Infidel - Is It Offensive?

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Infidel - is it offensive? Dec 26, 2006
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.

jabbajabba
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Dec 26, 2006
"infidel" or "unbeliever" :lol: Pagans
Mr & Mrs Inquirer
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Dec 27, 2006
Someone who gets offended by getting called an infidel must be one heck of a sensitive individual!
freza
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Dec 27, 2006
freza wrote:Someone who gets offended by getting called an infidel must be one heck of a sensitive individual!


Castro may not.
Concord
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Dec 27, 2006
the term was actually coined by Europeans during the middle ages to refer to the Muslims, who by not believing in Christianity were "infidels".
asdfasdf128
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Dec 27, 2006
That was Heretic :) - infidel is the nearest english translation of kafir.

Perhaps it is because it sounds similiar to inferior that it causes insult.
jabbajabba
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Dec 27, 2006
christians and jews arent referred to as infidels...they are 'ahl el kitab' (people of the book)
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Dec 27, 2006
Thanks bushra - but i am not either of those - so I best get used to being an infidel i suppose :cry:
jabbajabba
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Dec 27, 2006
If you are gay male and your boyfriend's name is Fidel (as in Fidel Castro) then you are an "infidel".
Concord
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Dec 27, 2006
:lol:
asc_26
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Dec 28, 2006
Who gives a crap about the term "infidel".
kanelli
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Dec 28, 2006
eh..nevermind.
PARANOID
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Dec 28, 2006
kanelli wrote:Who gives a crap about the term "infidel".



Concord. :)
asc_26
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Jan 03, 2007
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
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Jan 03, 2007
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! :lol:
yorky500
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Jan 03, 2007
Regardless, I still the term is unpleasant.
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