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A serious question for those across the pond (And others)

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A serious question for those across the pond (And others)

Unread postby Specop_007 » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 03:17:51

I hear little snippets here and there about the problem with the Islamics who are "in country" so to speak. Little tidbits here and there to show how bad Arabs are by "taking over", tghe problems they cause by not adopting the practices and culture of the country they reside in etc etc.

So, for those who've been there or live there now, do you see a cultural clash due to the Arabs who are living there and not adopting the cultural standards? Is it a big issue or is it just isolated incidents that get bad reporting?
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Unread postby linlithgowoil » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 04:27:57

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 't')ghe problems they cause by not adopting the practices and culture of the country they reside in


I don't really get why people think incomers should adopt the practices of the country they've moved to. If you are a Muslim, you are a Muslim and you follow the practices of your faith no matter what country you live in. Yes, it'd be nice to learn the local language, but that cant happen overnight. Apart from that though, what else do you want Arabs/Muslims etc. to do? Give up their faith and traditions just to make the local intolerant assholes feel a bit better?

Anyone who dislikes others because they have a different culture or faith has major problems.
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Unread postby Doly » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 04:32:24

I'm assuming here that your side of the pond is America and you are asking us Europeans.

From what I see, it depends on the country. UK so far has been quite good at dealing with the issues. There seem to be more problems in France. Generally speaking, I don't think it's a big problem right now, more like isolated incidents.

However, it's interesting to speculate what will happen in the future. If the economy goes down and unemployment rises, the first thing to be expected is hate towards immigrants. And the Muslims may be the first in the hate list, if there is a perception that they caused the problem in the first place.
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Unread postby Wildwell » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 05:42:47

Immigration has become quite a big issue in recent years. Since the 1950s almost all of population growth in the UK is the result of immigration. People have different views of it and it depends where you live. There are immigration ‘hot spots’ and a lot of the ‘complaints’ come from there, usually about Asian immigrants that bring their own culture with them. I might be wrong here, but I think we have moved beyond the widespread victimisation of Black people, their culture has become intertwined with the indigenous populations to a greater extent. Whereas the Asian cultures and religions are still practiced in the host country, which some people find offensive and *a threat*.

I have to say I don’t but I am getting concerned about over population.

This is a very small country and the population density is already high. The UK is the third most densely populated country in Europe (the EU 15) after the Netherlands and Belgium, and one of the most overcrowded countries in the world. In 2002, England and Wales alone had to support 389 people per square kilometre [Environment Agency] , with the UK packing an average 243 inhabitants into each square kilometre (2.43 per hectare). With population reaching an estimated 60 million in mid-2005, density is now nearly 250 per sq.km

http://www.optimumpopulation.org/opt.toomany.uk.html

Americans in particular may find this hard to believe, but there just isn’t anywhere in England and Wales where you can go without seeing other people or the effects of people. There just isn’t any wilderness. In comparison the population density of the US is 29, Norway 14, Russia 9, and Australia 2


This population problem causes and is causing problems with transport and housing in particular. Take roads for example. People think all the road congestion problems will go away by building more roads. The fact is, with rising numbers of cars due to population, the road congestion problem will never go away because the population density is high.

Finally, here’s a look at earth at night.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap001127.html
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Unread postby linlithgowoil » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 05:56:45

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')mericans in particular may find this hard to believe, but there just isn’t anywhere in England and Wales where you can go without seeing other people or the effects of people.


That isnt true. There are vast areas of wales and england that are nothing but hills, moors and mountains. And, although vast areas are famrland and are therefore not 'wilderness', this farmland is still at least countryside which supports hedgerows and other places of habitat for wildlife.

I live in Scotland and, apart from the central belt and aberdeen/dundee areas, we are sparsely populated. If i drive for about 1 hour, i can be in places where there isnt another person for miles and miles. We aren't overpopulated by any stretch of the imagination.
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Unread postby Wildwell » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 07:43:09

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')mericans in particular may find this hard to believe, but there just isn’t anywhere in England and Wales where you can go without seeing other people or the effects of people.


That isnt true. There are vast areas of wales and england that are nothing but hills, moors and mountains. And, although vast areas are famrland and are therefore not 'wilderness', this farmland is still at least countryside which supports hedgerows and other places of habitat for wildlife.

I live in Scotland and, apart from the central belt and aberdeen/dundee areas, we are sparsely populated. If i drive for about 1 hour, i can be in places where there isnt another person for miles and miles. We aren't overpopulated by any stretch of the imagination.


I've been to virtually every inch of the UK and you cannot go anywhere in England or Wales without seeing pylons, cars, houses, people or a combination of the above. The only area of the UK that is very sparely populated is central and western Scotland. You want to come down to England more often and see the wall-to-wall people. Even the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales are heavily populated by US standards. I'll challenge anyone to park up for more than 30 minutes without seeing another car on almost all of the roads.



The above map shows the most sparsely populated area of England, look at the map scale, zoom in. Even from the highest Pennine motions in the most sparely populated area of England you can see the lights of Carlisle and Teeside at night. There's still plenty of farms and houses. The lowland Scotland areas are quite sparsely populated, but they aren't a wilderness.
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Unread postby Ebyss » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 08:47:31

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') don't really get why people think incomers should adopt the practices of the country they've moved to. If you are a Muslim, you are a Muslim and you follow the practices of your faith no matter what country you live in. Yes, it'd be nice to learn the local language, but that cant happen overnight. Apart from that though, what else do you want Arabs/Muslims etc. to do? Give up their faith and traditions just to make the local intolerant assholes feel a bit better?


I agree, but would add that issues pertaining to the law should be separate from any religion. Anyone from any faith must be prepared to abide by the laws of any country they visit, regardless of how it conflicts with their religion. When western women go to certain middle eastern countries, they must wear different clothing and "cover up". Now this to me is wrong, as it is a restriction borne of religious preference not "state" (although the two are often, sadly, intertwined). However, as I am a visitor (one who wishes to keep her head connected to her body) I would definitely wear the correct clothing. Church and State should be kept separate at all times.

Over here people just tend to let them get on with it... I don't think anyone has any issues with a particular race/faith.. except when you get the ignorami who are just plain racist, but then they have a problem with everyone who isn't like them.
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Re: A serious question for those across the pond (And others

Unread postby khebab » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 09:05:36

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I') hear little snippets here and there about the problem with the Islamics who are "in country" so to speak. Little tidbits here and there to show how bad Arabs are by "taking over", tghe problems they cause by not adopting the practices and culture of the country they reside in etc etc.

So, for those who've been there or live there now, do you see a cultural clash due to the Arabs who are living there and not adopting the cultural standards? Is it a big issue or is it just isolated incidents that get bad reporting?


Well, I can speak for the French case. The Arab immigration has been always quite strong since the 70s in France because of the close ties between France and certain Arab countries previously part of the old French colonial empire (Algeria, Tunisia, Maroc, etc.). They were first welcomed because of the need of cheap labor after WWII. They didn't really adopt the French way of life but rather parasited the French social system. One major issue, is that immigration has never been controlled and illegal immigrant have been flooding the south of France for decades now. The city of Marseille, for example, is pratically an arab city now. It's easy for islamist extremists to find new recruits among disullisoned young and unemployed arabs. Now, almost 10% of the population is muslim. That's why the extreme right (Le Pen) has becomed so popular among the indigenous population. I'm quite worry for my country and the situation will get worst especially if Turkey becomes part of the EU. I'm happy not to live there anymore . :(
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Unread postby Specop_007 » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 09:19:01

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 't')ghe problems they cause by not adopting the practices and culture of the country they reside in


I don't really get why people think incomers should adopt the practices of the country they've moved to. If you are a Muslim, you are a Muslim and you follow the practices of your faith no matter what country you live in. Yes, it'd be nice to learn the local language, but that cant happen overnight. Apart from that though, what else do you want Arabs/Muslims etc. to do? Give up their faith and traditions just to make the local intolerant assholes feel a bit better?

Anyone who dislikes others because they have a different culture or faith has major problems.


I wont say they shouldnt retain some of their home countries values, but theres a serious difference between at least trying to fit in and snubbing your nose in everyones face.
I personally think some effort should be made to adapt to the new countries beliefs and systems.
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Unread postby gnm » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 10:57:00

How would that apply if for instance - continued immigration resulted in a Muslim majortiy and they felt that a theocratic state would be better than the current "democracy" - I wager that would chage the situation.

just poking the hive....
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Unread postby linlithgowoil » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 11:40:12

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I') wont say they shouldnt retain some of their home countries values, but theres a serious difference between at least trying to fit in and snubbing your nose in everyones face.
I personally think some effort should be made to adapt to the new countries beliefs and systems.


Nah, i disagree. For one thing, if i moved to a muslim country, i'd continue to be a Roman Cathollic and wouldn't take on the majority belief system. This isn't me snubbing my nose at anyone, its me sticking with what i believe in.

Also, it is my opinion that most modern western countries dont have any particular beliefs entrenched in their governments. Also, what about the example of abortion? My country legalised it in the 1960's, though I, and many millions of others, consider it to be murder. I won't fall in with the crowd on that point.

It seems to me that as long as you aren't breaking any laws and you aren't gooing out of your way to undermine the state by terrorism etc., then you have zero obligation to 'conform' to the majority standards.

Anyway, when you look at the majority standards of this country (scotland), why would you want to conform to that? The standards consist of going out at the weekend, drinking until vomit pours out of your mouth, get involved in a fight, get cautioned and/or arrested, then boast about it at work the whole week. Is this what Muslims and others should aspire to? I think not.
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Unread postby DomusAlbion » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 11:58:26

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', 'N')ah, i disagree. For one thing, if i moved to a muslim country, i'd continue to be a Roman Cathollic and wouldn't take on the majority belief system. This isn't me snubbing my nose at anyone, its me sticking with what i believe in.

Also, it is my opinion that most modern western countries dont have any particular beliefs entrenched in their governments. Also, what about the example of abortion?


Here's is where part of the problem arises, Lilithgow. Islam is a totalitarian ideology and I don't mean that in a pejorative way. Islam is beyond a religion; it is an all encompassing way of life and there is no distinction (or has not been for most of its history) between the state and the religion. Islam is that state and if a majority of a country becomes true believing Muslims then your life could likely be governed by Islam.

If you were to live in Saudi Arabia, you could not practice your Catholicism and would be subject to arrest and even execution, were you to do so.

RE: The modern Western State and entrenched beliefs. Yes, they do and France states it openly. The entrenched belief system is Secularism.
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Unread postby Specop_007 » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 14:18:54

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('linlithgowoil', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')
Anyway, when you look at the majority standards of this country (scotland), why would you want to conform to that? The standards consist of going out at the weekend, drinking until vomit pours out of your mouth, get involved in a fight, get cautioned and/or arrested, then boast about it at work the whole week. Is this what Muslims and others should aspire to? I think not.


You make no mention of wanton sex with pretty Scotish redheads.... :shock:

This "Scotland", I must avoid it..... 8O
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Re: A serious question for those across the pond (And others

Unread postby jaakkeli » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 16:10:22

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I') hear little snippets here and there about the problem with the Islamics who are "in country" so to speak. Little tidbits here and there to show how bad Arabs are by "taking over", tghe problems they cause by not adopting the practices and culture of the country they reside in etc etc.


That's because you've been watching too much American media. Turn off the TV and you might develop a brain.

(It works the other way, too, of course. If you only watch the low-quality media here, you'll end up with the idea that America is a war zone with police death squads running around keeping the poor from revolting and wiping out the excess street orphan population.)

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')o, for those who've been there or live there now, do you see a cultural clash due to the Arabs who are living there and not adopting the cultural standards?


What kind of a clash? Of course there are arguments, but they're not limited to Arabs. In Finland the biggest cultural clashes seem to be about circumcision and porn/nudity. This is hardly a symptom of "Arabs taking over", it's a clash of values between Muslim/American/etc immigrants who don't think circumcision is a big deal and the ones from the main population who view it as mutilation of infants, and vice versa with the not-so-avoidable nudity that some archaic cultures have problems with. (Yes, that's right, most Americans tend to end up on the side of the Muslims in this "clash of civilizations" thing, here.)

...and to be accurate: the Muslim minority has been here for nearly 200 years, so the debates aren't that new. And circumcision (but not female "circumcision") is allowed for religious reasons. Oh, yeah, and the Jewish minority is also regularily upset about the people that want to ban circumcision (but that's not an immigration thing, as there hasn't been much net Jewish immigration since Israel was founded).

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')s it a big issue or is it just isolated incidents that get bad reporting?


It's as accurate as all the other things about the world you hear from Fox News, that is, complete nonsense. The only European countries with real troubles with immigration are ones that have had absolutely braindead immigration policies, ie. countries that have allowed near-unlimited migration from completely alien cultures without <i>any</i> integration attempts, like France and the Netherlands (an already overpopulated country!). The problems are bad policies and xenophobic majority populations, not religion (for example, the French extreme right and left are also crying about Polish immigrants, even though they're practically all Catholic like the French; the French just might vote no for the EU constitution only because of their xenophobia, they just torpedoed a major EU reform because of it).

If you just allow in a massive group of immigrants, put them in a ghetto and don't even require them to learn the language, you're <i>begging</i> for trouble no matter the religion of the immigrants. And, of course, if you attempt to do the other thing and demand the immigrants to give up their <i>culture</i>, instead of just following the laws of the country, you're asking for a clash. Up here, we're smart and don't do neither, and we've had 170 years of Muslim immigration without getting "taken over". The groups who've been here for a few generations are perfectly integrated into society, to the extent that most people of the majority have no idea whatsoever that they're Muslims.
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Unread postby born2respawn » Tue 12 Apr 2005, 17:48:02

Immigration is something of a big issue in a lot of European countries, especially the UK where one political party is making a big thing of it and the others tend not to talk about it. Of course in the UK, when people say "immigration" they mean "assylum", but that's by the by.

Different cultures clash when there's a lack of integration, when people know each other as people - and not highly generalised "cultures". Pressing people to assimilate will only cause resentment.
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Unread postby Mercani » Wed 13 Apr 2005, 09:58:05

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DomusAlbion', '
')
If you were to live in Saudi Arabia, you could not practice your Catholicism and would be subject to arrest and even execution, were you to do so.



I don't know about Saudi Arabia, but this is not in general true for Muslim countries.

Islamic law effects everyone's life, but in general if you are Christian, you can go to church. Lots of jews and christians were living under the authority of Ottoman Empire between 15th and 19th centuries. Ottoman Empire was ruled by Islamic law. Yet there were many churches and sinagoges.
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Unread postby DomusAlbion » Wed 13 Apr 2005, 11:29:34

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Mercani', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DomusAlbion', '
')
If you were to live in Saudi Arabia, you could not practice your Catholicism and would be subject to arrest and even execution, were you to do so.



I don't know about Saudi Arabia, but this is not in general true for Muslim countries.

Islamic law effects everyone's life, but in general if you are Christian, you can go to church. Lots of jews and christians were living under the authority of Ottoman Empire between 15th and 19th centuries. Ottoman Empire was ruled by Islamic law. Yet there were many churches and sinagoges.


You are correct about most of the Caliphate under the Ottomans and before. This is still true in most Muslim countries. Note, however, that there were different sets of rules for non Muslims that really placed those peoples in a position of being second class citizens. There were restrictions on dress, public behavior and the building of houses of worship; plus there was a special tax levied on all non Muslims.

My original statement was in regards to Saudi Arabia only. The Saudis are under the rule of a very conservative, fundamentalist branch of Islam: Wahhabism. They are extremely strict. A painful example being a recent incident where the Religious Police would not allow young girls to flee a burning building because they were not properly attired. Many died.
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