The wicked book
The book in question is my Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades). The only problem is that it's not a fundamentalist Christian book: I am not a fundamentalist Christian, and the book does not proselytize. Also, those who dismiss and denigrate it have yet to establish even one falsehood within it. Those who wish to try are welcome to write to me at director@jihadwatch.org: if your message makes a substantive claim of inaccuracy in the book I will post it and answer it publicly.
Moreover, the idea that a book being offered for sale indicates pressure to adopt a certain point of view ought to be absurd on its face. If the book were taught, endorsed, pushed by military brass, that might be -- might be -- evidence of such pressure. But the sale of a popular book that spent four months on the New York Times Bestseller List? That doesn't seem to me to be anything more than evidence that the bookseller wants to stock books that people want to read.
"Group claims evidence of religion bias by Army," by John Milburn for The Associated Press (thanks to Lee):
TOPEKA, Kan. — A foundation that has sued the military alleging widespread violations of religious freedom said Tuesday that it has evidence showing that soldiers are pressured to adopt fundamentalist Christian beliefs.The photos and videos of religious materials and activities are part of a lawsuit filed by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and Army Spc. Jeremy Hall, an atheist, against Maj. Freddy J. Welborn and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The material was gathered from Fort Riley, Kan., the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Fort Jackson, S.C.
Examples at Fort Riley, where Hall is stationed, included a display outside his military police battalion’s office with a quote from conservative writer Ann Coulter saying, “We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.”
Another photo from Fort Riley shows the book “A Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam” for sale at the post exchange.
“This astonishing and saddening evidence which our foundation is making public today only further buttress our lawsuit,” said Mikey Weinstein, an attorney in Albuquerque, N.M., and president of the foundation, who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1977.
Fort Riley spokesman Maj. Nathan Bond said the matter was being referred to post commanders for investigation. He said it is the Army’s policy to accommodate all religious beliefs to the extent that they don’t conflict with military missions.
“We do take this seriously,” he said. If they are true, he added, they “do not seem in line with the Army values of respect.”
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., in September alleges that Welborn threatened to file military charges against Hall and to block his re-enlistment for trying to hold a meeting of atheists and non-Christians in Iraq.
"Examples at Fort Riley, where Hall is stationed, included a display outside his military police battalion’s office with a quote from conservative writer Ann Coulter saying, “We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.”
....Perhaps this buffoon would be more happy if the posted quote read: "We should allow them to invade our country, kill our leaders and convert the survivors to Islam"....
oh yeah,
" Welborn threatened to file military charges against Hall and to block his re-enlistment for trying to hold a meeting of atheists and non-Christians in Iraq."
...In Iraq, quite possibly, the only Non Christians around would be Muslims.....
...and just what would he discuss in these meetings?....
....throw this buffoon out of the military...he disgraces the uniform and his country....
Is it possible to buy a Koran at the PX?
So the PX offers P.I.G. Guide to Islam. Great! But, of course, that doesn't demonstrate indoctrination or compulsion. Wonder what other books the PX offers. Hitchens? The Golden Compass trilogy? The Holy Quran?
Great pitch for your books, Robert--"BANNED IN BAGHDAD"!
Talk about forcing your view on others, these atheists are no better than the most aggressive and rabid Christian, or muslim. Why is it not sufficient for an atheist to just ignore believers, and all concepts of God, and just live their lives? Why is it that atheists want to legislate their morality, and force it on others, by means of activism, and these type lawsuits. This is just so much crap.
Atheism is a religion in reverse, but it is still a religion. They worship nothing. Not realizing for one second that 'no-thing' is God. Do you think these people will ever GROW UP?
Some MP's at a Christmas party in Germany told a very funny story of a fellow officer whose abusive behavior was not solved by complaints through regular channels.
They took the matter in their owns hands by typing up a death certificate and toe tag for him. When the Army thinks you are dead, it is really hard to get un-dead.
Fort Riley spokesman Maj. Nathan Bond said the matter was being referred to post commanders for investigation. He said it is the Army’s policy to accommodate all religious beliefs to the extent that they don’t conflict with military missions.
Umm....am I missing something? Seems to me islam conflicts with military missions!
Yet more nonsense from folks who can't distinguish "freedom of religion" from "freedom from religion." It's the former the Constitution guarantees, not the latter.
Aunt Bea...'The reports of my death have been highly exaggerated...'LOL
That story shows great creativity,and probably works...where there is a will there is a way...thanks for sharing that...
Instead of banning books, they should sell more books. What about "The Reliance of the Traveller"? This would let people learn Sharia first hand! And let people have their own opinions!
So the soldier has a New Mexico lawyer; that would explain the inclusion of Spencer's book. Just because a mediocre lawyer included a photo of something that has nothing to do with fundamentalists Christianity, does not mean that the suit has no merit.
I think he needs a new lawyer.
If Muslims and their respective apologists, pick up on this, then they will undoubtedly use it as a new avenue of attack. They will claim, as those from the 'Military religious freedom foundation' claim, that Robert's books are evidence of Christian fundamentalism (Consequently leading to arguements about Crusader mentality) within the Army, against Islam.
I can see that one coming a mile off ;)
I am shocked that this can even be taken seriously! I have been to plenty of exchanges over my time in the Military and not once did a cook book ever make me not want to go to Burger King! I mean how many different books are in a exchange? Just another attack on freedom of speech and it make me sick!
it was a good book
Duh_Swami said:
"Talk about forcing your view on others, these atheists are no better than the most aggressive and rabid Christian, or muslim. Why is it not sufficient for an atheist to just ignore believers, and all concepts of God, and just live their lives? Why is it that atheists want to legislate their morality, and force it on others, by means of activism, and these type lawsuits. This is just so much crap.
Atheism is a religion in reverse, but it is still a religion. They worship nothing. Not realizing for one second that 'no-thing' is God. Do you think these people will ever GROW UP?"
I'm an Atheist and I find it amusing that you see my belief as a religion in reverse.
Are you a god-fearing type? You're telling Atheists to grow up and you believe in superstition? Classic stuff.
I have a feeling we don't have the full story on the nature of the meeting. With the Army's rules about being accommodating to belief and non-belief in regards to the mission, there is always going to be someone who is offended. Get over it. The very nature of the lawsuit shows the hypocrisy of the group, Military Religious Freedom Foundation. From the article where is the coercion? Was he threatened with court martial if he didn't convert? While they were at it they should have taken pictures of the chapels on the bases they visited. Obvious pressure to convert if there ever was one. Get a life and get a grip.
My brother-in-law is an MP and is finishing his training for assignment to Baghdad right now in Fort Dix, NJ - the target of the group of illegal immigrant Bosnian jihadis earlier this year.
My brother-in-law is going over sometime in early or mid January and will be gone at least a year. I think I'll give him the P.I.G. to mull over and hopefully forewarn him. Until now I haven't included him in my email campaign, but I did include my sister for some time. She's of the mind that she 'doesn't want to be reminded'.
Well, now that it's a for sure thing I'll give him a copy of the book when we see him next week. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. The troops and support personnel in harm's way have a need to understand what drives the jihadis. It's up to us people. No one is going to take care of you and yours like you.
Abu_Lahab...I am a type of atheist myself...which is why I know your type (if it truly is your type) of atheism, is religion in reverse. Atheism as the children of error present it, is a religion in the same way that 'not wanting', is a form of 'wanting'.
They are opposite ends of the same stick, which is the basis for their sameness. Your right, my atheism is classic stuff, but it is not a religion...I refuse to join you on your stick...
Good to see that Spencer's books are visibly available to the troops, but it would be even better if the military brass would update General Vines reading list to include Spencer, Bostom, Ibn Warraq, and Bat Ye'or too.
Is this the commie ACLU and the leftist 'liberals' behind this ?
Ya gotta love these fools who can't move without being disingenuous and stepping into doo doo.
When arguments become so risible as to be amusing, one has to say: thanks for the laugh.
May all ones opponents be this foolish.
"So the soldier has a New Mexico lawyer; that would explain the inclusion of Spencer's book. Just because a mediocre lawyer included a photo of something that has nothing to do with fundamentalists Christianity, does not mean that the suit has no merit.
"I think he needs a new lawyer."
Posted by: Pelayo
As a junior partner in the respected Roswell law firm of Dewey, Cheathem, and Howe, I resent your charge that New Mexican lawyers are mediocre, and I am notifying the New Mexico Bar Association of your remarks.
I guess I am guilty of associating all Mew Mexico lawyers with the one I had about ten years ago. Since you are notifying the New Mexico Bar Association, I have nothing to worry about.
You should have come to Roswell. Our clients come from all the universe.
Also, note that your NM lawyer was bested by another NM lawyer.
Kevin, one of my long ago deceased uncles was in the Army from about 1920 until about 1936 or 1938, he was in Hawaii for four years. I have one of his souvenir fold out post cards he sent to his little sister, my mother. After watching "From Here to Eternity" he remarked that that was the most accurate portrayal of Army life he had ever seen. Based on comments from veteran ralatives, not much has changed. The Army as in all organizations has ways to exert pressure and make life miserable for non-conformists. A courts martial would be the least of his worries if all this is true.
"Also, note that your NM lawyer was bested by another NM lawyer."
Would that be like the Atlanta Falcons beating the Miami Dlophins?
Talk about forcing your view on others, these atheists are no better than the most aggressive and rabid Christian, or muslim.
You got that right; this whole agenda/movement can only be seen as atheists forcing their views on others.
Although for full disclosure I may be one of those "rabid" Christians you’re talking about, depending on what you mean. But at least we can agree on the absurdity of this, and I assume the threat of islam, so its all good...
Why is it not sufficient for an atheist to just ignore believers, and all concepts of God, and just live their lives?
That is the million dollar question. It's a symptom which atheist and islam have in common; A state of perpetual outrage at any sight or presence of Christianity.
Why is it that atheists want to legislate their morality, and force it on others, by means of activism, and these type lawsuits.
In the end these sorts of actions will have the opposite effect. As in Europe, the vacuum which leads to the widespread belief in nothingness/atheism will lead to the rise of islam.
Ask people to believe in nothing and they will eventually believe in something. That something WILL come, it will come with a fury, it WILL fill the vacuum... i.e. islam in Europe.
Atheism is a religion in reverse, but it is still a religion. They worship nothing.
Personally I am uneasy calling it a religion, although I understand the meaning of why you would use that description. In my opinion putting it on par with authentic religion worship and expression is giving it to much credit....
However it is a form of blind faith. It does lead to fanaticism and can lead to violence.
Reason and science are their gods. As I have heard elsewhere, show me a scientific study that proves love. Not lust.... But love... The love a man and woman feel for each other. That immeasurable, incalculable feeling.... still waiting. I guess love doesn't exists....
Aethism is an ideology in which hope cannot exist. There is no salvation or hope of it. Only the individual and whatever small capacity they have to control events in their lives during the short time of existance on this earth. All ending at death in a bleak and hopeless nothing....
What is the sense in saying the enemy were in the wrong unless Right is a real thing...
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Reason must know its limits in order to be truly reasonable.
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=25681
Islamland = Where the Truth has been banned; and where lying is legal.
"Talk about forcing your view on others, these atheists are no better than the most aggressive and rabid Christian, or muslim."
I disagree, athiests are merely trying to see that the First Amendment is followed. Forced prayer imposed by a school system is a law that respects the establishment of a religion. I was in grade school before 1960, I assure you that a Bible reading and a prayer were required. I vaguely remember reports of an incident in my town where a sixth grader wanted to read form the Torah, but the teacher would not allow it.
Some cities and counties are trying to include Hannuka along with Christmas displays. But when the time comes for Muslims to demand a Eid display or Hindus to demand a Diwali display, what recourse will a local government have but to give in?
I think most Atheists do ignore more religious types, insofar as religion goes. I'm cool with that. I believe in freedom not to believe in a Supereme Deity.
That in mind, that most Atheists I've met seem to be "live and let live" people, I'd have to say this one fellow has an axe to grind against a particular person or people. That, or he might be a little hypersensitive to the words and deeds of his Christian mates.
It's possible that, given the events in the world in these times, the Christians with whom Spc. Hall is in contact, tend to buoy one another up with faith, and he just doesn't like to hear about it, though they may not be talking to him.
Adobe, you're hilarious and here's why:
"In my opinion putting it on par with authentic religion worship and expression is giving it to much credit...."
Authentic religion? Based on what? There is nothing 'authentic' about any religion, no facts whatsoever, hence the leap of faith you need to get drawn in.
"Reason and science are their gods. As I have heard elsewhere, show me a scientific study that proves love. Not lust.... But love... The love a man and woman feel for each other. That immeasurable, incalculable feeling.... still waiting. I guess love doesn't exists...."
Chemical reaction in the brain, nothing more. Try reading "Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love”, by Helen Fisher. She's a researcher at Rutgers U.
I have no god, but reason and science provide all the answers I need.
Peace.
"I vaguely remember reports of an incident in my town where a sixth grader wanted to read form the Torah, but the teacher would not allow it."
Pelayo,
The Torah? The Torah are the books of Moses, the first five in the Bible. Oh, wait--I just thought of it, I'll bet the school only wanted readings from the New Testament (the only way I can see readings from the Torah to be a problem, where Bible reading is allowed).
Unless the child wanted to read them in Hebrew, which most of the other students wouldn't understand. (Personally, I think it would be lovely, Hebrew is a musical language.)
The same was true of daily Bible reading when I was in sixth grade c. 1974. I was the one who did the reading. I didn't understand a lot of what I read, though.
It's a knotty situation, at a grade-school level, isn't it? On the one hand I don't think a kid should be subjected to the Bible or prayers, if he doesn't want to be. On the other, since I am a Christian, I also believe that children who do want a daily reading of the Bible and a prayer, should be able to have that.
Problem is, what do you do with the kids who wish to abstain? What can the school do with them, that wouldn't seem like a punishment, or make them look "bad" to the rest of their classmates?
Bible reading and a short prayer take about ten or fifteen minutes, tops. Just long enough to be a disruption, when it comes to accommodating everyone's preferences.
The only answer is to throw out the Bible and prayer. It's the least disruptive option. I'm not against school prayer, but it shouldn't be mandatory in public school.
Ultimately, parents should be responsible for the non-secular education of their children. That's a parental right that parents should not be so eager to leave to someone else.
Why is this even an issue?
FREEDOM!!
This is a great opportunity to characterize your book properly, on the record, in a court of law.
" Mikey Weinstein . . . attorney in Albuquerque, N.M. . . . president of the [Military Religious Freedom Foundation] . . . who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1977 . . . . "
Just wondering what kind of "military religious freedom" attorney Weinstein expects to find under Islam when his attempts to stamp out all non-Islamic religions are ever successful.
For you can never remove Islam from our military as long as they allow Moslems to enlist and provide them with prayer rooms, korans, etc., which they do.
Free from all religions, only the political ideology masquerading as a religion that is Islam is allowed.
A Weinstein defending the rights of Islam. What irony! (Of course, he ain't alone, there's many of his kind defending their sworn enemies, without realizing that is what they are doing.)
But then we got to be fair and just and give Islam a chance.
Is there anything wrong in cutting our own throats?
Pelayo,
Good one! That about the Atlanta Falcons beating the Miami Dolphins.
I must say, speaking as an Australian whose country is allied with the USA, that it gives me a good feeling to know that Mr Spencer's brief and lucid - yet profoundly scholarly, cool-headed and accurate - whistle-stop tour of the main teachings of Islam, and of the relations of the Ummah with the Infidel world through the past 1350 years, is known to at least some members of the American military.
The fact that Spencer has written it in common language, in easy to swallow high-school textbook format, means that even the simplest 'grunt' should be able to grasp the basics.
The more firmly those soldiers and officers come to understand its predictive power, and take appropriate action, in their dealings with muslims-on-the-ground in Iraq and Afghanistan - and elsewhere, the safer the Infidel world will be.
Oh for a Hebrew version (not all Israeli Jews are competent in English).
Oh for a Russian version, to pass hand to hand among the new conscripts and their training officers (right alongside those brand-new Bible Society issue Bibles) till it falls apart, dog-eared and tattered and stained with tea and vodka spills. Oh for a Chinese version! Oh for a Hindi version (with extra features: a brief appendix on Islam in India, and the Crusader-style defence actions of the Rajputs and the Sikhs) that will pass hand-to-hand among the enlisted non-Muslims of the Indian army! Please, somebody get the 'PIG to Islam', into the hands of Thai generals, and the Filipino defence forces, and whoever heads up the Army in Ethiopia!
"Onward Muslim Soldiers" is the other Spencer book that should be going out to members of every Infidel army that has - or may have - dealings with Muslims on the battlefield.
Officers and generals need, in addition, "The Truth About Muhammad", plus Malik "The Quranic Way of War", and Khadduri on "The Law of War and Peace in Islam".
Of course, probably the single most important thing an Infidel soldier needs to know is the doctrine of the Hudna - that Muslims only call for 'time out' when they are losing, and that the moment they feel able, they will betray any agreement into which they have entered. Our 'grunts' should know in advance that any wounded Muslim soldier may be merely pretending to 'surrender' while preparing to use knife or grenade. Our generals should know that the Muslims call 'truce', THAT is the moment for the Infidels to attack harder than ever.
Far from "PIG to Islam and the Crusades" being banned, it should be in every Infidel soldier's knapsack.
Swami writes:
"Atheism is a religion in reverse, but it is still a religion. They worship nothing. Not realizing for one second that 'no-thing' is God. Do you think these people will ever GROW UP?"
Hey Swami, do you contend that "baldness" is a hairstyle?
Thanks for your laughable attempt at an argument.
Don't forget its not atheists flying planes into buildings.
"Also, note that your NM lawyer was bested by another NM lawyer."
Would that be like the Atlanta Falcons beating the Miami Dlophins?
Posted by: Pelayo
Well, you stumped me on that one. I'm pretty sure these are professional sports teams, and I suppose from the context that they are not very good ones.
Changing the topic, I'm surprised that you (and Abscedere) had prayers in school (assuming, of course, that you went to public schools, not parochial ones). I went to school in the '50's and 60's, and we never prayed in school. The whole business about the Supreme Court and school prayers left me dumbfounded -- I'd never heard of such a thing. We did sing Christmas carols in season, and the school drama club put on Dickens' Christmas Carol every year; but prayers? No. The only time there was prayer with the school involved was at graduation -- there was a service separate from the graduation ceremony at one of the local churches. When I graduated, it was at the Presbyterian church; very fitting, since both of their ministers had sons in that class. When my brother graduated, it was at the conservative Jewish temple; Mom couldn't sit with Dad and me, and both Dad and I had to wear the little caps. I was rather irritated at that, but Dad took it with good grace; Mom always said he looked good with it.
unicoms writes:
"A Weinstein defending the rights of Islam. What irony! (Of course, he ain't alone, there's many of his kind defending their sworn enemies, without realizing that is what they are doing.)"
Probably Weinstein is ignorant of the contents of TPIGTI. But Islam should have rights in this country, just like any other religion.
Radical Islam and its exhortations to violence should have no rights, same with abortion clinic bombers and other violent christers.
Even Daniel Pipes defends the rights of Muslims. Rational society spits out violent radical knuckleheads.
If you had did a little background checking you'd know that what put Weinstein on the warpath was that his son was continually harassed by christers at the Air Force Academy. Perhaps you think that is OK?
Religious intimidation is no less odious than when it is perpetrated by christers instead of islamobots. Or maybe you think the former is OK and only have a problem with the latter.
I think reports of religious intimidation and coercion in the armed forces is serious business. The army defamed Pat Tillman after his death by making remarks about his or his parents lack of religious faith.
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/2348
Maybe you agree with the Lt. Col. here.
This is a problem, regardless of whether or not you think Weinstein is going overboard.
"Hey Swami, do you contend that "baldness" is a hairstyle?
"Don't forget its not atheists flying planes into buildings."
Posted by: Crusher
Baldness clearly is a hairstyle. Just look at the skin-heads in Europe -- they're young fellows still with full heads of hair, if they'd let it grow. Also I see plenty of men with shaved heads with a pretty large 5 o'clock shadow around their scalps.
It may not be atheists flying into buildings, but neither is it Christians, nor Jews, nor Hindus, nor Buddhists, nor . . . .
Ebonystine, the whole school prayer lawsuit was over mandatory school prayer, usually in the morning followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A Supreme Court ruling in 1960 ended the practice. I'm going to guess that you did not attend school in the Southern Bible Belt.
In the eighth grade we had a Bible reading also.