Why is it OK to call others gentiles but Muslims can't call others infidels?

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Duke of Tudor

Because infidel has a derogatory meaning, while gentile does not.

There is no such term in the Quran (infidel), esp since the Quran is written in Arabic not English! The word is a mistranslation of the word ''unbeliever'' and it doesn't refer to non-Muslims, it refers to atheists (not Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians)

Robert McCall

Who says Muslims can't call other "infidels"? That's what the term "kufaar" means.

"Infidel" (from Medieval Latin infidelis, from Latin (adj): unfaithful, from in-1 + fidelis faithful; see feal) carries a meaning of unfaithfulness, so it has negative connotations.

None of the dictionaries I consulted showed "Gentile" as signifying "inferiority".

"Gentile" is not a Jewish term, and it is not derogatory. It comes from the Latin "gentis", people; and one of its alternate meanings is "aristocratic, upper class, polite and proper" - so you can see that there is no negative connotation. Most Jews I know do not use it; we refer to those who aren't Jewish as "non-Jews." "Gentile" an English word that is used by both Jews and Mormons (www.isitso.org/guide/mormwords.html) to refer to those who are not of their religion.

And, as sazeech points out, since Judaism teaches that one need not be a Jew to be considered righteous, there's nothing derogatory about the label.

HopelessZ00

Wow B, 100% correct. Peace!

Blue Xull

There is no such thing as "infidel" in Islamic studies. the word means denier - of God. it does not apply to Christians, Jews and others who believe in a [one] God. actually Islam recognizes Judaism and Christianity as legitimate religions.
but of course just as any other religion it clearly states that Islam is the only 'right' religion... you know self-righteousness is a part of every religion.

Edit
I'm sorry, That word means non-believer, or anyone who is , informed but still not wanting to know... I'm not very good at this.
P.S. I'm one of those non-believers.

yotg

Gentile is the English term for "goy" [people; nation]. The usage of the word "goy" had been limited over the years to the meaning of non-Jewish people and nations only, but it absolutely does not signify inferiority (even if it sometimes used that way).
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gentile

Infidel is the English term for "kaffir" [=heretic; non-believer].

Using the above terms out of context is, to my opinion, perplexing. I prefer in both cases the unambiguous terms "non-Jewish" and "non-Muslim".

Nash

Infidel also means unfaithful in English. "Infidelity" Its a derogatory term in english. So far as I know, Gentile simply mean "those who don't know God", non Jewish folks. It may carry a meaning to them of inferiority but that doesn't carry accross into english. Infidel does sound derogatory to me in english.

Atlas

I believe because 'Gentiles" and 'Infidel'
are different meanings.
Gentiles means non-Jew
Infidel means non-believer and a siner.
Just check in Encyclopedia and you will soon find out WHY
You are just trying to ply silly.

goyim means nations. Kafir means disbeliever.

brainless banana

fine we are all infidels and gentiles

samsproudmommy

i dont call ppl gentiels, however the word infidal invokes the thought that the koran orders all of them to be killed.

sazeech

In the Jewish tradition - anyone who believes in the "one god" is already blessed, no matter the form of their practice . . . The gentile can attain the highest levels of observance and even be honored as a "Righteous Gentile" by Jews . . .

Jews do not proselytize nor seek to convert others to Judaism as do the Muslims . . . The term "infidel" has no equivalency to the term "gentile" from either a religious or emotional point of view . . .

Equating the two words and their meanings is nonsense and inflammatory, to say the least . . . .

Gottbaum

Jews are wrong again. Christians and Jews fear Muslims and spread false rumors and partial truths to stir fear.

It works among Jews and Christians who are largely ignorant and fearful. God is a jealous and angry god.

The Ultimate Radical

I would avoid the term infidel. Gentile is not derogatory. Infidel is. One could say, 'nonbeliever', 'non-Muslim', etc.

Sophia B

I consider them both negative terms. It separates people into members of one religion and everyone else.

EDIT: Oh, one other thing--infidel is a Christian term for non-believers. The Muslim term is an Arabic one, phonetically translated as kafir. It means nonbeliever (it doesn't extend to Christians and Jews, who are considered people of the book, and many Muslims do not feel it extends to Buddhists or Hindus either) and is not necessarily a negative term, while 'infidel' in the Christian sense connotates heresy.

Pazit.

No, "gentile" means "non-Jew."
Muslims have a special word for you - "kuffaar"

J.driven

First to the Jew, then to the Gentile, does not make me feel inferior it makes me feel grateful.

Gator

you got it backwards.

As it commonly used in English:
Gentile means a non-Jew
Infidel: means someone who does not believe in Islam and therefore should be inferior.

Have you heard Bin Laden's Speech?
About wiping the world of Infidels, and making 'Sharia'

Whoo!

You're annoying me. IT DOESN'T SAY THAT ANYWHERE!

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