Talking Points For "Moderate Muslims"
For as much we hear from them these days, it seems that there's about as much likelihood for their existence as there is for that of Sasquatch. Sam Harris tells the truth -- "Silence is not moderation" -- in the WaPo, and suggests Imam Feisal Rauf could dispel fears that there's no such thing as Islamic moderation in a single paragraph. Here's Harris' version of what Rauf should say:
"Like all decent people, I am horrified by much that goes on in the name of 'Islam,' and I consider it a duty of all moderate Muslims to recognize that many of the doctrines espoused in the Qur'an and hadith present some unique liabilities at this moment in history. Our traditional ideas about martyrdom, jihad, blasphemy, apostasy, and the status of women must be abandoned, as they are proving disastrous in the 21st century. Many of Islam's critics have fully justified concerns about the state of discourse in parts of the Muslim world--where it is a tissue of conspiracy theories, genocidal ravings regarding the Jews, and the most abject, triumphalist fantasies about conquering the world for the glory of Allah. While the scriptures of Judaism and Christianity also contain terrible passages, it has been many centuries since they truly informed the mainstream faith. Hence, we do not tend to see vast numbers of Jews and Christians calling for the murder of apostates today. This is not true of Islam, and there is simply no honest way of denying this shocking disparity. We are members of a faith community that appears more concerned about harmless cartoons than about the daily atrocities committed in its name--and no one suffers from this stupidity and barbarism more than our fellow Muslims. Islam must grow up. And Muslim moderates like ourselves must be the first to defend the rights of novelists, cartoonists, and public intellectuals to criticize all religious faiths, including our own."
Love Harris' ending, speaking for himself (and me):
Find an imam who will speak this way, and gather followers who think this way, and I'll volunteer to cut the ribbon on his mosque in lower Manhattan.
If you continue to fan the flames of hatred for all Muslims, you are going to see a lot more of this: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/nypd_charges_man_with_hate_crime_after_allegedly_stabbing_muslim_cabbie.php
That's not the America I was raised to be a part of.
franko at August 25, 2010 10:11 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2010/08/talking-points.html#comment-1746436">comment from frankoFranko, there's no "hatred for all Muslims" -- there's a legitimate issue with Islam, which commands the death of homosexuals, treats women as if they have the rights of a pet, etc.
They are commanded to spread this ideology -- to overturn democracy and install the New Caliphate around the globe. Is THAT the America you were raised to be a part of?
I guess you're not very able to reason. It's unfortunate, because it sucks up my time writing responses like I just did above.
Amy Alkon
at August 25, 2010 10:16 AM
It's not a phobia if they are truly out to get you.
I have yet to see any proof to refute that.
mbruce at August 25, 2010 12:47 PM
franko, not sure what America you grew up in, but the country I grew up in was incredibly Christian dominated. We also accepted other faiths that preached "peace on earth" good will towards man", etc. Islam does not teach this, it teaches a caveman theology that leads people to kill large numbers of civilians so they can go to paradise with 72 virgins waiting for them. What a crock of shit, and yet progressives spew shit like they are "a religion of peace", just like other religions. I hope you remember that the next time these pricks hit us (and they will). Then you will see an escalation in violence unless the so called "moderates" denounce these pricks and tactics
ron at August 25, 2010 1:49 PM
There is at least one outspoken Muslim in America who "gets" it. His name is Dr. Zuhdi Jasser and here's his website. He appears quite frequently on Dennis Miller's radio program and stated the other day that he has never received any threats for speaking out as he does.
The biggest question of all is why the Mainstream Media - ABC / NBC / CBS / PBS / CNN / MSNBC / NPR - refuses to ever interview him. The reason is simple: His views do not fit into their narrative which, simply put, is: White, Christian Americans are bad are Brown skinned Muslims are all victims.
If this wasn't such a serious subject the modus operandi of these networks would be laughable.
Robert W. (Vancouver) at August 25, 2010 6:27 PM
If you continue to fan the flames of hatred for all Muslims, you are going to see a lot more of this
If we don't speak about the dangers of Islam, we're likely to get this:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/25/afghanistan.girls.sick/index.html?hpt=T2
kishke at August 25, 2010 6:41 PM
And this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4684652.stm
kishke at August 25, 2010 6:42 PM
And this:
http://barenakedislam.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/uk-muslims-threaten-muslim-woman-councillor-over-her-immodest-dress/
What is it with Muslims and women?
kishke at August 25, 2010 6:44 PM
Of course franko conveniently leaves out the fact that the perp is one of his progressive 'fellow travelers'.
Dick.
brian at August 26, 2010 5:31 AM
Brian, is that true? Where'd you see that?
kishke at August 26, 2010 6:28 AM
I saw it here:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/244773/wait-facts-indeed-jonah-goldberg
Martin at August 26, 2010 9:12 AM
Thanks Martin. Really interesting.
kishke at August 26, 2010 11:22 AM
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