# What is the first word that comes in your mind when hearing the word ISLAM? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 26, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116 "2003-07-26T18:04:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/61 "2003-07-26T21:18:07Z")
Where do I use the word “moronic”? Sorry?? I asked you to reflect on what you think. Which is the purpose of this thread. Like I said in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![tramp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tramp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tramp)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/62 "2003-07-26T21:52:49Z")
Sorry, I think terrorist too. That is very bad of me. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/63 "2003-07-26T21:57:15Z")
another “People of the Book” Mind, I think the world would be better off if “the Book” wasn’t adhered to so literally by so many different groups. ---
**Author:** ![MmmDonut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@MmmDonut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MmmDonut)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/64 "2003-07-26T21:59:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aldebaran \* > \*\*This is interesting. Where does that come from? \*\* Two sides of the same coin. Plus, they are the religions I am most exposed to. Nothing very interesting… although the impression I get upon hearing each word might be more relevant. Numerous vague mental associations spring to mind, but I’d have to think on it for a concrete description… ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/65 "2003-07-26T22:03:10Z")
I think “bomb.” You wanted to know … ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/66 "2003-07-26T22:07:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SnoopyFan \* > \*\*I think “bomb.” > > You wanted to know … \*\* 🙂 Actually, that is what many people think when they hear USA… heheh… ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/67 "2003-07-26T22:12:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > \*\*another “People of the Book” > > Mind, I think the world would be better off if “the Book” wasn’t adhered to so literally by so many different groups. \*\* People of the Book is what Christians and Jews are named in Al Qur’an. So that description doesn’t apply to Muslims. And about taking “the Book” literally: It depends on what is taken out of them to be taken literally, completely out of its context. Because that is what provides for the feeding ground for all sorts of abuse and extremism. In every religion. ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/68 "2003-07-26T22:16:41Z")
MmmmDonut, Yes, you could say they are two sides of the same coin. Many Christians will contest that very firmly since they only look at the fact that Muslims see Jesus as a prophet while they see him as God. I have met Christians who even say that “the Muslim God” is not God. I find that always very amuzing. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/69 "2003-07-26T22:17:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aldebaran \* > \*\*Where do I use the word “moronic”? > > Sorry?? > I asked you to reflect on what you think. > Which is the purpose of this thread. Like I said in the OP. \*\* Sorry, that wasn’t directed at you, **Aldebaran**. It was **rjung**. ---
**Author:** ![bbart4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/51bf81/32.png) [@bbart4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbart4)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/70 "2003-07-26T22:20:00Z")
When I hear the word on Fox: What now…?😉 ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/71 "2003-07-26T22:31:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tramp \* > \*\*Sorry, I think terrorist too. That is very bad of me. \*\* I don’t think so. That is the picture the Media brings you because sensation and demonizing sells. And if you aren’t in a situation where you have the opportunity to be able to inform yourself a bit further, it is what sticks to your mind. There is a deep rooted history of demonizing of Muslims in the Western world and the recent timeperiod gives us example of a brilliant revival. The great difference is that earlier the so called Orientalists worked not only from a Western, but in the vast majority of the cases also from a Christian background and transferred thus a double coloured view into their writings. You hardly see such unprofessional approach these days among academics. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/72 "2003-07-26T22:46:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aldebaran \* > \*\*I don’t think so. > That is the picture the Media brings you because sensation and demonizing sells. \*\* I don’t think this is the fault of the media. I think it’s just that dramatic events have more impact than everyday events. I’ve ridden on airplanes hundreds of times, but after 911 I wasn’t thinking of all those safe, uneventful trips. I was looking at planes with a little shiver, remembering what had happened. I think it’s a natural reaction. Sure, the media can feed that, but it takes a huge amount of peaceful non-events to counteract _one_ violent event. Julie ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/73 "2003-07-26T22:59:55Z")
jsgoddess, You should take in mind that other countries see terrorism and its devastation already for decades. Maybe you can imagine yourself the impact of one single “shock and awe” little harmless bomb on Iraq? Do you know how many tons of bombs were dropped in a few days time? Can you picture what an effect that has on people, not to speak of the death and destruction caused by only one single bomb? Thousands and thousands of 9/11 's… Can you picture that? So please, stop the cheap rethoric. You had it once. The world has it daily. We find the constant, endless milking out of the september attacks by the USA all but mature. ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/74 "2003-07-26T23:09:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoe \* > \*\*_Mosque_ > > They are so beautiful. \*\* Yes… Many of them really are. Yet there are also absolutely fabulous churches, cathedrals, synogoges, temples all over the world. ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/75 "2003-07-26T23:12:30Z")
Well, I think Arabia, then I think _of_ Arabia, which in my mind is people in white robes and sand dunes and stuff (come to think of it, sounds more like the Bedouins in the Sahara – are they Muslim?) Then I think of the pictures of the Kaaba that I’ve seen, and think of Malcolm X some. BTW, **Aldebaran** , I don’t think **jsgoddess** was deriding the impact of bombs on others. I think she was just giving a reason why words like “terrorist” might come to mind for Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/76 "2003-07-26T23:17:19Z")
Islam: Terrorism / mass rape / suicide bomb That may not be fair, but you did ask for first impression and not a fair evaluation. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Aldebaran_ > > Actually, that is what many people think when they hear USA… heheh… USA: Money / freedom / fat people Gee. I’m really trying to make friend today! (“First word” - Remember!) Why is this in “Great Debates”? There’s nothing to debate in the OP. Shouldn’t it be in “General Questions”? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Aldebaran_ > > There is a deep rooted history of demonizing of Muslims in the Western world and the recent timeperiod gives us example of a brilliant revival. You may believe Muslims are suffering from an organized conspiracy, personally I think it’s somewhat naïve to think Muslims have no responsibility for the bad image their faith have acquired. I would say Muslims pretty much made their bed, now they should either sleep in it, or unmake it themselves. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/77 "2003-07-26T23:21:12Z")
Brainwashing. To a certain extent, and obviously painting with a very broad brush, I think of _all_ religions as being engaged in some amount of brainwashing. However, in my mind, Islam sticks out as having the most _outwardly_ devoted followers amongst the major religions. And yes, I realize that there are different sects and degrees of zeal amongst the followers, but the prayer rituals alone seem overly taxing to me – an admitedly non-religious person. Then again, if that’s what floats their boat…shrug. ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/78 "2003-07-26T23:27:35Z")
Yes I know. I apologize, jsgodess. It is a bit stressing though to hear Americans all the time repeating 9/11 while they seem to ignore completely that other nations undergo such events since decades, yet don’t start and continue screaming on a world wide scale. There is also some frustation by many people because Americans all to easily neglect the fact that people of over 60 nations died in the WTC. Among them was one of my best friends. He was married to an American and at the time their baby was only a few months old. About your questions considering the bedouins: yes they are Muslim. (And about the NOI: I hope that people are awareof it that they have nothing to do with Islam, and everything with a racist political organisation. I find them funny in a way, yet I don’t find it funny they use the name Islam in their slogans ) ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/79 "2003-07-26T23:37:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WinstonSmith \* > Islam: > Terrorism / mass rape / suicide bomb > That may not be fair, but you did ask for first impression and not a fair evaluation. mass rape??? > [@](#): > > Why is this in “Great Debates”? There’s nothing to debate in the OP. Shouldn’t it be in “General Questions”? I don’t think so, the intend is to have a debate. > [@](#): > > You may believe Muslims are suffering from an organized conspiracy, personally I think it’s somewhat naïve to think Muslims have no responsibility for the bad image their faith have acquired. I would say Muslims pretty much made their bed, now they should either sleep in it, or unmake it themselves. I don’t talk about “organized conspiracy”. I talk about historical roots of demonizing Islam. As for the bad picture: as I said, that bad picture was pictured since a few centuries and is part of the Western historical background. This makes it the more easier to have the revival we see today. Yet, you are right that some Muslims with a form of authority don’t do any good to that bad picture, with crying about “fatwas” who name murderers martyrs and so on. Yet: what we see in the press is these lunatic’s comments; what we usually don’t see are the comments of others. That is how it is manipulated, since sensation sells and peacetalk isn’t sensational these days. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116/80 "2003-07-26T23:39:04Z")
Karimov (oddly enough, since he isn’t much of a Muslim at all, and in fact his government tends to persecute certain subgroups of them). But that’s just my post-Soviet geek side showing through. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-first-word-that-comes-in-your-mind-when-hearing-the-word-islam/191116.md?page=5)