Does islamophobia exist?

Post by **Exi5tentialist** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:29 pm

It is often said that there is no such thing as islamophobia. Some say islamophobia is just a pretend phobia made up to discredit people who have legitimate criticisms of Islam. Others have different reasons for saying that islamophobia doesn't exist. I think it does exist. What do you think?

Post by **tattuchu** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:37 pm

I should think so, yes. People are afraid of things they don't understand or seem very strange and foreign. That doesn't mean there aren't legitimate concerns regarding the belief system, however. I think atheists will generally find all religions problematic, however. I don't dislike Islam as much as I dislike all religions. Well, maybe I don't dislike Buddhism or Hinduism so much

Post by **JacksSmirkingRevenge** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:37 pm

I think there are people who are genuinely afraid of it and it's consequences, and there are others (like me) who think it's a load of shite and anyone believing in it is a complete dickhead.

Post by **tattuchu** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:39 pm

JacksSmirkingRevenge wrote:I think there are people who are genuinely afraid of it and it's consequences, and there are others (like me) who think it's a load of shite and anyone believing in it is a complete dickhead.

LOL I wouldn't say dickhead, necessarily. But I think it's definitely a load of shite, along with the other Abrahamic religions.

Post by **Gawd** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:44 pm

I have Judaiphobia.

Post by **Xamonas Chegwé** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:45 pm

Yes, if you are using it in its usual sense - an actual fear of islam and its adherents. Yes too, if you are using "phobia" in its more modern context (viz. homophobia) as an irrational hatred rather than an irrational fear.

Criticism, however, should not be considered phobic.

Given the recent penchant for acts of terrorism directed solely at random civilians from certain muslims, fear of (or even hatred of) islam is not completely surprising. Those with limited contact with, and whose knowledge of, muslims is wholly dictated by second-hand accounts from the more sensationalist media sources are bound to mistrust and fear them. Having had close contact with many muslims over the years - and having counted a few as close friends - I can assure anyone that will listen that they are only as dangerous as any other set of H. sapiens!

As to their beliefs however, they are batshit bonkers - and yes, I have read the qu'ran (blessed be its apostrophe) and it's a rambling pile of nonsense and prejudice - just like the babble.

Post by **Animavore** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:45 pm

I would think it does exist. A phobia is an irrational fear or something. I'm sure there are people who fear Muslims, who think they're all terrorists, are paranoid about the Muslim family on their street, constantly checking on them etc...
I think that what is happening is Muslims bandying the term about for everything percieved as 'anti-Islam', much like when Jews abuse the term 'anti-Semite' anytime someone criticises Israel. Even when the ones doing the criticism are Jewish!

Post by **Atheist-Lite** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:48 pm

I have developed a slight phobia since 9/11, don't know why? I'd feel safer if I knew who they were in everyday life? Maybe they should be made to wear a green crescent on their clothing so I could identify them.

Post by **tattuchu** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:59 pm

Xamonas Chegwé wrote:Yes, if you are using it in its usual sense - an actual fear of islam and its adherents. Yes too, if you are using "phobia" in its more modern context (viz. homophobia) as an irrational hatred rather than an irrational fear.

Criticism, however, should not be considered phobic.

Given the recent penchant for acts of terrorism directed solely at random civilians from certain muslims, fear of (or even hatred of) islam is not completely surprising. Those with limited contact with, and whose knowledge of, muslims is wholly dictated by second-hand accounts from the more sensationalist media sources are bound to mistrust and fear them. Having had close contact with many muslims over the years - and having counted a few as close friends - I can assure anyone that will listen that they are only as dangerous as any other set of H. sapiens!

As to their beliefs however, they are batshit bonkers - and yes, I have read the qu'ran (blessed be its apostrophe) and it's a rambling pile of nonsense and prejudice - just like the babble.

My ex brother-in-law is Turkish. He was the nicest, kindest, gentlest, most generous and gracious person I've ever had the pleasure to meet.

Post by **Tero** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:04 pm

I am getting Lutherophobia. It makes it impossible to patch tires and use tea bags twice.

Post by **amused** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 6:24 pm

I don't have an irrational fear of Islam, I have a rational fear of the fundamentalist kooks of all religions, including Islam's. Islam is especially dangerous because it's managed to get itself in control of several governments and entire societies, many that are well funded by oil. Then it suppresses dissent and murders apostates to use fear of it to keep people in line. Islam intentionally creates a rational fear of itself. Or rather, the clerics that run it do.

Post by **JimC** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:49 am

Xamonas Chegwé wrote:Yes, if you are using it in its usual sense - an actual fear of islam and its adherents. Yes too, if you are using "phobia" in its more modern context (viz. homophobia) as an irrational hatred rather than an irrational fear.

Criticism, however, should not be considered phobic.

Given the recent penchant for acts of terrorism directed solely at random civilians from certain muslims, fear of (or even hatred of) islam is not completely surprising. Those with limited contact with, and whose knowledge of, muslims is wholly dictated by second-hand accounts from the more sensationalist media sources are bound to mistrust and fear them. Having had close contact with many muslims over the years - and having counted a few as close friends - I can assure anyone that will listen that they are only as dangerous as any other set of H. sapiens!

As to their beliefs however, they are batshit bonkers - and yes, I have read the qu'ran (blessed be its apostrophe) and it's a rambling pile of nonsense and prejudice - just like the babble.

Post by **charlou** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 8:56 am

Exi5tentialist wrote:It is often said that there is no such thing as islamophobia. Some say islamophobia is just a pretend phobia made up to discredit people who have legitimate criticisms of Islam. Others have different reasons for saying that islamophobia doesn't exist. I think it does exist. What do you think?

Are you characterising it as being different to legitimate criticism of Islam? Do you think both exist?

Post by **Magicziggy** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:02 am

I fear it. My father is a muslim. Non-religious. And he has a hatred of Americans and Jews that has stood the test of time. It is not personal. He will befriend anyone. But he hates the actions of the Jewish State and USA. In fact he could well be Gawd.

I fear it because they are willing to die and kill for an irrational belief in the word of god. And we are reminded of those actions on a weekly basis. I fear it on a religion wide basis, not an individual basis. I think the chances of me encountering extremism are fairly low and live life accordingly.

Post by **Exi5tentialist** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:27 am

charlou wrote:
Exi5tentialist wrote:It is often said that there is no such thing as islamophobia. Some say islamophobia is just a pretend phobia made up to discredit people who have legitimate criticisms of Islam. Others have different reasons for saying that islamophobia doesn't exist. I think it does exist. What do you think?
Are you characterising it as being different to legitimate criticism of Islam? Do you think both exist?

Yes and yes.

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