30 Days: Muslims and America
This episode centered on a devout Christian man sent to live in one of the largest Muslim communities in the country in Dearborn, Michigan, for 30 days. This series intends to enlighten its viewers about the American experience by increasing awareness of specific issues affecting the country. David Stacy, a Christian father and husband from West Virginia, agrees to live with a Muslim couple, the Haques, believing the thirty days experience within the Islamic faith would only reassure him of the negative beliefs he holds about the Muslim religion. When asked about his impression of the word “Muslim,” he responded, “I picture men with AK-47’s and women with sheets over their heads.” During the 30 days he was staying with this family his task was to absorb the customs of a Muslim in this Islamic community.
For those who think of Muslims as bad, hate filled people this would be an extremely good video to watch to help sensitize them to a more positive view of the followers of Mohammed. At first, most of David’s reactions where ethnocentric as he thought Muslims would look stereotypical, women in burkas and armed men who were war mongers. David experienced conflict with Shamael after letting him know his wife was uncomfortable being in their house alone with David due to their religious customs. David’s reaction at the Mosque was interesting as he related since the service did not entail discussion of his risen lord mentally he disengaged, praying to his own god.
Islam and Christianity share much in common in terms of a history of violence, conquest, and bloodshed. They both practice supersessionism, (also called fulfillment theology or, pejoratively, replacement theology) is a Christian interpretation of New Testament claims, viewing G-d’s relationship with Christians as being either the “replacement” or “fulfillment” or “completion” of the promise made to the Jews (or Israelites) and Jewish Proselytes (princeton.edu). Islam...