Trav,
I think you missed the point of davidf post.
He was simply saying that neither side of the divide is pure enough to throw stones.
As for your comment about the abuses of Christianity is a long time past is unsubstantiated in fact.
South Africa's Apartied was essentially christian based, the stolen people, child abuse in the churches all in living memory et al.
Let's not forget the 'race' (read religious) riots all over the world.
The only difference is the way the antisocial behaviour is portrayed.
The truth is that wrong is wrong no matter which side perpetrated the crime.

Davidf,
One nation does have something to say to the public if only that there is such ignorance and kneejerk reactionary absurdity in this country.It says a lot about the failure of democracy as opposed to mob rule.

PolyCarp
Your arguments are wasted on me as I reject your premise for your didactic absolutist approach.
I have concluded that you don't want discussion and I don't want to be converted so I guess we are at an impasse.
I ask to engage in discussion if and when you ever decide to discuss rather than attempt indoctrination.
Examinator.

Completely agree with the examinator about One Nation - I saw on TV the hysterical intolerant, crowds outside a venue where Pauline Hansen was speaking, harassing people who wanted to attend - I'm assuming the same crowds who squeal about freedom of speech and "culture wars" when it suits them, I could be wrong though.

On the article, I can only quote Ayaan Hirsi Ali, "tolerance of intolerance is cowardice", we should not be tolerating any of the religious or political intolerance that we end up tolerating, usually due to bullying, which we don't tolerate in schoolyards any longer, thankfully. Perhaps our next generation will be less tolerant of intolerance.

Yes, an excellent article from Nursel Guzeldeniz, but one that has evidently (but unsurprisingly) gone over the heads of several Islamophobes. I agree with Guzeldeniz that Islamophobia is an apt term to describe what she calls a new form of "cultural racism", indeed it's a point I've made here many times. It is an unfortunate trait shared by many people that they apparently need an "Other" over whom they can feel superior, and upon whom they can project their insecurities of identity.

As it is no longer acceptable to project these fears on to "Blacks", Asians or people from non-Anglo ethnicities and cultures, the recent rise of Islamism as a politico-religious extremist movement has provided a convenient postmodern object for those less-evolved Westerners whose overt expresssion of racism has been suppressed by the global discourse on human rights. They are joined by primarily Christian religious extremists whose Islamophobia also derives from competition for believers among the credulous.

Porkycrap is a good example of the latter type - while he claims that his fear of Islam has a doctrinal basis, he often lapses into language that vilifies all Muslims, rather than his fundamentalist counterparts who subscribe to Islamism. The other Islamophobes who've commented are good examples of the "cultural racist" variety, as is evident in their ignorantly pejorative comments about Islam.

While I'm no fan of Islam nor any other religion, to claim that there are no Islamic aid organisations is patently false, as is the "100 virgins" fantasy that is regularly trotted out by Islamophobes.

Great article, and nicely restrained comments too!
I actually think it is sort of refreshing to have a prejudice based on ideas and behavior rather than on skin color, sex or birthplace.
Without getting into the historical arguments of which religion is more evil (Pick your period in history that suits your creed I guess), I'd say that as a Humanist, all the "Big Man in the sky" religions are equally scary. Not because religious rubbish is any more dangerous then secular rubbish, but only because secular Leadership is less powerful and more accountable than religious leadership.
Most current day Islamophobia was drummed up by the US to justify their post 911 regrettable behavior. When you kill that many civilians you have better got a good excuse. Fighting Evil lets you forgive anything. The more horrid you are prepared to behave, the more horrid "evil" you must imagine to justify it.

Nursel Guzeldeniz,

What is the justification of re-defining prejudice against Moslems as "racism". Islam is an ideology not an ethnicity,it is an abstraction. Is prejudice against Christians, Jews and Hindus by Moslems "racism", I'll bet it isn't. We could analyse "Islamophobia" anthropologically or we could suspect it is sometimes used as a political device in an attempt to silence legitimate critics of its beliefs and practices by Moslems unfamiliar with the real parameters and consequences of free speech.

"Islamism invokes the ghost of puritanical Christianity, well it might, however there is plenty for us to fear from contemporary Islam here and now based on the oppressive nature of Moslem dominated nations.

" Criticism and free speech are very important" Wrong! Criticism and free speech are essential to democracy, people in the West paid very dearly for these rights.I think Islam is a ridiculous superstition, but I defend you right to believe, unless the practice of your religion threatens my freedom. I suggest you read "On Liberty" by J.S. Mill, it's all in that book.

I agree that the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan are crimes against the people of those nations and Western support of Israel is morally indefensible. Please note that many Christians are appalled by both wars.

As for most Moslems desiring democracy. Is their version of democracy the same as the West's? Is there a similar debate developing in regard to "Kuffarphobia" in Moslem nations?

Nursel: <<Furthermore, Islam is compatible with democracy and human rights like any other religion>>

Nursel based her reasoning on a survey that, majority Muslims value freedom and democracy in the West. This is wrong thinking.

"Majority Muslims like freedom in the West" is not the same as "Islam is compatible with freedom in the West". They are two completely separate matters.

A Muslim who likes freedom in the West should seriously consider leaving Islam.