Scientific, Skeptical and Secular (and even anti-theistic)! These are the adventures of an ex-scientist, working as an engineer in energy research, and living in a world that is not secular enough.
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Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Is islamophobia real?
I'm a little nervous of my admiration for some of the work of Pat Condell. I don't agree with everything he says, particularly on the topic of Israel (which is one are where Islam has a reasonable excuse for feeling aggrieved at its land being given to another nation). However, nor do I agree with his critics who say that he is a 'foaming-at -the-mouth bigot'.
Typically he puts his message across in a calm and reasonable manner. The latest of his videos is about islamophobia (or its non-existence).
It is worth a few minutes of your time to hear what he says.
Then leave some comments to tell me whether you agree.
(In my opinion) his point is similar to what Eric said. The use of the word 'islamophobia' generates a smoke screen which is intended to confuse 'the enemy' by making them feel guilty for accusing all moderate Muslims of the offences of the guilty Muslims. I have a few Muslim friends (even in rural Oxfordshire, which is about like being in rural Kentucky in some ways) and they seem very reasonable.
The problem is that Islam is truly the religion of deceit for some people, and we must not allow them to unmine human rights in the name of . . . human rights!
Whether or not the use of the word is used to disarm an opponent doesn't really have any bearing on whether or not that word is attached to a real thing.
For example, I can use "racism" in an attempt to deflect a person's attacks or vilify them for attacking someone in an attempt to confuse the issue and take control of the debate.... and racism does exist, whether or not it is in effect in whatever situation we are discussing.
So, if his argument is that "islamophobia" isn't a real thing because it's used to manipulate a conversation... then, no, his argument is faulty. Whether or not it is used as a smoke screen has no bearing on its existence.
Is his point that phobia is the wrong word because its an irrational fear whereas fear of Islam is rational?
ReplyDelete(In my opinion) his point is similar to what Eric said. The use of the word 'islamophobia' generates a smoke screen which is intended to confuse 'the enemy' by making them feel guilty for accusing all moderate Muslims of the offences of the guilty Muslims. I have a few Muslim friends (even in rural Oxfordshire, which is about like being in rural Kentucky in some ways) and they seem very reasonable.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that Islam is truly the religion of deceit for some people, and we must not allow them to unmine human rights in the name of . . . human rights!
Whether or not the use of the word is used to disarm an opponent doesn't really have any bearing on whether or not that word is attached to a real thing.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I can use "racism" in an attempt to deflect a person's attacks or vilify them for attacking someone in an attempt to confuse the issue and take control of the debate.... and racism does exist, whether or not it is in effect in whatever situation we are discussing.
So, if his argument is that "islamophobia" isn't a real thing because it's used to manipulate a conversation... then, no, his argument is faulty. Whether or not it is used as a smoke screen has no bearing on its existence.
Just read this from Sam Harris and remembered this post because Harris makes the same claim that Islamophobia doesn't exist.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.samharris.org/blog/item/dear-fellow-liberal2