A BIGOT is "strongly partial to his own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ." A Christian, for example, who is intolerant of anyone who is not a Christian, is a bigot. Or anyone who is Chinese and intolerant of anyone who is not Chinese, is a bigot.If the group to which you are partial is your race, then bigotry is the same as racism. There are definitely people trying to stop Islam's relentless encroachment who are motivated by bigotry. But criticism of Islamic doctrine is not bigotry.
Criticism of Islamic teachings is simply religious criticism, which is a perfectly legitimate and worthwhile thing to do in a free country. If I told you that in Buddhism they believe the source of human suffering is the grasping nature of the mind, is that bigotry? Even if I said I think that might be too simplistic and that there may be other causes of suffering, is that bigotry?
No, that's simply discussing religious texts.
And if I say the Quran says (91 times) that Mohammad is a good example of human behavior, is that bigotry? No. Even if I say I don't like that because the historical records of Mohammad's actions aren't something I want to see emulated, is that bigotry? No. We're just talking about a religious text and history.
And if a Muslim says he believes Jews are evil and should be destroyed, is that bigotry? Yes, it is. But what if he says "it must be true, it says so in the Quran," is it still bigotry? Yes. And if I say I don't like that about the Quran, is that bigotry? No. What if I say all Muslims are evil, is that bigotry? Yes. Get the difference?
The reason it seems to many people that anyone criticizing Islam is a bigot is because some bigots have, in fact, criticized Islam. But criticizing Islam, or any religion, does not make anyone a bigot.
I critisize Catholisism because of the "abuse of children" problem. I don't hate them for it.
ReplyDeleteI critisize the Koran because it says "Lying to non-muslims" is encouraged. I don't hate them for it.
Free speach protects the right to critisize.
It also protects Muslims from critisizing other religions.
However, it doesn't protect them from promoting hate crimes any more then it protected the KKK.
You dont criticize Catholicism for the "abuse of children" problem. It is not a tenant of Catholicism! You criticize those involved in it, not the religion. Those abusing children are NOT following their proclaimed religion. Jesus does not tell his followers that it is okay to hurt children, on the contrary.
ReplyDeleteIn Islam, Mohammad is held up as the perfect man & someone all should emulate. Allah told him that he could multimarry & allowed him to marry a child. Because of that, it continues as a tenant to this day, in some places. THAT is an abuse of children problem.
Can you see the difference between the two? Catholicism DOES NOT condone child abuse by ANYONE & when it has happened, it is absolutely against Christian principles. Individual people have done bad things to children but have not done them in the name of Catholicism or to emulate Jesus. HUGE difference. Might seem like a small distinction to someone unfamiliar with Catholicism but it is not.