We have to stop Pastor Jones from burning the Qur’an or risk the anger of the Muslim street. We have to build a mosque near Ground Zero or risk the anger of the Muslim street. We have to expand the mosque in Murfreesboro or risk the anger of the Muslim Street. Well, Pastor Jones didn’t burn the Qur’an and Muslims in Afghanistan decided to take to the street and call for the death of America anyway. So, honestly, do I really want to live my life in fear of the Muslim Street? And which street is that exactly?
There are hundreds of Muslim Americans in Murfreesboro, and they understand that Pastor Jones has a constitutional right to burn the Qur’an, just as they understand that they have a constitutional right to build their mosque. As distasteful and as horrifying as the burning of a Qur’an is (and make no mistake it is distasteful and horrifying) my Muslim neighbors are not going to riot in Murfreesboro’s town square because of it.
Even if they were denied a permit to build their new Islamic Center, and even if it were clear to them that this denial was fuelled by bigotry and hate, even then they would not riot, burn churches, or commit acts of terror. They would be angry, and they might protest, march, and pursue their case all the way to the Supreme Court because that is their right as Americans. But they wouldn’t do what their coreligionists in Afghanistan are doing. Why? Because they are Americans.
The Muslims in Murfreesboro are not the Muslim Street, but they should be. What Islam needs is more American Muslims; Muslims who know how democracy works, who embrace religious freedom and the separation of church/mosque/synagogue and state, and who could by their own example bring those Muslims trapped in the middle ages into the 21st century.
So let’s stop worrying about the medieval Muslim Street and start supporting the American Muslim Street. If Muslims in Muslim countries want to riot, or stone adulterers, why is that our concern? Haven’t we learned anything from the Prime Directive? If Muslim mothers want to mutilate their daughter’s genitalia, so what? Jewish mothers mutilate the genitals of their sons, and we send gifts. Unless or until Muslims and Jews come after your genitals or those of people you love, leave them alone. And in the meantime, let’s start supporting the American Muslim Street.
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7 comments:
Re "If Muslim mothers want to mutilate their daughter’s genitalia, so what?"
Are you sure you really want to say this?
Raksha Rabbi is just sayin. Genital mutilation is another issue that is decried, but we have little control over. Doesn't mean we don't care, just means sh*t happens, life goes on, tomorrow is another day, don't get yer shorts in a bunch, charity begins at home, love thy neighbor as thyself, the wind don't blow up one dog's ass forever (thank you great-grandmother)...
Raksha's point is spot on, as is Old Lady's response. I'm not sure what Raksha's objection to genital mutilation is (I could go on and on about my own objections), but my point is that this is part of someone's culture just as circumcision is part of Jewish culture. If we are going to object to the first, we should object to the second.
Old Lady: I understand what he's getting at, but that's an incredibly insensitive way of putting it and I'm sure he didn't mean it the way it came out. It sounds even worse on a second reading.
Rabbi Rami: Re "...my point is that this is part of someone's culture just as circumcision is part of Jewish culture. If we are going to object to the first, we should object to the second."
The comparison with male circumcision is a very superficial one, and offensive in itself. I see it as a separate issue and didn't feel like getting into it right now, so I only quoted the first line of your post.
Male circumcision is a regular hot-button issue on Democratic Underground, where the Jewish guys tend to get VERY upset when the opposition refers to them as "genitally mutilated."
So I think I'm just gonna stand back and wait with that one...
Can you tell me how to get,
how to get to Muslim Street!
I worry about the medieval Muslims. They want to kill Americans, preferably on American soil. They can think like that all they want, and I couldn't care less. It's when they succeed by using airplanes as missiles that concerns me. They may have a medieval mindset, but they aren't stupid.
The American Muslims need to start talking to their medieval counterparts and convince them (somehow) that killing anyone only draws ire and vengeance. I don't know if this is happening or not. The American military complex also needs to stop killing medieval Muslims. I don't see this happening anytime soon.
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