This new Pew survey gathered much useful data, but it wasted time and money in determining that roughly two-thirds of Americans see Islam as either “somewhat different” or “very different” from their own religions. The question isn’t whether Christianity and Islam are similar or different. The question is whether religious (and non-religious) people can find common ground. On this point, Patel is unequivocal. “Religions are different,” he says, “but they have shared values.” The challenge is “to identify shared values such as mercy, compassion and service,” and then to advance from there to shared projects.
In his public pronouncements on religion, Obama has repeatedly invoked the Golden Rule as common ground. But like Patel, he does not pretend that all religions are the same, and like his predecessor he does not shy away from speaking as a “committed Christian.” At Notre Dame, he denounced “outworn prejudice” as “rooted in original sin.” In Obama’s view, there is not just something wrong but something un-Christian about discrimination against Muslims, or against any other religious (or non-religious) group.
Unfortunately, this study did not ask Americans what they think of anti-Muslim discrimination. Do those who see discrimination against Muslims want it to end? Or would they like to see more of it? According to Patel, that is the $1 million question ”” “not who faces bigotry, but who would stand up against it.”
[Rant deleted by Elf – please try to add something to the conversation rather than just venting]
Prothero quotes a poll which says that 58% of Americans now think there’s a lot of discrimination against Muslims, and, accepting that as proof, asks what we’re going to do about this “bigotry.” What, precisely, is the nature of this alleged discrimination? Is it against modern fully American Muslims, or against the more separationist and extremist groups? Are they refused employment or seats at restaurants? What behaviors do people consider acceptable, and what behaviors among Muslims cause disapproval? Prothero doesn’t say, and without any specifics his column is fluff.
It is the stated doctrine of Islam to place Jews and Christian in dimitude if Muslims are in power. Muslims in the UK and other nations press for the enactment of sharia law. I think that these factors will tend to perpetuate the lack of acceptance of Islam in America.
Islam will never be accepted in this country, in my opinion. When one religion persecutes others for not acquiescing in that religion’s stated attempt to eventually assume of power over all others, it’s not acceptable.
I accept Islam.
#5. What does that mean?
I accept that Islam exists and is growing. I will never accept Islam as a substitute for my faith in the one true God and his Son, Jesus the Christ (my savior), revealed to me by the Holy Spirit.