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Occidental Clash of Oriental Societal Perceptions

Reader comment on item: Advice to Non-Muslim Women against Marrying Muslim Men
in response to reader comment: Occidental Clash of Oriental Societal Perceptions – Spiritual Observations in Prayer

Submitted by M Tovey (United States), Feb 10, 2021 at 22:08

Occidental Clash of Oriental Societal Perceptions:
– Co-existence Where Pride Does Not Allow It:

This observer repeats this admonition, in the world beyond my immediate sphere, I am this. مسيحي
In the sphere of the Muslim community, I would be considered as: كافر

It is apparent in Dr. Pipes' forum that issues regarding Middle East are always contentious, even when the provocation is minimal; the clash of cultures between the Occidental and Oriental societies is always in the open; respect comes at a price, if approached at all. In the broader spectrum of human relations, especially in the global community sense, respective perceptions of who deserves recognition has been, from the ancient times, determined by tribal societal norms; in personal relations, the broader umbrella influences the individual response to what is considered acceptable.

For this observer, who has pondered for near a lifetime, why it is people cannot get along. In youth, differences were not all that apparent and idiosyncratic behavior was an affliction of us all. More than that, observing that we're all human with corresponding deficiencies of disparate character traits were attributed to all but the most psychotic or psychosomatic. People who were attracted to the most heinous of atrocities against others did not make sense in normal understanding of interpersonal relationships.

Reader Dhimmi No More did much to elucidate how those types of characteristics occur in occidental perceptions of oriental culture, now and in history; such as the religious decimation of Hindus or unconverted pagans under duress from out-of-control inquisitions in complete contradiction to and from the sayings of Yeshua HaMashiach, did much to introduce ancient and recurrent hatreds of tribal origins and how they are made manifest today with out compunction as an affront to decent and moral affirmations of peace for all, and respect for the individual. In normal civilized society, this would be the norm in the marital relationships; but especially here, that does not appear to be the accepted pattern for some in certain circles.

Now, as virtually all in this forum are aware, societal norms are not equal between the occidental and oriental cultures; and this is true even within the western spheres of influences such as in the Christianesque/Judaic communities. Even further outside of social norms are the secular appropriations of culture in which religious influences are shunned. It is in this form of interpersonal relationships where indignant pride appears to disrespect any honest appreciation between genders. As we indicated before, love as an expression of attraction in the beginning of a relationship does not transform into the caring of respect that many hope for, but so many times are disappointed.

As was indicated in the beginning, this observer is a student of faith in the vein and realm of Yeshua HaMashiach; and His commandments about love (true caring) are the rule, not the exceptions as humanity tries to redefine it. From this comes the respect that is intrinsic to lasting relationships and in that circumspection, comes the observations shared here; just in case anyone was wondering still.

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