What should a British Muslim do?

[Zamo 10]

A small minority of Muslims are not upholding their end.

 

No. A small minority are committing illegal acts of extremism but the extremism is itself a by-product of the religion perpetuated and propagated by Muslims... and for that they are all responsible.

 

Last week a survey by the Mirrors suggested that half of all British Muslims may tacitly support ISIS. This is no doubt technically not illegal but even you must surely admit it is extreme none-the-less? Shouldn't we be challenging this level of extremism within the Muslim community? Shouldn't we judge Muslims for bringing up their young to hold views that they can align with those of barbaric, intolerant extremists? Shouldn't we judge people for making religious choices that heightened the risk of kids embracing extremism and terrorist causes?

 

To be honest, it doesn't even matter if you think it is reasonable to collectively blame Muslims for the extremism. The blame is happening whether you like it or not. Every poll on the subject shows tolerance towards Muslims ebbing and, correspondingly, Muslims say they feel the hostility growing. We have different sections of our community heading towards conflict and the only way to avoid it is for the extremism coming out of the Muslim camp to stop.

[Jeffrey Shaw 88]

It's quite hard to say who 'tacitly' supports anything- what with 'tacit' meaning 'silent/silently'.

[Halibut 12]

To be honest, it doesn't even matter if you think it is reasonable to collectively blame Muslims for the extremism.

 

It does matter, because it's unfair, incorrect and raises tensions.

 

The blame is happening whether you like it or not. Every poll on the subject shows tolerance towards Muslims ebbing and, correspondingly, Muslims say they feel the hostility growing. We have different sections of our community heading towards conflict and the only way to avoid it is for the extremism coming out of the Muslim camp to stop.

 

Not the only way.

 

If, as you observe, there is an increase in hostility towards Muslims, then surely reducing this is also likely to be of benefit.

Perhaps you ought to be building bridges rather than insisting that it's all the Muslims fault - and let's be honest, that's exactly what you're doing here and have consistently done as long as I can remember.

[Jeffrey Shaw 88]

If, as you observe, there is an increase in hostility towards Muslims

In your view, is that hostility linked in any way to Moslem murderers of non-Moslems?

[Halibut 12]

In your view, is that hostility linked in any way to Moslem murderers of non-Moslems?

 

Yes, because some people with a hate agenda have sought to magnify, distort and exaggerate the problem by demonising all Muslims.

Incidentally, why do you insist on spelling Muslim with an 'o'?

[Plain Talker 11]

In your view, is that hostility linked in any way to Moslem murderers of non-Moslems?

 

There was hostility towards Muslims for many years prior to the 1990s when headlines were full of hate comments.

 

There was much " P-word bashing" in the sixties and seventies.

[Mozilla 10]

No. A small minority are committing illegal acts of extremism but the extremism is itself a by-product of the religion perpetuated and propagated by Muslims... and for that they are all responsible.

 

Last week a survey by the Mirrors suggested that half of all British Muslims may tacitly support ISIS. This is no doubt technically not illegal but even you must surely admit it is extreme none-the-less? Shouldn't we be challenging this level of extremism within the Muslim community? Shouldn't we judge Muslims for bringing up their young to hold views that they can align with those of barbaric, intolerant extremists? Shouldn't we judge people for making religious choices that heightened the risk of kids embracing extremism and terrorist causes?

 

To be honest, it doesn't even matter if you think it is reasonable to collectively blame Muslims for the extremism. The blame is happening whether you like it or not. Every poll on the subject shows tolerance towards Muslims ebbing and, correspondingly, Muslims say they feel the hostility growing. We have different sections of our community heading towards conflict and the only way to avoid it is for the extremism coming out of the Muslim camp to stop.

 

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise."

 

"The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.”

 

"A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind."

Edited July 13, 2015 by Mozilla

[Anna B 1,401]

Today's DM reports a speech by Government minister Sajid Javid where he says ordinary Muslims should challenge Imams who refuse to condemm Islamist extremist acts such as the killings in Tunisia.

He says 'If the Imam in your mosque hasn't condemned what has happened in Tunisia, you should be asking yourself "why hasn't he done that? What's stopping him from doing that?'

In other words not condemning it publicly might be considered as condoning it...

 

Like to know what Muslims think about that.

[Zamo 10]

There was hostility towards Muslims for many years prior to the 1990s when headlines were full of hate comments.

 

There was much " P-word bashing" in the sixties and seventies.

 

That is true. We then entered a period of politically correct induced silence where it was a career ending gamble to challenge an ethnic or religious minority. That was equally as bad as it has allowed men from the Islamic community to systematically groom and abuse vulnerable girls and for other cultural nasties to go unchallenged such as FGM, forced marriages and honour violence.

 

Hopefully we are now entering a more balanced phase. Criticism of Muslims for perpetuating a religion with an extremism problem is legitimate criticism. You don't get to play an offset card by claiming past discriminations mean this is something others must accept. It is unacceptable and only action to tackle the extremism will reverse the growing hostility.

 

Serious question - why wouldn't muslims want to reform their religion to tackle the extremism problem? Why wouldn't they want better outcomes for their young that are so susceptible to the madness? Why wouldn't they want to stop something that harms community relations?

 

---------- Post added 14-07-2015 at 08:54 ----------

 

Yes, because some people with a hate agenda have sought to magnify, distort and exaggerate the problem by demonising all Muslims.

 

Re-labelling 'criticism' as 'demonisation' and implying racism is no longer a debate suppressing tactic that works.

[mafya 237]

That is true. We then entered a period of politically correct induced silence where it was a career ending gamble to challenge an ethnic or religious minority. That was equally as bad as it has allowed men from the Islamic community to systematically groom and abuse vulnerable girls and for other cultural nasties to go unchallenged such as FGM, forced marriages and honour violence.

 

Hopefully we are now entering a more balanced phase. Criticism of Muslims for perpetuating a religion with an extremism problem is legitimate criticism. You don't get to play an offset card by claiming past discriminations mean this is something others must accept. It is unacceptable and only action to tackle the extremism will reverse the growing hostility.

 

Serious question - why wouldn't muslims want to reform their religion to tackle the extremism problem? Why wouldn't they want better outcomes for their young that are so susceptible to the madness? Why wouldn't they want to stop something that harms community relations?

 

---------- Post added 14-07-2015 at 08:54 ----------

 

 

Re-labelling 'criticism' as 'demonisation' and implying racism is no longer a debate suppressing tactic that works.

 

My bold=

You only and others of your ilk only seem to concentrate on the Muslim peadophiles being the Muslim hater that you are, what about these non Muslim peadophiles = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3050628/Paedophile-gang-groomed-families-rape-abuse-babies.html.

[Zamo 10]

My bold=

You only and others of your ilk only seem to concentrate on the Muslim peadophiles being the Muslim hater that you are, what about these non Muslim peadophiles = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3050628/Paedophile-gang-groomed-families-rape-abuse-babies.html.

 

This thread is about Muslims and the extremism problem they perpetuate by practicing Islam 'as is'. It asks what Muslims should do so naturally it focuses on Muslims.

 

I responded to a point by Plain Talker that the discrimination directed at Muslims in the past does not mean we should even things up by not making legitimate criticism now. I gave examples of how such political correctness is damaging. Do you not think it is right to raise these issues?

 

Yes there are paedophiles in all cultures and communities because Mother Nature works in mysterious ways. However, the problems of religious extremism, grooming, FGM, honour violence etc are not caused by nature but by nurture. They are beliefs and attitudes that are taught and chosen and therefore we can legitimately criticise those doing the teachings and the choosing. I don't think for one minute that Muslims have any more paedophiles than any other religious or cultural group... but they do have a cultural problem relating to attitudes towards women. That is something we have every right to complain about and to demand change. Same goes for Islamic extremism.

 

Any chance you could answer my 'serious question' in my previous post?

[milquetoast1 10]

Two articles linked from today's National Secular Society:

 

The ‘Trojan horse’ school fighting the Islamic State propaganda machine

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/13/trojan-horse-school-islamic-state-propaganda

 

Muslim parents must challenge mosques which fail to condemn extremism, says Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood

 

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/muslim-parents-must-challenge-mosques-9644110

 

There must be numerous reassuring examples where people in the Muslim community accept that they themselves have more influence and responsibility for eradicating the extremist cancer within it. It seems somewhat delusional to find that basic truth abhorrent.