I think the main issue lies in the fact that Islam is an ideology not just any faith-based religion.

The fact that not all followers of Islam host the same beliefs as the Saudi Arabians does not change the fact that the latter will sponsor mosques and will (obviously) want their interpretation to be spread, far and wide, which we are seeing in Europe.

It is far too easy for preachers to hijack the word of god and radicalise young muslims.

*

In Sweden we have gone in the opposite direction of Australia with regards to refugees and are thereby taking in more asylum-seekers than any other country in the EU if not the world/capita.

Cracks are starting to show in the Swedish system. We now have 55 no-go zones that the police do not dare venture into out of fear of being attacked. These no-go zones are predominantly controlled by muslims. The ambulance-drivers union have demanded military-grade gear to enter these areas due to the fact that they regularily get attacked

We also have, arguably, Islamist ministers in government who counter-act any form of anti-terror law here.

We are leading the statistics in Europe with regards to the number of reported rapes in the EU, the most school fires.

Last but not least the so-called "ethnic" Swede does not exist according to Swedish politicians, media and society due to the fact that anyone with a citizenship is defined as Swedish.

We have upwards 350 Swedish men who have travelled down to slaughter in the name of ISIS.

I am well-aware that this is Sweden and not Australia but it is worth taking a serious look at a country that has for decades attempted to integrate muslims and asylum-seekers of other faiths into society.

http://swedishsurveyor.com/ and http://swedenreport.org/ for more information regarding these issues. The two forementioned bloggs are fact-based and have sources.

There is a very interesting article in today's Australian, on the last page of the Higher Education section, exploring the 'Islamophobia' scam.

It raises many issues. But IF, IF, IF the murder, rape, kidnappings, slavery, and beheadings of IS, al-Shabaab and Boko Haram can be justified by the teachings of Islam, and if Islamic scholars are tepid in their comments about such practices, then put me down as an Islamophobe. IF. IF. IF.

If from the current teachings of Christianity, or any other religion, if preachers were advocating anything like the above, and nobody else from that religious leaning condemned them, then I would be as happy to be called a Christianophobe or whatever. Disgusting.

How on earth can such vile practices be condoned ? I can understand the pseudo-Left going along with anything that was anti-American, but surely there are limits, even to what crap the pseudo-Left will swallow ?

No, maybe not.

Joe

Swedish Surveyor,

Welcome to OLO.

I have been aware of what’s occurring in poor old Sweden. Political Correctness MADNESS. I read heaps.

Sweden I hear is entrenched in Socialism.

Poirot,

I said I agree with just about everything with Tom, but not this. My life is balanced enough that I can handle reality. You obviously can’t. Do you get out much and speak to people? I do, and people are unhappy, and they have a lot concerns of what’s happening. Over worked, everyone disliking each other and all the political divisiveness, etc.

For some reason just because we are living in a modern Western society people seem to think we are immune from evil. You are living in a bubble. Then we all live in segregated microcosms. And that doesn’t bother you? There has always been good and evil in the world, always was, always will be. The bubble will soon burst. See the writing on the wall.

I’ve been where you haven ‘t been, including a workplace. I know stuff, you don’t.

Enigma - Age Of Loneliness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APW_QwzGg2o

"Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong - these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history.”
― Winston S. Churchill

“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.”
― John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

Constance,

It's great that you and some others are aware of the current situation in Sweden. It is worth putting into perspective :)

One example of sensible policies is the Australian governments much despised youtube clip regarding those attempting to enter the country via boat. Whilst your sensible policies are vilifed, the number of people who travel to Australia via boat and risk drowning is now minimal.

Swedens "generous" policies are instead leading to Africans and Middle Easterners drowning by the thousands along southern Europes coastlines.

I hope you guys work to preserve your culture and values. Don't succumb to the Islamophobe-industry and the so-called "useful idiots" Bear in mind that common-sense might lead to an influx of Swedes wanting asylum.

Could be worse though, eh?

Good luck!

Constance,

".....My life is balanced enough that I can handle reality. You obviously can’t. Do you get out much and speak to people? I do, and people are unhappy, and they have a lot concerns of what’s happening. Over worked, everyone disliking each other and all the political divisiveness, etc.

For some reason just because we are living in a modern Western society people seem to think we are immune from evil. You are living in a bubble. Then we all live in segregated microcosms. And that doesn’t bother you? There has always been good and evil in the world, always was, always will be. The bubble will soon burst. See the writing on the wall.

I’ve been where you haven ‘t been, including a workplace. I know stuff, you don’t."

(I'm pretty well on the same page as you regarding Western consumer society and its penchant to isolate people from communal obligation)

But how does trawling around on the net and MSM for despicable human acts by non-Westerners solve the problem of your main beef about "Western" society?

Also fascinated that you plug Hodgkinson's championing of the Catholic ethic compared to the Protestant. (and I agree that the Protestant way is far more austere and less colourful and materially indulgent)...but his point was that "life is absurd" - we need as much merriment as we can gather. If all is vanity, then we may as well send out good cheer, wave to each other - share this bountiful life with good feelings.

You appear more imbued by fear and loathing - the antithesis of Tom's message.