to suggest that if we start to hate eachother, the terrorists have won?

[perfectlybroken]

Having glanced at some of the threads on here since the Paris attack, I can't help feeling we are eating into their hands. Their actions, while tragic in their consequence only become far reaching if they increase suspicion and hatred between Muslims and non-Muslims. I'm amazed by the suggestion that many Muslims support these attacks. Dh and I are Muslim and we have never met a single person, here or abroad, who has agreed with the terrorist attacks of the last few years. If I did meet someone like this I would tell the police.
Could I ask everyone to remember that most humans want to live in peace and know that they and their children are safe and want the same for others too? Thank you.

[SlaggyIsland]

grimbletart I would agree... but then I think of for instance the way crude anti-Semitic cartoons were one of the propoganda tools in Germany in the thirties. And then I feel a bit uncomfortable with a particular religious group being fair game for mockery.

[SlaggyIsland]

Sorry that was TheBody that said that not grimble.

[500Decibels]

I think if that's the type of magazine you're running and you mock everyone then fair enough. Freedom of speech. But I don't think it should be generally acceptable to insult and mock everyone as where would we get as society if we all did that?
Let's all insult black people, mock Jewish people, belittle and insult gay people. Freedom of speech allows you to do that but respect for other people should be encouraged more.

[CaffeLatteIceCream]

It's not actually a particular religious group being mocked, is it? It's all of them. Only one particular religious group reacts with murder.

Self-censorship in the form of calling other people racists, "Islamophobes" and bigots simply for giving an opinion you don't personally like does indeed mean the terrorists have won.

Mumsnet is particularly appalling for this and always has been.

OP...the only people who have shown hate are the types on this thread....calling people names simply for putting forward a different point of view. Instead of smugly telling yourself what morally superior women you are, I think you should be ashamed.

And I mean that.

[SlaggyIsland]

Caffe, I'm afraid I couldn't disagree more strongly and it's certainly not that I've found problematic with many of the threads on here over the last few days.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Nope not ashamed in the slightest. Sorry

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Actually no not sorry.

What a horrible pompous post.

[Twuntosaur]

Caffe

"Only one particular religious group reacts with murder."

Eh? These idiots who carried out this despicable shooting were as Muslim/connected to an actual legitimate religious group as my socks (which are not very Muslim)

They drank, smoke, took drugs, committed petty crimes - sound like any Qu'ran respecting super-religious Muslim to you? Try (and I mean this kindly) educating yourself on the history between France and Algeria, France's treatment of minorities and you may see how it's possible for disillusioned youth to be radicalised.

[holeinmyheart]

During the Troubles the IRA reacted by murdering people and so did the UDA. As a Caucasian Protestant living in the UK no one blamed me for the murders in Ireland or my English Catholic friends. No one asked me to apologise.

To blame all the Muslims in this country or worldwide for what has happened in Paris is ridiculous.
The Terrorists are mad deluded Murderers without any recognisable religion.
Je Suis Charlie! But with responsibility as Wil Self said.

[SlaggyIsland]

I've been doing a lot of reading about Frace and Algeria over the last couple of days. It's been eye-opening stuff.
Unfortunately I think news events are often reported as standalone with no context given.
Not that I'm remotely suggesting any of this excuses the murders, before anyone suggests that I am. But I've found it useful to understand the issues of the tensions in France with the French-Algerian communities, and the difficulties they face in French society.

[Twuntosaur]

And OP I couldn't agree with you more

Whoever orchestrates these kind of attacks want to create division. If the Western world turns against Muslims as a group, it creates division, segregation, angry citizens on both sides. The jihadists then have ripe pickings of new recruits who want to fight back against this discrimination and so the cycle continues. The best way to fight this kind of attack could well be to do things like the march today in Paris, to show unity and that we will love each other and stand together regardless of the terrorist's efforts.

I actually wonder if the news stations changed the way they reported these events it could help. Rather than shouting "Terrorist!" and publishing the killers names and pictures again and again, giving them notoriety, what if they report it as "a random lunatic has committed an awful act," unconnected to any group or religion, cutting off the oxygen of publicity at its source.

[500Decibels]

I also don't think the media should use the term 'Jihadist' as that's giving them the status they want!

[ChickenMe]

Twuntosaur*

Unfortunately the Paris killers would probably disagree with you; they indeed do not represent Muslims or any normal Muslim to any right minded individual. But it would be as foolish to ignore the connection to Islam they themselves have made. It would be equally as foolish for Europeans to ignore the pertinent issue you have raised of France's treatment of minorities. Both are relevant.

[PacificDogwood]

The terrorists are 'muslims' in the same way as termination clinic attackers are 'christians'.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Eh? These idiots who carried out this despicable shooting were as Muslim/connected to an actual legitimate religious group as my socks (which are not very Muslim)

And once again we have people deciding what religion other people can be.

Aside from the arrogance of deciding for other people your reasoning is flawed. Do you think no Muslim ever broke Islamic rules? Is a Muslim who steals for example, no longer a Muslim?

[Twuntosaur]

Back I hardly think that every Muslim leader etc who has denounced their actions as unIslamic, bringing shame on Islam is my arrogance really is it.

Do you think their actions are typical of your average Muslim then?

[ChickenMe]

Yes I have been reading about France and Algeria too. Uncomfortable reading. I hope that recent-immigrant communities in the UK do not feel like that. People seem to rub along pretty well in London at least-well that's my perception? But I think there may be issues with isolation in Bradford and West Mids?

[machair]

I agree that we need to stand together and not let these evil people stir up trouble. But if the journalists were living in a Muslim country and published these images there, most likely they would be sentenced to death, although they would have a "trial" first.

[500Decibels]

Apparently all Muslims are reciting the Koran wondering how to kill their next infidel.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Twuntosaur Islam doesn't have leaders. It has people with opinions.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Oh and google Islam. There's lot of interesting stuff to learn. For example you might look up Sunni and Shia if you thought all Muslims were identical.

[simontowers2]

YABU. All i have seen on other threads is people debating a very contentious issue. Yes the debate has got heated and strong views have been expressed. But nothing wrong with that IMO. After all, we are all adults are we not?

[Twuntosaur]

Please continue twisting words to utterly miss the point back

Enjoy, enjoy!

[PacificDogwood]

I don't think that looking to history helpful in showing a way forward otherwise the crusades will come up and the empire and who knows what.
I think it would be far healthier to focus on treating your neighbour as you would like to be treated yourself.
I believe the Quaran makes similar suggestions to the bible in that respect.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

It's kind of ironic that with people being accused all over the place of assuming all Muslims are identical that a Muslim who acts differently is no longer allowed to be a Muslim.