Kaffir ....

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- Allan
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Kaffir ....
OP - July 25, 2011, 12:18 PM

What Is the significance when discussing this words attachment with a derogatory, disrespectful mindset?
Why is this word considered to be derogatory & offensive?
Apologies - I've never read the Qu'ran.

Is the usage of this word just as disrespectful as racist terms or judgmental generalisations eg 'paki'?

Thanks.
- billy
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #1 - July 25, 2011, 12:19 PM

It can be very pejorative and hateful. It basically means 'infidel', 'non Muslim', and it has implications of being inferior, somehow impure, dirty and not fully human.

"we can smell traitors and country haters"

Quote from: arX on May 01, 2011, 03:33 AM
God is Love.
Love is Blind. Stevie Wonder is blind. Therefore, Stevie Wonder is God.
- Allan
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #2 - July 25, 2011, 01:05 PM

Thanks. Just to quickly elaborate - does it mention In the Qu'ran any specific mentions regarding the kaffir being dirty, inferior etc?
- billy
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #3 - July 25, 2011, 01:08 PM

Here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafir#Etymology

The word in its rooted sense refers to those who 'cover up' the truth of Islam.

It has accumulated pejorative import, of being somehow lesser because the object is not a believer, through usage.

"we can smell traitors and country haters"

Quote from: arX on May 01, 2011, 03:33 AM
God is Love.
Love is Blind. Stevie Wonder is blind. Therefore, Stevie Wonder is God.
- Allan
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #4 - July 25, 2011, 04:16 PM

So does the Qu'ran signify non-believers to be maggots and therefore a lesser human being?
Or is the original Qu'ranic meaning less offesnsive & aggressive?
- billy
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #5 - July 25, 2011, 04:29 PM

Are you going to extrapolate from that a pejorative view of all Muslims because some Muslims use a pejorative word?

I'm sure you wouldn't fall into that trap, right?

"we can smell traitors and country haters"

Quote from: arX on May 01, 2011, 03:33 AM
God is Love.
Love is Blind. Stevie Wonder is blind. Therefore, Stevie Wonder is God.
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #6 - July 25, 2011, 04:41 PM

Similar to the Jewish use of the word ‘goy’ (plural ‘goyim’) which refers to Gentiles, but now carries a pejorative flavour to it.
- mighty_cats
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #7 - July 25, 2011, 05:21 PM

Quote from: Allan on July 25, 2011, 04:16 PM
So does the Qu'ran signify non-believers to be maggots and therefore a lesser human being?
Or is the original Qu'ranic meaning less offesnsive & aggressive?

In the Quran, Kaffir is synonymous with someone who rejects the 'truth' of Islam and allah more than anything else. There are additional meanings and perspectives, but in essence-- its kind of like calling a homosexual a 'fag'. Its more derogatory than meaningful.
- allat
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Re: Kaffir ....
Reply #8 - July 25, 2011, 07:19 PM

In the wiki article billy posted, there's a section for the "types of kaffir" which are referenced at the bottom of the article with the Quranic surah that corresponds under certain (the most common) interpretations.

You can read/browse/search through the Quran and the Bible with annotations at the Skeptic's Annotated site.

"Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused."
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