Religion
In reply to the discussion: Please note: [View all]LeftishBrit
(41,205 posts)Last edited Mon Jul 1, 2013, 02:30 PM - Edit history (1)
what Islamophobia usually refers to, is not criticism of Islam but the stirring up of hatred against Muslim immigrants (and sometimes just people who look as though they might be Muslims) in the West. So it tends to be an excuse for racism, if not racism itself.
I agree that all ideologies must be subjected to open free discussion with regard to their value or otherwise; but sometimes it is really the people, not the ideology, that are attacked.
Thus:
Real criticism of Catholicism as an ideology is fine; but sometimes 'Catholics' is really used as a code-word for 'dirty Irish/ Italians/ non-Anglo-Saxons'.
Real criticism of Zionism as an ideology is fine; but sometimes 'Zionists' is really used as a code-word for 'jooooooos'
Real criticism of Communism as an ideology is fine; but McCarthy turned anti-Communism as an excuse for a witch-hunt.
Real criticism of Islam as a religion, or Islamism as a political ideology is fine, but people like the EDL and Pamela Geller turn it into an excuse for an anti-immigrant witch-hunt.