Some 30,000 Germans protest against anti-Islam rallies

[DVDGuy]

10. But is it really a threat?

I've also seen them at just about any rock band, or secular comedian, or anything they don't think is wholesome. Let's not even mention Westboro Baptist Church and all their hate crimes in the name of "god". I know some people like think these some of these same kinds of behavior aren't happening with evangelical radical Islamic groups in Europe, but they are, they so are, and there's plenty of video proof of it all over the internet, all but few clicks on google will most certainly reveal from multiple sources.

There is no doubt that there are those that seek to impose their brand of religious fervor on others, and that's not acceptable regardless of whether they are so called Christians (Westboro Baptist Church, like you mention) or Muslims.

But my question is that is it really such a serious threat that we need thousand people marches, or is the kind of "threat" that the ilk of Faux News likes to exaggerate to inflame the public, and for their own political gains?

You mention these "kooks", Westboro and these "holier than thou" individuals, and I think everyone here is aware of them, but none of us are worried that their brand of hate will ever be anything more than a fringe element. Certainly nothing to be afraid of, nothing that needs a 30,000 people march, and no actions that could inflame the already rather tedious culture wars. Do you really think that Sharia has any chance to succeed in Western democracies, even when, say, the building of Islamic community center gets opposed these days?

But let's not kid ourselves. While there are genuine concerns, and we should all oppose some elements that Sharia represents (such as the treatment of women, and its attack on our core democratic values), but many that promoted, attended and marched in the protest have motivations that are far less innocent that that of you and I. Their hope, as always, is to use these incidents to strike up resentment between extremists on both sides of the fence, hoping for acts of violence or retribution. There are always those that seek to use this and other non-threats as a wedge issue to stoke up fear, hate and resentment in society, initially aimed at those that most accept as "extreme", but over time, expand their circle of hate ever wider to eventually encompass an entire race or religion or anything that they classify as "different".

We can all share the same sense of opposition against Sharia (although to be honest, I have to say I don't know enough about it to pass judgement, at least on all aspects of Sharia, without reservation), but we can do so without getting into bed with some truly despicable and hateful groups. Don't become be pawns in their game of hate!