A Heartfelt Plea...
OP - January 20, 2011, 10:12 PM
What started as a throw away remark on another thread grew until I realised it was too long to justify posting as a reply, but it's written now, so here are my ramblings all on their lonesome...
There is a protection apportioned to Islam in the UK by virtue of the fact that the majority of Muslims belong to ethnic minorities and many live in somewhat isolated communities (to varying extents), with what are perceived to be foreign cultural behaviours and values. Inevitably, this leads to a blurring of the issues of religion, race, morality, culture, etc. in the minds of many non-Muslims. This is disastrous. For starters, it allows groups such as the BNP to use "Muslim" as a euphemism for "darkie", "foreigner" and "immigrant". But, possibly worse still, in fear of being labelling racist, culturally narrow-minded or bigoted I think many reasonably-minded 'outsiders' (those who are not and have never been Muslims) tend to shy away from voicing opposition to or disagreement with pro-Islamic, or Islam-sympathetic, sentiments. On the internal level too, many are too often willing to subconsciously see issues relating to Islam through culturally relativistic blinkers, and thus not only avoid vocalising opposition, but refuse to think of it in the first place.
For these reasons, the dissenting voices of Ex-Muslims are incredibly powerful and could be hugely influential in shaping public debate. I understand that many of you are uncomfortable with the term "Ex-Muslim" as a self-descriptor, and I understand why, but as an 'outsider' I have to tell you that it really does hit something home. It unavoidably breaks the connections between the Islamic faith and race, culture, etc. in the minds of non-Muslims. Moreover, the realisation that a Muslim is only one thought away from being an ex-Muslim provides a clear distinction in peoples minds between Islam, the philosophy/ideology/political system, and Muslims, the people. These distinctions leave the religion laid bare as a viable target for criticism, without the fear of accusations of racism, narrow-mindedness, bullying, etc.
Please do not underestimate the role many of you on this site could play in, above all, helping to develop and protect secular society. You all, by your very existence and by the intellectual positions you have fought to adopt, can act as extremely potent consciousness raisers for non-Muslims, so as to strip Islam of the protective 'victim' cloak it all too often hides behind. This site and its members contain an incredible wealth of knowledge, passion and potential and I urge you all to do what you can to help that potential be realised.
Topic: A Heartfelt Plea...