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QuidVeritasEst
Guest
Paranoia = irrational fear = political pressure to restrict the rights of law abiding citizens and become an extremely insular nation, and to violate your own constitution to allow freedom of religion = you get blacklisted by the UN
I particularly like this verse:
corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=5&verse=32#%285:32:1%29
The link translates in increments, so scroll down to understand it.
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theropod
Guest
Only if you use “Paranoia” in its real meaning. Paranoia isn’t really what’s happening. What the poster who brought up “paranoia” describes is what I would call a healthy dose of caution.
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QuidVeritasEst
Guest
It’s not remotely healthy - nationalism has been proven to cause far more harm than any other force in the world, including religion. To assume that such a high proportion of Muslims are capable of such horrific acts of violence is insulting.
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theropod
Guest
Who assumes a “high proportion”? The proportion is actually very small. But that doesn’t matter. A tiny fraction of 1.5 billion people is still millions.
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Michael68
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How has nationalism harmed the USA?
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Son_of_Niall
Guest
Uh…the American Civil War. Maybe you heard of it?
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Son_of_Niall
Guest
…and these ‘millions’ have done what in the US? There are more school shootings from white Christians than any terror acts done by Muslims in this country.
What exactly are the Muslims who live, work, go to Mosque, shop and spend money in your town that makes them a threat?
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Padres1969
Guest
They’re different duh?
/sarcasm
I mean in all seriousness I see part of the reaction against Muslims, particularly more devout Muslims whose women wear headscarves, who adhere faithfully the the 5 pillars, etc… who are far too often to be the stereotypical Muslim, to be similar to the same reaction modern society has been having for some time against the devout of any religion including Christianity. And throw in a bit of latent racism/xenophobia into that mix along with a minuscule radical minority of Muslims being psychotic killers and you have a recipe for the kind of vitriol we’re seeing towards Muslims today.
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Michael68
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That’s your proof?Uh…the American Civil War. Maybe you heard of it?
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Convert1
Guest
In a follow up post the OP asked the question, “why the paranoia?” I simply answered it.
Personally, I do not think simply being Muslim has ANYTHING to do with bombings or shootings. But his insistence in tying the two together here only feeds the perspective that our country has on this religion. (which will not change, BTW)
To attempt to argue that the Muslim faith has absolutely NOTHING to do with the group of fanatics in question is also an erroneous statement. Just as all religions have various sects, so does this one.
Fanatical Islamic jihadists are terrorists: ISISL, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, etc. all have the same objective. Fear and destruction is paramount to their cause and they see the U.S. as a cancer that must be excised in the holy war. That is the real world.
The social stigma is, without question, present in regards to the Muslim faith because of this. As unfortunate as it may be. Remember, people often judge others by the lowest common denominator.
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Robyn_p
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How about Wounded Knee? The Trail of Tears? Those were both motivated, among other things, by nationalism.
Nationalism is a heresy anyways. That itself is enough of a reason to combat it.
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Robyn_p
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I think paranoia is exactly what is happening. Acting as though all Muslims are possible threats just waiting for the opportunity to kill us doesn’t align with reality. The vast majority hate ISIL as much as we do. They are our natural allies in this war, but we are pushing them away.
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Son_of_Niall
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We are not legally obligated to accept them, but we are morally obligated to help them.
I am quite frankly miffed by the equivalency drawn between the two. Further, I take umbrage with the false charge that not wanting to take them is borne of nationalism or jingoism. It is borne of a fear, in many ways rationally based on numerous events of the last few decades, that Islamic extremism has chosen America as a target, in large part because we defend and are allied with Israel. The other primary reason is our western lifestyle, and belief in religion(s) other than Islam.
Instead of impugning the motivations of those who are opposed to their arrival, I think it is important to recognize that their fears are reasonable. Prohibiting them from emigrating to the US is not the same as not caring for them. We can see to it they are cared for in predominantly Muslim countries near by, where they will be culturally more comfortable, and in close proximity when the conflict ends, should they decide to return home.
Jon
I am quite frankly miffed by the equivalency drawn between the two. Further, I take umbrage with the false charge that not wanting to take them is borne of nationalism or jingoism. It is borne of a fear, in many ways rationally based on numerous events of the last few decades, that Islamic extremism has chosen America as a target, in large part because we defend and are allied with Israel. The other primary reason is our western lifestyle, and belief in religion(s) other than Islam.
Instead of impugning the motivations of those who are opposed to their arrival, I think it is important to recognize that their fears are reasonable. Prohibiting them from emigrating to the US is not the same as not caring for them. We can see to it they are cared for in predominantly Muslim countries near by, where they will be culturally more comfortable, and in close proximity when the conflict ends, should they decide to return home.
Jon
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Operalan
Guest
I agree with this.
I have been thinking of what the ancient Israelites were told to do to their enemies. Certainly, they weren’t told to take them in.
Now, we know that not all of the Syrian refugees wish us harm. The problem is, we don’t know who is who. Our own government admits that the people aren’t properly vetted. There are ways to help them elsewhere…and, it is imperative that the countries in the region reach out as well (so far, they aren’t).
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Robyn_p
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What were Christians told to do though?
And we do have a good vetting system. It’s not 100% foolproof, but it is reliable. We are not in the same situation as Europe is.
cato.org/blog/syrian-refugees-dont-pose-serious-security-threat
Even Robert George, one of the most conservative and vocal critics of the government in America, agrees that the refugee vetting process is good and we shouldn’t be refusing refugees entrance:
www3.blogs.rollcall.com/news/influential-conservative-thinker-says-refugee-dispute-unnecessary/
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Operalan
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Loving your enemy does not necessarily mean having them come and live in your home. There are many ways to help without doing that.
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Michael68
Guest
I agree. We don’t have to let them kill us to prove a point about charity
Even when the vast majority have no mind to kill us, that doesn’t mean charity is defined exclusively as taking them in. Help them: feed, clothe, shelter, medical care can all be done without bringing them to an alien culture. In fact, I think, in many ways, the more charitable thing to do is help them there.
Jon
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