We need a response to terrorism that addresses the problem without demonizing an entire religion.

[ericson00]

197. I don't condone ideas expressed in the holy texts of Christianity and Judaism;

Last edited Mon Jul 18, 2016, 04:46 AM - Edit history (1)

however, I think there is a simple way to tell when criticism of Islam (as widely practiced, not theory; in theory, all religions are guilty) is principled and serious vs when its for the wrong reasons.

1. Does the person believe the lie that if one's dad is a Muslim, that one is permanently and immutably Muslim?
2. Does the person talk up how great Christianity is supposedly when he bashes Islam?
3. Does he talk about turning the ME to glass?
4. Does he cite poor sources, like Center for Security Policy, rather than good sources like Pew (this usually applies when discussion polling)?

If the person does any of those things, then yea its conservative bigotry.

But just as progressives can and should be frank about politics and violence associated with extremisms of stripes Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, it can be done with Islam too, and it must.

It is true that according to International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, a majority (but not all) of the countries on this map in red are heavily Muslim countries and all dark red ones are; it is also true that nearly all countries in this map presently with apostasy/blasphemy laws are heavily Muslim countries. It is true from this map that the heavily Muslim Middle East/North Africa is the most anti-Semitic region in the world. It is also true some pretty vile stuff is rather mainstream in the Muslim world, clips which you can see.

The paragraph above is not about holy texts; its about practice. A far smaller percentage on non-Muslim countries, whatever their religion, have such human and civil rights situations.

Does pointing this out mean that one hates all individual Muslims, or wants to ban all of them from stepping foot in this country? No. But if Democrats want to lose, then we can stifle such discussion. There is merit to criticizing political and militant Islam, and the GOP and conservatives must not be allowed to own this discussion.

Some people often say "what you say is correct but what is the solution?" Several remedies are simple; anyone who attacks in the name of militant strain of any religion (but these days it is mostly likely to be Islam) is a terrorist and must be hunted down. Also, in terms of immigration policies, personal/societal views, social media posts, etc are fair game for people who haven't entered yet (because they don't have US constitutional rights until they're here). Another remedy is to empower moderate Muslims, particularly apostate on LGBT/women/speech/conversion/Israel-Palestinians via asylum, even those who risk death at fatwas, and protect with security, and give them a platform.

The remedies mentioned above are not in any way, going to war with a quarter of the world population, you'll notice.