User Comments

1. 

   2/17/09

   clioandme

   Only tangentially relevant, but back in 1960 people worried about whether Kennedy would be American or Catholic first, that is, whether or not he would take orders from Rome. I think we got over that, as I don't recall Biden's Catholicism being an issue. But the persistant campaign season rumors of Obama being a Muslim, and that---if it were true---being bad per se, show that we're not past this kind of thing for all groups.
   
   *sigh*

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2. 

   2/17/09

   csiunatc

   Was it only about Muslim ties to terrorism? Or his views on Muslims in general?

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3. 

   2/17/09

   Beaman

   I don't think Muslims can be both British and Muslim, except on paper. Unlike most religions, Islam is a political ideology with a religious part to it, which renders it incompatible with democratic western values. Don't just take my word for it. Go to any 'ask an Imam' website and look up questions regarding nationality and the scholars say the same.

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   1. 

      2/17/09

      Nomadic

      @ Beaman. Did you read my post?
   2. 

      2/17/09

      Beaman

      Yes I did. It was interesting.
      
      I was also cross when watching the Panorama programme but I think for different reasons.
   3. 

      2/17/09

      polybore

      Beaman if you are going to make that sort of accusation you should really back it up with some reputable links.
      
      Check out the British Muslim Forum www.thebmf.org.uk/
      
      Here is what they say about British citizenship.
      
      "We as Muslims believe that Great Britain is our home and that of our future generations. We are proud to be British and we are proud to be Muslim. There is no contradiction in our right to live in Great Britain. Hence, it is our right to live in Great Britain with dignity and respect, and likewise it is our duty to protect and promote the integrity, well-being and prosperity of this, our country."
   4. 

      2/17/09

      clioandme

      That sounds like Muslim Americans. Just replace "Great Britain" with "USA." We have Muslims in the army too, of course.
4. 

   2/17/09

   polybore

   Polybore is also heartily sick of this kind of reporting. It is a very irresponsible title.

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   1. 

      2/17/09

      clioandme

      I find the thread title much too provocative too, though when I saw who posted it I knew it was nothing more than provocation, because it doesn't reflect Nomadic's own views.
5. 

   2/18/09

   Nomadic

   interesting that you found the thread title provocative - this is the title of the BBC show - I agree. I was astounded by it. I have registered a formal complaint to the BBC in fact.
   
   Rather than try and find quotes from Muslim groups that may support our argument I think there needs to be an acknowledgment about the diversity of Islam. There will be plenty of Muslims that feel British and some that don't (not that the TV show addressed this properly) - but the overall acknowledgment is that Islam itself is a largely peaceful religion and (like 99% of human beings) the Muslim environments I have been in have been rooted in a desire for peace. It is not helpful to constantly shine a spotlight on all that is bad. It fuels hatred, prejudice and offers a distorted view.

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