Saturday, January 17, 2026

Pretty Good Summary

 https://x.com/ihunanya_chi/status/2012155445855527183?s=51&t=cLq01Oy84YkmYPZ-URIMYw

 

 "Muslim mindset: “I’m fasting, don’t eat in front of me or I might be tempted.” Christian: practices self-control and doesn’t make a public show of fasting. Muslim man: sees a woman who isn’t fully covered and says, “Cover yourself or I’ll be tempted.” Christian man: sees the same thing and says, “I need to guard my heart and discipline my eyes so I don’t sin.” Christianity deals with the heart. We emphasize self-discipline and self-control. Islam, on the other hand, tries to control the environment instead, asking others to change because the individual hasn’t learned to master himself. When the heart is truly transformed, temptation loses its power. Self-control means taking responsibility for your own desires, not placing the burden on others. A disciplined heart governs the flesh, not the other way around."

 

I've definitely seem Muslims  demand that others not eat in front of them during Ramadan, and the rest of this is being played out in real life.  

FYI, the whole Ramadan "fasting" thing is a bit overblown.  The "fast" is from sunrise to sunset, then there is feasting after sunset.   It's just not as big of a sacrifice as many portray it.   

3 comments:

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Excellent comparison.

Craig said...

I thought it was good. The expectation that Muslims have that everyone else will bend to accommodate their peculiarities is simply absurd.

Marshal Art said...

I recently did my first 36 hr fast for health reasons. Sun up to sun down ain't no thang!

I would say, in fairness, that I don't necessarily object to all attempts to remove temptations in public life. The leftist defense of pornography wasn't a good thing at all, and to allow such things more accessibility does. Loosened standards for what can be shown on television also arouses the prurient interest. Add to that the tolerance of provocative fashion choices. And don't get me started on beach wear! (The down side of the last two are unattractive, out of shape women dressed provocatively, which is most unpleasant to see).

While this is just referring to human sexuality, one can see how it has led to tons of problems due to altered attitudes and perceptions about sex directly related to NOT opposing these things. There was a host of prohibitions in the OT, and it goes without saying that nasty behaviors ensued nonetheless. But the frequency and/or openness of them was far less because cultural prohibitions were in place.

I'm not suggesting enacting laws here (not generally), but peer pressure can be used for good as well as evil and encouraging modesty and virtue is never a bad idea. In addition, holding each other accountable helps as well. But to say, "Don't do that because it tempts me" is not the way to go. I would prefer at worst, "Don't do that because it tempts others" and mostly toward my own self.