Humanities desk
< June 30	<< Jun \| July \| Aug >>	July 2 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Humanities Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

July 1

Can "Reform Sunni Islam" exist and can I create it?

Can "Reform Sunni Islam" exist and can I create it? I'm a Sunni Muslim that want to be like the non-Muslims. It like Reform Judaism. I'm creating a new sect of Islam that observes the ethical laws of Islam and does does moderation. For example, we accept playing music and not eating halal but eating halal will be rewarded. Read the blog: Reform Sunni Islam. I'm kind of a critic of fundamentalist Islam so I create a new sect to make Islam better. Can I create "Reform Sunni Islam"? Jet (talk) 06:11, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know much about the topic, but you might find Liberal movements within Islam interesting. --Allen (talk) 07:35, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There is also Jaringan Islam Liberal in Indonesia, but the English-language part of their website www.islamlib.com seems to be down. You might be interested in the writings of Ziauddin Sardar. Itsmejudith (talk) 12:48, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

In case you're talking about creating a Wikipedia article on the topic, you should read Wikipedia:Your first article. In general, there's a conflict of interest in starting an article on a cause you're involved in. It's hard to gauge notability, remain neutral, and avoid original research in such cases. -- Coneslayer (talk) 12:56, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. Jet, you do not need to start a new WP article on the subject. If you find information from reliable sources, add it to the Liberal movements within Islam article until it becomes too long. Itsmejudith (talk) 16:24, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Can the "Reform Sunni Islam" sect of Islam (Sunni Islam) exist and can I create the sect?

I'm a Sunni Muslim that want to be like the non-Muslims. We Muslims live in a hard society. It like Reform Judaism but it's Islam. I'm creating a new sect of Islam that observes the ethical laws of Islam and does does moderation. For example, we accept playing music and not eating halal but eating halal will be rewarded. The Muslim women will not required to wear hijab. The Friday prayer will not be obligatory. Read the blog: Reform Sunni Islam. I'm kind of a critic of fundamentalist Islam so I create a new sect to make Islam better. We will not use Sharia but teach ethical laws. The women can be imams. Can I create "Reform Sunni Islam" sect of Islam? Jet (talk) 20:44, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Am I correct in interpreting your question as:

How many people have to follow a Sunni "spinoff" for it to become known as a sect?,

or is it:

Would it be possible for there to be a liberal Sunni sect? Zain Ebrahim (talk) 22:05, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

No doubt your aim is honourable and time will show its success (or failure). Like a great man mentioned above, you have a dream. But, until this dream finds thousands of believers who follow you, Wikipedia is the wrong venue to publish it.

PS: On your user page you state that you have been Buddhist, are currently Sunni and want to convert to Judaism. It also states that you were an atheist and are an agnostic, mystic and Sufi, interested in Taoism and Bahá'í.

I do not wish to sound condescending, but as you are rather young, I feel you first need to find a well founded position in your personal beliefs. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 22:28, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There's Islam Hadhari... AnonMoos (talk) 23:20, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You'd have a hard time convincing people that it is in fact Islam if one of the things you want to change are the obligatory prayers (note: all five daily prayers are obligatory, not just the Friday prayer). With one of the defining five pillars of Islam removed, how would you defend still calling it Islam? Zun aid ©® 16:34, 2 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It is possible to be nominal in any religion, including Islam. This does not mean you need to create another sect. Nominalism usually means that you are an adherent to a religion by culture or upbringing, but not necessarily in belief or practice. Many may claim to be cultural Christians but do not go to church or follow the Bible's morality. Islam may be followed similarly. The question is, is it still Islam? A biblical Christian may recognize a nominal cultural Christian, but would not call them an adherent to Christianity (i.e. a "Christian" in the born-again biblical sense). Hope that makes sense. Kristamaranatha (talk) 02:59, 4 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

looking for an unknown artist

i have a painting of a young boy wearing red knickers with white lace sitting on a chair thats carved out of a boulder —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.229.105.205 (talk) 20:45, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Hm. Do you know what style the painting is in, or an estimated date for it? Spencer^T♦^C 22:40, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is it this one: Bubbles (painting) by Millais? The rock is there. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:15, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Buying Stock

How does one buy stocks without a brokerage firm?Elatanatari (talk) 21:58, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Electronic trading, e.g. E-Trade. Clarityfiend (talk) 23:45, 1 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I mean other than that, with no middle man.Elatanatari (talk) 01:52, 2 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Okay, how about Direct Investment Plans[1], where you can buy directly from the company? Hmmm...we don't seem to have an article about this. Clarityfiend (talk) 06:42, 2 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, we do: Dividend reinvestment plan. --D. Monack | talk 09:37, 2 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I think that DSPPs are more immediately relevant than DRIPs (this may have been mentioned in Clarityfriend's link which I can't access). Zain Ebrahim (talk) 12:34, 2 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Elatanatari (talk) 16:47, 3 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]