My problem with "critics of Islam"

I can accept criticism of my faith and religious beliefs. Muslims do have the moral and intellectual resources, across the religious, political and social spectrum to be able to meet any such challenges that might be posed. Tough questions have been asked in the past and it is no different today  (that is how a tradition develops). There are obvious pitfalls to responding to all criticism, however fiery, with demands for legal protection; conversely Muslim critiques of cultural practices and beliefs would look hypocritical.

However, what some critics of Islam engage in is something else altogether. It is not criticism, to which at least Muslims might be able to respond, but an attempt to portray Muslims as Untermenschen. This is especially true of those who set their sights on Europe's Muslim minorities. Everything, from a lack of housing to rising rape statistics are attributed to the Muslim presence in Europe. If someone commits a crime or struggles at school then the broader questions are asked. If a Muslim does the same, the problems are reduced to the person's faith (which may only be nominal). If Muslims aren't terrorists then they're practising dissimulation.

The biggest myth pushed by some of these critics is attributing vast political power to Muslim minorities. Laws and policies, foreign and domestic, are said to have been created just to placate the 'angry hordes' of Muslims from London to Rome. I notice this delusion is pushed most heavily by the array of pseudo-conservative commentators across the pond, backed up by bigots on this side of the geographic divide. Even the most harshest critic of Islam should stop and think at this point: Can it really be that marginalised, underachieving, politically weak, socially divided sets of communities, who routinely receive negative media coverage (whether this is their fault or not is besides the point), are in a position to influence the agendas of governments that rule some of the most powerful, stable and prosperous nations in the world today? Well, can it be true?

It is said that violence is a problem Muslims are faced with. Similarly, it could be said that racism is still a problem for Europe, which it has failed to fully address.

Comments

[Sunny]

Thabet, I think the problem is partly that Muslim groups are happy to play into this.

And you can blame white liberals for this too. So for example take the recent cricket match that Osama Saeed and his crew tried to stop. He promised hundreds of supporters - apparently about 50 turned up, and the police had to provide armed guards.
Later the cricket match was held at an entirely different base altogether, because of Osama and his mates protesting?

It sounds absurd but these guys play up their influence and 'threats' (in this case the Burger King guy who saw Allah on a cone is a better example)... while the police or other authorities get scared that the Muslim might go a bit crazy (liberal patronising at its worst) and so over-compensate - playing into the hands of bigots.

[Sunny Delight]

Sunny, you are a whinner and Islamophobe.

[kactuz]

You say "I can accept criticism of my faith and religious beliefs. Muslims do have the moral and intellectual resources, across the religious, political and social spectrum to be able to meet any such challenges that might be posed. Tough questions have been asked in the past and it is no different today..."

Oh well, that is nice. So now, at last, I have somebody that can either answer some simple questions about Islam or give me some links where answers can be found. Great.

The issue is simple. The hadiths tell us that Islam's dear prophet, Momammed, did many very vile things. I am talking about such things as murder, torture, raids, plunder, rape, slavery and even wife beating. Yes, they are all there in the 'strongest' traditions. I would hope you do not deny this or ask for references. If you want these, I will provide them - no problema.

So, this being the case, why should I or anyone trust or believe a Muslim when I see how much they love and respect their prophet - when he did the things the hadiths say he did, as recorded by his friends and followers? Why don't they condemn these actions as described in their own writings? Perhaps this explains the 'terror' thing. Perhaps 'terror' is just Muslims doing what Mohammad did.

Some may not agree, but I think this issue is very relevant to current events.

I have asked about this time after time, with links to Muslim texts on Muslim sites, and I am usually ignored (90% of the time). I think Muslims don't want to think about these things. The rest of the time (10%) they call me a racist, or say the texts are poorly translated, out of context, not meaningful, falsified, or that I am just ignorant. Oh yes, there have been a few threats.

And once in a while I get some really strange answers, like the explanation about the prophet hitting his young wife. A Muslim told me that in reality it means "he hit her but did not beat her, he caused her pain but it did not hurt." This was from the "Comment is free" (Guardian) blog in June. I am still trying to figure that one out.

Well, that it it...
I'll check back for your answer.

Come to think of it, I think I even left a few posts here at "under progress".
Never once have I got a straight answer.

Thank you,

John old man kactuz