Gogh and other such Islamic religious killings? [/QUOTE] 1- I believe humanity would be better off if the dude(s) who issued it went to meet his maker. I have stated a few posts ago what I think of fatwas in general. The killing of Van Gogh is tragic and his murderer should be sentenced to the chair. I agree with what the U.S. constitution says about freedom of speech. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/49 "2005-01-27T02:03:14Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > **Jojo** bought this up in the other thread, but what do you think about the contents of [this](http://www.derafsh-kaviyani.com/english/quran1.html) site? > > Do you think people should report freely on these discoveries, even if they are non-muslim? > > What do you think the effect would be on Muslims at large if it was shown the Qu’ran (sp?) has not been perfectly coppied from the time of Muhammed to the modern era? 1- Of course. 2- Shock? Anger? Denial? A psychologist could probably give you a better answer to that. I think it’s highly unlikely that a discovery like that would be made now after so long and even more unlikely that the differences would be non-negligeable. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/50 "2005-01-27T02:07:12Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > Is that a realistic concern that should be obvious in a modern, industrialized country with knowledge of safe handling and food inspection? > > I suppose I just don’t understand why it’s still adhered to. > > Same question as above: is it still practical considering what we now know about pork and the widely available trichinella-free pork? > > Also, I know that there are some Jews, such as a friend of mine who is a Reform Jew, who will eat pork. Is there such a thing in the Muslim world? > > (I know I seem to have a weird obsession with pork. I suppose that is because of my Polish heritage where we loves us some kielbasa with our pierogies.) I’ve been eating pork for quite some time now for the reasons you mention But if I had to go the rest of my life without eating it, it wouldn’t bother me. It’s not that good anyways…I prefer beef and lamb. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/51 "2005-01-27T02:18:42Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > Aren’t you losing nuance in this? Moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 glasses of wine/day) decreases risk of stroke and dementia, and is associated with [improved cognitive function](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15257997&dopt=Abstract). And I quoted the figures to show that a minority of drinkers have problems with it. Alcohol is neither clearly A Good Thing nor clearly A Bad Thing. In fact, hardly any drug is. It’s how you use it. Doesn’t promoting stereotypical attitudes hamper cultivating good risk management skills? > > Well, if alcohol is prohibited, doesn’t it risk ostracizing/segregating Muslims who otherwise are sincere? > > Agreed, much better and safer options out there. 1- Yeah, i’ve read about how half a glass of wine a day can be beneficial to you and whatnot. I have to disagree with you though. If you put all the benefits of alcohol on one side of the balance, and all the detriments on the other, the balance will markedly tip towards the detriments. Do I believe a country should prohibit its citizens from drinking alcohol? no. For the same reason I am in favor of total legalization of drugs. In morocco, people who drink alcohol are not ostracized or anything like that. I speak from vast experience on this. You can buy alcohol in supermarkets over there. ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/52 "2005-01-27T02:21:44Z")
Ok, seems i’ve answered all pending questions. I will take a break now and be back to answer any new questions in a few hours. Oh, and hi Tamerlane! ---
**Author:** ![ninetypercent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9de0a6/32.png) [@ninetypercent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ninetypercent)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/53 "2005-01-27T02:50:02Z")
Is God a big part of your life? Or are you Muslim for mostly cultural reasons? ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/54 "2005-01-27T03:06:53Z")
> [@recurriman](#): > > I have to disagree with you though. If you put all the benefits of alcohol on one side of the balance, and all the detriments on the other, the balance will markedly tip towards the detriments. Which just strengthens my belief that nuance is lost. A person doesn’t accrue all benefits and suffer all detriments, just by the fact that they drink. Your figurative balance is tilted towards one side or the other, or nearly balanced, depending on how you approach drinking. A 4 glasses/week drinker’s net health is not affected the same way, or even in the same direction, as that of a 40 glasses/week drinker. A blanket disapproval only encourages black & white thinking. Anyway, this issue is not specific or limited to Islam, so I’ll let it be. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/55 "2005-01-27T03:07:46Z")
How do you groom your body hair? What do you shave? What do you pluck? ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/56 "2005-01-27T04:33:26Z")
> [@ninetypercent](#): > > Is God a big part of your life? Or are you Muslim for mostly cultural reasons? Well, while I don’t think about God a lot. I do try to live my life as a good muslim. Don’t steal, love thy neighbor, help your fellow man, be a good friend and whatnot. When I’m scared for my life, I say the chahada and it calms me down. Sometimes, when something important to me is at stake, I pray. And it has worked every time so far. Is it God answering my prayers or am I just lucky? I don’t know. I’m not sure I understand your second question. Maybe I already answered it. If not, please try to dumb it down for me 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/57 "2005-01-27T06:30:09Z")
> [@recurriman](#): > > Oh, and hi Tamerlane! Hey yourself, oh long-time lurker :). - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/58 "2005-01-27T08:34:22Z")
> [@lee](#): > > How do you groom your body hair? What do you shave? What do you pluck? Finally! I’ve been waiting for this question since the beginning of this thread. I shave my facial hair every few months. I don’t do it more often because: a- I’m lazy b- Razors irritate my skin a bit. c- My electric shaver stopped working and I’d rather spend the money on videogames and computer parts. I have thick eyebrows and my SO will pluck the middle from time to time. I’m fortunate not to have too much body hair. I use scissors for my pubic hair (tried shaving it once and it itched like hell afterwards) I think that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/59 "2005-01-27T10:38:57Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > For heaven’s sake, **Twist** , was shitting in a perfectly good thread really that important to you? Was it not obvious that my post was a joke? ---
**Author:** ![recurriman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@recurriman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recurriman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729/60 "2005-01-27T19:09:31Z")
> [@TwistofFate](#): > > Was it not obvious that my post was a joke? It was to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-muslim-man/286729.md?page=4)