Turning Us Into Them
Published February 10, 2006
Make no mistake, we are involved in a war, sometimes it manifests itself in terrorist violence and sometimes it manifests itself in cultural confrontation. On the one side is a messy, unfocused, moving in a million different direction democratic society that purports to respect people's opinions to the point where one can do and say just about anything. That anything includes making slanderous statements, making fun of racial groups, ethnic groups and religions. That is what makes us who we are.
On the other side is a culture that is theocratic, dictatorial, sexist, uncompromising, racist and in its more extreme manifestations more than willing to kill those it disagrees with. That culture is currently on the war path. It is attacking us in every way it can, using our own diversity and openness against us whenever it has an opportunity. If a person or newspaper publishes something controversial, no matter how small or insignificant, Muslim fundamentalists use it to inflame the passions of their team. It is a simple tactic solidifying an "us versus them" mentality. They want the people of the region to see themselves under attack. In addition, the extremists are trying to get Western cultures to submit to their value systems.
It is hypocritical for Westerners to apologize for the very thing that makes our culture what it is, with all its warts. We value diversity, and as hard as it is, we also value the right of people to say and do outrageous and insulting things. For us to condemn and/or begin to morally restrict it begins a process of turning us into that which we truly do not respect, which is that fundamentalist attitude.
We are certainly aware of the physical threat that Muslim fundamentalists pose to the West. I am not so sure that we are aware of how they intend to expand the playing field to include a cultural assault as well. I certainly hope that we are more prepared for that one than the other. As fundamentalist political movements in Muslim countries gain strength, e.g. Iran, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, we should be aware that they will use their influence and power to move beyond their own borders and into the west. The growing immigrant communities throughout Western Europe provide a fertile breeding ground. As more Muslims move into Europe it will be even easier for clerics to push disgruntled immigrants to pressure their governments into making concessions to Islamic mores, including the restriction of freedoms of the press and speech. In such a scenario they definitely win.
- Turning Us Into Them
- Published: February 10, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Politics
- Writer: Chip Spear
- Chip Spear's BC Writer page
- Chip Spear's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Wow is that so??? I've never killed anything bigger than a rat.
I must be reading a highly edited version of the Quran, cause it never told me to kill anyone...........hahaha :-)
I guess all this IslamaPhobia is what similar to what native people have been feeling for centuries when christain missonaries run around the planet IMPOSING christianity on them forcing them to give up their ancient customs and faiths.
what a shame. You feel like they felt.
By the way, what happened to all those millions of non-christian native americans? where did they go? Oh, I get it, you all had a right to rape and rob them and IMPOSE your religion on them because you are white and you are better than natives and blacks.
This whole controversy is a FRAUD! The cartoons were published Oct. 17 in Egypt and passed without adverse muslim reaction. This is a manufactured controversy, invented for their own vile purposes by lying crybabies.
Look here:
Hey Bliffle,
Speaking of FRAUDS.....
The missing WMD's in Iraq!!!
The thing that kinda shocked me was, I was waiting for Bush's boy Rumsfield to have some WMD's planted in Iraq to justify the invasion. I just knew that after they didn't find any (and they already knew there were none), they would plant their own "smoking gun". But I guess they didn't have to once they got the masses of dumb american people to go along with the LIE! All that mattered was them getting that oil. LIE, KILL & STEAL..... that's the American way!
P.S. i'm a decendant of slaves born in America. I'm not an Arab.....so don't blame arabs for my statement...........lol
I didn't know that I condoned in my article the despicable genocide of Native Americans by Europeans when they came to North America. Nor did I know that I condoned the actions of arrogant christian missionaries trying to convert the so-called heathens.
What I know I dispise (I actually dispise most all religions though not spirituality) is any religious structure that is theocratic, does not strongly believe in equality of gender, race, or culture. I dispise any religion that does not respect an individuals own right to think, dress, and eat what they want. I also don't feel that any religious structure should have anything to do with governing, which means clear separation of church and state. I don't like religions who would allow men to stone women to death when they were raped by a man. I also would condemn any religion which would advocate some religious decree to kill others for writing something or drawing pictures, no matter how stupid, idiotic or tasteless those pictures or articles or books, might be. (Sticks and stones may break my bones....and all that).
"you all" is not me, nor anyone I know.
As far as WMD, nothing excuses the lying done by those jackasses. Lying, killing and stealing is not my way, and I am an American, so are a lot of others who think like I do. It is definitely not my "American Way".
Too bad you are so angry. There is certainly a lot to be angry about these days. It is clear that you care a lot and have tremendous energy, I hope you turn it into something positive.
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I couldn't agree more. Muslims are religous fanatics, they will kill and beleive they are doing it for Allah and following the directions of the fales prophet Muhammed.