The Islamic State

[Steve James]

Wow, aren't there even Muslim martial arts in China. I would have sworn.

[zenshiite]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_China

It's easy to see Chinese Muslims in Guangzhou. There's a mosque here built on the site of one of the first mosques in China and there are Chinese Muslims running businesses all over the city, frequently restaurants, which are the only places of consistent quality and minimal wholesomeness (less gutter oil) that you can depend upon. There is a neighborhood around the mosque (Xi Men Kou) with lots of Muslim food shops and butchers, and is once again one of the few places where you can expect reasonable quality. There are also many Chinese Muslims in Guangzhou who are temporarily doing street vendor business found all over the city.

I think Chinese Muslims are a model of assimilation while still maintaining the character of their religion.

[Michael]

I think Chinese Muslims are a model of assimilation while still maintaining the character of their religion.

That's my general impression from living here, but I only have about 1% more to go on than someone paying attention from the outside. The recent demonization by the govt. of Chinese Muslims associated with the problems in Xinjinag are outrageous. Guess there's no need to go into that here, but just for comparison, as an outsider on the very edge, it appears to me that Christian Missionaries in China are, from the POV of the Beijing govt, causing more "trouble" than Muslims. Just my impression, although I don't agree with the perspective that has led to such extreme religious persecution here against many groups, and again I'm not that crazy about religion in general.

[zenshiite]

I think Chinese Muslims are a model of assimilation while still maintaining the character of their religion.

That's my general impression from living here, but I only have about 1% more to go on than someone paying attention from the outside. The recent demonization by the govt. of Chinese Muslims associated with the problems in Xinjinag are outrageous. Guess there's no need to go into that here, but just for comparison, as an outsider on the very edge, it appears to me that Christian Missionaries in China are, from the POV of the Beijing govt, causing more "trouble" than Muslims. Just my impression, although I don't agree with the perspective that has led to such extreme religious persecution here against many groups, and again I'm not that crazy about religion in general.

It's my understanding that the Hui are getting less flack from the government than the Uyghurs. Uyghurs have always gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to Muslims living under or being brought under the umbrella of Chinese rule. Hui are a bit different because they are nearly indistinguishable from Han at this point.

Christians seem to have never been particularly welcome. As far back as the Tang Dynasty, Nestorian Christians were included under the anti-Buddhist Imperial decree. Muslims present weren't targeted along with the rest of the non-native Chinese religious groups. Probably because they weren't propagating much and generally kept their heads down and focused on conducting trade.

[Michael]

Right, of course there's a clear separation of Chinese Muslims between Uyghurs and Hui. I should have just said Uyghurs. I never hear anything about problems with Hui.

[willywrong]

I have to admit that it's a catchy name.

http://www.vice.com/en_au/video/journal ... amic-state

[yeniseri]

Wow, aren't there even Muslim martial arts in China. I would have sworn.

Other than being rhetorical, there is Zhaquan, some origins of xinyiliuhe and even xingyi (variation of a single source ) so the historical record is there!

[edededed]

A lot of times, religious groups will be alright if they are a minority.

[leifeng]

A lot of times, religious groups will be alright if they are a minority.

Depends on the size of the minority and on the religion/cult. Ideologies can be very dangerous especially those that start their history by genocide and mass rape. Unfortunately we have a big list of them and they are going to haunt us for many generations.

[edededed]

Yeah - of course, lots of religions have dangerous thinking. If you happen to live in a region where 90% of the people are that religion, you will be screwed. If you live in a region where only 1% of the people are that religion, well - it's a bit of a better situation.

[chud]

Islamic State executes American Peter Kassig (5th Western hostage) and threatens slaughter on Western streets: click

[zenshiite]

Islamic State executes American Peter Kassig (5th Western hostage) and threatens slaughter on Western streets: click

And Kessig had apparently converted to Islam. So that says an awful lot about these douchebags.

May they burn in hellfire, and may the Muslims in the region get their shit together and wipe these assholes out soon. Amin.

[Interloper]

Nothing more than an extremist group using religion as a vehicle, corrupted to rationalize their twisted and perverted world view.

[leifeng]

And Kessig had apparently converted to Islam. So that says an awful lot about these douchebags.

He converted in ISIS captivity. I think ISIS would say "So that says a lot about his conversion".

May they burn in hellfire, and may the Muslims in the region get their shit together and wipe these assholes out soon. Amin.

So now you are takfiring a group of Muslims because they have different interpretations. I wonder who that sounds like...
Anyway I don't think takfiring each other can solve the problem. It just makes more rival radical groups.

[Michael]

May they burn in hellfire, and may the Muslims in the region get their shit together and wipe these assholes out soon. Amin.

So now you are takfiring a group of Muslims because they have different interpretations. I wonder who that sounds like...
Anyway I don't think takfiring each other can solve the problem. It just makes more rival radical groups.

ISIS has little to no religious credibility, no political clout, no national recognition, and are slaughtering and pillaging. Full military action is appropriate, IMO, although hellfire is up to god anyway, so.