Monday, April 30, 2012

Islam and Muslims

Michael Medved has a nice essay on the question: does criticism of Islam constitute bigotry against Muslims?

Excerpt:
The lame-brained insistence that all faith traditions deserve equal respect (or equal condemnation) doesn't demonstrate tolerance or broad-mindedness; it expresses, rather, a refusal to take any religion seriously enough for honest evaluation of its virtues and flaws. 
Reservations about Islam, and even fears of the Muslim faith's influence on the world at large, don't constitute paranoia or intolerance. These concerns represent an honest and reasonable response on the part of a significant segment of the public to a serious global challenge to the values that Americans hold most dear.
I agree. Readers of this blog have no doubt noticed that I have some very strong criticisms of Islam. But I believe-- just as strongly-- that bigotry against Muslims is morally wrong. The reality is that the vast majority of Muslims-- and all Muslims I know personally (I have many Muslim colleagues at work)-- are good and decent people, with the same hopes and dreams and virtues as everyone else. In fact, my Muslim patients are probably my nicest patients.

Ideologies and religious beliefs are fair targets, and a healthy society has a vibrant ongoing conversation about beliefs and the consequences of belief. The belief that there is no objective moral law or that Christ is the only way to salvation or that Jews are the chosen people or that jihad is justified to extend dar-el-Islam are fair game for critique and debate.

People, on the other hand, must never be targets. We are each created in God's image, and are endowed with irrevocable dignity. The value of each person-- Muslim, atheist, Christian, Jew, etc-- transcends ideology, and must never be denied or violated.

Ideas, on the other hand, are at issue in the arena.  

5 comments:

  1. People, on the other hand, must never be targets.

    What about Dan Savage?

    We are asked to renounce Lucifer. I was told that one third of angels followed Lucifer when he rebelled against God.

    Should I consider Savage as made in the image of God or as a follower of Lucifer?

    PS: Lucifer was the highest angel. His name meaning "The Light Bearer"

    PS2: I know I will be the laughing stock of Atheists for my comment, but I don't mind since I am looking to my second life...

    PS3: please excuse my poor english...

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    1. Pépé,

      "Should I consider Savage as made in the image of God or as a follower of Lucifer?"
      I would suggest he was created in the image of God and chose a Faustian route to power and infamy.
      He caved into the fear, anger, and loathing. He became exactly what he hated most: A bully. What is more he was 'rewarded' for it with a seemingly inexplicable fame/infamy and recognition.
      He has signed with blood. The only question is: Will he repent before it is too late?

      "PS2: I know I will be the laughing stock of Atheists for my comment, but I don't mind since I am looking to my second life..."
      Let them laugh. It is a fear reaction.
      Evil is the reason most of them cannot see goodness and God; they are so distracted by the shadows that they do not even think to examine the light. Strangely, when it comes to elemental, pure, personified Evil they live in denial of it's presence and purpose. They prefer to imagine it is all up to chance and purely random. That evil people are just 'sick' and their deeds just 'misunderstood'.

      PS3: please excuse my poor english..
      Nothing wrong with your English, Pépé.
      I would bet a good 'dix' it is better than most of the folks French.

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    2. I really appreciate your comments, crusadeREX!

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  2. "These concerns represent an honest and reasonable response on the part of a significant segment of the public to a serious global challenge to the values that Americans hold most dear."---is that so?....then you are agreeing that when other countries fear or have reservations about Americans and their "global influence" and promote "anti-Americanism"---that this is reasonable and honest response...?....or are you of the opinion that American values are superior to any other values on earth and therefore it is right that they have a global influence and no other value system should?......

    Fear is based on ignorance and ignorance is NEVER right........

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    1. Ignorance is simply the lack of knowledge. It is not stupidity. Not the same.
      One can be correct without ever knowing why. Ignorance may never be the 'right' choice, but it does not always result in the wrong choices.
      An example? Many pre-classic central american civilizations had myths about 'still air' making townsfolk sick with fevers. So many decided to build their towns in areas with constant breezes.
      The 'still air' sickness was obviously an ignorant misunderstanding. It was the insect bites giving them fever.
      But the breeze worked just the same. The fevers decreased. The right decision was made despite the ignorance as to the real reasoning behind the fevers. Combined with barks and leaves that were thought to magically dispel fevers, their ignorance would help them stave of Dengue and Malaria that would decimate more advanced and far less ignorant populations (even ones with DDT!).

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