In the debate that has been raging these last 10 days, fear is the factor that dare not speak its name. In the public sphere, the discussion following the Paris killings has been intense, wrestling with questions of philosophy and principle, especially the rights, responsibilities and inconsistencies of free speech.
But in the private sphere the conversation has been quieter and more anguished. It has grappled above all with a sentiment that few voice with pride: namely, their own terror. [Jonathan Freedland, 1032 comments]
[TOP RATED COMMENT 533 votes] We have to face up to the fact that Islam in Europe and the West is a problem, not simply a 'challenge'.
[SECOND 517] But the problem is not just the small number of jihadis. As the excellent Panorama last week pointed out the problem is also the large number of conservative Muslims who hold the same ideology as the jihadis: that Muslims are superior to unbelievers, that sharia is best for the whole world, that apostates and blasphemers and homosexuals should be punished, that women aren't equal to men etc.
The vast majority of these conservative Muslims are not terrorists, but they are ripe for radicalisation and their beliefs do fundamentally contradict those of western societies. And ultimately as the number of Muslims in the west grows including large numbers of conservative Muslims, either they will have to change or the west will.
[THIRD 498] "But perhaps it can be seen as the sometimes painful price of living in a free society, one that makes freedom of religion – and the freedom to live as a Muslim – possible"
But isn't living in a free society and living as a Muslim something of a contradiction in terms?
[FOURTH 495] If allowing people to practice Islam means allowing people to murder you for insulting Islam then I don't want to live in a free society any more.
[FIFTH 480] Why on Earth should we be afraid? I'm far more likely to die crossing the road to go the shop to get a pint of milk than I will from dying from a terrorist attack.
If we live our lives in fear then they win and I'm not going to be afraid of some silly wankers who believe in silly sky fairy stories.
[SIXTH 401] On the radio this morning they had a group of Muslims on who stated they loved Mohammed more than their own family, why do I have to respect that, it's simply awful. I wouldn't for a seccond say they aren't allowed to give that view but why on earth should I respect it
[SEVENTH 354] Isn't another "undercurrent" put forward by those among the Muslim community who would like to see non-Muslims prevented from depicting Muhammed one of immense hubris. That their opinion and beliefs to which they adhere should be adhered to by all?
[EIGHTH 337] One thing in the past week has terrified me, left me very, very fearful. The reaction from nearly every Muslim commentator, either above the line, below the line, on social media, in print or on television.
Save a few sane voices, the majority of opinion has saddened me beyond words. We say, almost as muscle memory "of course it's a small minority" whenever we talk of any group, muslim or not, who are in the public eye when something terrible occurs.
But the polling shows that the beliefs, if not the methods of the murderers in Paris are shared by a great many Muslims across the globe.
[NINTH 323] The fanatics are not tiny in number and they are not a handful. Addressing reality on this fact should be a priority,
[TENTH 305] "One is the default insistence that western foreign policy is at the root of all this evil. It’s reassuring, offering the comforting hope that what we are up against is not a fanatic death cult but rather the armed wing of the Stop the War Coalition, a movement that will be placated as soon as our governments make the right moves on the geopolitical chessboard. But that assumes the likes of the Paris murderers have the same analysis of international affairs as the anti-imperialist left – and they don’t."
Finally Guardian, Finally.
[ELEVENTH 299] "... the default insistence that western foreign policy is at the root of all this evil. It’s reassuring, offering the comforting hope that what we are up against is not a fanatic death cult but rather the armed wing of the Stop the War Coalition, a movement that will be placated as soon as our governments make the right moves on the geopolitical chessboard.
But that assumes the likes of the Paris murderers have the same analysis of international affairs as the anti-imperialist left – and they don’t.
...It’s soothing to imagine that the blame, and therefore the solution, lies in our own hands. But it’s hardly convincing."
Well said Jonathan. When will you be telling Seumas Milne this? [Guardian Cif] Read more
