What actually is Islamophobia?

[lifesagift]

Don't know much about human nature, do you? Instead of heights, try something like, oh, I don't know, Communism.

No need to be patronising... why should I change my analogy...
A phobia is this...

"In clinical psychology, a phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational. In the event the phobia cannot be avoided entirely, the sufferer will endure the situation or object with marked distress and significant interference in social or occupational activities"

I'm sure heights comes into this...

Change your challenge

[Lao Shizi]

When heights represent a specific group of people, I will let the analogy stand. Until then, I think Communism works quite nicely to describe the current situation with Islam. We even have dozens of Joseph McCarthy wannabes fueling our collective fear of the "Red Menace!!" Except now, it's the Muslim menace.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Rude, but you're allowed to be of course... And most of what you've ranted about I didn't say...

For example I have a brain, but your school playground attempt at an insult is pathetic!

Perhaps you could answer my point?

And, I wasn't insulting you; I was pointing out a salient point, which had ought to be obvious.

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Also, pretty funny to see Napoleon kudo and not talk.

[lifesagift]

Rude, but you're allowed to be of course... And most of what you've ranted about I didn't say...

For example I have a brain, but your school playground attempt at an insult is pathetic!

Perhaps you could answer my point?

And, I wasn't insulting you; I was pointing out a salient point, which had ought to be obvious.

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Also, pretty funny to see Napoleon kudo and not talk.

"a salient point, which had ought to be obvious".... that I don't have a brain?!

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When heights represent a specific group of people, I will let the analogy stand. Until then, I think Communism works quite nicely to describe the current situation with Islam. We even have dozens of Joseph McCarthy wannabes fueling our collective fear of the "Red Menace!!" Except now, it's the Muslim menace.

There is a group of people who have a fear of heights... they're all the people who are scared of heights.. they just need a word, like heightites .. they're the ones.. let's use them instead of commune people !!

[Minimalist]

No, because generalizing "extreme Muslim fundamentalists" to all Muslims is not only sloppy thinking unbecoming a self-proclaimed rationalist -- I'm looking at you, Minimalist -- it's also bigotry, rather than "true fears".

Don't like it? Tough shit.

That's exactly my opinion of you. So terrified that someone won't think you are a pussy about all things.

Grow up, son. The world is not a nice place.

[Thumpalumpacus]

That's exactly my opinion of you. So terrified that someone won't think you are a pussy about all things.

Grow up, son. The world is not a nice place.

You think I'm "terrified"? That's pretty cute. You don't see that I'm not worried about what you think at all ... and if you want to think I'm a "pussy", have at it. At least I'm not a bigot.

And yes, I'm looking at you ... bigot.

Keep congratulating yourself for being tough. It still doesn't hide your irrationality or thoughtlessness.

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"a salient point, which had ought to be obvious".... that I don't have a brain?!

No, this:

[...] No, because generalizing "extreme Muslim fundamentalists" to all Muslims is not only sloppy thinking unbecoming a self-proclaimed rationalist -- I'm looking at you, Minimalist -- it's also bigotry, rather than "true fears". [...]

Although your confusion on the matter calls into question your ability to think effectively, to be honest.

[simplemoss]

Islamophobia is very real and doesn't always and only hurt muslims after 9/11 America went through a massive outbreak of attacks against muslims. What's strange however is that Americans ( especially pre9/11 Americans) don't know what Islam is. So while attacks against Muslims went by 500% attacks Hindus went up 600%. Muslims come from all over there are black white Arab and even Chinese.l Muslims. So the next time you get a little suspicious or scared of the Hindu Guy wearing a turban onyour airplane take another look at the calm quiet Chinese kid wearing a t-shirt

[jesus_wept]

Don't know much about human nature, do you? Instead of heights, try something like, oh, I don't know, Communism.

I think Nazism is a better comparison. For instance I don't give a flying fuck.if the majority of Nazis are so called moderates who want to get on with their lives and live in peace and its only a minority.of extremists who gas jews. The ideology is abhorrent and the world would be much better off without it, much like Islam.

I'm an antitheist BTW. I don't think its enough to deny god exists, I want to see him and his shitty religions consigned to the history books.

[Anomalocaris]

by definition it means a fear of Islam, but it's increasingly used to suggest a hatred or intolerance of Islam, but could it be a defensive tool used by islam in order to lessen the validity of its critics?

No, by practical definition it means either exhibiting, or inciting, a reflexive and generalized fear of Islam out of proportion to the actual breadth and magnitude of threat islam poses, especially clearly shown when compared to the fear the same person might admit to or think appropriate towards other threat vectors of comparable breadth and magnitude to what islam actually poses.

[Pitsligo]

Islamaphobia seems to have become a meaningless word, used primarily as an insult. Like "socialist" it seems to be applied by some to anyone who has a different opinion on the subject to try and shut them up. The use of it in a serious conversation is usually a sign the person you're speaking with may not have a good argument.