Hmm.. so it seems to me that the respondents in this thread, to Sukhamyaha's appeal for help for humanist writers in Bangaladesh being murdered by Islamic extremists is:
1)... It is ridiculous (since he couches his appeal in terms of it being a problem for all humanists to be concerned about).
2) ... It is not really a matter to be concerned about because ALL religious fanaticism is the "real" problem. (That it is Islamic extremists that are doing the actual murdering rather than other religious fanatics, is irrelevant).
3)... Other past problems have been more intensive threats to global humanity.
Wow.
But I get it. Islamic extremists are probably not coming for any of us, anytime soon, (except maybe for a few of us that are wearing uniforms.)
Or who are going about their business in tall buildings or in schools or in movie theaters or on planes. Otherwise we're safe from Islamic terrorism. Got it!
Sukhamaya Bain's petition seems to me to be sensible and worthwhile.
Lois
When applied to all religions it is principled. But when it applies only to members of a specific religion, it become bigoted.
In my view, discrimination is not the problem. Inaccurate discrimination, however, is a major problem. Am I a bigot, because in my worldview, I recognize that in today's world, Islam,
in particular, is regularly being interpreted in ways by some of its followers that results in horrible atrocities against humanity (moreso, in today's world, than is the case for followers of other superstitions)?
It's not bigotry to criticize religions that engage in terrorism. The fact that of now it's only Islam does not mean that being against the sole example of it is bigotry.
Are you saying we would need at least one more terrorist religion in order to avoid being accused of bigotry if we criticize religious terrorism?
Lois
I am not saying that. But are others?
I do not consider my view of Islam,
as being the most amenable of religions, in today's world, of being interpreted in ways that are the most manifestly destructive to humanity, as a bigoted belief. But others may.
Merely dissecting a religion crosses the line into bigotry for many followers of that faith. Bigotry is not a fixed position for everyone.
This all reminds me of the gun lobby thing. Guns don't kill people. People do. Religions don't persecute non believers. Individuals from that faith do. I try to take a step back from this perspective and say the more religious a cultures is, the more religious killers the culture will produce. The more guns are available, the more innocent people will die from guns shots.