How many groups like ISIS do you want to see pop up around the world before you start taking the issue of religion seriously?
Spare me your half-assed attempts to rationalize. "This is not religion." Sure it is, it just isn't your interpretation of religion. This is a direct result of the 'tolerance' you speak of. It is a direct result of the fallacy known as 'Islamophobia.' There is no such thing. Every time we allow these religious types to cow us into submission (be it Danish cartoons or forcing young girls to wear Hijab) we are giving up ground. Tolerance is not one group being allowed to walk all over another in the name of religion. Multiculturalism does not mean you are forced to tolerate an idea or a group for fear of violent backlash.
The idea of 'Islamophobia' is a new one, and it has been used by Muslims (whether you agree with their interpretation of Islam or not is immaterial, they see themselves as good, practicing Muslims) as a way to silence any perceived criticism or slight as 'racist' or 'intolerant.' There is nothing racist or intolerant with not wanting little girls covered head to toe, and forced down our throats as 'dignity' or 'cultural/religious values'; there is nothing racist or intolerant with caricaturing an ancient Arab warlord; there is nothing racist or intolerant with wanting women to be literate and to have control over their reproductive cycle.
No, intolerance is imposing your cultural or religious values on others by force or the threat of violence, and this is exactly what is happening in almost every major secular, democratic society by Muslim groups whose worldview would be pleasing to the likes of ISIS.
'Tolerating' religious moderation is not the answer. As I've said before, if you grant it for one group you must allow it for all; or we will forever be hedging our bets and arguing about who is allowed to claim they are following their religion and who isn't. Never mind that some Saudi sheikh condemned the beheadings; it was Saudi-style fundamentalist Islam that midwifed the birth of this group and countless others like it. And how dare Saudi Arabia claim the moral high ground? Theirs is a nation where women are not even allowed to leave the house, let alone drive, without male supervision.
No, friends, I will not have it. Groups like this would not exist without religion, and it is past time we realize it and do something about it. I invite you to join me in doing so.
No comments:
Post a Comment