Apostasy in Islam

Progressive narratives on multiculturalism exhort individuals to reach out and learn about other cultures and religions. The great irony is that while most multi-culturalists are quite critical of western cultures, rarely do they honestly explore the reality of other cultures. Destructive behavior that occur within the context of non-western culture is usually written off an individual aberration or simply glossed over. This is most readily seen in the exploration of Islam. When presented with the abundant examples of violence and intolerance emanating from the Arab-Islamic world, most liberals respond "that's just Radical Islam," not seriously considering that perhaps such behavior does reflect fundamental tenants of Islamic Theology. An example is seen in the manner in which Shari'a addresses apostasy. Specifically, the majority of past and present Islamic Theologians affirm that leaving Islam is a crime that should be punishable by death. In most cases, the application of this law was eliminated by European colonial rule or in the case of the Ottoman Empire, strong external pressure. According to Wikipedia:

Apostasy in Islam (Arabic: ارتداد, irtidād or ridda‎) is commonly defined as the rejection in word or deed of their former religion (apostasy) by a person who was previously a follower of Islam. The traditional schools of Islamic jurisprudence are unanimous in holding that apostasy by a male Muslim is punishable by death. They differ on whether to execute the apostate immediately or grant the apostate a temporary reprieve in order to allow him to repent and avoid the penalty. The schools also differ on whether a female apostate is to be killed, or only imprisoned until she re-embraces the faith.[1]

In order to have peaceful relations with other cultures, we must approach them with intellectual honesty and if you are inclined towards Jeffersonian Thought, you won't interfere in their internal affairs and simply let them evolve in their own way, at their own pace. In other words no more American lives and American dollars should be wasted on "establishing democracy" in other nations, least of all the Islamic World.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy_in_Islam

Good Speech

I have to admit, Obama's speech to the moslem world was pretty good.

I believe that it will positively resonate among the reasonable sectors of the moslem world, but will not sway a single jihadist. In fact, among the tyrannical, values that we hold positive, like empathy are viewed as signs of weakness. And in spite of the billions we have given to Egypt, Pakistan and the Palestinians they still hold overwhelmingly negative views on the US.

For the full speech click here:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/06/04/a_new_beginning_with_muslims_96831.html

Red-Green Alliance

Within Europe, the most anti-democratic, anti-Semitic and anti-American impulses are found in the red (socialist) - green (islamic) alliances. Go to any anti-Israel march and you'll find socialists with che gueverra shirts, marching side by side with men and women in traditional islamic garb. This alliance is manifested in more disturbing ways than juvenile marches and Jimmy Carter's senile acts of douchebagery The UN is scheduled to vote on a binding resolution mandating that members curtail speech that offends religions, most notably islam. I am quite certain that there will be a one way application of this law: the mountains of hate speech emanating from mosques against Christians, Jews, Hindus and Baha'is will not be addressed, but rational critiques of islam and moslem immigration will be harshly dealt with. That's what you get when the most anti-democratic elements of the western world teams up with the islamic world.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,432502,00.html

The Clash of Diversities...

A Dutch prosecutor has been filed against Geert Wilders, a prominent Dutch politician for "insulting Islam." The charges stem from Mr. Wilder's movie Fitna which is highly critical of Islam. Mr. Wilder's view of Islam was formed by personal experiences, including the murder of his friend Theo Van Gogh by a Moslem extremist, and repeated death threats against himself and his associate Ayaan Hirsi Ali by similar extremists.

In addition to Fitna, Mr. Wilders has used his position as a parliamentarian to communicate his preoccupations that the Islamic culture of the Netherlands's rapidly growing Moslem population is incompatible with the tolerant, pluralist spirit and institutions of Dutch society. One proponent of this vision was Pim Fortuyn, a popular and openly gay politician who feared that paradoxically in the name of diversity, the Dutch were inviting in people who have no tolerance for diversity. He based this on the correct belief that the vast majority of Moslems were intolerant of gays, Jews, women's rights, free speech and democracy itself. Tragically and ironically Mr. Fortuyn was murdered, for his beliefs, by Volkert van der Graaf, a left wing environmentalist, vegan and animal rights activists. In no way does Volkert represent the main stream left, but he is the extreme manifestation of the intolerance for diverse opinions that we see in many of the "champions of diversity."

Ironically, the prosecution of Mr. Wilders validates his belief that the multi-cultural dogma of the Dutch state is paradoxically leading to the erosion of free speech and open debate. This is relevant to the United States because the same philosophical and political forces that have eroded freedom in the Netherlands are taking hold in the United States:

The value of selective sensitivity has superseded intellectual honesty and open debate. In
the Netherlands, the sensitivity is selectively applied to Moslems, while there is a
tacit tolerance of the hateful speech against Jews and Christians that emanates from mosques
and marches. In the United States tremendous sensitivity is mandated towards select groups, but lacking when some "progressives" openly disparage "backward Mormons" and "redneck Christians." In regards to open debate we know that even though Obama has called for a "dialogue on race," in the current cultural Milieu few if any politicians would openly challenge Obama's monologue on race and diversity.

The ascension of group rights and interests over individual rights and general
American interests. In the case of the Netherlands, the collective rights of the Moslem
community not to be offended trump Mr. Wilder's right to free speech. In the US this
philosophical shift is seen in the growth of quotas, affirmative action and speech codes.

A selective affirmation of ethno-political group identity over individual identity. This
affirmation is selective, because In the case of the Netherlands, Moslems overwhelmingly
vote for socialist parties that (by their own description) openly pursue the interests of Moslems. Yet, when Mr. Wilders proposes that the native Dutch need to vote for their political and economic interests, he is called a "fascist." In the United States few if any politicians would dare call for the promotion of "white interests," while the Black Congressional Congress's openly pursues "the interests of African-Americans" and the National Council of La Raza pursues a "Latino agenda."

Of course the point of the last paragraph was NOT to encourage whites to "pursue their
interests," it's to discourage all individuals from pursuing group rights over individual freedom and from pursuing redistributive ethno-political interests over general American interests. And the mere belief that there are white, black or Latino interests is a negation of the individuality and diversity within these groups.

Thank God the United States has not reached the point where individuals are prosecuted for free speech. But, we must remain vigilant. History shows that freedom, peace and prosperity are never givens; a nation and a civilization must strive for many generations to achieve them. But, freedom, peace and prosperity are fragile and can be lost if but one generation slumbers.

To learn about the arrest of Geert Wilders:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,481665,00.html

To learn about Geert Wilders:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geert_Wilders

To learn more about the film Fitna:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitna_(film)

To learn more about Theo Van Gough:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_van_Gogh_(film_director)

To learn more about Ayaan Hirsi Ali:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayaan_Hirsi_Ali

To learn more about Pim Fortuyn:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pim_Fortuyn