Don't hold back. Sometimes people need to hear things from another perspective to help them understand.
I wouldn't...Its not that im afraid, i just didn't know if you guys would be ready to discuss it.
I don't think anyone on this forum is the type to get hate-filled (or at least not against Muslims). The blame for extremists' actions falls on the extremists, not on normal people or religion. And many dictators are just in it for the power rather than using a religious excuse.
There are other (non-Islamic, tribal) cultural practices in (not exclusively) some Muslim areas though that are quite repulsive. Such as honor killings.
What do you think of traditional Muslim cultural treatment of women? Mormons are not uncommonly (though we would say undeservedly) accused of wanting to keep women barefoot and pregnant. Our response is often that men and women were endowed by God with different roles but that one is not more important than the other and that men should not exercise "unrighteous dominion." The Muslim explanation I have heard is simliar, yet from an outside perspective the Muslim treatment of women seems to measure much further along the scale.
Tell me those who hate the extremists for the things they do, are they able to distinct between the extremist and the TRUE muslim? Do you think that people even try? No. And why would they, it is much easier to hate then to understand.
Anyways...
First let it be said that, Honor killings are not apart of Islam. I realize that you noted this but it never hurts to emphasize such a thing. The Quran does not give the men or family of the women any right to kill them--in any sense. Whether it be for honor, or dignity, or whatever these nut jobs CNN and NBC are trying so hard to find and put on national TV to represent the Islamic and Arabic culture.
It is true that honor killings were a part of arabic culture but that was many, many years ago. Every region of the world was doing things at that time that they can't be proud of. Be it, slavery, or territorial invasion and genocide of a people. I'd like to think we have changed.
These cases of "honor killings" are not only extremely rare but completely wrong islamically.
In Islam, to answer you question, Women and Men are seen as different but equal. Each have their own particular responsibilties to themselves--i don't mean be a house wife--but a women must keep herself covered from any men beyond her direct family and husband. when i say covered, a long sleeve shirt with an ankle long skirt and a head scarf is fine--that whole nicab is completely voluntary--similar to how monks make vow of silence--to achieve more deeds if they so wish it.
Similar to the mormons sure.
I should say, if people want to how muslim women feel--if people want to be fair to themselves and the true to the information they seek, the should ask a muslim woman.
Ask a muslim woman who has a relationship with her creator, and see what she tells you.
FACT: Islam it the fastest growing religion and the most types of people coming into Islam are educated, middle-class, women.
Turn your TV off and read. Everyone. Even me.
The Quran does not shun or deem women as sinners, witches, and lessers to men. infact women are often mentioned as the heart of a family. The Quran says things like; Heaven is under the heel of the mother. This is telling sons and daughters to respect her, and love her for that is the key paradise.
The Prophet Mohamed(peace be upon him), when approached by a young man who asked what are they secrets to enter heaven. The Prophet(pbuh) replied, your mother, then your mother, then your father.
Twice as much as the man.
Ok, im getting carried away. yeah, honor killings are stupid medieval cultural thing, that happens very rarely when an arabic family struggles to adjust to the western world.
Or if a dad is, in my opinion proud and embarrased enough about what people think(WTF?) to kill his own daughter, wife or sister. CRAZY PEOPLE do these things, and crazy people come from everywhere.
My sister is a very devout muslim--she is studying chemical engineering in UofM.(university of Michigan).
I really hope you understand that honor killings aren't common or accepted.
Promise me you'll stop watching GOVERNMENT FUNDED news.