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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be sick of the way some people react to 'freedom of expression'

182 replies

NotSoScary · 08/09/2010 23:42

Before I continue, just want to clarify that I myself am a Muslim.

Im just so sick of all the attacks on Islam but Im even more sick of the reactions these cause. Examples include the Satanic Versus, the Prophets cartoon and more recently 'burn a koran day'. I mean what is the bleeding point in burning flags and protesting when these things happen? I get it, everyone has a right to express themselves and if u dont like Islam or dont agree with it, fine, express away. All I care about is being able to practise my faith and respecting all others, I truly believe in live and let live.

The reactions we are getting right now to burn a koran day is just so over the top, no one would even know about it if people just ignored it. The ignorant fool that came up with the day has never even read the koran so if u really want to do something about it, why not challenge him to a debate?

Sorry, I dont really know what Im trying to say, just needed to rant. Im just so tired of all the negative press on Islam all the time and cant help but think if it wernt for OTT reactions, it wouldnt be there. We're not all the same.

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newwave · 08/09/2010 23:51

Do you think it is because there are nutters attached to most religions but those who attach themselves to Islam are by far the most objectional and violent.

Also groups like Islam4UK want to impose their values on others.

If you upset the C of E no one is going to declare Holy war on you unlike some adherants of Islam

Prolesworth · 08/09/2010 23:54

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lostFeelings · 08/09/2010 23:54

Don't get me wrong, but did any of those protests made it impossible for you to practice your faith?

NotSoScary · 08/09/2010 23:59

No ofcourse not lostfeelings, if anything it just made my faith stronger. Its just not nice thats all, but then again who can blame people for thinkin the way they do about Islam when all the nutters are getting the attention of the media.

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newwave · 09/09/2010 00:01

Prolesworth, I am not getting into your nutter is worse than my nutter but what plane did they fly into what building and what train did they blow up.

FWIW ALL religion is superstitious bullshit, if I am wrong just point me in the direction of some proof of gods existance.

NotSoScary · 09/09/2010 00:02

Newave, religion should never be imposed on anyone, any 'real' muslim would tell you that as thats what it says in the quran, its groups like that that should be banned

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Prolesworth · 09/09/2010 00:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NotSoScary · 09/09/2010 00:03

Newave, religion should never be imposed on anyone, any 'real' muslim would tell you that as thats what it says in the quran, its groups like that that should be banned

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chillichill · 09/09/2010 00:06

I know what your saying, notso..., but that's the thing with freedom of expression and speech; we have to protect it whether we like it or not or we will loose it.
there are many grey areas when it comes to where and when it is appropriate but we cannot stop the ignorant idiots from having their say if we want to be able to have a say too.
Im from the states and have seen some very offensive and bigoted demonstrations but I would never stand in their way (as much as I would like to) It is a privilege to live in countries where we are free to express ourselves and its a shame that not everyone treats that right with the respect and considerations it deserves.

newwave · 09/09/2010 00:06

Scary, fair enough but does it not say "kill the infidel"

chillichill · 09/09/2010 00:12

newave, you can pull quotes out of context from any religious text to prove whatever point you want, that's one if the problems with religion. let's not play that game.

newwave · 09/09/2010 00:16

chilli, it's a simple question does it or does it not say that.

Could you also tell me the context of that passage.

Tortington · 09/09/2010 00:20

yeah the proddies don't bomb you or owt do they Hmm the catholics don't bomb you or owt do they Hmm

the difference as far as i can see is that ireland has nooil reserves that the americans can tap into

i cant believe plebs are falling for this bullshit - its the fucking stupidity of people actually wholeheartedly believing this propaganda -for that is what it is - we are all taken in by this fucking propaganda whilst rich people are stiking deals about oil lines and presidents are using their taxpayers dollars to fund a propaganda war to keep the plebs n fear and off focus to the capitalist agenda for which thousands upon thousands are dying.

NickOfTime · 09/09/2010 00:21

ok, have never heard of burn a koran day, or the prophets cartoon, but i have heard of the satanic verses, if you're talking about salman rushdie's book of fiction?

i'm assume you are trying to shut down the 'freedom of expression' of salman rushdie? and whoever the 'prophets' cartoonist is?

(i don't particularly care for the idea of a 'burn the koran' day - but would point you towards the attitudes of serving british military, who are willing to support the freedom of expression of islamic fundamentalist protestors during funeral processions in wootton bassett.)

but i think proles nailed it really. freedom of expression is fine - inciting hatred is not.

chillichill · 09/09/2010 00:21

I'm not Muslim so cannot comment on that passage but I am familiar with the old testament and there are some belters in that book! it is dangerous to pull quotes out of context.

NickOfTime · 09/09/2010 00:22

i don't think i understand... at all. are you saying it is all good, or all bad, or where is the line?

NickOfTime · 09/09/2010 00:24

am going to have to google 'burn a koran' day...

NotSoScary · 09/09/2010 00:32

Newave, surely thats taken out of context, can u tell me where u read it so i can look it up? Its probably one of the versus talking about the wars that took place.
Nickoftime, no what im saying is that people are free to express as and what they wish, most of the people that were against the satanic versus hadnt even read the book. People wouldnt even have known much about it had it not been for all the nutters burning the book. Im sick of all nutters with their OTT reactions, its exactly the kind of reaction they (the people expressing their views) want just to publicise the whole thing and make all Muslims look like idiots

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newwave · 09/09/2010 00:32

Custardo, most of your post I 100% agree with, the middle east wars are about oil, the support by the UK/USA of the Zionist regime in Israel is to have a client state in the region.
I mean ffs they dont want Iran to have a nuclear bomb but "allow" the Zionists to have plenty of them.

What I dont wholly agree with is the Catholic/prods bit, thay was more of a civil war caused by the illegal partition of Ireland and the discrimination against Catholics in Northern Ireland.

But I digress, all religion is bullshit but Islam has a higher added violence factor and yes I know moderate followers reject the violence.

NotSoScary · 09/09/2010 00:33

Newave, surely thats taken out of context, can u tell me where u read it so i can look it up? Its probably one of the versus talking about the wars that took place.
Nickoftime, no what im saying is that people are free to express as and what they wish, most of the people that were against the satanic versus hadnt even read the book. People wouldnt even have known much about it had it not been for all the nutters burning the book. Im sick of all nutters with their OTT reactions, its exactly the kind of reaction they (the people expressing their views) want just to publicise the whole thing and make all Muslims look like idiots

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newwave · 09/09/2010 00:37

Scary, I beleive it is a passage in regard to the (wholly wrong) crusades.

Out of interest and in no way to denigrate your beliefs can you please tell me how you have such faith when no religion has produced one iota of proof in the existance of any God

bethjeff · 09/09/2010 00:45

I wouldn't say that Islam had a higher violence factor than any other religion....

The Christian Bible is full of murder etc. and I know just as many loony christians as I do loony muslims.

Now, I do not profess to follow any religion Notsoscary but I truly believe that no matter which religion you choose there is going to be someone trying to spoil it for you (ie: burn a koran day, the pope's visit to the uk(ludicrous!), or that crazy family in the US that picket soldier's funerals)

I don't think you should be personally offended. Unfortunately no matter which religion you follow there are always arseholes in the world.

chillichill · 09/09/2010 00:48

well said, bethjeff. maybe we should have a burn the arse holes day?

bethjeff · 09/09/2010 00:51

Maybe burning them is a bit harsh...we should just fence them all in and let Battle Royale commence Wink

newwave · 09/09/2010 00:53

bethjeff, all the religious books are full of violence and yes all religions have nutters BUT in the PRESENT day Islam has the highest added violence.

I dont agree with you that the popes visit is ludicrous however the fact that the Catholic churh is not paying all the costs involved is.

As for the US family they are just scum.

The sooner religion is something you do within your community or in private and kept out of all schools the better, indoctrination at an early age is not on