Muslims on Lit

[Feral_Intelligence]

This seemed as good a place as any to put this thread. I was just wondering if there are any muslim's here on Lit. I'm curious how that affects their views and beliefs concerning sex.

 

[koalabear]

This is definitely a GB thread, post it there.

 

[Domsheena]

Yes it is a definite GB thread...

 

[Feral_Intelligence]

Yea, I guess that is a good point.

 

[Domsheena]

If you want people bashing that´s the place... some threads on there are really nasty...

 

[VoyageToBeyond]

you post it on GB though all you get probably is the usual bigoted bashing - i doubt too many Muslims will "come out" openly here....

 

[threewireman]

GB sucks, I made one thread there, never again lol

 

[Feral_Intelligence]

The playground does seem to be a good deal more friendly.

I suppose a lot of muslims would be hesitant to admit it here. There likely are waay to many people that would start bashing them. That really is a sad thing.

I was hoping that this thread might bring some enlightenment, at least in a Lit contex.

 

[shykittyme]

you post it on GB though all you get probably is the usual bigoted bashing - i doubt too many Muslims will "come out" openly here....

Yeah, the GB is just a pack of howling, snarling dogs, fighting each other and snapping and growling at any newcomers. But, this topic is more appropriate for that place, unfortunately.

 

[MariaLucia]

Ah Guys,
Islam is like many other Religions, there are people who adhere to the 'laws' or as interpreted by a sect or group and those who were born into it and its somewhere in the background of their lives.
The most amazing lover I have ever had was Muslim, wow he was fantastic!
M
xxx

 

[VoyageToBeyond]

There are a lot of ways to look at these issues. I've been living in the Middle East the past few years and can share a few insights.

First, is the extreme diversity within the Muslim world - Dubai, where there are prostitutes in every bar, to Saudi Arabia next door which is a land of hypocrites. All the Saudis (ok, not quite all) come to Cairo or Beirut for casinos, bars, and prostitutes. In Cairo, the vast majority of prostitutes all cater to the men from the Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc.).

Second, we often confuse the forms of patriarchy practiced in Muslim countries with total oppression of women - far from it. Arab women, and men, are some of the most sexual. Right next to a shop selling veils is a lingerie shop, selling items more risque than Victoria Secrets. This isn't a contradiction. Veiling has nothing to do with sexuality. The gender politics here sucks, but it also sucks in most every other region of the world - in Latin America violence against women is much more prevelant. In the US, a woman is raped every 60 seconds.

Third, like so many societies, there are a lot of transformations taking place and a lot of debates about what is right, wrong, acceptable, tolerable, intolerable. Just as in the US, where we are debating abortion and gay marriage. Some more morons, some more considerate, some concerned and troubled, some more open, most don't really say anything. Our perspective of a place can become skewed when we tend to only hear on voice - there are multiple!

Fourth, men are men, women are women, and sex is ... well, makes the world go around! Cairo is the only place I've traveled to where I've ever seen couples having sex in the street - twice. Openly gay men/prostitutes hang out at 5* hotels next to women prostitutes wearing hotpants and halter tops. Hymen replacement surgery is the most popular form of plastic surgery in Egypt! Anal sex is common between unmarried couples, as is oral sex.

Fifth, in most of the region, internet is not censored and access to porn is free and easy. As well, every satellite tv provider also carries tons of stations from Europe, including a huge number of porn stations - that many watch.

Sixth, despite all the openness and access there is still oppression. Women are much more restricted, but they find their ways. There is a lot of contradictions and hypocracy. A common practice for young engaged couples is for the guy to talk his fiancee into having sex. Will enjoy the sex with her for several months then break off the engagement because she is "loose" and without honor! It is disturbing.

Seventh, there is a lot to eroticism too - even in traditional culture. Not only are lingerie and the sexualization of married women accepted and expected, there are other practices, such as belly dancing which is very erotic.

Eight, because of the contradictions between the discourse of "honor" and traditional conservatism and actual practices and access to pornography there is also lots of very immature attitudes. Talking about sexuality and gay marriage among my college students is like talking to a bunch of 14 y/os in the US - embarrassed giggling, agressive responses/rejections of homosexuality, etc., etc. There is very little forum for healthy discussions of sex and sexuality.

Ninth, there is nothing in Islam, textually speaking, that is in denial of sex or sexuality, compared to Christianity and Hinduism - both of which are very textually mysoginist. Practice of course is another story....

Anyway, i don't know if those are really nine points or just incoherent ramblings. just some thoughts based on my own experiences.