I am long time fan of Christiane Amanpour, and I often felt that she provided a level of journalistic objectivity that is sorely missing in the field today. I've found myself watching "This Week" more often now that she is hosting the program, so I was thrilled to see that she hosted a town hall on Islam in America. The show itself was both interesting and, in places, infuriating. Yet, it's better to see an actual attempt at a discussion on this subject than not.
I strongly encourage readers of this blog to check out the rest of the program here. The one thing that I found particularly interesting about those arguing that we should fear Islam is that when they were in the presence of "moderate" Muslims, they all but accused them of not being moderate. Isn't it silly then to call for moderates to step up to the plate when you've already convinced yourself that there is no such thing as a moderate Muslim? And one key point that I will concede is that it is true that some Muslims do advocate violence when they feel offended, in ways that no other major faith does. That needs to cease altogether, and I don't know if it's doctrine or a lack of maturity, but in a free society like the United States, a violent response to criticism or even mocking of faith is simply not acceptable.
2 comments:
Hmmm? My limited experience with Islam is that it's organized mysogony, regardless of any glorious self-description.
All religions have an idealic philosophy, but the reality appears to stray further from the concept the more harmonious and loving the belief is purported to be. Islamics paint a very rosey self-portait.
Europeans have been lamenting how their recent Islamic immigrants arrived quiet and moderate, but as time has moved on, and mosques multiplied like mushrooms, they have become more vocal. Vocal in a way which foists Islamic-leaning laws on the European natives.
Gays enjoyed wide acceptance and tolerance in and around Amersterdam. No longer, and guess who is mouthing off at the offensiveness of gays. Theo Van Gogh wrote this: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1273618/posts
Sadly, Mr. Van Gogh was assassinated by radical Islamist IN Amsterdam. Hmmmm? A journalist is murdered in a western European country, for little more than articulating what Islamic law and goals are. If you don't want to follow the link above, know that it spells out "the corrective slap" a husband can use on his wife.
France has legislated full facial covering illegal; the hidden resentments are rising to the surface. Al-Qaeda leaders threaten to seek ‘dreadful revenge’ if the burka ban is ever enforced. France has about 1,000 mosques, most built in the last 30 years.
Switzerland has banned the archiectural minaret from mosques in their small country. A country which had 3 mosques 20 years ago, and now has OVER 90! Hmmmmm? That's quite an expansion in a short period of time.
Germany is trying to seek inclusiveness with Islamics, a group which is now the third largest religion in that country.
But can you be reasonable with the violent and unreasonable?
A Danish cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard (he and wife had to live in hiding for just a few years), and his editors received death threats. Denmark had to close several embassies. A series of cartoons, or free speech as we know it, resulted in an international situation. That doesn't ring as anything but a fanatical group's response to any and all who dare question their actions.
All are welcome here in the U.S. of A., and none should be characterized based on the actions of a few, BUT if a group were to become a frenzied and violent faction or covertly enabling group (such as mosques funneling money to militias), then our sovereignty would benefit from a form of swift expulsion or incarceration of the perpetrators. Kind of goverment mandated corrective slap.
What we do NOT need is our media in safe houses, our equal rights eradicated, or the introduction of mob violence on our soil.
Mr. Annon,
About Islam you ask, "But can you be reasonable with the violent and unreasonable?"
Try this. Go to the Ku Klux Klan's homepage. (Yeah, they got one. Google it.) You will be welcomed with this message:
"Welcome to the Ku Klux Klan!
Bringing a Message of Hope and Deliverance to White Christian America!"
Should we judge all Christians by the fact that the KKK considers itself Christian?
Or try the "Westboro Baptist Church" site. Home of the Christian preacher who believes that the primary message of Jesus is that God Hates Fags. Is this the standard by which we asses Christianity?
And I assume you are aware that the second deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history was committed by a Christian. I sure hope there are no churches within two blocks of the site of the Alfred P. Murrah building.
And you've heard of the neo-Nazi "Aryan Nation" right? You do know the other name they go by? "The Church of Jesus Christ Christian."
I suspect that if Jesus Christ showed up on earth today He'd be hesitant to declare Himself a "Christian." Or maybe He'd be one of those "moderate" ones, eh?
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