London
Not that London needs my words of sympathy, but I'm so sad about what happened this morning. I was impressed by Tony Blair's statement, which said "We will show by our spirit and dignity and by a quiet and true strength that there is in the British people, that our values will long outlast theirs." It's that quiet strength that is so impressive to me. These terrorists may have struck a blow, but Londoners have overcome much worse than this.
I think our New Yorkers have a similar strength and solidarity, and we've seen that shine through during some horrific circumstances. It's comforting somehow, that at the same time we are confronted with the absolute worst in human nature, we can also see the absolute best.
I overheard a man in my office tell someone on the phone that "The Muslims are at it again" and it infuriated me. I wanted to rush right over and pick a fight, but not a whole lot makes a dent when you're talking to someone in his mid-60s who has Christmas cards from Charlton Heston posted in his cubicle. I know--I've tried. But honestly! Never mind that the Muslim Council has already made a statement of condolence, and that it's likely that Muslims were injured or killed in the attacks.
That's like saying "The Mormons are at it again" to reports of forced marriage and statutory rape in polygamous communities. You're talking about a splinter group, which identifies itself with the main religious body but participates in acts that are abhorrent to and specifically condemned by that body.
My point is, I love London, I hate what has happened, and I'm not blaming the Nation of Islam for it.
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
8 comments:
Well put, Nemesis. I agree with everything that you've said here.
Whoa. What are the "true origins" of this "awful" religion? Wow. I'd say "no comment," but I'm leaving a comment, so I may as well have something useful to say. I think that Nemesis's "self" is already well educated and any site called "prophetofdoom" cannot be in the least bit trustworthy.
I greatly appreciate the comments of both Cicada and Nemesis. Having received a bit of education myself in college (my degree is in Religious Studies) I would like to add my own comment. Islam is an incredibly peaceful religion which stringently prohibits the harming of innocents (particularly women and children), buildings, and even trees in all acts warfare. Unfortunately, the politics of a few are outweighing the religious practices of the many leaving the uneducated to mistake the loudest voice for the majority voice.
I appreciate your politeness, Mike. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one. The links you sent me seem one-sided and don't reflect the lifestyle or ideology of the Muslims I have met. I find it interesting that you deleted my original comment from your blog, but I realize that is your choice to make.
The great thing about freedom of speech is not that everyone gets to say almost whatever they want (although that is a nice point). The really great thing about freedom of speech is that it allows for the free dissemination of ideas. The more these ideas are out there and heard the better. Once out in the open ideas can be weighed and measured and forced to stand or fall and crumble. What this means is that eventual the good ideas are recognized as such, while the bad ideas are left to die an embarrassing death. So speak up ye fiends, ye despots of the earth, ye losers. For my part, I will sincerely try not to watch too gleefully as the bad ideas die off. (Just so there is no mistaking my intention here, I have never found myself in disagreement with the lovely, and uncensoring, Miss Nemesis)
One more thing and then I will let us all return to our voice of reason. History has shown that a much more appropriately used phrase would be "Those Christians are at it again."
You know, when I read on the news yesterday morning that Muslims in London were being asked to stay indoors, I thought "Oh, come now. We're in the twenty-first century. Surely we can be civilized. Who's going to exacerbate this situation by attacking more innocent people?" And then I read your comment about the guy in the office (well do I remember those guys--I had to mop up their poorly written, bigoted course), and I remembered, "Oh, yes. That's why. Obviously, if someone is not like us, they must be at fault." This sort of ignorance is a frightening thing.
Right after 9/11 the show "West Wing" did a special that I think was named "Ishmael and Isaac" or something like that. They made one point that has stuck with me ever since and the more I think about the more I think it is right.
Terrorist is to Islam
as
blank is to Christianity?
Think about it for a minute. The answer is KKK.
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