freediver wrote on Nov 18
th, 2015 at 7:56pm:
The rise of ISIS presents a good opportunity to talk to Muslims about Islam in the modern world. The violence they inspire in western nations can be a good starter for a conversation we ought to be having. Unfortunately our politicians and media tend to present to shallow dichotomy when talking to Muslims, or talking about how we should talk to Muslims - either "ban them, bomb them," or "walk on eggshells in case we turn them into terrorists." I suggest a middle ground that reinforces the rights and liberties of all without shying away from the uncomfortable reality that faces us. It treats Muslims as mature individuals capable of standing up for themselves without slaughtering innocent people, yet does not simplistically deny the link between ISIS, terrorism and Islam.
The violence of ISIS and their supporters presents such a great opportunity to have this conversation because it allows us to demonstrate, by contrast, a fundamental requirement of civilised society: how to debate controversial issues without it descending into fisticuffs or exploding buses. Here I depart from both sides of the dichotomy - not shying from the difficult issues, while also not over-reacting. By this I mean not just keeping your temper in check, but also refraining from throwing out the freedoms that distinguish us from an Islamic State. We should make Muslims feel welcome here, while also making them understand how we feel about the more barbaric aspects of Islam. Trying to protect Muslims from our opinion about Islam is in my view just as dangerous as making them feel like we cannot co-exist.
So next time you sit down on the train and open your newspaper to a photo of bloody carnage, show it to the Muslim sitting next to you and calmly ask him his opinion it. For example, you could ask whether he considers ISIS to be a Caliphate, how a 'proper' Caliphate might differ from ISIS and whether he would feel compelled to support such a nation. If it is a story about cartoonists being executed, ask him what he thinks about the government's role in protecting him from mockery of Islam and Muhammed. If it is a story about acid being thrown in girls' faces, ask him what he thinks about a woman's right to dress how she chooses. If it is about Israel, ask him if Islam compels Muslims to make non-Muslims second class citizens wherever they gain political control. Most people who openly self-identify as a Muslim are eager for the opportunity to give their views in a safe environment.
Don't be shy.
As I read this I felt a rising bout of nausea as the sheer weakness and implied surrender came through. 'Peace in our time!' was the cry from another talkfest, while the actual victory was achieved through unrelenting demands for the peace we must have but enforced by soldiers.
We need less discussion and more action. We need to DEMAND that muslims and other immigrants who come to this country to stay embrace the culture or go home. I don't want to have to explain to anyone why beheading an aid worker or gang-raping a 9yo is wrong. If you don't know why that is wrong then we don't want you here.
Multi-culturalism is a global failure. At its very best it has two non-interacting cultures living in a form of peace. At it's worse, it is machine-gunning music patrons.
Nobody moves to Muslim countries other than other muslims. The vast majority of their countries are a disaster and a wreck that no one wants to live in. So why would Muslims come here and repeat the same disastrous social, religious and culural paradigms that have wrecked their home? But they do just that. Maybe they just don't know how to be different. But we can help that by making it happen. Ban the Burqa. Insist on womens equality. Want to protest against democracy and pro-sharia law? Send them to Iran where they can have their paradise.
Talk is cheap. Talk is weak. We want action. Decisive action because just as 'peace in our time' was an example of gullible stupidity, so is 'talking' to muslims. It is time to demand changes or get sent home.
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How to talk to Muslims in a world of terrorism (Read 8485 times)
