[sputnik]

Originally Posted by Calimoonchild

Do you guys really want me to dig into ripping this one apart too? Because its all false.

This article is written based on 2 other articles which both had key points that were misinterpreted or flat-out wrong.

A big part of it is cultural. To Americans, being a Muslim is more of a choice of faith. To the Asian and Arab world, being a Muslim is more all-encompassing. Think of it as we think of being Jewish. Being Jewish is both a lineage and a faith. The same holds true for being a Muslim in other parts of the world.

So, when someone in Indonesia says that Obama is a Muslim, in their mind, he is. Because his birth father was a Muslim, Obama is a Muslim. Nevermind that Barack never practiced the faith. Simply by virtue of being born from a Muslim father, Obama is a Muslim in their view. Technically they are correct.

But for the purposes of the 'ZOMG OBAMA IS A MUSLIM' outrage, Barack is not a Muslim. He has never practiced the faith. His Muslim father took off when he was an infant. His step-father was a non-practicing Muslim whom Barack only knew for a short time. For the vast majority of his life, he was raised by his CATHOLIC, white grandparents in Hawaii. And he has never been a Muslim and never prayed in a mosque. I take him at his word and I will continue to do so until there is a factual, non-fringe source.

The media is taking advantage of our lack of understanding on this matter and it is important that we look at these things objectively.

well said. just like many jews will consider anyone born to a jewish mother a jew, even if the person doesn't practice the religion. islam is patrilinear and anyone with a muslim father is considered to be born muslim.