Poll

Islamophobia: Real or Myth?

It's a real form of discrimination and prejudice59%59% - 35
It's a myth created to stop criticism against Islam33%33% - 20
Other6%6% - 4
Total: 59
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7204|Argentina
Islamophobia means fear of or aversion to Islam and refers to the discrimination and prejudice against Muslims.  Many people argue that Islamophobia is just a myth and an excuse to stop criticism against Islam, including Muslims who want to reform Islam.
I personally think it's a form of discrimination against Muslims, that increased after 9/11.
What do you think?  Is Islamophobia a real form of discrimination and prejudice or is it a myth?
Braddock
Agitator
+916|6736|Éire
I think it's a real form of discrimination and elements in the media have very cleverly begun describing it as a myth created to stop criticism against Islam... however that's not to say that certain people don't exploit it ...in Ireland I've seen a lot of Nigerian immigrants pull the racism card in various situations where racism is clearly not at play.
Jainus
Member
+30|7022|Herts, UK
Whilst i accept there has been an increased hostility to Muslims in recent years (mainly thanks to the "o my God, they're going to kill us all!!" of the media), i also believe that Muslims hide behind the term as a way of deflecting critism against them so i'll go for other.

Is it a real form of discrimination? For some people certainly but its also a term thats thrown about far too lightly when it comes to answering media/public calls for change. http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/world/060220a.aspx

"But if there is one thing the British establishment fears more than Muslim violence, it is simply being labeled politically incorrect…an Islamophobe. Police have been slow or unwilling to crack down hard in Islamic radicals, and no mainstream British paper printed the cartoons.

Terrorism expert Simon Barrett advises members of Parliament on terrorism issues. Barrett said, “Having spoken to a number of journalists and asking them questions -- would your paper be prepared to publish these cartoons? The answer [they give] is no, because we fear that we would be targeted, we would firebombed and we would labeled as being anti-Islamic.”"

http://www.perfect.co.uk/2005/01/are-muslims-hated - Just something i came across looking for the Anti-Muslim crime figures in the UK (which i haven't found yet but will have a proper look when i'm not in work)
Braddock
Agitator
+916|6736|Éire

Jainus wrote:

Whilst i accept there has been an increased hostility to Muslims in recent years (mainly thanks to the "o my God, they're going to kill us all!!" of the media), i also believe that Muslims hide behind the term as a way of deflecting critism against them so i'll go for other.

Is it a real form of discrimination? For some people certainly but its also a term thats thrown about far too lightly when it comes to answering media/public calls for change. http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/world/060220a.aspx

"But if there is one thing the British establishment fears more than Muslim violence, it is simply being labeled politically incorrect…an Islamophobe. Police have been slow or unwilling to crack down hard in Islamic radicals, and no mainstream British paper printed the cartoons.

Terrorism expert Simon Barrett advises members of Parliament on terrorism issues. Barrett said, “Having spoken to a number of journalists and asking them questions -- would your paper be prepared to publish these cartoons? The answer [they give] is no, because we fear that we would be targeted, we would firebombed and we would labeled as being anti-Islamic.”"

http://www.perfect.co.uk/2005/01/are-muslims-hated - Just something i came across looking for the Anti-Muslim crime figures in the UK (which i haven't found yet but will have a proper look when i'm not in work)
That whole cartoon issue was just a matter of common decency and respect. Many Americans in particular didn't seem to get the level of outburst over it, they should consider it like having someone burn the US flag - an offence that elicits strong responses - that's almost how offensive they found it.
Pug
UR father's brother's nephew's former roommate
+652|6988|Texas - Bigger than France
It's another word for discrimination, recently invented by the media.

I'm not sure if there is a word describing discrimination against black people, asians, or The Dutch, etc.  We are so lucky or media outlets are so witty.

So I believe "other" is appropriate.

Last edited by Pug (2007-06-06 06:08:08)

Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|7111|NT, like Mick Dundee

Just ordinary prejudice being used as a propaganda tool. Thing is, both sides use it.
Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.
fadedsteve
GOP Sympathizer
+266|6937|Menlo Park, CA
There is no "phobia". . . .

Muslim Extremists ARE a real threat, and need to be captured or killed. . . . .
CameronPoe
Member
+2,925|7001
Islamophobia or whatever you want to call it is real and is perpetuated by the inability of retards to realise that the images they see in the media every day are not representative of the vast majority of muslims. Media-warped 'sheep'le are the problem - it's quite similar to the warping of German minds under Nazi propaganda. As to muslims playing the Islamaphobia card - it's no more common than Israelis playing the anti-semitism card or black people calling the racism card. It comes with the territory and in a way confirms the fact that there is discrimination at play.

Last edited by CameronPoe (2007-06-07 02:59:58)

Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7028|SE London

fadedsteve wrote:

There is no "phobia". . . .

Muslim Extremists ARE a real threat, and need to be captured or killed. . . . .
It's not about the same proportion of Muslims who are radical extremists and do pose a threat. It's about all the other Muslims who get blamed and treated with suspicion because of it. That most certainly is a phobia.
m3thod
All kiiiiiiiiinds of gainz
+2,197|7117|UK

fadedsteve wrote:

There is no "phobia". . . .

Muslim Extremists ARE a real threat, and need to be captured or killed. . . . .
What about those Muslims that aren't extremists (you know the vast majority of them) but are still discriminated against based on their faith?

Just because you've never seen it or taken part doesn't mean it doesn't happen.  I can't help think you live in some kind of bubble.

I personally don't think i've been a victim of Islamphobia buts lets face it i'm as westernised as they come but Islamaphobia is alive and well just as sexual and age discrimination still plague our societies.
Blackbelts are just whitebelts who have never quit.
Spark
liquid fluoride thorium reactor
+874|7121|Canberra, AUS
The moment you get topics like this appearing, you have Islamophobia.

Last edited by Spark (2007-06-07 03:12:17)

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
~ Richard Feynman
CameronPoe
Member
+2,925|7001

Spark wrote:

The moment you get topics like this appearing, you have Islamophobia.
Amen to that. Thread over.
HunterOfSkulls
Rated EC-10
+246|6726

Braddock wrote:

That whole cartoon issue was just a matter of common decency and respect. Many Americans in particular didn't seem to get the level of outburst over it, they should consider it like having someone burn the US flag - an offence that elicits strong responses - that's almost how offensive they found it.
The cartoon issue was a fantastic setup job by the outfit that printed them. They knew damn well what kind of reaction they were going to get. They were counting on it. Funny how they haven't been jihaded out of existance eh? Almost like the initial furor died down and now nobody really cares a whole lot? The publishers got what they wanted. Rioting and general stupidity and enough footage of same for the "Muzlims iz all violent and eeevil" crowd to make hay out of for the next decade or so. Doesn't matter that it was a pathetically tiny percentage of Muslims that reacted in such a fashion. Nobody was out filming Muslims failing to react to the cartoons. We all know that if the media doesn't show it, it doesn't exist right?
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7204|Argentina
Hypocrisy is amazing sometimes.  Is there anyone who doesn't make profiling or check on Muslim people at airports?  Thanks to the media brainwashing we all do.
Kmar
Truth is my Bitch
+5,695|7047|132 and Bush

It's as real as antisemitism.
Xbone Stormsurgezz
S.Lythberg
Mastermind
+429|6893|Chicago, IL
i must admit that I take a second glance at muslim men without a family nearby, but I've also met some muslims who are great people.  I also know people who are rather prejudiced against them though, so Islamophobia is certainly real.  The muslim community needs to speak out against the terrorists, or we will never really trust them.
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7204|Argentina

Kmarion wrote:

It's as real as antisemitism.
The difference is most people acknowledge the existence of anti-Semitism, while many people deny Islamophobia.
Kmar
Truth is my Bitch
+5,695|7047|132 and Bush

sergeriver wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

It's as real as antisemitism.
The difference is most people acknowledge the existence of anti-Semitism, while many people deny Islamophobia.
It is real. Didn't we kinda go through this here in the HOF thread?
Xbone Stormsurgezz
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7204|Argentina

Kmarion wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

It's as real as antisemitism.
The difference is most people acknowledge the existence of anti-Semitism, while many people deny Islamophobia.
It is real. Didn't we kinda go through this here in the HOF thread?
Different questions anyway.  Your point?
=OBS= EstebanRey
Member
+256|6997|Oxford, England, UK, EU, Earth
I voted no because for it to exist you would have to also have Christianophobia, Hinduophobia, Jewophobia etc.  I have never heard any of those terms before have you?

That isn’t saying people can’t discriminate against a Muslim because of his religion but then he would be a bigot or a racist and not an “Islamophobe”.
S.Lythberg
Mastermind
+429|6893|Chicago, IL

=OBS= EstebanRey wrote:

I voted no because for it to exist you would have to also have Christianophobia, Hinduophobia, Jewophobia etc.  I have never heard any of those terms before have you?

That isn’t saying people can’t discriminate against a Muslim because of his religion but then he would be a bigot or a racist and not an “Islamophobe”.
Anti-semitism?? never heard of it?

Christianophobia certainly does exist in Arab nations, and Indian muslims hate the Hindus as well
chittydog
less busy
+586|7281|Kubra, Damn it!

=OBS= EstebanRey wrote:

I voted no because for it to exist you would have to also have Christianophobia, Hinduophobia, Jewophobia etc.  I have never heard any of those terms before have you?

That isn’t saying people can’t discriminate against a Muslim because of his religion but then he would be a bigot or a racist and not an “Islamophobe”.
So you're saying people can't be afraid of one religion unless people are afraid of all religions?
Kmar
Truth is my Bitch
+5,695|7047|132 and Bush

sergeriver wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

sergeriver wrote:

The difference is most people acknowledge the existence of anti-Semitism, while many people deny Islamophobia.
It is real. Didn't we kinda go through this here in the HOF thread?
Different questions anyway.  Your point?
Same debate different wording. Obviously if you are asking if Islamaphobia is replacing Antisemitism you are going to get opinions on if it is real or not.
Xbone Stormsurgezz
=OBS= EstebanRey
Member
+256|6997|Oxford, England, UK, EU, Earth

S.Lythberg wrote:

=OBS= EstebanRey wrote:

I voted no because for it to exist you would have to also have Christianophobia, Hinduophobia, Jewophobia etc.  I have never heard any of those terms before have you?

That isn’t saying people can’t discriminate against a Muslim because of his religion but then he would be a bigot or a racist and not an “Islamophobe”.
Anti-semitism?? never heard of it?

Christianophobia certainly does exist in Arab nations, and Indian muslims hate the Hindus as well
But antisemitism isn’t the same as “Islamophobia”.  A phobia is a fear of something, in this case Islam, where as antisemitism is the hostility towards people who are semites (i.e  a member of a group of Semitic-speaking peoples of the Near East and northern Africa, including the Arabs, Arameans, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians & Jews), it’s just since WW2, people only tend to use it to describe discrimination against Jews.  Technically no Arab can be anti-Semitic without hating himself.

My point is have one term to describe the ill-treatment of someone because of their religion (whatever it is), there’s no need for a separate word for every faith.

Last edited by =OBS= EstebanRey (2007-06-07 08:31:37)

Bubbalo
The Lizzard
+541|7007

fadedsteve wrote:

There is no "phobia". . . .

Muslim Extremists ARE a real threat, and need to be captured or killed. . . . .
As opposed to Christian Extremists, who are just plain lovely people.  You should have a cup of tea with them some time.  If you're a pro-choicer you probably shouldn't drink the tea though........................

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