A new study, coauthored by political scientists - Carolyn M. Warner and Manfred W. Wenner - at Arizona State University and entitled "Religion and the Political Organization of Muslims in Europe," stated that the 15 million Muslims living in Europe today do not in any way pose a threat to the European culture or political system, according to Times of India.
The study findings challenge many analysts’ theories that emerged in the wake of September 11 attacks of the United States, warning against the impact of Muslims on European politics and policy based on the false assumption that a Muslim bloc would rise up to dominate European countries' foreign and domestic policies.
"Western fears and criticisms are partly based on serious ignorance of the characteristics of Islam and of the people in Europe who adhere to it," the study, which appeared in 'Perspectives on Politics,' a journal of the American Political Science Association (APSA), said.
The authors of the study also tackled the issue of immigration, saying that "religion has failed to be the unifying focal point of Muslims in Western Europe," as Muslim immigrants remain divided by ethnic differences in those states.
It also discussed the absence of organized structure in the majority Sunni religious hierarchy prevalent in Muslim communities in Europe.
The study also shed light on the fact that there are four different schools of law in Sunni Islam that co-exist and overlap.
"Islam manifests itself differently across and within cultures and societies," according to the study. The authors also pointed out the importance of considering "the inter-relationship of the various 'brands' of Islam with the country of origin and ethnicity of its members."
Analysts and Islamic scholars acknowledge that the biggest challenge facing Islam and the West today is how each side perceives the other, specially that recent years witnessed the spread of negative misconceptions about Islam that rose noticeably following September 11 attacks on the United States, which shaped many people’s opinion, establishing a false link between Muslims and terrorism.
[B] establishing a false link between Muslims and terrorism.
I do not mean to offend anyone, but there is a definite link between terrorism and muslims. Without going into great detail, have you seen a catholic, baptist, buddhist, etc. blow themself up, hijack an airline or anything like that? It isnt that all muslims are bad but there is a link between the two. Call it extremism, call it what you want but it is no other religion except Islam.
my question is when will it all stop?
What must be done to be rid of these extreme views?
Someone said to the Prophet, "Pray to God against the idolaters and curse them." The Prophet replied, "I have been sent to show mercy and have not been sent to curse." (Muslim)
I do not mean to offend anyone, but there is a definite link between terrorism and muslims. Without going into great detail, have you seen a catholic, baptist, buddhist, etc. blow themself up, hijack an airline or anything like that? It isnt that all muslims are bad but there is a link between the two. Call it extremism, call it what you want but it is no other religion except Islam.
The KKK are some of the most evil people on Earth... and they are Christians.
Marxists and other communists have members who have commited numerous attrocities.
Hinduism has many extremist nationalist members in India. They tear down Masjids (Mosques), call for the expulsion of Muslims from India and commit many other crimes that have a suspicious resemblance to what Hitler liked.
I'm not saying that these religions are inherently violent, but that there is no connection between Islam and violence.
When people feel threatened or angry, they tend to get violent. Much of the Muslim world is starving, the US and Israel have caused many massacres and injustices, and there are many attacks on Muslims all over the world. How threatened and angry do you think Muslims feel?
there is no connection between Islam and violence.
I think the article said there was no link between Muslims and terrorism.
Not the same thing. The issue in not what Islam says, it is what some Muslims do.
A high school teacher in France, who wrote an opinion piece in a French daily arguing that Islam is trying to force its vision on Europe is under police protection after receiving death threats, officials said on Friday.
One e-mail read: "You will never again be safe on this earth. One billion, 300 million Muslims are ready to kill you," he told Europe-1 radio on Friday.
A high school teacher in France, who wrote an opinion piece in a French daily arguing that Islam is trying to force its vision on Europe is under police protection after receiving death threats, officials said on Friday.
One e-mail read: "You will never again be safe on this earth. One billion, 300 million Muslims are ready to kill you," he told Europe-1 radio on Friday.
That's hate mail and there are laws against harassment, as there should be. However, it's obvious the idiot who wrote it does not speak for 'one billion, 200 million Muslims'. So please, either drop this line of discussion or start another thread, as it does not belong in this one.
That's hate mail and there are laws against harassment, as there should be. However, it's obvious the idiot who wrote it does not speak for 'one billion, 200 million Muslims'. So please, either drop this line of discussion or start another thread, as it does not belong in this one.
I think it is fully fitting for this thread. But that is just me being me.
I never said he represented 'one billion, 200 million Muslims', it was the
e-mailer that made that implication.
I think it is fully fitting for this thread. But that is just me being me.
I never said he represented 'one billion, 200 million Muslims', it was the MEDIA that made that implication.
AY AY thats right.
It is the media which makes sure the word Terrorist is synonymous with Muslim and Islam.
A new study, coauthored by political scientists - Carolyn M. Warner and Manfred W. Wenner - at Arizona State University and entitled "Religion and the Political Organization of Muslims in Europe," stated that the 15 million Muslims living in Europe today do not in any way pose a threat to the European culture or political system, according to Times of India.
The study findings challenge many analysts’ theories that emerged in the wake of September 11 attacks of the United States, warning against the impact of Muslims on European politics and policy based on the false assumption that a Muslim bloc would rise up to dominate European countries' foreign and domestic policies.
"Western fears and criticisms are partly based on serious ignorance of the characteristics of Islam and of the people in Europe who adhere to it," the study, which appeared in 'Perspectives on Politics,' a journal of the American Political Science Association (APSA), said.
The authors of the study also tackled the issue of immigration, saying that "religion has failed to be the unifying focal point of Muslims in Western Europe," as Muslim immigrants remain divided by ethnic differences in those states.
It also discussed the absence of organized structure in the majority Sunni religious hierarchy prevalent in Muslim communities in Europe.
The study also shed light on the fact that there are four different schools of law in Sunni Islam that co-exist and overlap.
"Islam manifests itself differently across and within cultures and societies," according to the study. The authors also pointed out the importance of considering "the inter-relationship of the various 'brands' of Islam with the country of origin and ethnicity of its members."
Analysts and Islamic scholars acknowledge that the biggest challenge facing Islam and the West today is how each side perceives the other, specially that recent years witnessed the spread of negative misconceptions about Islam that rose noticeably following September 11 attacks on the United States, which shaped many people’s opinion, establishing a false link between Muslims and terrorism.
the problem is not whether muslims constitute a real threat to europe, but whether they are percieved as being a real threat. there is indeed an anti-muslim backlash brewing in europe. it is largely due to the acts of a tiny minority of muslims - a couple of thousands of muslims doing violence at some protest, a van gogh murder, death threats, terrorist attacks,etc. completely overshadow many millions of completely peaceful muslims (who are not newsworthy cuz they're too boring).
i think some progressive europeans are going to be effected by this backlash also, as "the muslim issue" is going to be used more and more by conservative, xenophobic political parties to garner support. when there is enough fuel, a hitler type could emerge, fan the fire a little and take over, which would be a threat not only to muslims. (consider how many non-jews were murdered during the holocaust.)
there are some very serious cultural clash type problems also.
i also think that many europeans carry a fear of islam from history.
so yes - there is indeed a problem of perception, but this will continue as long as there are muslims who will feed the media by their actions.
i think the larger threat to muslims comes more from their fellow muslims than from the europeans.
each man thinks of his own fleas as gazelles
question authority
I do not mean to offend anyone, but there is a definite link between terrorism and muslims. Without going into great detail, have you seen a catholic, baptist, buddhist, etc. blow themself up, hijack an airline or anything like that? It isnt that all muslims are bad but there is a link between the two. Call it extremism, call it what you want but it is no other religion except Islam.
my question is when will it all stop?
What must be done to be rid of these extreme views?
Well, I'm offended. Please read Fishman's post and be enlightened.
Perceptions are almost always more dangerous than realities. There is also a bit of reality in these perceptions. It wasn't a mass psychosis which saw seemingly ordinary Muslims blowing up trains in Spain and Great Britain. These violent acts in no way are a reflection of Islamic belief, but they are a catalyst in public perceptions.
The KKK are some of the most evil people on Earth... and they are Christians.
Marxists and other communists have members who have commited numerous attrocities.
Hinduism has many extremist nationalist members in India. They tear down Masjids (Mosques), call for the expulsion of Muslims from India and commit many other crimes that have a suspicious resemblance to what Hitler liked.
I'm not saying that these religions are inherently violent, but that there is no connection between Islam and violence.
When people feel threatened or angry, they tend to get violent. Much of the Muslim world is starving, the US and Israel have caused many massacres and injustices, and there are many attacks on Muslims all over the world. How threatened and angry do you think Muslims feel?
Yes but there is one small problem. Name one of those religions leaders that don't condemn those acts and if they do condemn them and add a but to it. When the KKK burns someones house the Christian leaders come out and say these people are dispicable no questions asked. They don't say what these people did are wrong but you gotta understand why they did it. There is no understanding, what they did was wrong period. Also last time I checked the people that tend to blow themselves up aren't named Bob.
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Re: Muslims in Europe do not pose threat
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