Lionel Edriess wrote on May 15
th, 2013 at 11:18pm:
Brian Ross wrote on May 15
th, 2013 at 8:58pm:
Lionel, I have always taken on your opinions and beaten you. To the point by your own admission you refuse even participate any more, instead you merely snipe from the sidelines.
I'll call anybody who is intolerant of Muslims for being Muslims a "bigot" as it is the best word within the lexicon which describes their viewpoint. I'd use the word to describe anti-Christians, anti-Hindus, etc., etc., so don't make the mistake that its use is purely confined to Islamophobes (funny isn't it that there isn't a similar word like "Christianophobes" or "Hinduphobes" or "Buddhistophobes". Like anti-Semitism, the English language has created a special word for those who are bigoted towards Muslims ).
I do not call you a bigot because you disagree with me, Lionel. I call you a bigot because you are intolerant of Muslims. For you, all Muslims represent at threat to your viewpoint because they challenge it.
The problem for the West is not accommodating Muslims - we've been doing that for approximately 400 years. The problem is accommodating bigots who cannot abandon their Xenophobia.
Now
there is a point open to debate!
Yet it is not I who has fled the field, Lionel, now is it?
Quote:How about you have continually taken issue with the points I raise, and when pushed to provide an anchor for your 'opinions', you then descend into the 'labelling' of the opposition as 'bigots', racists and 'Islamaphobes'?
If the cap fits....
Lionel, I've never understood someone who continually talks about "race" and the supposed inferiority/superiority of certain ones not liking their arguments being identified as "racist". The same for bigotry, etc. Correct identification means everybody knows what the argument is, don't you agree?
Quote:Your own descriptive language paints you as badly as that with which you describe all opposition, including myself.
Really? I've always felt it shows I understand the ramifications of what is being discussed and the position of my opponent(s). If you don't like being called a duck, then I suggest you stop waddling.
Quote:The only 'beating', Brian, seems to taking place between the sheets of your own imagination.
Again, I point out, it is not I who has fled with his tail between his legs and returned only to snipe from the sidelines, Lionel, now is it?
Quote:If you are unwilling to rescind your usage of the term 'bigot' in such discussions, then there is little point in continuing same. I'll quite happily wear the appellation 'skippy', if the descriptive is accurate. Will you cheerily wear the hat of a 'useful idiot' when it refers to the advancement of an Islamic utopia?
Where have I suggested anything other than that people should be treated fairly, accorded the respect and the rights that you demand for yourself, Lionel? If that is an "Islamic utopia" then it is one that is very cheaply bought, I'd suggest (although, I suspect you'd considered it dearly sold!
).
Stop claiming that all Muslims seek world domination. It is as bad as the Nazi claim that all Jews have it. If anti-Semitism is racism, then so is Islamophobia. If you looked on the otherside of the mirror you're looking into, Lionel, you'd find you, wearing a Nazi uniform quite happily.
Quote:Many people who have crossed swords with you on this subject have taken great pains to differentiate between Muslims and Islam. - to no avail.
They attempt it but invariably their ire is directed towards Muslims. I'd also ask, how can you differentiate a religion from it's believers? Without believers, a religion is nothing. It's like suggesting that you can attack Christianity but ignore the Christians who give the religion force.
Quote:This then begs the question - what's the bugger**g difference? Even you can't differentiate - you just highlight the differences.
They still blow sh*t up when disagreed with - that seems to be a common denominator.
Lump 'em all together, Brian - they still pose a significant threat because of their 'varied' beliefs in the tenets of Islam.
Coffee without milk or sugar is still coffee.
Actually, I'd suggest your metaphor is the wrong way 'round Lionel. Coffee comes naturally without milk or sugar...
And there folks we also see a perfect example of bigotry. Doesn't matter where a Muslim lives or whether they are completely unconnected to or don't support or have never "blown poo up". They still get blamed for it by people such as Lionel.
Most of the world has moved on, having learnt the lessons from WWII where such bigotry and hatred was allowed to hold sway in Occupied Europe and Germany. People like Lionel seem to have missed that lesson out of their history course, preferring the old-fashioned way of merely hating people 'cause they're different.
And you dare to suggest I've gotten it wrong? Yea, gods!