To want a way to label the reasonable fear of the variety of Islam that wishes to impose Sharia law?

[Oodiks]

I understand that there are different sects within Islam and that while some pose no concerns, others do. I am horrified at the type of Sharia law imposed in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan, which denies women human rights, but it's hard to talk about those reasonable fears without being labelled Islamophobic. It's not unreasonable to fear a religion that imposes such harsh lives on women.

I think something like 75% of British Jews and atheists - and to answer a PP, Judaism does not recruit. Many do however believe that converts were always Jewish their whole lives and are closer to God.

I am an Indian woman affected by this. I live in a predominantly Muslim area, try to just live my life. But, I am targeted by my neighbours. I have been the victim of harassment, for over a decade. Old harassing neighbours move out, new people move in and continue it. I have discovered there are a few families who lead the harassment against me but try to keep hidden. My next door neighbours were outside discussing with a Muslim man about the problem being that I "don't follow the culture and act like English people". This justifies their targeting of me apparently.

I'm just here living my life, single parent with hobbies and two large dogs - which they absolutely hate, and is now the main aim for them after all other avenues failed. They have reported me for dog noise, my dogs are very well trained, all their needs are met, they are not reactive, and very quiet considering they are working line German shepherds. I know their noise complaint will fail, I'm sure they know it too. So now they have begun trying to hit my car, and run me over.
So while many Muslims will say they don't want shariah law in the UK, there is definite harassment of women like me which goes mostly unnoticed. What makes it worse for me, is that I am stubborn, and fight back, strong, independent and confident.

And it's not just the men, not just the old men. It's the women too. A collective agreement that women like me should be squashed.
And I'm not Muslim. I was brought up a Sikh, and am now an atheist.
It depresses me some days, but mostly I'm just very angry

From a psychological perspective this is very interesting OP.

How do you square this circle of fighting anti-semitism on one side and starting posts about 'fear' of Islam on another.

Easily. I was very clear that I don’t have a fear of Islam per se, but of the strand that seeks to impose sharia law.

I don’t see any Jewish sects imposing their laws and customs on others in non Jewish countries. Hell, they barely impose it in the only Jewish nation, which includes Arabs in its government. As far as I’m aware no Jews live in countries with sharia law and they certainly can’t vote.

There are Jewish people living in Muslim countries.

I don't think the left leans towards Islam unless you mean support for Palestinians or support for marginalised communities.

As you know, it's not part of Judaism to proselytise so Jewish people don't seek to convert others or force their faith on others.

I never once said I would ban abortion. And pointed that out on the thread more than once. But some people really struggle to understand nuanced positions.

Out of interest do you all feel the same way about the Beth Din?

Jews don’t expect others to abide by Beth Din laws, so no.

OP you might find a 2015 novel by Michel Houellebecq interesting, titled Submission it's set in France and depicts a future where Islam does take over. And that's sort of a good thing?!

How do you feel about Sharia councils in the UK?

https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2024/11/12/libyan-minister-seeks-mandatory-hijab-and-morality-police/

Let me add one for you, also the Houthis are a particular flavour of islamist nutcases. So add Yemen to your list too. Fucking fools shouting support for Yemen in the UK, they have no idea what it means for girls and women in Yemen

I genuinely don’t understand what point you are making. I live in one of the more deprived boroughs with 30% being Pakistani, 24% being non UK white and 15% being white British.
In what way are white people being forced out of schools or the community?
Thats not my lived experience at all.

Totally agree

I've always found Christianity very freeing

the reformation in the UK and Europe did play a part

The minute anyone mentions some of the threats related to islam, we are labelled islamophobic, which is absolutely ridiculous. There are definitely parts of all branches of islam which are oppressive and abusive, and it's naive to think otherwise. I'll also add that this is the case with most other religions too.

I agree. It’s not an Islamic issue. It’s the misuse of religion to oppress, dominate, control and harm others and all religions have a history of this, even Buddhism. Greed and money can do the same and are part of it. Christianity is currently being used in the USA to reduce women’s reproductive rights.

It is the misuse of religion that is the issue. Most, if not all, religions have kindness and tolerance at their core. My FIL is a preacher as a born again Christian and is the least tolerant and most judgmental and h
unempathic person I know.

Contraception being largely still illegal in Ireland because of religion until into the 90s certainly didn’t feel freeing.

Often people feel free within a religion as they feel they’ve chosen it, what isn’t freeing is when it’s forced upon others.

So much harm has been done by Christianity over the years. In the U.K. it’s evolved but you don’t have to go far back in history to see the harm done.

There are dangers in all religions in terms of misuse of power. Islam in those counties is being misused to subjugate women.

In Ireland that's Catholicism and it was entwined in government and tbh it's quite controlling so I take your point

In UK we have had C of E and Protestantism after reformation which has influenced faith.

Which of the gods, and what human interpretation, are you referring to exactly?

Yes and i totally agree it has done harm but that's usually when it is used in government to control people and populations

People were ill educated and superstitious and life was short

Northern Ireland which was under Westminster rule and had the same laws influenced by Christianity.

Your view of the UK is pretty narrow, it’s not just ireland or Catholicism. Protestant Christianity has pushed some
of the strongest political agendas such as banning abortion, holding down same sex marriage legislation and repeated attempts to suppress evolution in museums in NI.

I watched some of the hate filled 'British Police, go to Hell' 'UK got to Hell' demo Stacey Dooley covered. What I would like to know are where are the counter demonstrations? Why aren't the non extremist Muslims out on the streets 'not in my name' outnumbering them? These people are allowed to be the mouth piece of Islam and are dragging its name through the dirt. They do a lot more damage to the image of Islam than some cartoons do. Why aren't ordinary Muslims up in arms about demos like this and things like death threats to teachers. Why aren't they out on the streets having none of it?

@Completelyjo

I meant from a personal point of view

Also the same sex marriage and abortions are quite difficult issues for some Christians