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Are Muslims being demonised?
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Post by
Patty
This was a question raised on Sunday Morning Live this morning, ten years on since the terrorist attacks in 9/11 that left nearly 3,000 dead. I think it's a fundamental question to ask, really, because
a poll has suggested that over half of Britons associate Islam with terrorism
, and I would not be surprised to see similar figures in other Western countries, seeing as in the immediate wake of Anders Breivik's rampage in Norway two months ago it was presumed at first to have been carried out by Islamic extremists, rather than a right-wing nationalist. This figure was likely heightened against the backdrop of the bombings of trains and buses in London six years ago, killing 52, by Islamic extremists.
I have seen the argument that Islamic countries do not tolerate western customs and are somewhat more brutal, but this xenophobia works both ways. Is it the role of the east or the west to take the first step, or both?
However, there is a question also of the role of Muslim communities. Some remain isolated from other areas of society and may not fully engage with some British customs. Does this justify the knee-jerk reaction of many of assuming that terrorism = Islam? Are Muslims being victimised and persecuted for their own traditions, for example with the banning of the burkha in France recently, or is this a viable anti-terrorist measure? Is this neither, but merely shades of grey?
This is a quite contentious topic, so I would say to try and remain civil, no matter what your views are. Also, if you give your views, I'll make the disclaimer that you should be prepared to justify them to other users.
The poll on this for Sunday Morning Live showed 28% voted 'yes', and 72% voted 'no', which I think supports the poll about the parallels viewed between Islam and terrorism.
Post by
Azazel
I'll be the first to say, yes, yes they have. The news make it look like they are all suicide bombers that want to recreate 9/11. They never tell us about the guys down at the grill, or at the barbershop etc, etc.
And even if we don't want to, it still affects us in some way or another. It's not because you want to picture them as bad, but every time someone mentions the word "Muslim" or "Islam" I can't help myself before I picture a terrorist in my mind. It's something that just clings to it because I read newspapers, watch tv, and so on.
I have nothing, nothing, against Muslims or Islam or anything related to that. Most of them are just ordinary people, living their lives as best as they can. But the media loves to make them stand out like jews in Nazi-Germany. That's one of the worst things about living in the western world.
Post by
Jubilee
Are
they being demonized? That's not much of a question, because anyone who isn't stuck under a rock sees it, and I would be very surprised if anyone voted no in this poll.
Post by
Monday
Hell yeah. Like a quote I heard: "Al-Qaeda are to Muslims as the KKK are to Christians." There will be extremists in every group, but in no way, shape or form does it mean that's what a whole several hundred million person group is like.
Post by
MrSCH
When I think of Muslims, I think of two things.
1. Jason Manford's joke about the weather.
2. Other people demonising them because of a select group of extremists.
Post by
Patty
Are
they being demonized? That's not much of a question, because anyone who isn't stuck under a rock sees it, and I would be very surprised if anyone voted no in this poll.
Would you prefer something like 'unfairly', 'unjustly' or something else like that added then to make more of a distinction? It's a quite broad question, I agree.Hell yeah. Like a quote I heard: "Al-Qaeda are to Muslims as the KKK are to Christians." There will be extremists in every group, but in no way, shape or form does it mean that's what a whole several hundred million person group is like.
Indeed. I only wish that most of the UK shared a similar view.
@Azazel; I see what you mean, and something else forgotten is that among those killed on 9/11 were innocent Muslims who were very much a part of American, and by extension western, society. However, you say you have nothing against Muslims, yet yourself associate Islam with terrorism. If you know that they are separate, why does that come into mind? Is it simply the media's fault, or society as a whole?
Post by
Azazel
@Azazel; I see what you mean, and something else forgotten is that among those killed on 9/11 were innocent Muslims who were very much a part of American, and by extension western, society. However, you say you have nothing against Muslims, yet yourself associate Islam with terrorism. If you know that they are separate, why does that come into mind? Is it simply the media's fault, or society as a whole?
It was probably the media that started it, but from there it spread into society, and it just got worse.
An example is the Danish word "Perker", it's derived from the Persian but is an insulting and disgraceful word. It didn't exist 10 years ago. Society made it up because they saw all the bad things some extreme muslims did.
Or, that's atleast my theory.
Post by
Interest
Yes. Without a doubt.
Post by
120504
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Jubilee
They don't know that Muslims worship the same god as Christians do
That's actually not true. The are major differences between their two concepts of God.
Post by
Monday
And Jesus being revered as a prophet, not the Son of God, is another major major difference.
Post by
OverZealous
I tried in vain to construct a well-phrased argument, but I'm not able to right now.
For now, I'll say "Yes, to some extent" and I'll return later and try to convey my thoughts then.
Post by
606231
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Azazel
So, kinda off-topic, but I understand you're atheist now Oni?
Post by
Interest
So, kinda off-topic, but I understand you're atheist now Oni?
So?
Post by
Azazel
So, kinda off-topic, but I understand you're atheist now Oni?
So?
Going from religious to atheist is big for some people.
Post by
xaratherus
So, kinda off-topic, but I understand you're atheist now Oni?
So?
Going from religious to atheist is big for some people.
"Big" could be a major understatement, if the person were truly devout in any sense of the word. If you were a "lip service believer" - someone who just believed because of how they'd been raised, and never really come to that conclusion through personal reasoning - then it's not that big of a change.
Post by
Azazel
"Lip service believers" can still have a hard time with it. I mean, what you've believed in for, let's say, the last 2 decades, shattered in an instant, gone. Something you thought you had to live your life through. Your entire life can change in the blink of an eye when you begin realizing how life is without religion.
Post by
gnomerdon
Yes, completely.
Why? Because muslims are exactly just like us. They seek peace, happiness, and a good life.
Why do a few brits think they are terrorists? Because a small group of Muslims are trying so hard to push for Sharia Law as the main law in Britain. Sharia Law has it's ups and downs. Give or take.
/watch?v=9qt_Q06wI8o
Post by
Patty
Yes, completely.
Why? Because muslims are exactly just like us. They seek peace, happiness, and a good life.
Why do a few brits think they are terrorists? Because a small group of Muslims are trying so hard to push for Sharia Law as the main law in Britain. Sharia Law has it's ups and downs. Give or take.
I don't think that's the main reason
at all
. Not only has Britain been involved in the Middle East and the Islamic world for many years (indeed, the end of its mandate over Palestine paved the way for the foundation of Israel, for example), but London was bombed by Islamic extremists in 2005 and the UK has been involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, along now with the NATO operations in Libya.
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