As I like to point out to folks, when it comes to American values, toleration is all that our society really requires of us. After all, there are many beliefs and practices that some may find repugnant and do not accept, even though they will tolerate them. Indeed, to demand acceptance of these practices, beliefs and believers imposes an unreasonable demand upon peopleÂ’s consciences.

That is why I find this effort troubling.

Maybe she'll knock on her neighbors' doors and introduce herself, Dina Abdulkarim said. She could try to talk to them about Islam and what Muslims are really like.

"I have to prove my good intentions," she said. It's not fair, she said, but it's a reality of life as an American Muslim: Too many people think Muslims are radical and violent.

Well, Dina, let’s be honest here – it isn’t a case of Americans being ignorant and bigoted in this case. It is that too many of your co-religionists are radical and violent. We Americans remember 9/11. We are aware of the terrorism regularly committed in the name of your faith by “good Muslims”. You need to clean up your faith before most Americans will stop looking at you with a jaundiced eye. It may not be fair to you as an individual, but it is not an unreasonable response to the deeds committed in the name of Islam.

And before folks accuse me of calling all Muslims terrorists, please know that I am not taking that position. I know too many good and decent Muslims (folks probably much like Dina Abdulkarim) who I respect and hold in high esteem. But the reality is that the words and conduct of a significant segment of the Muslim community around the world have caused me to look askance at Islam and its followers.

Posted by: Greg at 12:58 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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