RE: Are you an Islamophobe?
March 12, 2015 at 11:23 am
(This post was last modified: March 12, 2015 at 11:31 am by Mudhammam.)
I would disagree with the following:
EDIT:
I also agree with this:
Quote:The Runnymede Trust defines Islamophobia as having the following characteristics:However, with qualification, I agree that:
Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change.
Islam is seen as separate and "other." It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them.
Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and normal.
Quote:Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive, and sexist.On this I'm torn. On the one hand, the West has been more destructive and has probably facilitated far more suffering than those who make up the radical wing of Islam (a number that I think is very large when one includes the non-violent conservatives and jihadists). Yet, the secular values that the West pays lip-service to are far more rational and modern than anything you'll find in sacred Islamic texts, and I have little doubt that were the scales tipped so that Islam was represented by a power as dominating as those nations in the West, the two wouldn't even be comparable. There would be no equal rights for gays, women, apostates, and many other groups, were a country like the United States under Sharia Law.
Quote:Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism, and engaged in a Clash of Civilizations.Yes but not any more so than other irrational ideologies. But the key phrase---whether it's one's patriotism or religion---is irrational ideology.
Quote:Islam is seen as a political ideology, used for political or military advantage.How can it not be? The Quran and the history of Islam is fairly explicit in Muhammad's aspirations to conquer, which he fulfilled in Medina and Mecca.
Quote:Criticisms made of 'the West' by Islam are rejected out of hand.It depends. They have a lot to justly criticize, but allowing newspapers to publish cartoons without retaliation or retribution is not one of them.
EDIT:
I also agree with this:
Quote:Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
He who loves God cannot endeavour that God should love him in return - Baruch Spinoza