Infidel - is it offensive?

jabbajabba

I have a topic I would be interested to here everyones views on. Does the term infidel help relations with non muslims in anyway? My take- I find hard not to take offence to being refered to as an infidel - but would like to be convinced otherwise. Here is wikipedias interpretation; In Islam, the Arabic word kafir (كافر) refers to non-Muslims, often in a derogatory sense [2], and is usually translated into English as "infidel" or "unbeliever". The Turkish equivalent of "kafir" is giaour.

Mr & Mrs Inquirer

"infidel" or "unbeliever" :lol: Pagans

freza

Someone who gets offended by getting called an infidel must be one heck of a sensitive individual!

Concord

freza wrote: Someone who gets offended by getting called an infidel must be one heck of a sensitive individual! Castro may not.

asdfasdf128

the term was actually coined by Europeans during the middle ages to refer to the Muslims, who by not believing in Christianity were "infidels".

jabbajabba

That was Heretic :) - infidel is the nearest english translation of kafir. Perhaps it is because it sounds similiar to inferior that it causes insult.

bushra21

christians and jews arent referred to as infidels...they are 'ahl el kitab' (people of the book)

jabbajabba

Thanks bushra - but i am not either of those - so I best get used to being an infidel i suppose :cry:

Concord

If you are gay male and your boyfriend's name is Fidel (as in Fidel Castro) then you are an "infidel".

asc_26

:lol:

kanelli

Who gives a crap about the term "infidel".

PARANOID

eh..nevermind.

asc_26

kanelli wrote: Who gives a crap about the term "infidel". Concord. :)

Chocoholic

Well it is a pretty offensive term, as it effectively implies that as a person who doesn't believe in God or religion, you're seen as a lesser person. You wouldn't call a Christian a 'Bible Basher' or a Muslim a 'head banger', so why should derogatory terms be used for others.

yorky500

Chocoholic wrote: Well it is a pretty offensive term, as it effectively implies that as a person who doesn't believe in God or religion, you're seen as a lesser person. You wouldn't call a Christian a 'Bible Basher' or a Muslim a 'head banger', so why should derogatory terms be used for others. Bible basher is not really a derogatory phrase in the insulting sense, just a common form of referring to someone who "pushes" the bible in your face. Quote: That was Heretic - infidel is the nearest english translation of kafir. Perhaps it is because it sounds similiar to inferior that it causes insult. worked wonders in South Africa during the Apartheid years! :lol:

Chocoholic

Regardless, I still the term is unpleasant.