Joyless puritans unite against the same “offensive” song. My latest in PJ Media:
Many people have asked me how Leftists can ally with Islamic hardliners who adhere to Sharia, a system of laws that would have many of them executed. One clue to the logic of this curious alliance came recently in the “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” controversy: Here, we see a relationship of “like to like” as two groups of joyless, controlling authoritarians come together.
The #MeToo bans on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” are ironic in this age of gangsta rap lyrics full of violent rape imagery and open, unapologetic misogyny, and the bans have been rolled back here and there after listener outcries, but they’re still instructive. They show an intersection of Sharia sensibilities with the harsh and angry puritanism of some radical feminists.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s great theorist Sayyid Qutb has been called “the father of modern [Islamic] fundamentalism.” He sharpened his distaste for the West while living in the United States from November 1948 to August 1950. His disgust with the gaudy materialism of postwar America was intense — and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” was, for him, Exhibit A of American decadence.
The History of Jihad From Muhammad to ISIS recounts how, in Greeley, Colorado, where Qutb lived for a short time, he was thoroughly scandalized by a dance after an evening service at a local church:
The dancing intensified … The hall swarmed with legs … Arms circled arms, lips met lips, chests met chests, and the atmosphere was full of love.
The pastor further scandalized Qutb by dimming the lights, creating “a romantic, dreamy effect,” and playing a popular record of the day — none other than “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” One modern-day hater of the song, Glenn Anderson of Cleveland’s Star 102 radio station, would have been no less offended than Qutb:
Now, I do realize that when the song was written in 1944, it was a different time, but now while reading it, it seems very manipulative and wrong. The world we live in is extra sensitive now, and people get easily offended, but in a world where #MeToo has finally given women the voice they deserve, the song has no place.
Anderson and Qutb both no doubt felt righteous and superior to the libertines who dared to enjoy this song. Qutb also sounded much like a modern American Leftist when he concluded:
I fear that when the wheel of life has turned and the file on history has closed, America will not have contributed anything.
Modern Leftists would likely also find much to agree with in Qutb’s influential book Milestones, in which he declared:
Mankind today is on the brink of a precipice, not because of the danger of complete annihilation which is hanging over its head — this being just a symptom and not the real disease — but because humanity is devoid of those vital values which are necessary not only for its healthy development but also for its real progress.
With his time in America probably in mind, Qutb continued:
Even the Western world realizes that Western civilization is unable to present any healthy values for the guidance of mankind. It knows that it does not possess anything which will satisfy its own conscience and justify its existence.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez couldn’t have said it better. Qutb concluded:
It is essential for mankind to have new leadership!
That new leadership would come from Islam; what Leftist today would dare to object and risk being charged with “Islamophobia”? Qutb advances Islam as:
… a challenge to all kinds and forms of systems which are based on the concept of the sovereignty of man; in other words, where man has usurped the Divine attribute. Any system in which the final decisions are referred to human beings, and in which the sources of all authority are human, deifies human beings by designating others than God as lords over men.
Qutb also taught that jihad was necessary in order to establish Sharia, couching his appeal in Leftist-friendly language about liberating human beings from oppression:
The establishing of the dominion of God on earth, the abolishing of the dominion of man, the taking away of sovereignty from the usurper to revert it to God, and the bringing about of the enforcement of the Divine Law [Sharia] … and the abolition of man-made laws cannot be achieved only through preaching. Those who have usurped the authority of God and are oppressing God’s creatures are not going to give up their power merely through preaching; if it had been so, the task of establishing God’s religion in the world would have been very easy for the Prophets of God! This is contrary to the evidence from the history of the Prophets and the story of the struggle of the true religion, spread over generations.
Indeed, the evidence of Islamic history is that bloodshed and authoritarianism have been omnipresent….
Read the rest here.
Logic&Reason says
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Dangerous thinking….and in this case: lethal.
t says
Whose photo is that, in the beginnig of the article? Does anyone know?
Thanks in advance.
Just a Concerned Citizen says
That would be the charming Sayyid Qutb himself.
Kesselman says
The religious pious Qutb and the politically pious Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are undoubted of the same stock. Thus the current camaraderie and their quest for official dominance in the world they perceive as astray. – Only to the day, the mozzies get the upper hand. Then we’ll see a repetition of “The Night of the Long Knives” when Hitler slaughtered the more leftist fascist Stormtroopers in Bavaria, Germany1934.
Roger says
Then we’ll see a repetition of “The Night of the Long Knives” when Hitler slaughtered the more leftist fascist Stormtroopers in Bavaria, Germany1934.
YES… and I have mentioned this very idea to many… often I get, “Huh, Night of Long Knives?” Sad but you are 100% right.
Westman says
Let’s think for a moment what life would be like if Islam had been a strong military power power in 1944? Sprechen Sie Deutsch, anyone? Like today’s intersection of power seekers, Islam rides the available train full of miserable humans devoid of humor.
No American progress or contribution says Qutb. Uhh, what are those rectangular things carried by most jihadis and “refugees” that they hold up to their ears? And of course, some Muslims use them for the peaceful purpose of setting off bombs.
I live in a home heated in the winter, cooled in the summer, with neighbors of a different religions who wish me no harm. This is because as Americans, having an enforced Constitution, we know that our brights are protected and can then exercise sufficient trust in long term goals – which is considerably more enjoyable than bumping one’s head on the floor, asking for more slavery.
Frankly, Qutb was insanely jealous that America had freedoms denied to him by his religion and was making progress while Islam was stagnant. Jealousy is at the base of today’s intersection of unhappy groups demanding power. Of course, they still won’t be satisfied if they get it. Islam is a flop, its only real value is mollifying the human whose potential it robbed.
The radical feminists should be alerted that there are other songs they can pounce upon, “Standing On The Corner, Watching All The Girls Go By”, “She’s Too Fat For Me”, and, “If You Want To Be Happy For The Rest Of Your Life”.
To Qutb’s casket and the feminazis, some great advice: No use permitting the prophet of doom to wipe every smile away – Life is a cabaret of charm, come to the cabaret.
Carolyne says
“Start by admitting from cradle to tomb it isn’t that long a stay.”
This ignorant Islamist will be really surprised when he receives no virgins on his demise so I advise him to have some fun while he can. “Baby its Cold Outside” is a cute little song, not to be taken seriously. These people need to lighten up and realize that “Life is just a Bowl of Cherries.”
762x51FMJ says
In his own words western civilization was decadent in comparison to Islam?
In a world of Jackals accusing a Hyenas of heel nippings, the lions share goes to king of beasts.
And that is the 10 billion people who arent Muslims.
CogitoErgoSum says
Question: If God wanted to control every aspect of human life why were human beings given the freedom to make their own choices?
Answer: Because God wants it that way. So stop trying to take away what God gave me and wants me to have — my freedom. Just put that “off” button on a radio and let me use it when a song comes on that I don’t like.
Richard says
You can have no credit for being good or bad if you have no right to choose. Those who are genuinely offended by a song about seduction – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – should protest the schools teaching sex education to little children. It’s like giving a child a toy and showing it how wonderful it is and all the things you can do with it — ‘But wait ten or twenty years to play with it.’ You know darn well the kid will be playing with it as soon as you leave the room. You can’t have it both ways: How on earth can a society obsessed with the value and joy of all manner of sex outside of marriage possibly be offended by a song about seduction?
jule says
Baby its cold outside is a horrible song about putting something in her drink to get her to stay for sex. Hasn’t anyone here listened to it? Putting date rape drugs in drinks in a song should never be sung. Its called ‘normalizing’ a crime.
TrueFreeThinker says
White leftists are nuts, listen to yourself, you see a boogie man (am l even allowed to say these words anymore because of white leftists ruining everything they touch) around every corner.
Carolyne says
“The neighbors might think….” (But baby you’ll freeze out there.) Say, what’s in this drink? (It’s up to your knees out there)”
He’s just trying to prevent her catching pneumonia.
Why is everything, even silly songs, offensive to the left you might ask. It’s because they have no sense of humor and they need to learn that they will be taken much more seriously if they spread a little sunshine. They can’t laugh they can’t smile..
“I figured ma a hopeless case, I thought a smile would break my face. But all along I figured wrong, it’s great to be alive”
gravenimage says
Jule, this is ridiculous. This is not a song about a date-rape drug. Good grief…
Carolyne says
You see, I don’t think sex is wrong between two consenting adults. It is nothing dirty, it is nothing “sinfull.” If one believes in God, how can this gift He gave to humans be wrong? In fact, it is no one else’s business. History is filled with those who wish to control others’ every action. Kiind of like Mohammed.
Michael Copeland says
Qutb’s criticism of any system other than Sharia is that it……
“deifies human beings by designating others than God as lords over men”.
Islam makes Mohammed – his life and example – lord over men.
Islam’s prayers include “Peace be to you, O Mohammed”, addressed directly to Mohammed.
When a matter has been decided by Allah AND HIS MESSENGER – in other words, by a joint decision – the muslim “has no option”, Koran 33:36
http://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=33&verse=36
Pot, kettle, black?
CogitoErgoSum says
I get the feeling that the decision making was split 49% for Allah and 51% for Muhammad.
6woods says
You’re absolutely correct. If mohammed and ‘allah’ (wink, wink) were not one and the same, the phrasing would be something like “when a matter has been decided by allah, as revealed to his messenger…” If allah needs a mere mortal’s help to make decisions, he’s A. Not a god, or B. Does not exist. Allah (aka mohammed) is the best of deceivers!
epistemology says
Qutb was one of the most dangerous men in the forming of the Islamic ideology. He hated the West and especially America because we are far more successful in science, culture, arts etc. and our ethics are superior. Something he’d never have admitted of course.
Only somebody who is totally mentally incapacitated can take offence because of this innocuous song ‘Baby it’s cold outside’. Qutb was utterly uptight, never had a sexual relation in his life and he thought he could judge our wonderful Western culture. His self-appointed prophet was a paedophile, no doubt about that.
Been back to the town where I went to school and studied. It used to be the town of diplomats but now it’s the town of headscarves and fully veiled sluts.
jule says
This is so true
gravenimage says
Robert Spencer in PJ Media: With the ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ Uproar, Islam and #MeToo Intersect
…………………
There is no joy with either of these two groups.
jule says
It about the guy putting something in her drink like for date rape. In the song she asks him what he put in her drink. It is not a song about Joy.
St. Michael Defend Us says
No, that is not what it is about. It is tongue-in-cheek, the old “He chased her until she caught him”.
jule says
Yes it is(like date rape drug or old spanish fly)
She says maybe just half a drink…….Say whats In this Drink?
He..you eyes look like starlight Now. and there are no cabs.
NO ONE would care these days if it was just seduction…are you kidding. This is not about seduction or sex but Drugs to make more compliant and that is why people don’t want it played (OR FOR THE PRACTICE TO CONTINUE….which it does) NO MORE COSBYS!
gravenimage says
This is terribly silly, Jule.
Carol the 1st says
The song was written in 1944 – pre-birth control and pre-date rape drugs. The line about the drink is to convey the ‘atmosphere’ that they’ve chosen to unwind together and she is a little surprised that she is “letting her hair down”.
Maybe sex comes too easily these days and people are losing their bearings. They say many decent men are becoming afraid to make an advance toward a woman. Good grief!
jule says
Sorry to say you are wrong. Slipping someone a Mickey started in late 1800’s Chloral hydrate knocks people out for awhile so they can be robbed or raped, whatever and when they wake up, they remember not much at all of what happened.
Look up Mickey Finn…Chicago.
gravenimage says
Jule, there is nothing in this song to suggest the gentleman is slipping the lady a Mickey Finn.
Lydia Church says
Then let them do it in the middle of a Catholic or Orthodox church right before mass.
I don’t believe in the literal deal with that but either way, church is not the place for
that stuff. I might be a ‘puritan,’ but I’m definitely not joyless!
I just have a sense of what is proper and appropriate for certain places and what is not.
Some readers may not be aware of the fact of exactly how decadent society has become.
I have the joyless duty of wading in the mire to keep informed. Well, the latest scandal
is that there is an eleven year old boy who has been dressing as a female in drag, and
now is dancing at a gay bar for money in NYC looking sexy enough to turn on all the
pedophiles in the crowd. That is what is next. It is worse than Sodom and Gomorrah,
but of course if we cry out against it we might also be called ‘puritans’… (hhuhh! gasp!)
: O
jule says
Just wondering if he is from Afghanistan or been groomed by one. Every man who is anyone in that country has one. (Though I have heard Lebanon & several others do too) I don’t understand how they do this but then throw Gay men off roofs? What is their definition of ‘gay’? A grown man with a grown man is gay….but a man with a little boy who is their personal dancer is OK? Is it coming here too? In USA a man with a boy is a Crime. Man with man is their business.
gravenimage says
True–the only crime in Islam seems to be if the relationship is a consensual one between two adults.
St. Michael Defend Us says
While the dancing is described as “at” the church, I’m fairly certain it was not in the worship space proper, unless I am merely projecting my own experiences. Most churches have a basement, or hall, or adjoining classrooms, or something, in which funeral lunches, after-wedding teas, or “sock hops” may take place.
Such a lurid description of ballroom dancing is a result of this jokers own fevered dreams rather than reality. No twerking, I am sure. This would be Guy Lombardo or Lawrence Welk style dancing. This guy was offended by the men and women mixing freely as equals, the women not wearing black garbage bags.
gravenimage says
Yes–my understanding is that the dance was held in the church basement.
patriotliz says
I don’t get it. The Leftists brought forth their cesspool of moral degeneracy in America by mocking our Christian foundations with their “if it feels good do it” hedonistic philosophy, AND…Islam is the greatest abuser of basic human rights including women’s rights the world has ever seen.
Neither have ANY moral authority to criticize anything especially the song “Baby it’s cold outside.”
The only reason for the Leftist-Islamic alliance is to destroy Christianity and Western Civilization. They will sort things out later, but it doesn’t look good for the Leftist commies who most likely will literally lose their heads.