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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.

"infidel" or "unbeliever" Pagans

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

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

Castro may not.

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

That was Heretic - infidel is the nearest english translation of kafir.

Perhaps it is because it sounds similiar to inferior that it causes insult.

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

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

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

Who gives a crap about the term "infidel".

eh..nevermind.

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

Concord.

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.

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.

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!

Regardless, I still the term is unpleasant.