UI – Part 289 – IslamophobiaPHOBIA
How They Do Object?
How often do we hear Muslims, more the Islamists reacting to any criticism, written, drawn (cartoons), spoken, or even inferred of Islam. A comment, even if not negative, but raising questions, can refer to Muhammad, Allah, the Quran or even the actions of Islamist terrorists. They are constant in the din of their response that they are victims of prejudice. This is from a group of ideologues that spew hatred towards Jews, Christians, and even their own if not in conformity with the feelings of the more powerful. How quick they are to react; how vocal they are in response being most vindictive on their own; and how often they grossly exaggerate the extent of the expressions they target. They are active too in attempting to have laws passed in places like the UK, Belgium, Germany, France, the USA, and more declaring negative comments towards Islam be forbidden, classified as hate speech.
Why are these people so sensitive? Is it a matter of intellect, lack of confidence, insecurity, a coerced understanding of their own ideology, a questioning of their own beliefs and lifestyle, or an action inherent in the nature of the Muslim, an instilled instinct, to defend even that which they may not fully comprehend?
Autocratic
Historically Islam has been characterized by autocratic, even tyrannical leaders, who do not take well to dissent. Those that disagree are infidels. Even on a one-on-one situation, if the two parties are not in total agreement, one then is an infidel. They become as Inigo Montoya of The Princess Bride, “Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father! Prepare to die!”, but in the case of the Islamist the Father is anything they conjure up as disagreeable, “Hello my name is Muhammad, if you like, You criticized my Example, Prepare to die!” The ‘example’ is the terrorist Muhammad, a 7th century trader and reformed believer finding god in the form of Allah, the one who enabled him to kill to make the world All for Allah, and him. Allah was the focal point, as God of the Jews and Christians, a convenience to justify vile acts of revenge for perceived persecution by his own family. His family, the Quraysh, only wanted him to stop disrupting their business, their livelihood, and trade conducted with a multitude of factions who came together, in plurality, to conduct their business in peace. He disturbed the peace, was called for it, became upset, would not stop and finally sought revenge. This may have been the start of Islamophobia, although the term ‘Islam’ had not been used at that time. Call it “Muhammadophobia.’
Christians, Jews and Persecution
Christians are informed by their Scripture that being different will be noticed by others. As a result, because of their belief in Christ, accepting Christ as the Risen Lord, even though proven, knowing Christ and God are one, and proclaiming their faith, would bring criticism. They would be persecuted. “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18). The expression to ‘turn the other cheek’ is from the bible as well. It recognizes there will be those who attack Christians, but the reaction should be one of humility, not revenge. Strength through humility is much different from the Islamic concept of strength. Islam calls for strength to be used to overcome the weak, not to protect them. Certainly this is not to suggest the Christian, the infidel, should stand defenseless.
May I refer you to a website on Christians and Self-Defense (read more: http://www.biblicalselfdefense.com/). Excerpts: Psalm 82:4 “Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” The question is asked, “Does the believer have an obligation to resist evil and to protect life?” Exodus 22:2 2 “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.” Esther 8:11-12 11 “By these letters the king permitted those who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives — to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them…and to plunder their possessions…” More: Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” Psalm 18:34 “He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Skill and ability to use weapons here, whether literal and/or metaphorical, is positively portrayed in these verses.
The conclusion is that Christians can defend themselves. Jews too. From a biblical perspective it is not an immediate reaction to persecution that suggests arming oneself with weapons and taking action. It is for self-defense. Not a preventative measure, but in reaction to physical attacks. This is not how the Islamist sees it. They justify pre-emptive strikes to extirpate the infidel. What the Bible also tells its followers is that man’s place with God, though, will depend on having a heart for god, believing in Christ and understanding the gift of salvation given those who so believe. Fellowship with God, a relationship with God, is primary. If in defense the Christian becomes a warrior, once the enemy yields, then seeking peace is the only objective – not continued retribution.
Islamophobia
Muslims refer to those who criticize Islam, even write as I do raising questions and concerns, as Islamophobic. Like Aquaphobic, having a fear of water, the phobia, or fear, of an Islamophobic is that of Islam itself. There may be some truth to that – I feel justified. But it is not necessarily a fear of Muslims. So Muslimophobia is not the concern. Islamophobia cannot be hate speech as it is aimed at a concept, an ideology or a structure for a lifestyle. It is not aimed at individuals. Terrorists are revolting and condemned for their actions. Thus Islamophobia is towards an ideology, not the people, unless they are extremists and their outward actions and proclamations are subject to question, especially clarification and justification. To say their claims are based on what Allah says, or Muhammad says, may not be sufficient justification.
Islam – with all their accessories – what is there to fear?
Muhammad was a mortal, not divine. He took actions that from history can be characterized as terrorist. He raided caravans to take their money and goods and grow his army. He killed and took women and children as slaves. His actions culminated in taking revenge on his family in Mecca, forcing them to convert, to accede to his wishes, to obey the family moon-god Allah, but now as the Most Supreme god of the Muhammadians.
There were laws, they were Muhammad’s laws. Manmade laws and not god’s laws – even though there were those adapted from the Bible. He credited Allah. As Islam grew there were interpretations and collections of sayings and examples of Muhammad’s extremist views and actions that filtered into the lifestyle and ideology that today is called Islam. What is most unusual is how Islam announces it is by Allah’s decree, thus ordained by the supreme being, and to be so honored, obeyed and respected. Scholars of Islam very often differ on the correct path. They are definitely not united. Why wouldn’t there be questions, criticisms, or concerns from what the ulema preach to the audience that call themselves Muslims?
Suppression of Freedom of Speech
The call then of Islamophobia is an attempt to suppress Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Thought, and to avoid any questions being raised that might bring doubt towards this ideology. The Quran expresses it as follows, “We have indeed revealed to thee clear messages and none disbelieve them except the transgressors.” (Q. Sura 2.99) So question and transgress against God. Beware! “Oh you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority from among you.” (Q. Sura 4.59). This suggests the source for all answers. No thinking on your own as a Muslim. “O you who believe, ask not about things which if made known to you would give you trouble; and if you ask about them when the Quran is being revealed, they will be made known to you.” (Q, Sura 5.101) The concern clearly noted here is exposure to other faiths or beliefs systems could alter your faith in Islam, so do not do it. Muslims are told not to even consider other religions for fear it might make them convert. Thus there is no freedom in Islam.
The propaganda machine of Islam makes every effort to posit comments towards Islam as hate speech. It is to be condemned, to be stopped and to be suppressed. They desire hating something to be the same as hating someone.
IslamophobiaPHOBIA
IslamophobiaPHOBIA simply put is the fear by Islamists, Muslim scholars, that Muslim eyes might be opened to the reality of the world, exposed to truer faiths; true religions compared to the ideology of Islam, and even find the pathway to salvation available when believing in the perfect Isa as divine. It is also why the 2nd Caliph, Umar, made it a law that persons who proselytized a faith other than that of the Muhammadians (Islam) would be subject to persecution. It all deals with controlling the masses of lemmings following Muhammad down a path of destruction towards Allah’s heaven.
Others who refer to Allah’s Heaven as Satan’s Hell are interpreting the Quran, the history of Islam, the life of Muhammad and the many writings (Hadiths), as have many a Muslim scholar (ulema), but with a different outcome, a different consensus, and one that does not follow the suggested path of Islam as they do. How are they in error? They may be more correct in fact, when compared to the vast array of interpretations of Islam already in play. It is more fodder for debate than hatred.
Another’s viewpoint – that of Roger L. Simon (Read)
All a Matter of Interpretation
Islamophobia could then be understood as a fear the Islamists interpreters are wrong. They themselves could be Islamophobic of those who see Allah as Satan, or Allah and god of the Bible not the same, or the Sharia just laws promulgated by humans for their own selfish wants, and not God’s intended. Islam may be the laws of the devil and the Muslims leaders are Satan’s beasts. All a matter of interpretation.
Grace and Peace.
Wake Up! Wake Up! 