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Original poster

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.

OP posts:
TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 09/09/2010 09:44

Aye - has anyone seen the reaction to the god hates rate bloke at a comic book convention? That's how to deal with extremists.

pagwatch · 09/09/2010 09:51
Grin

That is so fucking brilliant Coalition!

senua · 09/09/2010 10:00

I think half the problem is that there is no hierarchy in Islam. It seems that anybody can set themselves up a a holy man and "quote out of context". The other religions have a chief (Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope, Chief Rabbi etc) who is moderate in outlook and measured in speech. If muslims got themselves a head spokesperson instead of multitudinous self-appointed big-mouthed extremists then that would help. The religion allows itself to be misrepresented.

"All I care about is being able to practise my faith and respecting all others"

Could you respect the pedant in me and type 'you' not 'u'. Tis very annoying.

Sakura · 09/09/2010 10:04

THat's pretty funny, Coalition Grin

Sakura · 09/09/2010 10:06

that's a really good point senua. I remember about 5 years ago and the media was obsessed with this ranting extremist muslim. He was a one-eyed scarface. I think he actually had a hooked arm as well. A proper piratey looking chap. I think he was a lone preacher or something. My muslim mate groaned every time he was on. The BBC lapped him up.

SolidGoldBrass · 09/09/2010 10:07

ANd another pedant input here - Sakura it's
TOE the line not TOW the line. The metaphor is about drawing a line over which a person mustn't cross and that person putting their toes right up to the line...

Hullygully · 09/09/2010 10:10

The Satanic Verses was fab, though not as good as Midnight's Children.

I loved Hook Arm Man.

Muslims have the best beards too, don't they?

Sakura · 09/09/2010 10:12

Thanks SGB. My English is shite

EldritchCleavage · 09/09/2010 13:43

Sakura I normally enjoy and agree with your posts, but that Eminem point was incoherent.

I completely sympathise with Eminen's wife, but she didn't lose the case because she has fewer rights than him, or none. She lost because the First Amendment in US law is an unassailable right to say what you want (unlike our Article 10 right here).

Perhaps a better reaction would have been to use her own First Amendment rights to bring out her own single calling him a liar and a twat.

sandybumcrack · 09/09/2010 14:01

If you want to drown the radicals out, you need to shout louder.

Well said ccpccp

We need more Muslims to speak up about the bad side of Islam and the problems caused by certain Muslim comunitys in this country

GothAnneGeddes · 09/09/2010 14:36

Urrrghh!

I am so tired of the 'Muslims need to speak out more'.

We do, all the time, but has it not occurred to you that 'Muslims saying a Bad Thing is Bad', is not major news and hence doesn't get published?

Hello, media agenda! Or are the media only unbiased when it comes to Muslims?

sanielle · 09/09/2010 14:49

I am glad the racist bigot has the right to burn the Koran, but I'm really disgusted that he would choose to. I don't know if it is right for it to be in the news or not. Yes, we could ignore and not give him the media coverage but if we ignore it are we condoning it?

scaryteacher · 09/09/2010 15:44

Sanille, burning a Koran is not racist, as Islam is not a race but a religion.

sanielle · 09/09/2010 15:49

I do understand the difference scaryteacher I didn't say Islam was a race. But I assure you the preacher involved in this instance would not be burning the Koran if the majority of muslims were white.

ccpccp · 09/09/2010 16:01

Not loud enough GothAnneGeddes. Still cant hear you.

Until British muslims are seen to be picking a clear 'side' they will be viewed with distrust by the public and press. An occasional condemnation of an atrocity doesnt cut it when the next day British born muslims are firing on soldiers in Afganistan.

Its unfair I know, but not unsurprising.

scaryteacher · 09/09/2010 16:09

Not from what I've read. He is quoted as saying:
'Instead of us backing down, maybe it's time to stand up. Maybe it's time to send a message to radical Islam that we will not tolerate their behaviour.'' That is anti (radical) Islam, not racist. Unless you know him personally, you really can't assure me that he wouldn't burn the Koran if the majority of Muslims were white.

TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 09/09/2010 16:20

scaryteacher - But isn't that the same as burning the bible as a protest against westboro baptist church?

SolidGoldBrass · 09/09/2010 16:30

I would like to see a few more high-profile Muslims saying 'This man's an idiot, but our faith is not harmed by his stupidity and we should feel sorry for him, not start foaming at the mouth and calling for beheadings because we rather lose the moral high ground then...'

scaryteacher · 09/09/2010 16:33

The Coalition - the point is that it is not racist, it is anti Islamic.

If Muslims or Hindus burned the bible, it wouldn't be racist, it would be ant Christian, which is different.

Am pedantic about this as it came up on the GCSE Re this year and I marked so many answers that couldn't distinguish between being anti religious and racist.

sanielle · 09/09/2010 16:36

I suspect I know more Florida babtists than you ever will. RE teacher or not.

Anyway I stand by my belief that it is racially motivated.

TheCoalitionNeedsYou · 09/09/2010 16:55

scaryteacher - yes, you are right.

sanielle - you might be right to, but we can't tell based on the evidence we've got.

bethjeff · 09/09/2010 18:20

tokyonambu What I am trying to get at is...

Any religious community tends to gather around their chosen holy place... Churches,mosques, temples,shrines... if all religious acts and activisms were centred around these places then those with no interest in them wouldn't have to face it.
Then any 'outsiders' venturing to these buildings would have done so out of their own choice and so would hopefully be more respectful.

I'm aware that it's entirely simplistic but it would be nice and I don't think that it is persecuting anybody. Win win situation!

scaryteacher · 09/09/2010 19:08

I'm sure you think you do Sanielle, but I loathe it when people say 'I can assure you' and then expect me to believe them without any evidence at all that they can assure me about anything. Since when did it get into a pissing contest about who knows the most Americans anyway?

sanielle · 09/09/2010 19:15

Since I am from Florida, and have had to deal with many a babtist.

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