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Originally Posted by Xantar
The fact that the majority of rioters were Muslim was a simple reflection of demographics. It so happens that Muslims make up the vast majority of France's immigrant population. But they were not rioting because they wanted more mosques built or anything like that. In interviews, you will see that none of them was saying anything like, "We protest the immorality of French society" or "We are rebelling against this law." Their basic message was pretty simple: "We want to be treated as French citizens." Most of the rioters were the children of immigrants who felt, rightly, that they are as much French citizens as I am an American. And the problem was that French society at large tended to classify its people as "francais" (French) and "etranger" (foreigner). You literally found that kind of language in newspapers. And an etranger had significantly lower access to university education, stable jobs and good housing, other things being equal. To say nothing of almost zero representation in the government and politicians occasionally calling them smelly (literally, some minister talked about the minorities having a smell).
My point is that the violence in response to the Danish cartoons were inspired by religion. The riots in France were not. We Americans, because of our experience, tend to attribute problems to ethnicities and religions like that, but it just doesn't fit in the case of the riots in France. Those had little to do with Islam and more to do with simple acceptance into part of the French identity. And thus, you can't really compare that event with what's been happening in response to some Danish cartoons.
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The commonality is that Islam reacts to problems with the sword instead of the pen. That is all the comparison I need. The cause of the violence is not my worry, it is the constant falling back to it that worries me and should worry everyone.
Islam, regardless of its pillars or dogma, runs on fear. "Believe in what I do, or let me change your society to accommodate my beliefs/laws (the same in Islam), or I'll burn stuff, blow it up and generally beat you over the head until I get what I want."
Sorry if thats politically incorrect, but Im sick and tired of the constant excuses given for an intolerant religion that is bringing the world to the brink of poltical and social meltdown. Newspapers are scared to death of Islam, as well as nations (ex: France's No Go Zone policy), so Islam is given a free pass by many.
I've had enough. Its time for Islam's religious leaders to step up and take control of their people. The silent tolerance for violence against non-muslims needs to stop and Islam needs to be reformed. NOW.