I feel like the Left have failed to address Islam

[Pyrrho]

Racism by definition is discrimination on the basis of race/colour of skin. Criticism of Islam has never been racist and it never will. Me saying that Islam, like Christianity is a barbaric, savage and intolerant death cult is not racist. It's my opinion on an ideology.

Is there bigotry towards Muslims as people? Yes. That exists. It's not racist, but it's vile. For example, if I said to ''you dirty Muslims'' --- that would be insulting, rude and vile. It could for example, offend Pakistani Muslims, but it would not directly be offending Pakistani Christians. What would be racist is saying ''you Pakistanki's are stupid and inferior'' --- this is a vile attack on Pakistani's regardless of religion.

It is racist when the moron who is bigoted against all Muslims imagines that all Muslims are brown-skinned and form a racial group.

Bigots are often not the brightest people, and so they tend to mix things together in ways that do not reflect reality (which, of course, explains their bigotry).

But you are right that someone who understands that Islam is a religion and not a race would not be racist for hating Islam.  But why you use Pakistani as an example is very unclear.  Pakistani isn't a race, either.  It is a nationality.  So your example of being bigoted toward Pakistanis is not an example of racism, unless the bigot is confused and imagines it is.  Then the bigot's attitude would be racist, but bigotry against Pakistanis is not essentially racist.  It can only reasonably be thought of as racism if the bigot is confused about the matter.

[TheMessiah]

Racism by definition is discrimination on the basis of race/colour of skin. Criticism of Islam has never been racist and it never will. Me saying that Islam, like Christianity is a barbaric, savage and intolerant death cult is not racist. It's my opinion on an ideology.

Is there bigotry towards Muslims as people? Yes. That exists. It's not racist, but it's vile. For example, if I said to ''you dirty Muslims'' --- that would be insulting, rude and vile. It could for example, offend Pakistani Muslims, but it would not directly be offending Pakistani Christians. What would be racist is saying ''you Pakistanki's are stupid and inferior'' --- this is a vile attack on Pakistani's regardless of religion.

It is racist when the moron who is bigoted against all Muslims imagines that all Muslims are brown-skinned and form a racial group.

Bigots are often not the brightest people, and so they tend to mix things together in ways that do not reflect reality (which, of course, explains their bigotry).

But you are right that someone who understands that Islam is a religion and not a race would not be racist for hating Islam.  But why you use Pakistani as an example is very unclear.  Pakistani isn't a race, either.  It is a nationality.  So your example of being bigoted toward Pakistanis is not an example of racism, unless the bigot is confused and imagines it is.  Then the bigot's attitude would be racist, but bigotry against Pakistanis is not essentially racist.  It can only reasonably be thought of as racism if the bigot is confused about the matter.

That bigot shows his racism once he makes a racist remark. Slandering Muslims as a demographic is bigoted, but not racist. Slandering the race of Muslims is racist.

Regardless of Pakistani, I'll use the example of Punjabi people instead. 

[mralstoner]

In the UK, the Left wing is the Labour party. I've always leaned that way, but recently I am of the opinion that they have failed to address Islam. Any criticism of Islam is deemed ''Islamophobic'' and ''racist'': not only does this stifle free-speech but it has created a culture of fear, nobody can criticize Islam without being labelled a bigot.

There are a few ruling ideologies of our time that, if you criticise, you get called all sorts of things. Islam is just one of those. Other equally insane ideologies include: diversity/mass immigration; free trade is always a win-win; China will rise peacefully; race and gender differences do not exist; transferring power from local/national to the regional/global level is good; all cultures/lifestyles must tolerate all other cultures/lifestyles; hyperventilating about theoretical climate change while ignoring clear and present environmental dangers such as fracking, etc.

These demented ideas are accepted by both left and right. Muslim immigration is a certifiably insane decision. Nobody with half a brain would promote it. It is perhaps the dumbest idea in the history of the Western world.

The root cause of these ideologies is the rise of individualism in the West, the lack of social cohesion, and loss of ability to function as a distinct group in a competitive world where other groups are eager to take our place either through immigration or predatory trade or other hostile acts.

The Western world is circling the drain, and it's not clear if we will recover before it's too late.

Just thought I'd cheer you up.

It is seemingly a natural cycle for civilisations to rise and fall, so if it's a lost cause, don't beat yourself up about it. It's only natural. Not that I'm suggesting we give up, not at all.

PS - Anne Marie Waters is an atheist from the left (I think) but is vocal against Islam. I think she's now with UKIP.