Ground Rules, or “Hey Lady, That’s a Pretty Big Brush You’re Painting With…!”

You can be upstream. You can be downstream.

This blog is about being mainstream.

I’m part of mainstream American Judaism. That means, I don’t support or agree with views expressed by radical Jews. (Yes, even though they’re in the minority, there are radical Jews.)

The Islamic community where I study, socialize, and pray is part of mainstream American Islam. That means, my friends don’t support or subscribe to views expressed by radical Muslims. (Yes, even though they’re in the minority, there are radical Muslims.)

Notice I used the word mainstream, not moderate. To be mainstream is to be part of prevailing culture. American Muslims are often incorrectly characterized as moderate even though moderate means “something limited in scope or degree.” American Muslims are no more moderate or limited Muslims than American Jews are moderate or limited Jews. Would you describe a pregnant woman as moderately pregnant. Uh, no. She’s pregnant. I’m a Jew. She’s a Muslim.

RULE #1   Choose your words carefully. 

RULE #2   Don’t assume a small sample represents the entire population.

My Muslim friends don’t judge me by the actions of other Jews like, say, Bernie Madoff, and I don’t judge them by the actions of other Muslims like, say, Mike Tyson. It’s irrational to paint all members of any religious, cultural, or ethnic group with the same brush. Don’t do it.

RULE #3   Seek commonality.

First and foremost, this blog is about commonality. There are differences, yes. (See About this Site) But my interest, and thus this blog’s focus, lies in the overlap of cultural and religious values, traditions, and practices.

RULE #4   Keep it real.

This blog deals with American Muslims and Jews. Let’s not talk about Islam in Indonesia. I’m writing about my direct experience–our neighbors at the dry cleaners–not the guys in Saudi Arabia.

Rule #5   If you can’t say something nice

Be curious. Ask questions. Contribute to the conversation. If you post derisive, divisive, or contentious remarks, you’ll be directed to websites where those posts are more welcomed.

NEXT BLOG: Back to Basics ~ Islam, Part I