Question of the Week: Islamaphobia

The Compassion Revolution receives several e-mails a week that pose various questions about various religious and social issues. We wanted to start posting those questions on the website and our Facebook page.



RESPONSE:
"This wasn’t really a “Question of the Week” necessarily, but with all of the Islamaphobia circulating of late, I wanted to comment. Too often, we seem to be hell-bent on acting upon ignorance in our otherwise great nation. The Islamaphobia is merely a product of that ignorance. With the attacks of 9/11, Islam came front and center to many Americans for the first time. As a Christian nation, from a majority standpoint, most Americans (myself included at that point) did not have a working knowledge of the faith. September 11th created a rude preface. Unfortunately, that introduction was made by extremist factions of the faith and did not and does not represent a true reflection of the religion overall. Yes, the extremist version of Islam is ripe with violence, but the faith, overall, is one grounded in peace, not fear. It has strong components of compassion and love, which in many ways, mirrors Christianity. In short, there is no reason to fear Islam. It is the more extremist factions that deserve fear and should be extinguished. Just as extremist forms of Christianity do not truly reflect Jesus’ compassion-driven message, nor do the extreme versions mirror true Islam. Bottom line: If you care enough to develop a phobia, then care enough to learn what you are afraid of—Islam, in its purest form is nothing to fear, nor is it cause to develop a prejudice against a brother or sister. Thanks, True"