Not all Muslims are Terrorists!

[abaris]

It's pretty easy to criticize Islam and be called a racist, even though it has nothing to do with race. They might have the very best of intentions, but the most ignorant and dishonest of tactics.

The reason why the nazi comparison comes up that often in that kind of discussion is the terminology used. First, the broad brush and then the actual terminology used in many cases. Many of those throwing muslim and Islam together are blindly repeating the talking points of their resident rightwing party or organisation, since it plays to their already existing prejudiices anyway. And these parties and organisations know exactly what they are doing.

Also, I don't make that much of a distinction between racism and bigotry. The underlying concept is the same. Both are directed at particular groups of people, painting them as inferior or otherwise not deserving of the same respect as the hometeam, just because they belong to that particular group. And carried to it's extreme both have the same ugly result. Everything else is pure semantics.

Third, many people actually don't know what they are talking about. Especially the Western tabloids and networks splash it all over the headlines when a single Westerner is killed by ISIS. But the fact that they kill thousands of fellow muslims on their way to killing one Westerner isn't newsworthy. If one islamistic shootout happens, it's again all over the headlines and live reports are made. But none of these media outlets mentions the FBI- or Europol-statistics that show, only 4 to 5 percent of terrorist attacks in any given year, are carried out by religious extremists. And this low percentage isn't even Islamistic only.

That paints a wrong picture for people, who only inform themselves by using mainstream media. And it's important to point that out in any given discussion, since I've met and talked to people, who changed their minds after being presented with the real facts. One bigot less is always worth fighting for.