They’re Rioting in Islam … again

Dan Abbett

Once again, the nations of Islam are taking to the streets in anger and outrage; this time burning the likeness of Pope Benedict XVI in effigy for remarks Muslims claim were insulting to Islam. I for one am becoming equally outraged, that those who so easily move to riot against anything they deem insulting to their religion, impugn and heap blasphemy on Christians and Jews daily. Such hatred and intolerance is, in a word, unacceptable.

Pope Benedict used a quote from the 14th century, attributed to a conversation between Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam. The quote: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached," is the latest non issue to spark Muslim riot. The quote was in the context of religious discussion, not an intentional insult of the Prophet Mohammed.

What is actually insulting here is that the Western World has jumped in unison to apologize for the Pope’s faux pas. Two of the basic principles on which America was founded are: freedom “of” religion and freedom “from” religious persecution. Allowing the nations of Islam to intimidate and insult those, whose religious faith is other than that of Islam, soundly tramples both and yet we bow to their hysteria exclaiming our shame for being so insensitive.

Equally interesting is the lack of sensitivity, from those who so quickly bow before the demands of Muslim religious dictate, to the trashing of the Jewish or Christian faith.

While some of the world’s most brilliant minds have come from the Middle East, the region itself produces and contributes little to nothing, save oil and that only through the application of Western technology. Servitude to a dictatorial theocracy has not served the region well. Their most lucrative product is the ability to riot in mass at the drop of a hat.

It is called the “Free World” for a reason. Among those reasons are freedom of speech and freedom of expression. This seems the rule except when it comes to Muslims and the nations of Islam and then, “thou shalt not offend.” Many of the customs practiced in the Middle East and dictated by their religion are either offensive or barbaric by our standards but out of respect for those freedoms we hold dear, we do not sit in judgment.

While we practice a policy of tolerance to these practices, many of which we find disgusting, should we transgress even slightly against their faith we can expect near instant rioting across the entire region. However, should Muslim nations behave in any way that offends our sensibilities, our religion or our honor, any expression of offense is roundly dismissed. At some point it would seem, such inequity must no longer be tolerated and that is the point of this article.

That Muslims hold themselves hostage to the fanaticism of their religion and aspire to relive the 7th century is not our fault. Even as we offer to share our knowledge, technology and bounty to assist in a prosperous Middle East, they take our knowledge and technology and turn it into weapons. It will be our fault if we continue to apologize for all that we have achieved and allow the zealotry of a 7th century mindset to use 21st century technology to destroy us.

So, let the Muslims riot if they must. Let them be as outraged and incensed as they believe they need to be for whatever transgression they perceive against their religion or their beloved prophet. Let them burn our flag, effigies of our president or the Pope, but we do not need to placate their anger and misery or blame ourselves for their poor quality of life. When they are through with their tantrums and are prepared to behave as adults, we should be prepared to help them along their way but not before.

Email: danabbett1@charter.net