“For an American president to avert his eyes from the religious (Islamic) roots of ISIS is a form of political myopia with potentially ominous consequences for Americans who have just commemorated the Al Qaeda-inflicted catastrophe now forever known as 9/11.” Indeed.
“When is an Islamic State Not Islamic?,” by Jerold Auerbach, Algemeiner, September 12, 2014:
In his nationally televised speech on the eve of the anniversary of 9/11, President Obama pointedly declared: “The Islamic State [ISIL] is not Islamic.” If the President’s verbal acrobatics sounded familiar they were. And not only because he was echoing Humpty Dumpty’s familiar aphorism: “When I use a word it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”
In his memorable Cairo speech in June 2009, the new president referred to “a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world.” Citing 9/11 he identified “violent extremists . . . in a small but potent minority of Muslims” who have “exploited these tensions.” That horrific attack “has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to American and Western countries, but also to human rights.” Indeed it had, quite justifiably so.
But, President Obama insisted in his quest for “a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world,” America and Islam “share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.” It was, he asserted, “part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.”
Now, as the Islamic State rampages through Syria and Iraq, with ambitions for an caliphate stretching far beyond those borders, even The New York Times noted that “its brutal interpretation of Islamic law” guided its path. One may plausibly argue that ISIL/ISIS is hardly representative of the history or culture of Islam – indeed, that it is a monstrous perversion of Islam by committing appalling acts in its name. But to assert, as President Obama recently did, that “ISIL is not Islamic” is not only false but, in the wake of the recent televised beheading of American journalists James Foley and Stephen Sotloff by ISIL jihadi murderers, surreal.
Barely a week after 9/11 President George W. Bush, addressing Congress, identified Al Qaeda as “a fringe form of Islamic extremism.” His precision stands in sharp contrast to President Obama’s evasion of the obvious relationship between ISIS and Islam, however perverse its inflammatory words and horrific actions may be. As Michael Rubin, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who served in the Defense Department between 2002-4, has written (Commentary 9/11): “National security should never be sacrificed upon the alter of political correctness. . . . To pretend that the enemy – ISIS in this case – does not root itself in an interpretation of Islam is simply wrong.”
Yet President Obama persists in wishing away ISIL’s self-proclaimed roots in Islam. “No religion,” he declared in his attempt at exoneration, “condones the killing of innocents, and the vast majority of ISIL’s victims have been Muslim.” But as Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch and author of best-selling books about Muhammad and Islam, asks: “If the Islamic State were really so obviously un-Islamic, how is it that it came to call itself ‘the Islamic State’”? And why have hundreds of Western Muslims – including, evidently, the ISIS jihadist who beheaded two American journalists – journeyed to the Middle East to join its ranks?
Why, one might wonder, does President Obama either fail to grasp, or decline to assert, the obvious derivation of the Islamic State from Islam? According to the most recent CIA estimate, it now has between 20,000-30,000 fighters on the ground in Syria and Iraq, its growth prompted by stronger recruitment (including hundreds of Western Muslims) and “the declaration of a caliphate.”
Historically, “caliphate” refers to the political-religious state comprising the Muslim community and the lands and peoples under its dominion following the death of Muhammad. ISIS still has a way to go. But for an American president to avert his eyes from the religious (Islamic) roots of ISIS is a form of political myopia with potentially ominous consequences for Americans who have just commemorated the Al Qaeda-inflicted catastrophe now forever known as 9/11.
John C. Barile says
Mr. Obama summons us to embark on a nebulous undertaking against nebulous adversaries whose motives and goals are incomprehensible and who we hope can be restrined by half-measures. Sure sounds like a clarion call to action–sort of–to me!
John C. Barile says
Restrained, can be restrained by half-measures, that is.
Ralph says
I confess I’ve been called a bigot for lots of things simply because I have a Christian worldview. I’ve been called it by atheists, homosexuals and Islamists, but they always use that because they simply cannot defend their positions, and so, they resort to name calling. It shouldn’t surprise anyone then that socialist Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) spoke at an Islamic Society of Orange County town hall meeting on the issue of the Constitution and Sharia law.
“Over the last year, and due to the focus of House Republicans on so-called ‘Muslim radicalization,’ we have seen politicians and pundits attacking the Islamic faith as a security threat to the United States,” she said. “Across the country, these people are exploiting fear and trying to convince state legislatures that the state adoption of Sharia tenants is the strategy extremists are using to transform the United States into an Islamic country.”Keep in mind that this town hall meeting took place in 2012, but her words are still relevant today because she and others like her continue to think like this. Also keep in mind that the Islamic Society of Orange County claims to be a “non-political organization.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xiKudoZhXc
Wow! There is far too much in just that one statement that is easily demonstrated to be true. First, as I always point out, there is no “radical Islam,” only Islam. Republicans need to get that right. Second, it wasn’t Republicans who tweeted this out:
Jax Tolmen says
I don’t appreciate you conflating homosexuals and atheists with Islamists. I don’t understand what, if anything, that statement added to your comment. It was needlessly inflammatory and served no purpose other than to show that you may actually be a bigot.
If you haven’t noticed, JihadWatch frequently stands for the rights of homosexuals and atheists within Islamic countries.
Despite what you, and a few others may think, this is not the modern equivalent of the Crusades. The fight against Islam is not related to Christianity in any way other than the fact that many anti – Islamists may also be Christians. Within that anti – Islamist group are a whole host of people with different views, lifestyles and cultural backgrounds.
This is an anti- Jihad site. This is not an exclusively Christian site. If you want to waste time pushing some ludicrous notion of moral equivalency between atheists, homosexuals and Islamists than I fear you may be on the wrong site. JihadWatch is an inclusive website that does not discriminate or push any particular religious agenda – other than that Islam is bad.
Tradewinds says
“I confess I’ve been called a bigot for lots of things simply because I have a Christian worldview. I’ve been called it by atheists, homosexuals and Islamists, but they always use that because they simply cannot defend their positions, and so, they resort to name calling.” – Ralph
Thanks for posting your personal experience, Ralph. I understand what you’re saying.
“First, as I always point out, there is no “radical Islam,” only Islam. ”
You’re right about that too, Ralph. Islam is inherently radical and militant, so the oft-used phrase “radical Islam” is redundant.
Éamonn Gavin says
“Jax Tolmen” – Surely, surely, you must realise that there is no attempt by Ralph to draw a line of “moral equivalency” in his view of atheists, homosexuals and Islamists. He was simply providing three examples, one of which is Islamism. He did not in any way seek to draw a parallel between them. You did! Perhaps when (if you bother to?) read Ralph’s piece again, you will recognise the vacuous nature of your comment. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.
opinionated says
You’ve got a long way to go Jax. All the best on your ‘learning curve’ and may you shackles fall off before your head tumbles.
BC says
I am a socailist and an atheist and I am completely opposed to islamisation
of non Muslim countries and terrorism which is its method. The terrorists and Muslim raduicals know they have no chance of converting the world by persuasion. So they try to do it by spreading fear and manipulating our poliical systems to make power gains.. This is a ridiculous notion of course. We did not surrender to Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan who were far more formidable opponents. EWe need to steel ourselves for the fight, they will fight to the death. As they say they love death whereas as we love life. Which is the saner philosophy?
Look at other immigrants to non Muslim countries. Eg the Jews and the Chinese. They were absorbed into our societies and cause no disturbance.
They do not seek to impose their religious beliefs on their hosts or demand special treatment in every walk of life. With Muslims it is the opposite, they make no secret of despising our cultures and wishing to change us to their beliefs. Their Quran supports this completely and everything is viewed through the prism of the Quran as they believe it is the word of ‘god’
Shane says
This is what we need passed in every state in the union – American Laws for American Courts (ALAC)
ACT! for America has played a key role in getting ALAC (American Laws for American Courts) passed in Tennessee, Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. ALAC prohibits state judges from applying foreign law, which can include Sharia law, when doing so infringes on constitutional rights.
Take Action: http://www.actforamerica.org/index.php/component/content/article/2884#10
11B40 says
Greetings:
Well, to paraphrase another Democratic terror fighter, it depends on what your meaning of “IS” is.
Tradewinds says
I’ve thought of that, too. Bill Clinton – a liar and deceiver.
John C. Barile says
It is what “IS” is.
Transmaster says
This is so ominous it is just like the early 1930’s when Europe, and the United Kingdom declared Chancellor Hitler was a Statesmen and general all around good guy. All the while letting him build his means of getting revenge for what was done to Germany after the Great War. Now we have the same thing people who are not facing the facts and will not until atomic mushroom clouds appear over major cities when Iran starts to supply nukes to terrorists. And Israel annihilates Iran with their atomic weapons.
mortimer says
It’s CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE for a President to ignore the facts and spout rubbish like this!
Obama is a Chamberlain.
Emilie Green says
He’s not being negligent in the least. What he is doing is advancing Islam, and he’s doing it purposefully. Obama said what he said about ISIS not being Islamic because of the savagery of their now publicly seen behavior. He’s trying – and fortunately failing miserably because most people have eyes – to protect Islam from its inherently violent nature. Like holding back the tides, it can’t be done. As Islam becomes more assertive, its true nature must of necessity be revealed.
We’re in a race of rates. Can Islam advance and take over more and more institutions at a rate greater than the rate at which non-Muslims are learning what’s going on and taking defensive measures.
mortimer says
Obama is ignorant of basic Islamic doctrines. I supply these in point form.
1) Kafirs – subhumans called Kafirs are inherently guilty and must be punished because they maliciously disbelieve in Mohammed.
2) Abrogation – ALL benevolent verses in the Koran are nullified by later VIOLENT verses advocating warfare against the evil kafirs.
3) Jihad – Allah gave Muslims a monopoly on aggression. Kafirs who resist jihad or fight against jihad are devilish and must be savagely mistreated and terrorized.
ApolloSpeaks says
WHAT IS OBAMA’S IDEA OF AN ISLAMIC STATE?
Click http://www.apollospeaks.com for the mind boggling answer.
nacazo says
In other news, The Catholic church has nothing to do with Catholicism; the Baptist church has nothing to do with baptism; the Methodist church has nothing to do with Methodism; the United States of America have nothing to do with America
/sarc off
Walter Sieruk says
Obama needs to wake up and face the facts of reality and call this entity of Islam which is an Islamic state an Islamic state. For example, everyone calls , a dog and dog,and a cat a cat. The Likewise a state need to be said about a state that a religion,Islam, has total control of an Islamic state. There in no sense in going into denial. Furthermore, its also very much needs to be reiterated that The Muslim extremists thugs who have so much power in this Islamic state come down very hard in their persecution of the Christians in much murderous action toward them. These Muslims villains of ISIS are so cruel and terrible that they even murder children. In how they gather together to commit such heinous evils may be described in the Bible. For in Psalm 94:21. it reads “They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.” Moreover, the evil and mad mindset of fiends who compose ISIS are also described in the Bible which teaches “The hearts of men are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:3. In addition the men of ISIS are s every violent that the curse the is found in the Bible might be on them. For Psalm 140:11. reads “May disaster hunt down men of violence. [N.I.V.] – Just wondering ? Could this disaster come in the form of missile airstrikes ?
bobm says
Why is the non muslim world so fearful?..the alliance of nations that defeated Nazi Germany and Japan is now hugely more powerful and adds Japan and Germany ..It is hugely more powerful than islam… PERIOD… What is lacking is unity.. we cannot be in denial forever .. we will just create a monsterous situation…..isis ..Boko etc. ARE islam…. You must admit it Obama.. or pay a fools price.
Brian Hoff says
ISIS isnot than Caliphate or than Islamist State. To be than Caliphate today they must be vote in by all the Islamist scholar around the world like the first 4 Caliphate. Islamist Scholar around the world say they Leader isnot than Calip or they are than Caliphate. In america all Islamist Group have called ISIS terrorist and criminals.
Tradewinds says
Says Muslim “than” “defenderofislam.”
Why don’t you get off it with your English nic “Brian Hoff” and expose yourself for the “Abdullah” you are?
Don’t you know your constant misuse of “than” reveals you as the Mohammedan you are?
Angemon says
Brian Hoff posted:
“ISIS isnot than Caliphate or than Islamist State. To be than Caliphate today they must be vote in by all the Islamist scholar around the world like the first 4 Caliphate.”
Right, because all muslim scholars unanimously agreed that Abu was muhammad’s rightful successor…
“Islamist Scholar around the world say they Leader isnot than Calip or they are than Caliphate.”
And somehow muslims all around the world aren’t convinced and are joining ISIS and pledging allegiance to the caliph. Admit it – if it were Erdogan proclaiming the caliphate in Turkey you’d be defending it regardless of scholars who said it wasn’t legit.
“In america all Islamist Group have called ISIS terrorist and criminals.”
Lip service.
David, Thailand says
Go tell al-Baghdadi, but first insure your head.
Brian Hoff says
It like me going to to the UK saying I than the King of England they will just laught at me.
Tradewinds says
Says Muslim “than” “defenderofislam.”
Why don’t you get off it with your English nic “Brian Hoff” and expose yourself for the “Abdullah” you are?
Don’t you know your constant misuse of “than” reveals you as the Mohammedan you are?
John C. Barile says
If you have 30,000-50,000 men with heavy machine guns, RPGs, 155mm artillery pieces, armored Humvees and personnel carriers, armored cars, heavy trucks, M1a1 Abrams tanks, Russian-model tanks, two billion dollars in cash and two million in daily revenue–well, then, Brian–call yourself whatever you like, and I’ll believe you.
John C. Barile says
Caliph Brian al-Qurayshi–may Allah preserve [us from] him!
GP says
The recognized leader of the IS or ISIS or ISIL has a PhD in IS LAMic studies, but that is not really IS LAM. Right?
But hey, the IS has recruiting centers throughout America and the West and these are called mosques. Every one of these mosques is a potential jihadist mill and every imams needs to watched very very closely. “Radical Muslims” will try to slit your throat and “Moderate Muslims” will simply smile and nod. IS LAM is a cult of murderous jihadists, rapists, and bloodthirsty devils. These butchers will find there is a special place in Hell for the most vile evil savages. That will be their eternal reward.
Dr. Gonzalo de Porras says
If the ISIL has declared Sunni, then the Quran prohibits is attacked by other Sunni Muslims and as a result each day the declaration of a main cleric, stating that ISIL not follow Islamic orthodoxy, occurs whereby the member of this group become heretics and can be attacked and opposed by orthodox Sunni
Angemon says
Dr. Gonzalo de Porras posted:
“If the ISIL has declared Sunni, then the Quran prohibits is attacked by other Sunni Muslims”
What do the quran and islamic orthodoxy say about hypocrites? Are sunni not allowed to punish hypocrites if they claim to be sunni?
Dave says
The history of humanity has been dominated by war and atrocities. Whether it was the world wars or the bloodshed of the papal wars, the crusades, inquisition or Northern Ireland and Vietnam war is not the exclusive domain of Islam and should not be misrepresented as such. The west has its darkened pages of history to be equally ashamed of. Burning at the stake and beheadings took place in our lands too. Because of the holocaust does that make all westerners evil or all Europeans satanic?
What gives us the high and mighty moral ground to call ourselves civilised with our priests committing child abuse for centuries? The truth is no-one has the moral ground here and neither Christianity nor Islam were founded for evil purposes yet they became corrupt over time.
Christians have had their wars and identity crisis and now Muslims are going through the same and undoubtedly will come out of it as civilised as we think we are. Islam has contributed a lot to civilisation. To deny that is to deny history. At the time Jihad was used to protect innocent people from oppression and savage tribes at that time as there were no courts, no armies, no constitution or laws. Jihad was not meant for an atomic age but a barbaric one.
Later Jihad was annulled just before the nuclear age dawned. When Baha’u’llah appeared in Iran He claimed to be the promised Great Announcement Islam were awaiting and was imprisoned for 40 years for making the claim. He abolished Jihad and priesthood as well and warned there was a power in existence that could contaminate the atmosphere and hoped the world would have become spiritual before it was discovered.
Baha’u’llah said the age of world unity had dawned but most laughed at Him yet His Teachings are being adopted worldwide as the most progressive laws for humanity. Human rights for all men, equality between men and women and the equality of all religion these teachings are needed more now than ever. Yet if people choose to kill and cite religion for it they are liars.
No religion came except for our benefit. That leaders became corrupt is nothing new. Power corrupts kings and queens and world leaders not just the religious.
In Iran Baha’is have been persecuted for over 150 year. Today a mother was sentenced to prison for spreading ‘evil’. Currently a Baha’i cemetery is being dug up by the revolutionary guard and bodies thrown aside yet Baha’is are the last people to blame Islam. We know Muslims and Islam better than anyone and we know that the problem is not Islam but its corrupt Mullas and leaders who cling to power and worry that the popularity of the Baha’i Faith will overthrow them although we have no intention of doing that.
Muslims are not evil people but kind hearted and generous. They are people like anyone. Islam is a good religion but its time is over. that’s what Baha’u’llah came to tell them that this is a new Age and Islam’s age has ended but they can’t accept this and persecute us. Even in Muslim traditions it says that in the future ‘ there will remain naught of Islam but a name and of the Quran a book’ meaning that it will cease to exert a beneficial effect on humankind. It also goes on to say that the Mullas will be the most evil men the world has witnessed. Can you see that? These Mullas want to dominate the world butwill never succeed.
Muslims follow them blindly but they do not represent Islam but their selfish desires and use blind followers for funding and recruitment.
Baha’u’llah taught that this is the age of world unity the age we must see with our own eyes and think with our own mind and not through the minds of others.
He abolished both priesthood and Holy War but He was banished and pronounced a heretic along with Baha’is who to this day number 500,000 in Iran and are denied every basic right even to bury their dead. Baha’is are imprisoned for their belief that all men are one and cannot attend university and our shops are raided and businesses closed down. But it’s not Islam but corrupt Mullas who fear our popularity.
We are the most persecuted people in the world in an Islamic country over 165 years and yet we never for one moment blame Islam as this persecution has to do with evil Mullas and blind followers.
Islam is not the fault here but deranged minds following fanatically and blindly the evil calling of men filled with hate and selfishness.
And even the followers are totally ignorant of Islam and never open their own eyes. Now Muslims worldwide see the be headings and the violence and have a choice. We feel supremely confident that in the end Muslims will choose peace over war but this is a period of deep confusion for them. We need to bring those who have not yet fallen victim to this derangement to see how wrong it is just like the Christian world eventually found its identity away from religious fanaticism and the church which once no better than ISIS has left its aggressive past behind.
Angemon says
Dave posted:
“war is not the exclusive domain of Islam and should not be misrepresented as such.”
No one did such a thing. Islam mandates war against non-muslims and gives said war divine sanction – dying in battle for islam is the only way to ensure a place in paradise. Facts are facts. Deal with them.
“The west has its darkened pages of history to be equally ashamed of. Burning at the stake and beheadings took place in our lands too. Because of the holocaust does that make all westerners evil or all Europeans satanic?”
The West has a tradition of self-criticism that islam-based cultures lack. In any case, saying that the West should be ashamed of the past is fallacious – is that shame supposed to prevent Westerners who didn’t behead or burn anyone at the stake of criticizing the islamic state and its actions, or the tenets of islam that mandate and sanctify them?
“What gives us the high and mighty moral ground to call ourselves civilised with our priests committing child abuse for centuries?”
So you’re saying that because priests went against the tenets of their faith and the law of the land no Westerner can claim to have the moral high ground? You’re saying that because a fringe minority, even among clergy members, broke the laws of their faith and the laws of the land no westerner can, for example, criticize what ISIS is doing? Do you have any idea of how stupid and desperate you sound?
“The truth is no-one has the moral ground here and neither Christianity nor Islam were founded for evil purposes yet they became corrupt over time.”
You’re either completely ignorant of how and why islam came around or you’re lying to our faces and hoping no one here knows better. Muhammad preached “i have my religion and you have yours” for 13 years in Mecca and got less than 150 converts. He moved to Medina, started preaching warfare against unbelievers and raiding caravans and his number of followers skyrocketed. Did muhammad, the inventor of islam, somehow corrupted his own religion?
“Christians have had their wars and identity crisis and now Muslims are going through the same and undoubtedly will come out of it as civilised as we think we are.”
Too bad there’s no empirical evidence to support your wishful thinking. Well, putting it into context it’s more like “trying to pull the wool over our eyes” rather than “wishful thinking”. No, islam had a reformation already. It’s called “Wahhabism”, and it had the exact opposite effect – wahhabi islam is regarded as the most virulent form of islam out there. Do you know that 92% of Saudis agree that ISIS follows the values of islam and islamic law?
“Islam has contributed a lot to civilisation. To deny that is to deny history.”
Just ask the persians, assyrians, hindus or byzantines! But it’s true that if not for islam there would be no US – Columbus was trying to get to Asia without going through the Middle East – the breeding ground of islam and jihad.
“At the time Jihad was used to protect innocent people from oppression and savage tribes at that time as there were no courts, no armies, no constitution or laws.”
And they protected them by invading their lands, killing the men, raping and enslaving women and children, and forcing them to live under sharia law, where non-arab muslim males are treated like 3rd class semi-slaves. There have been plenty of civilizations with armies, law systems and some sort of proto-constitutions. Several of those fell under jihad. The idea that jihad as warfare is restricted to defensive warfare has no basis in reality. The caliph can declare offensive warfare. Even if it were only meant as defensive warfare what constitutes an attack or oppression is in the eye of the beholder – muslims would argue that civilizations who didn’t recognized allah as god and muhammad as his prophet were oppressing their citizens by not letting them follow islam.
“Jihad was not meant for an atomic age but a barbaric one.”
Too bad that there’s nothing in islamic orthodoxy saying it. Much to the contrary, the jihad imperative is eternal.
“Later Jihad was annulled just before the nuclear age dawned.”
No, muslim countries started being left in the dust of civilized, industrialized european countries – they simply couldn’t fight against them. Then WWI happened and the ottoman empire was dismantled and the caliphate abolished.
Most of the rest is dawah, so for that i’ll only say this: according to islamic orthodoxy, muhammad has the seal of prophets – he is the last prophet and there shall be no other prophet after him. So where does that leave Mírzá Ḥusayn-`Alí Núrí (Baha’u’llah), who claimed to receive divine revelations? Well, as an heretic.
“In Iran Baha’is have been persecuted for over 150 year.”
Blame your fellow muslims and islamic orthodoxy.
“Muslims are not evil people but kind hearted and generous.[…]These Mullas want to dominate the world butwill never succeed.
Muslims follow them blindly but they do not represent Islam but their selfish desires and use blind followers for funding and recruitment.[…]
Islam is not the fault here but deranged minds following fanatically and blindly the evil calling of men filled with hate and selfishness.
And even the followers are totally ignorant of Islam and never open their own eyes.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_scotsman
Notice that Dave, besides trying to shame westerners into silence, gives us no islamic justification, no quote from the quran, sirah or ahadith to prove any of his assertions. I wonder why…
John C. Barile says
Because he’s Ba’hai. He’s not Muslim, but to his universalist mind Islam (or Christianity, or Judaism) is an abstraction, not made of flesh and blood. Okay–I’ll play. Then the real Muhammed–a living man–just must not have been a Muslim, after all.
John C. Barile says
Correction: Baha’i.
Dave says
The real Muhammad would disown current Islam and not recognise it as having any relation to Him whatsoever.
There s no attempt here to silence anyone just not single out one race for atrocities when no country or race is fee of having committee them.
The purpose of religion is to unite and promote civilisation and science. Islam or true Islam died a long time ago.
Dave says
Groups like ISIS are only confirming the validity of these words.
‘If religion proves to be the source of hatred, enmity and contention, if it becomes the cause of warfare and strife and influences men to kill each other, its absence is preferable.’ Abdul-Baha
Jerry says
HBO acts and talks like an Orwelian cartoon character.
BC says
America and Islam “share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”
People who utter such statements must be living in a hole at the bottom of an ocean.
Justice? – executing people and cutting off limbs for trivial offences plus of course floggings
Tolerance? – tolerance is a one way street in Islam, evrbody has to accommodate them
Dignity of all human beings? – except for women who do not get equality or even dignity in Islam but are treated as things for the pleasure of men.
wildjew says
I posted the following on Algemeiner:
Mr. Auerbach, you are not being entirely honest or forthright here. I just linked to your piece from Robert Spencer’s Jihad Watch which I read along with Algemeiner. In my busyness I missed this piece. You wrote:
“Barely a week after 9/11 President George W. Bush, addressing Congress, identified Al Qaeda as “a fringe form of Islamic extremism.” His precision stands in sharp contrast to President Obama’s evasion of the obvious relationship between ISIS and Islam, however perverse its inflammatory words and horrific actions may be….
I am a forty three year registered Republican. I voted for George W. Bush in 2000 but not in 2004 in large measure because of what he said and did post 9/11/2001. This is a case in point. What you neglected to mention is the context of this remark before a joint session of Congress and the American people only days after devout Muslim brutally attacked the United States.
This is what Mr. Bush said: “The terrorists (note the word “terrorists,” not Islamic terrorists) practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics — a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam.”
This is absolutely untrue and misleading. Bush went on to propagate many more untruths in that address and afterward. President Bush continued to mislead the American people about Islam and more importantly about Israel – who he wrongly charged with illegitimately occupying historic Palestinian Muslim lands. I expect this from Barack Obama. I did not expect this from President Bush. I do not expect to hear this from any Republican or conservative leader.
BW022 says
“If the Islamic State were really so obviously un-Islamic, how is it that it came to call itself ‘the Islamic State’”?
Bingo. Try imagining if the PLO called itself the “Friends of Zion Association”, the Nazi party called itself the “Bolshevik Benevolence Party”, or the KKK called themselves the “Society for the Advancement of Racial Tolerance”?
You name your party, movement, or group based on those who you wish to recruit and whose ideas you share. If terrorism, a caliphate, killing non-Muslims, etc. had nothing to do with Islam, then naming yourself “Islamic” would be counter-productive. ISIS names itself “Islamic” the same way the vast majority of terrorists and radical groups have the word “Muslim” or “Islam” in their names — because it is an effective way of recruiting people are who predisposed to hate, violence, establishing a caliphate, etc. If they called themselves the “Buddhist Party for the Establishment of Global Domination” presumably they’d be out of business after three weeks.
Bonasi says
We have to avoid the ostrich policy and call the reality by its name. Of course ISIS represents a broader threat for our civilization but the real threat is islam and there is no mistake about it. Therefore what we need to destroy is not only ISIS but with grater reason it is islam which is an ideology worse than nazism. The world must understand that once and for all before it is too late.