Reply To: Are we Islamaphobic?

[Simon Mathews]

As others have stated I think “phobic” is the wrong term. Phobic is an irrational fear and it is not irrational as an “infidel” to fear some of the doctrines of Islam (specifically the ones calling for our heads to be cut off).

However, of course, the majority of Muslims do not go around cutting off infidel’s heads. I think the term is used by its proponents to mean ill-feeling towards Muslims (people not ideas) in general. This is a misuse of the term but it is the term that has stuck and it is fair to say that there exists anti-Muslim feeling amongst some Westerners and in the media.

What I dislike are the following two problems with using the term:

1) It is used to shut down conversations about Islam before they begin. By making it a slur equivalent to homophobia or racism it prevents anyone from making a valid criticism of Islam because the emotional charge of the word gets in the way.

2) Homophobia, racism, etc are prejudice against groups who did not choose, and cannot help, the category they are in. People can choose to join Islam and choose to leave it (many people have). I could become Muslim if I chose to do so. The key is that by joining Islam you are subscribing to a set of ideas that you have evaluated and chosen to follow. Obviously I know this is not how most religious people “join” a religion – they are indoctrinated from childhood, but the principle remains. You cannot set aside your skin colour, sexuality, eye colour or ethnicity even if you don’t like it (as hard as Michael Jackson tried!). You can choose to leave Islam if you wish.