Christopher Hitchens thinks he is being very brave in attacking Islam. So do a lot of other Americans on the right and the on the left. They call the prophet Muhammad a terrorist, the Koran a gospel of violence, and Islam a religion for losers and murderers. Since there is an understandable fear and hostility toward Islamic terrorism in the wake of 9/11, Muslim-bashing has found a big constituency and has now become a very profitable career. Where is the bravery today in denouncing Islam?
Contrast the Islam-bashers on the American lecture circuit with the traditional Muslims who have the courage to take on the Islamic radicals in the Muslim world. The Muslim reformers are doing the really needed work, which is not to get rid of Islam (a ridiculous and impossible project) but to promote traditional Islam over radical Islam. Muslims who are confronting radical Islam in Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are the really intrepid people. Do this and your life can be at stake. No wonder that Hirsi Ali attacks Islam from the safe precincts of the American Enterprise Institute in Washington D.C. Is Irshad Manji all that brave for letting the Muslims have it on her radio show in Canada? "Yes," these valiant souls will no doubt say, "but I've gotten hate mail and even death threats." Welcome to the club, ladies. I'm more impressed with the ordinary Iraqis who face snipers, car bombs, and suicide attackers on a daily basis.
Yes, there are wimps on the American college campus and in various European quarters who kowtow to radical Muslim demands. But these invertebrates cannot say no to anyone, not just Muslims. They are captive to a politically correct, multicultural ideology. The same people who allow black radicals to take over the college library and call for "death to the white man" are the same ones who view calls to Islamic jihad as just another expression of "diversity." The remedy here is not "courage" but rather a recognition that the institutions of freedom need to be defended against political assault.
Hitchens is a witty and erudite columnist. But Islam-bashing in the online magazine Slate or in Vanity Fair? No courage is required there.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 9)
31. Seth, thanks for your comment. I have to say, though, that Islam is Islam is Islam. Mohammedans believe that the Koran is the actual, literal word of "Allah," and therefore can NEVER be tampered with in any way, shape or form. Thus the Islam of Old must be the Islam of Today as the Koran never changes. Which is also why "reform" is impossible in Islam. The Koran says "Slay the Infidel" and the Mohammedans ain't gonna change that! Even though, of course, the author of said Koran is Mohammed. That's why I refer to them as Mohammedans. "Allah" is a pre-Islamic pagan Moon deity, an idol, doesn't exist, which Mohammed used for his own purposes in order to be called a "prophet."
Also, Mohammed wasn't "something of a warlord" - he was a bond fide Warlord and terrorized, beheaded, murdered, raped, thieved, pillaged, etc as Warlords do. Took slaves, had concubines. If I may I'd like to suggest this book to you, "The Truth About Muhammed."
Seth, you also refer to "Christians' BMW's, large houses, jewelry" as though these material possessions are strictly for (wealthy) Christians. Do you have any idea the multitude of lavish cars, palaces, jewelry etc of wealthy ARABS??? So, please.
To Ed, thank you for your compliments. I have read and studied a lot on this subject matter, and I appreciate your recognizing that. Uh huh, I'm telling the truth about Islam and I'm not going to be intimidated by Ibrahim Hooper or any ignorant Western Mohammedan Moonbat Apologist. Sort of like Mr. d'Souza.
Stephanie at 12:56PM on Aug 1st 2007
32. The only ones afraid to criticize Islam are those who afraid of a revenge attack if you say anything about their Prophet or descredit their Islam political religious practices for Muslim Islam community fidelity. Their way or no way for the infidels does not show much love or tolerance for others.
Alan Klaus at 1:01PM on Aug 1st 2007
33. Aminy - the "9/11 conspiracy," the London bombings "a hoax" - OK, you're nuts. Don't bother addressing a comment to me again because I won't waste my time reading your fantastical idiocy.
BOB - GREAT COMMENT. I don't have to go to Karachi or Islamabad to understand what you are saying, in the same way I would not have had to go to Nazi Germany. Be careful, please. You are very heroic.
Right - Populate and Dominate. In a word, Demographics. Which is exactly why ALL Mohammedan immigration to the U.S. and other Western nations should be stopped NOW. Live in your own crapistans, why don't you? Mohammedans come to the West and all they do is complain. Fine, stay in your own putrid crapistans and worship your Murder god that doesn't exist!
Stephanie at 1:08PM on Aug 1st 2007
34. Mohammed was alot like Warren Jeffs and Jim Jones. He started a cult and was able to use warfare to expand it. Jeffs father started their cult and thru breeding and foolishness have expanded it to 12,000 people. Imagine if he could have intimidated his neighboring town with death or conversion how many he would have had today. Give it 1400 years. That's where cults become religion.
Gail Duituturaga at 1:28PM on Aug 1st 2007
35. What a shame it is that God has been hijcked by religiosities that parade themselves as peacemakers. Jesus would be embarrassed. As would be Mohammed as well. I know I certainly am, and I am but one peaceful person that hesitates to criticize anything I do not understand.
web jones at 1:29PM on Aug 1st 2007
36. I can't believe how unfounded the claims in this article are. I will let others go into detail about these specious arguments as I don't have time and I'm tiring religion apologists. I just want to show support for Hitchens, free speech, rational thinking and secular values in general.
cyboman at 1:35PM on Aug 1st 2007
37. The world public's perception of and response to Islam rests with the faithful more than the unbelievers. When the faithful fail to challenge a group of other faithful who present a negative and hostile view of Islam to the world Islam is perceived and believed to be a negative and hostile belief system. This becomes the reality of Islam. This is true for any belief system or religion.
When Islam is critized around the world based upon the world's perception of the behaviors and intolerance of its members its an indication large segments of the world have a negative perception of Islam. It takes courage to take a public position against anything. Particularly in times of political correctness. Its takes even greater courage to critize Islam when the perception is that to do so may place your life and/or those of your loved ones at risk. No one has the right to say its more dangerous to take such a position in Baghdad than Paris, Rome, Detroit, or London.
Every citizen of the world has the obligation and right to critizw and/or praise behaviors and events in the world which negatively impact the quality of life for significant citizens of the world. This is particularly true regarding the right of self expression. Where are the significant voices of the "traditional" and/or "Moderate" Muslim when we need them ? Where are their challenges to the radical Muslim elements ? Why must the world have greater responsibility to "clean" their dirty house than them ?
Michael at 1:34PM on Aug 1st 2007
38.
To EVERYONE criticizing Islaam, please take a few minutes to at least do some research on Islaam. To save you time, I even provided some links that will help you at least prove your point. Before criticizing someone about not having opened the Qur'aan in their lives, please do it yourself first. If you still believe that Islaam is a relgion of hatred, violence, oppression, etc., please show your proof, and everyone will be able to judge afterwards, as I have already provided the links as reference.
Mahen
Mahen at 1:36PM on Aug 1st 2007
39. i dont see where you hippies come from . you base whatever u say on cnn and fox, start rambling on and on and on about nonsense stuff, u know nothing about islam and what it means to be a muslim, you dont know what your religion is about so there really is no point trying to criticise someone else s. You find it easy to justify the crusades let me remind you of the pope who sent ten thousand kids on a crusade during that time period, i dont understand why he would ? radical shall i call him that ? How can you forget Ireland ? Catholic Protestant violence ? ring a bell ? Why wasnt John Paul stopping the Catholics from killing the Protestants in a Western country ? even if he was why did it not influence the irish ? The first attack on the trade center, the guy wasnt a muslim now was he ? Can you expplain : the kkk, the crusades the catholics ?. A conviction of heresy, seen as treason against Christendom, could involve penalties ranging from a fine to a sentence of capital punishment such as burning at the stake administered by the state. you seem content with crtisizing some other religion without lookin into your, say something when you actually have factual knowledge on something, dont forget how charlamagne ordered the beheading of 4500 people who were supposedly infidels.
This guy posted a coment saying that he did not know of any christian terroristt organizations, wel let me name a few for you : KKK, NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT OF TIRPURA, LORDS RESISTANT ARMY, FRERDOMITES, CHRISTIAN PATRIOT. THE CRUSADES, SPANISH INQUISITION THE REFORMATION. thesse groups that i have named above practice: advocated white supremacy, antisemitism, racism, homophobia, and nativism. Chrisitans have legitimized slavery through the Bible for hundreds of years but no one seems to notice that , but they are all very critical of the last ten years or so where islamic radicalism has surfaced.
asim at 1:37PM on Aug 1st 2007
40. Megan and others,
This is how muslims, unrestrained by the rule of law that exists in western civilizations, take it upon their own to deal with a claim of Koran desecration:
http://www.franciscansinternational.org/news/article.php?id=928
And in the above incident, the claim that the koran was desecrated was a fabrication in order to get retribution against some Christians.
How dare D'Souza call anyone else a coward. He is as spineless as a jellyfish.
A person who is without courage, must be, by simple logic, a coward. So now he is calling Hitchens and Hirsi Ali and all those who dare criticize the so called religion of Islam cowards.
I think most of us know who the real coward is around here.
Brian at 1:40PM on Aug 1st 2007
41. While I admire many of Mr. D'Souza's articles, I feel compelled to point out a simple truth that he seems to be overlooking. If it is so easy to criticize "radical" Islam in the U.S., why don't we hear outrage from more American Muslims?
Everyday in the papers I can find news slanted to be critical of U.S. "imperialism" or Israeli "zionism." But even when some Islamic nut-job blows him/herself up it is reported as a statistic to prove how badly America or Israel is performing on the world stage. NEVER is an article citical of O.B.L. or his wannabes. It seems to me that when Ibn-al-Nutcase blows himself/herself up, it is "reported". When America/Israel responds it is almost always negatively editorialized. This has the effect of turning "Ibn" into a folk-hero, especially among Muslims and American/Israel into Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Stephen at 2:03PM on Aug 1st 2007
42. Mehan,
Proof you ask?
Well start here http://www.thereligionofpeace.com
then try here: htto://www.jihadwatch.org
then try here: http://www.faithfreedom.org/
want more, just ask
Brian at 1:43PM on Aug 1st 2007
43. People, the Mohammedan "Mahen" above asked for "proof" yesterday on the "islamic fundamentalist" entry and commenter Larry Houle provided that "proof" in spades. So, if you'd like to read the MANY Koranic quotations provided in that entry proving Islam to be a "religion" of Terrorism, Slaughter, Death to Infidels, etc etc go to the "islamic fundamentalist" entry of yesterday.
Hey Mahen - could you stop asking for "proof?" It was provided yesterday. So, stop repeating yourself like a broken record, OK? Great.
Stephanie at 1:47PM on Aug 1st 2007
44. Brian - may I guess who's the real coward here?
It's, it's... dhimmi d'Souza!
Stephanie at 1:49PM on Aug 1st 2007
45. To Stephanie and Bob,
To Bob first: Now look at the logistics of what you are doing and ask yourself, do you really think the people of Pakistan or any 3rd to 2nd world country (no offense to Pakistan but it is not really up to par) would welcome your presence, as someone trying to convert other people's beliefs, the keyword changing their lifestyles they are so accustomed to. It is sad but a majority of Islamic nations are riddened with poverty due to governmental and politcal dilemmas. Case in point, Afghanistan has been war torn for 40 years, but thanks to the American occupation, Opium production has skyrocketed to 400% more than prior to the US invasion.
And ahh Stephanie, my love, why so baffled by the conspiracy? It is sometimes best to see beyond the news, beyond the papers, beyond it all and start thinking for yourself. But as Johnny Cash said it best, "Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still. Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still. Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still. Listen to the words long written down, When the man comes around." Thus i shall leave with that and that alone. And Stephanie as soon as i find the video i will post it up so you will hopefully live no longer blind. Many times in history, governments have created panic as well as a scapegoat to succeed in own political and personal agendas. We are witnessing history repeat itself with many false flags, and Islam being the scapegoat. My two cents, let your voice be heard.
Aminy at 1:52PM on Aug 1st 2007