What is 'Islamophobia'?

[shmogie]

I agreed with everything up until you started in on homophobia. The term 'phobia' actually applies in this case because there is no rational justification for being hostile to gay people just because they're gay, nor for denying them rights, nor for denying them human dignity as so many countries do based on this inherent trait. Same goes for applying baseless stereotypes, prejudices etc The arguments against homosexuality come from religious texts written by men who lived thousands of years ago and understood significantly less about the world than we do today. The only thing that homophobes can say which is factually accurate is that gay sex doesn't produce children. Unfortunately that perfectly valid observation is then used to justify discrimination against LGBTs.

I don't believe in any unconstitutional restrictions or acts against them. They are citizens who have every right I have. Having said that, am I homophobic because I believe that their lifestyle choice is immoral ? This is a classic case of manipulating language to demean someone with an unliked view, akin to the thought police. It began with the coining of the word by a homosexual researcher in the late 50's, attaching a new definition, dislike or hate. As a Christian I recognize that their sin is no better, nor worse than mine I don't hate them or dislike them, flamers, I choose not to be around. I have debated this issue on many forums, here is another fact that I can give you, there has yet to be found any scientific reason why homosexuals are homosexuals. It is their choice, a choice they are free to make. There may be people who have an unreasonable fear of homosexuals, I don't. I don't have arachnophobia either, I don't fear spiders.

 

[Deathbydefault]

Look up phobia. Phobia's have always been defined as a fear of something beyond reasonableness. It is only lately with the PC crowd that the word phobia has taken on a new meaning. You don't like or associate with who I like and associate with, therefore you are "phobic". I don't have to find a definition of "islamaphobia", this is a newly coined word along with "homophobia" that is used as criticism for not having the "right attitude". I have been around for many decades, I have seen these evolving terms take root as verbal hammers to slap people. Look up phobia, then islamophobia and homophobia from a dictionary from 1980 and tell me what you find.

Couldn't really find too many points I disagreed with, so i can't give much of a response.
I am well aware of what a phobia is and what it means, but I'm also aware that any single term can change.
Islamophobia isn't an actual phobia, that is a point to be made. It's a meaningless term.
Whatever it meant in the 80's, I don't know. I know what it means now and that's what's relevant.

 

[Aštra’el]

Islamophobics suffer from mindless and obsessive paranoia and uncontrolled emotion despite enjoying relatively far more luxuries and freedoms and safety than those whose concerns about Islam are rooted in reality and moment to moment survival.

People suffering from Islamophobia usually include various keyboard warriors, SJWs, militant atheists, street corner preachers, etc who obsessively spend way too much time focusing on how much they hate or fear Islam that this hate, fear, and paranoia significantly impacts their life for the worse, usually socially but sometimes also professionally. These people fail to recognize and address the actual cause(s) of the issues that upset them, blaming the religion of Islam rather than blaming individuals or groups who use religion (in this case, Islam) to acquire followers and gain loyalty, inspire their soldiers and boost morale, establish Order (albeit brutally) throughout their conquest, and achieve their political goals.

People whose concerns are rooted in reality rather than mindless and obsessive paranoia or uncontrolled emotion, and whose moment to moment survival are significantly impacted by the groups mentioned above, and who do not enjoy the luxuries and freedoms and safety that Islamophobics do, do not suffer from Islamophobia themselves. These people are just doing what they can to survive, living life one day at a time, not taking for granted what little they have. To them, Islam is a real concern, but they know that Islam is not causing their suffering, certain groups of people are... people who- even if Islam had never existed- would have just exploited another religion to conquer people's hearts, establish Order throughout their conquests; and achieve various political aims.

 

[Kirran]

Oh my! Have some of us gotten into which nation is the
best of the worse?
I prefer to believe the U.S. is still the best free nation despite it's
obvious problems.
What nation or government would you prefer to live in other than
the U.S.A.?
There are good choices I'm sure but I don't plan on moving anytime
soon.
About the U.S.A.? Well there is always room for improvement.
Always will be.
I served in the mean streets 22.5 years suffering 13 serious injuries but STILL
wouldn't leave my Country.
Want to change our society?
Vote!

American exceptionalism is all very well, but rather baseless. While certainly the USA is a great country and we have a lot to learn from it and its struggles, it is outperformed on most metrics of importance by such countries as Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Taiwan, Iceland, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand etc.

 

[FearGod]

And does it exist at all?

IMO it is a buzzword used to silence people who voice criticisms of Islam.

We never hear of 'Christianiophobia' or 'Judeophobia' or 'Paganophobia' etc.

This may help but some won't believe it and will still think that Islamophobia
is a term made by Muslims.

 

[jeager106]

They also faked the moon landings and circumnavigation.

I KNEW it, I KNEW it!

Dad was right! The moon landings were a Hollywood stunt!
But what does circumcision have to do with doodley squat?

 

[sovietchild]

When I hear a word Islamophobia it reminds me of russophobia - the west is trying to destroy or cut Russian language.

 

[shmogie]

Yes and Christians have had their share of murdering also in the far past, but sadly many are still living in the dark ages.

True. However, by the very philosophy espoused by Christ in the NT, a Christian murdering an oxymoron. It is totally contrary to the Christian Holy books. Can the same be said of islam ?

 

[loverofhumanity]

You very well could be right. I supported the invasion because I believed those people deserved a shot at freedom and democracy. I will not let those kind of sympathies get in the way again. Tribal and backward cultures used to and desiring authoritarian rule cannot become democratic. Opposed to then, I now feel that trying to establish democracy for the entire middle east wouldn't be worth the life of one American soldier. I too now regret the invasion, we should have let them keep their butcher dictators. As to nukes, what if we simply ignored saddam, and he had them ? Would you take that risk ?

I don't know what form of government is best for the Middle East but it must respect their religion. I think it best that they work out for themselves how they want to go forward. Oppressors in the Middle East have received American approval and support and that is not in their interests but in America's interests. That must stop if there is to be peace.

North Korea already has nukes and there's not much anyone can do. So does Pakistan have them. And other nations like Iran and Burma are after them too because they want freedom to do what they want without being bullied by other nations. Until we have a true international order, countries want guarantees they won't be invaded and the best guarantee is a set of nukes. The more America invades, the more other countries watching get frightened and seek WMD's as a deterrent to USA domination.

I supported the invasion too. Even though they didn't find nukes I still supported the invasion. But after many years and seeing the Iraqis suffer at the hands of ISIS and how women and children have been raped and murdered I wish now they didn't go in and open that can of worms.

I'm not a Muslim. I'm a westerner but seeing the Iraqis being slaughtered everyday has made me feel ashamed of our the invasion. It's one big mess now having caused enormous suffering in neighboring countries all over the Middle East by movements emboldened by Saddam removal.

It wasn't worth it in my view and when does it ever end? How is this can of worms opened so unwisely going to be resealed?

What was once just a verbal threat from Saddam now has become worldwide terrorism and civil wars throughout the Middle East.

The biggest mistake for me is America interfering politically in Muslim nations. Installing the Shah. Mubarak another crony. Bin laden and Saddam on American payroll too as far as I know.

And all they got from it all was a financially ruined USA. America should have invested the war funds in their own people and left the Middle East alone. Only my humble opinion.

Do we have to be dragged through a Third World War to fix all this?

 

[shmogie]

Couldn't really find too many points I disagreed with, so i can't give much of a response.
I am well aware of what a phobia is and what it means, but I'm also aware that any single term can change.
Islamophobia isn't an actual phobia, that is a point to be made. It's a meaningless term.
Whatever it meant in the 80's, I don't know. I know what it means now and that's what's relevant.

It is a meaningless term, What it means now is meaningless as well. Call someone a moslem hater, or lover or avoider, or watcher, or distruster or whatever, don't use a term founded to define someone as having an irrational fear, thus "not normal" certainly demeaning as intended. It is all a game to say " my view is inherently superior to yours, in fact my view is so right and superior to yours you must be irrational and not normal like me to even hold such a view". So today "islamaphobia" means whatever the user of the term chooses it to mean. I make a simple statement of fact, "most islamic countries treat women as chattel and unequal ". Someone, somewhere will call me "islamaphobic". It is all about liberal group think and appeasement.

 

[shmogie]

I don't know what form of government is best for the Middle East but it must respect their religion. I think it best that they work out for themselves how they want to go forward. Oppressors in the Middle East have received American approval and support and that is not in their interests but in America's interests. That must stop if there is to be peace.

North Korea already has nukes and there's not much anyone can do. So does Pakistan have them. And other nations like Iran and Burma are after them too because they want freedom to do what they want without being bullied by other nations. Until we have a true international order, countries want guarantees they won't be invaded and the best guarantee is a set of nukes. The more America invades, the more other countries watching get frightened and seek WMD's as a deterrent to USA domination.

I supported the invasion too. Even though they didn't find nukes I still supported the invasion. But after many years and seeing the Iraqis suffer at the hands of ISIS and how women and children have been raped and murdered I wish now they didn't go in and open that can of worms.

I'm not a Muslim. I'm a westerner but seeing the Iraqis being slaughtered everyday has made me feel ashamed of our the invasion. It's one big mess now having caused enormous suffering in neighboring countries all over the Middle East by movements emboldened by Saddam removal.

It wasn't worth it in my view and when does it ever end? How is this can of worms opened so unwisely going to be resealed?

What was once just a verbal threat from Saddam now has become worldwide terrorism and civil wars throughout the Middle East.

The biggest mistake for me is America interfering politically in Muslim nations. Installing the Shah. Mubarak another crony. Bin laden and Saddam on American payroll too as far as I know.

And all they got from it all was a financially ruined USA. America should have invested the war funds in their own people and left the Middle East alone. Only my humble opinion.

Do we have to be dragged through a Third World War to fix all this?

The Iraqi's had all the equipment and training to hold on to their country, their tribalism created a population with no will to fight. I agree, leave them to themselves. Stop all aid to islamic country's and let them kill, maim, and slaughter each other till their hearts content. However, we cannot afford to have some loons like the shia iranian mullahs to have nukes. We can and certainly should stop this by whatever necessary means. It can be done without an invasion, and should be.

 

[Augustus]

Islandophobia is Fear of Iceland, Icelandic culture...

I remember when Iceland attacked the sky with a giant volcano causing massive disruption to flights across Europe.

It's perfectly rational to be afraid of a nation who can weaponise the Earth's geological features and bring an entire continent to a standstill

 

[Servant_of_the_One1]

Islamophobia started with the Devil when he tricked Adam by eating from the tree.
It became heavier with the arrivals of Abraham(burned by the islamhaters but saved by Allah), Moses, Jesus and finally Muhammad peace be upon them.

Now its on boiling level but it will get worse.

 

[psychoslice]

True. However, by the very philosophy espoused by Christ in the NT, a Christian murdering an oxymoron. It is totally contrary to the Christian Holy books. Can the same be said of islam ?

Well who knows, their both built on stupid ideas, that cannot be ever taken serous.

 

[loverofhumanity]

The Iraqi's had all the equipment and training to hold on to their country, their tribalism created a population with no will to fight. I agree, leave them to themselves. Stop all aid to islamic country's and let them kill, maim, and slaughter each other till their hearts content. However, we cannot afford to have some loons like the shia iranian mullahs to have nukes. We can and certainly should stop this by whatever necessary means. It can be done without an invasion, and should be.

A lot of the problems would be solved if we put people first, above politics, religion, race, nationality etc.

The world needs to grow out of this 'us and them' mentality if we want to have peace.

 

[interminable]

They also faked the moon landings and circumnavigation.

Good.so we can conclude that US governments tell lies even to their people to destroy others and show themselves powerful and human while the supporter of all terrorists in ME is US

 

[interminable]

Don't worry; you'll get used to me.

You don't have Rivalophobia, do you?

4 likes for what I wonder?[emoji1] [emoji33] [emoji48] [emoji12] [emoji1] [emoji16]

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

And does it exist at all?

It's an irrational fear of a religion. I lived 99% of my life in the Deep South. I have nothing to fear (from experience) from Muslims, but I tense up when around white rednecks and I'm not even black or gay.

We never hear of 'Christianiophobia' or 'Judeophobia' or 'Paganophobia' etc.

Or Christians ignore the fears of minorities.

It's as clear as day that US exploded those building to defame Islam and put Muslims under pressure and introduce Muslims as terrorists

So the 19 Muslims (or, rather more accurately, 19 buttwipes who called themselves Muslims) were all in our heads?

Muslims have been committing acts of violence since before the U.S. even existed.

Judaism and Christianity far predate Islam, though. The apple doesn't fall from the tree.

There is a systematic, and well funded (OIC, Gulf States), attempt to use the term to stifle legitimate discussion/criticism. Framing of a debate is standards PR. This is alongside individuals pursuing the same tactics or being sucked into the 'any criticism is Islamophobic' wormhole.

How effective would their issues be, though, if we didn't suck at their tit? To whine about us hating Muslims when they need us to buy their frickin' oil is silly.

We also learn of his marriage to a six year old girl.

It's not like we should assume Mary was in her 30's, you know.

There you will find at least 109 sura's in the koran prescribing death or torture for non believers.

The bible has a lot more than that and that's not even counting post-biblical history.

In fact, the Crusades were the response of the west to a century of moslem violence.

Europeans wanted the money being made in pepper.

However, could anyone claim the France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Britain are are safer and happier since their policies provided open welcoming arms for millions of moslems?

How can any country letting in people from royally messed up countries not expect some people to be touchy?

They did, for a while. Iraq attacked and killed men, women, and children in Kurdish villages, with WMD's, poison gas, which they were forbidden to have.

How much was the US giving Hussein? A lot of these modern day monsters are of our OWN creation.

In my experience, liberals are masters at this.

"Liberalphobia": the terrifying terror that making the world a better place will suck

No, this is being reasonable.

White people can be Muslims too, though. White people can be terrorists too, though our media loves to call them "mentally ill" instead.

The facts are simple, who blows up the planes, stabs people on the street, butchers people in theaters, hotels, on boats or just uses a truck to run children down ?

How many people care when whites do it? How many got death for the crimes they committed? Dylan Roof got a hamburger after what he did. People love to forget conveniently about Tim McVeigh or the Unabomber. Look how white supremacy, many blatantly calling themselves Christian organizations, is flourishing. I finally moved north of the Mason Dixon and I'm STILL surrounded by more CSA crap than I am Muslim signs of fear-mongering.

There were no nukes found. In hindsight I don't think the USA would have invaded Iraq if they knew the can of worms they would open. I think they regret it now.

We are a nation that will only regret our sins when forced to. We are a nation that STILL attacks Natives just to make a buck off their land. Over 200 years and we haven't felt much shame for that YET.

I asked a Somalian immigrant if he believed it was okay to stone adulterers and he said "Yeah, b**** shouldn't be cheating"!

For fun and soul-crushing depression, read comments by alt-right folks.

Christians vs Muslims

Jesus never killed anyone or ordered anyone to be killed and said let those who are without sin cast the first stone. He preached that people should love their enemies and turn the other cheek.

Didn't make much of an impression on his followers, though. Wasn't even dead yet before ears were being chopped off.

I supported the invasion because I believed those people deserved a shot at freedom and democracy.

Nothing says democracy like bombing the crap out of their homes and killing their kids when people have a government you don't like.

 

[interminable]

It's an irrational fear of a religion. I lived 99% of my life in the Deep South. I have nothing to fear (from experience) from Muslims, but I tense up when around white rednecks and I'm not even black or gay.


Or Christians ignore the fears of minorities.


So the 19 Muslims (or, rather more accurately, 19 buttwipes who called themselves Muslims) were all in our heads?


Judaism and Christianity far predate Islam, though. The apple doesn't fall from the tree.


How effective would their issues be, though, if we didn't suck at their tit? To whine about us hating Muslims when they need us to buy their frickin' oil is silly.


It's not like we should assume Mary was in her 30's, you know.


The bible has a lot more than that and that's not even counting post-biblical history.


Europeans wanted the money being made in pepper.


How can any country letting in people from royally messed up countries not expect some people to be touchy?


How much was the US giving Hussein? A lot of these modern day monsters are of our OWN creation.


"Liberalphobia": the terrifying terror that making the world a better place will suck


White people can be Muslims too, though. White people can be terrorists too, though our media loves to call them "mentally ill" instead.


How many people care when whites do it? How many got death for the crimes they committed? Dylan Roof got a hamburger after what he did. People love to forget conveniently about Tim McVeigh or the Unabomber. Look how white supremacy, many blatantly calling themselves Christian organizations, is flourishing. I finally moved north of the Mason Dixon and I'm STILL surrounded by more CSA crap than I am Muslim signs of fear-mongering.


We are a nation that will only regret our sins when forced to. We are a nation that STILL attacks Natives just to make a buck off their land. Over 200 years and we haven't felt much shame for that YET.


For fun and soul-crushing depression, read comments by alt-right folks.

Christians vs Muslims


Didn't make much of an impression on his followers, though. Wasn't even dead yet before ears were being chopped off.


Nothing says democracy like bombing the crap out of their homes and killing their kids when people have a government you don't like.

It's like I recruit some Christian criminals and tell them to explode somewhere

 

[loverofhumanity]

Kelly, we need more honest and fair minded people like you.

You seem to take the side of humanity and I respect you a lot for that.

Humanity needs reconciliation and to talk up our humanity and try and see the good in people. None of us are perfect and you have pointed that out very well.