I have to be honest, Islam freaks me out

[Father Heathen]

Other communities are also violent, just that they don't have the guts to stand up to what they believe is right. Muslims have honor.

There is nothing remotely honorable about disproportionate reactions. It's like setting fire to a basket of kittens just because someone called you a nincompoop. These people have committed injustices and no concept of honor.

 

[Madhuri]

That story says one of the women was saying "we want our brothers back". What is she talking about? It's irritating that the story doesn't say, particularly since it says so many other things twice.

I think it's referring to the people who were arrested for accosting police.

 

[Father Heathen]

I don't much care for Islam itself in the same way I don't much care for Christianity. My values and beliefs are largely at odds with theirs. However, I'm reluctant to say anything too sweeping since I've met plenty of Muslims of all streaks. Some only socialize with other Muslims, some are anti-Christian or anti-West, some are so friendly and welcoming I actually feel a bit awkward
I'm fine with Muslims so long as they're fine with me. Same goes for anybody else regardless of religion or culture.

Agreed.

 

[Father Heathen]

No offense, but it is easy for you to say because you have your white privilege intact, never been made to feel like an outcaste (as most Muslim immigrants do). Since you're not in their position, do you really believe you have any moral right to comment?

Their refusal to integrate, their lack of respect for the local culture and their attempts to impose their own norms upon their host society might have something to do with that.

 

[Father Heathen]

No offense, but it is easy for you to say because you have your white privilege intact, never been made to feel like an outcaste (as most Muslim immigrants do). Since you're not in their position, do you really believe you have any moral right to comment?

Their refusal to integrate, their lack of respect for the local culture and their attempts to impose their own norms upon their host society might have something to do with that.

Let's not pretend that crime and violence is a justified reaction to things not getting the respect and reverence you erroneously believe they're entitled to.

 

[Father Heathen]

As a Hindu in a western society of course I have experienced discrimination and ridicule.

Furthermore I don't see the Hindu, Buddhist or Sikh immigrants acting violently in response to the discrimination they receive.

Exactly. There has to be a cultural/religious element behind this discrepancy. Unfortunately, any critique and scrutiny of this "elephant in the room" is considered being prejudiced.

 

[Music]

Oh ok, so if a group you are not associated with starts to threaten you with violence, you would remain silent and accept it because you have not had their experiences?

Er, what? See the context, the bigger picture ... ask why they're protesting.

 

[apophenia]

Let me make this easy. A straight person is no position to comment on why the gay community shouldn't be angry, or why they shouldn't protest etc. etc. why? Because they don't know the harassment they have to face for being gay. Likewise, privileged people don't know what it's like to be made a butt of negative stereotypes, so they shouldn't wax lyrical on what minorities should or shouldn't do, how they should act, and so on. It is condescending.

There, now you get it.

You have a very arrogant and strident manner. Do you think you are being helpful or improving your credibility by talking down to me like I'm an idiot ?

And you should note, you have no idea about me, or what kind of treatment I may have received in my life, or how I have reacted to it. All in all you come across as aggressive and carrying a load of your own prejudice.

Phrases like "Let me make this easy" and "There, now you get it" on the one hand, and then "It is condescending". Right.

But you aren't being condescending huh ?

 

[Shuddhasattva]

No offense, but it is easy for you to say because you have your white privilege intact, never been made to feel like an outcaste (as most Muslim immigrants do). Since you're not in their position, do you really believe you have any moral right to comment?

Facile.

Fact is, they emigrated from Muslim countries to a Western country of opportunity, due to such countries' liberal attitudes. They then agitate for ever more privileges and special considerations - as a special interest group - and go ape**** if anyone disrespects their insane creed.

Bringing up "white privilege" in this context is the worst play of a race card I've yet to see.

 

[9Westy9]

Er, what? See the context, the bigger picture ... ask why they're protesting.

see the bigger picture, are their actions justified?

 

[GodizKing]

Hello all. The behavior of these so called Muslims is disgusting. They do not represent Islam, but sadly Islam will be the media's headline. These people are simple thugs who use Islam as a means to justify their behavior. They do not represent the rest of us...the majority. However, the world will never know that as long as the media controls people's attitudes. Islam doesn't cause this behavior. The mob mentality of the poor, and oppressed is very dangerous. If 5 people scream lets go blow up the Russians for Allah, the mob will follow. These types of people are mindless followers, and do not represent the teachings found within the Quran. Religious leaders who take advantage of this ignorance and pollute the words of Allah will have their day of judgement. More Muslims need to speak up against those who misrepresent them.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Hello all. The behavior of these so called Muslims is disgusting. They do not represent Islam, but sadly Islam will be the media's headline. These people are simple thugs who use Islam as a means to justify their behavior. They do not represent the rest of us...the majority. However, the world will never know that as long as the media controls people's attitudes. Islam doesn't cause this behavior. The mob mentality of the poor, and oppressed is very dangerous. If 5 people scream lets go blow up the Russians for Allah, the mob will follow. These types of people are mindless followers, and do not represent the teachings found within the Quran. Religious leaders who take advantage of this ignorance and pollute the words of Allah will have their day of judgement. More Muslims need to speak up against those who misrepresent them.

Agreed

 

[Father Heathen]

Er, what? See the context, the bigger picture ... ask why they're protesting.

They're protesting something that ultimately petty and trivial, and that can be remedied simply by being ignored. That's how civilized adults handle such things, anyway.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

You have a very arrogant and strident manner. Do you think you are being helpful or improving your credibility by talking down to me like I'm an idiot ?

And you should note, you have no idea about me, or what kind of treatment I may have received in my life, or how I have reacted to it. All in all you come across as aggressive and carrying a load of your own prejudice.

Well said, I'd like to see Music grow up and go to school in Arab countries as a white kid like I did. It would certainly offer a different perspective at the least.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

It is a cumulative effect. Years and years of invasion, dehumanization ... so offensive cartoons or movies are the last straw, so to speak.

If they now feel it is dehumanising to live in Australia, why do they chose to do so?
Cartoons and movies made in other countries by other nationals, are not a last straw for Australian immigrants ... they are just used as an excuse for expressions of violence.

 

[Reptillian]

You know what these violent protesters need? They need to relax with a couple of beers or a nice stiff drink. If only their religion would allow it...

 

[Music]

Facile.

Fact is, they emigrated from Muslim countries to a Western country of opportunity, due to such countries' liberal attitudes. They then agitated for ever more privileges and special considerations - as a special interest group - and go ape**** if anyone disrespects their insane creed.

Bringing up "white privilege" in this context is the worst play of a race card I've yet to see.

We all see the world through a lens - that lens could be religion, nationality, any idea or social construct. My point is, a white person could look at this protest through the lens of his white privilege (maybe not consciously but the deeper, subconscious implications of such conditioning will be there) and suspect that his privileges are being taken away. But in his mind, he may honestly believe that he's only afraid of free speech being taken away. It is similar to how we often rationalize our actions in order to ease our conscience.

An example ... a person may hate homosexuals, but since his conscience is pricking him he may not openly state that he hates them. His hatred will find some form of rationalization (such as they are corrupting our children etc.), if only to appear respectable.

 

[Music]

They're protesting something that ultimately petty and trivial, and that can be remedied simply by being ignored. That's how civilized adults handle such things, anyway.

This is what I call missing the context. Nice job.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

White people look at the world through a lens.

Therefore, anything goes when it comes to the behavior of people who happen to not be white since any reasoned criticism is automatically invalid because, hey, white.

I like it.

 

[apophenia]

Well said, I'd like to see Music grow up and go to school in Arab countries as a white kid like I did. It would certainly offer a different perspective at the least.

There you go. I would not have guessed that you had such a background. How could I ?

Music is acting on the assumption that we are all white middle-class (and stupid) stereotypes. How enlightened of him. Well, condescending actually, to use his term.

BTW, I would love to hear about your childhood, it sounds like an illuminating experience. Maybe down the track sometime you can find a context to tell us all about it.