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 7 of 9)
91. What are we going to do about the Murdering Mohammedans who kill in the name of their God? Or, in the Mohammedans' case, god? allah the pagan moon god that doesn't exist - it's in the name of this limestone pre-islamic idol that the duped, deluded, dumb-as-all-get-out Mohammedans murder.
What are we going to do about the Murdering Mohammedans???
Stephanie at 11:45AM on Aug 2nd 2007
92. I have to say I finished reading Infidal bi Ali. It is the most powerful book and much more damaging to Islam then Rushdie. If it is a peaceful religion than band together and speak out about the atrocities against woman, children and the world. Denounce the fundamentalists openly and give woman their rightful place in the world. According to all I read it seems that muslim men are the most weak minded people who can't control their own libido. Woman have been punished for to long. It has to stop and it need to begin with Islamic community denouncing their own.
dawn at 11:58AM on Aug 2nd 2007
93. Alright!!! Stephanie has my vote for president as she's the 1st person to explain this as it really is. Next, Jane should be her running mate. Muslims should not be let into our country at all. The ones who are here should be deported immediately. They are an insane childish people with dangerous weapons pointed at anyone who disagrees with them, much like liberal democrats.
robrdalton at 12:01PM on Aug 2nd 2007
94. All muslims out of this country NOW!!!
robrdalton at 12:13PM on Aug 2nd 2007
95. Jesus is coming back with a double edged sword and the armies of heaven to take care of these muslim ingrates. Why does everybody think we have to be so nice to everyone? Didn't Jesus use a whip on the temple money exchangers? Here's a link to go to so you can see exactly how much our muslim buddies want to be friends with us.
www.aramnaharaim.org/scholars.htm
robrdalton at 12:35PM on Aug 2nd 2007
96. The implication here is that it has suddenly become fashionable to criticize Islam. Well, I submit that it actually is a trendy thing to be pro-Islamic. I think many people who knew little of the religion before like to defend it because it pisses everyone off. The type of personality to attempt this is very similar to the outspoken radical conservative of 1990's Clinton/Cobain America. That era gave rise to the D'Souzas and Coulters of this world. The anti-political-correctness rabble-rousers. And, much like the Iranian revolution, what seemed like a mere trend has the unfortunate tendency to stick around for decades. So I am not surprised at this stance from our resident blogmeister. He just likes to say anything to piss a majority off.
I am of 100% muslim background, though my parents weren't exactly religious (yes there are some out there, just like the judeo-christian variety) and yet I think it's the stupidest religion going. I am almost looking forward to a cataclysmic holy war in which Christianity wins. How's that for pissing some people off?
There should be a law that requires no law be older than a few hundred years old. Most of religion is like consulting an outdated user manual that sounds corny and obsolete in today's technology. How can you read that stuff and not think that it makes absolutely no sense on its own? In order for it to make any sense, you have to suspend disbelief, endow it with meaning that is, essentially, magical-thinking, and really all these mental gymnnastics, all this effort reveals, perhaps, a life not worth living...or fear of death, or...massive boredom...I dunno...I'm just guessing.
Funda Istvan at 2:28PM on Aug 2nd 2007
97. It seems that the people who do not want to do their research to understand Islaam cannot be convinced otherwise. It is therefore best to leave them be. My only goal was to show that Islaam is a religion that teaches peace, love, tranquility and all the best. If people would rather waste their time trying to use the same verses over and over again (which I have shown in my comments as out of context and in a certain case incorrect), I will let you continue. For all of you who think that Muslims are not banding together to show the real Islaam (to which I have provided for you sources for your convenience), you are completely wrong.
Like I said earlier, there is no benefit in trying to gain the likeness of people by presenting them with false information, as it is only a waste of time, if nothing else. Hence, I will leave the people claiming to know everything about Islaam, including its teachings (and claiming to be well-versed the scriptures), on their own. I have nothing to lose.
If you believe that you can still challenge me, a Muslim who has at least some knowledge about Islaam, I accept your challenge, though I'd prefer it to be a friendly discussion.
Also, if you believe that just because some people, claiming to be following the teachings of a belief system by killing innocent people, actually represent the teachings of the belief system, then you need to open your mind a bit more. Believing so would be equivalent to saying that if a few US Marines desert and kill innocent people for the fun of it, they represent all the teachings of the US Marine Corps, and that they are representative of all the values taught to US Marines. That would simply be ridiculous.
Mahen at 3:09PM on Aug 2nd 2007
98. Who's afraid to criticize Islaam? Well, no one should be, as challenging any belief system should only lead to more knowledge about it. Unless, of course, you already know all that there is to know about every word, or better yet, every letter, pertaining to that belief system.
Also, to whoever believes Islaam is a religion of hatred, violence, corruption, hatred, muder, etc., why are there people other than Muslims backing Muslims? What have they got to gain, especially knowing that Muslims are not the majority in places like America?
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, critiques, etc., please feel free to e-mail me and I will do my best to help.
Ma salaama (with peace),
Mahen
MahenKhan@aol.com
Mahen at 3:29PM on Aug 2nd 2007
99. Hey thanks "robrdalton" for your vote for me as President and Jane as my running mate! Uh Huh - I tell it like it is. NO MOHAMMEDANS IN THE USA.
And so, what are we going to do about these Murdering Mohammedans who mass-murder in the name of their limestone idol god?
And shut-up, Mahen, you're a Mohammedan jackass.
The Mohammedans and stupid Moonbats like "athena"? - Pay no attention to their idiocy. Hey Athena - go put on your black sheet with the eye holes, you stupid PC dingbat! And you better not deviate one iota from what the Mohammedan males tell you or they'll KILL YOU! STUPID MOONBAT DINGBAT.
Mohammedans = Murderers.
Stephanie at 5:07PM on Aug 2nd 2007
100. Why? Because Mohammed was a Murderer. Historical Fact. The Jihadists are just following in the way of their Master - Murdering anyone who disagrees with them. The most intolerant "religion" on Earth bar none - Mohammedanism. People - they worship Mohammed. There is no "allah." That's why I refer to them as Mohammedans.
And as far as "Mahen" with all his "peace" crap, Adolph Hitler used to sign his letters, "With Best Wishes, Adolph." ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS, PEOPLE.
Stephanie at 5:18PM on Aug 2nd 2007
101. "I'm not afraid to criticize Islam either- however I choose to criticise christianity. Muslims are NOT "murderous thugs or butchers" any more than the christians of the Crusades or, more recently, the Holocaust/WWII, or the KKK. Christians are so quick to point out one flawed group of Islamic following that they fail to look at the FAR WORSE christian groups running around our world. We should not be attacking the entire Islam religion, for it is beautiful and deeply rooted in history. What we should be criticizing are radical groups- of ANY religious background."
Your ignorance of history aside (especially about the crusades, try to putting down the pc-filtered crap you've heard in history class and learn the truth), you obviously miss the point of the religions themselves. Jesus preached non-violence and turning the other cheek. Muhammad taught terrorism and slicing the throats of people who disagreed with your faith.
Eddie at 2:57AM on Aug 3rd 2007
102. God (not Allah) bless you Stephanie. Thanks for having the courage to speak the truth to the face of evil and it's mindless minions who prowl these boards.
Eddie at 2:58AM on Aug 3rd 2007
103. Thank You, Eddie! God (not Allah) Bless you, too!
Well, you know, we don't have to confuse "allah" with our Judeo-Christian God (as the Mohammedans do), because we're intelligent enough to know that "allah" the pre-Islamic pagan moon deity limestone idol, doesn't exist. Whereas the Mohammedans are brainwashed sheeple. Generations and generations of brainwashed sheeple.
You sure told it to "Megan" up above. How deserved, as she is so ignorant it's unbelieveable.
Of course you're right - Jesus never harmed anyone and preached non-violence and love. On the other hand, and diametrically opposed, Mohammed murdered thousands (BEHEADINGS) and advocated hating/harming/murdering anyone who wasn't Islamic. You know - the same as the Mohammedans do today.
Thank you again, Eddie. I appreciate very much your comment.
Stephanie at 9:05AM on Aug 3rd 2007
104. My prayers go out to the two utterly miserable unfortunates who will be sitting on either side of Stephanie at this year's Thanksgiving dinner. My advice: nod alot and somehow manage to have food in your mouth at all times, which will give you the perfect excuse not to engage her in conversation.
Richter at 2:20PM on Aug 3rd 2007
105. What's the matter Richter? Truth hurt? Maybe if your stupid ass actually read the koran and studied the life of muhammad you'd realize that stephanie is 100% right. If you continue to defend a religion of death I will have zero sympathy for you when the msulim murders try to slice your head off. In fact, I'll laugh hysterically.
From now on try not to be so stupid.
Eddie at 7:21AM on Aug 4th 2007