Comments on: Responding to Intolerance with Intolerance Needs to Stop http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/ Thinking Ahead Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:46:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Danial http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/#comment-15923 Danial Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:53:42 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/#comment-15923 Ray, are they from MCC? If so, that explains it. The MCC is a well-known Wahhabi masjid in Chicago. Ray, are they from MCC? If so, that explains it.

The MCC is a well-known Wahhabi masjid in Chicago.

]]> By: Ray Hanania (Palestine/USA) http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/#comment-15922 Ray Hanania (Palestine/USA) Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:11:15 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/#comment-15922 We have the same problem in suburban Chicago where Imams preach that Valentine's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Sweetest Day (just some of the mainstream secular American holidays) are "haram." When you challenge the view, they slander and ostracize you. The Muslims involved in this are only a small minority but the larger Muslim community which is very moderate and progressive, is afraid to stand up to the fanatics. So it always appears as if the silent majority supports the screaming minority. Speaking out against this has gotten me in huge trouble with the Arab Muslims in Chicago who loved me when I "bashed" Israel and never criticized the Palestinians or Muslims ... apparently, Christians like me are only good when we are needed by some. The most depressing part is not that the extremists scream about dumb things, but rather than the majority is just too cowardly and afraid to stand up for their rights. Watching them wallow in self-imposed oppression is a real tragedy. Still, being on the outside of this disease has actually freed me :) ... and I can be more open, principled and I can embrace justice more freely without worrying about "what the neighbors" have to say any more. And that is the only realization for those who try to speak out against injustice. So, thanks fanatics! I am free! Ray Hanania We have the same problem in suburban Chicago where Imams preach that Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Sweetest Day (just some of the mainstream secular American holidays) are “haram.” When you challenge the view, they slander and ostracize you. The Muslims involved in this are only a small minority but the larger Muslim community which is very moderate and progressive, is afraid to stand up to the fanatics. So it always appears as if the silent majority supports the screaming minority.

Speaking out against this has gotten me in huge trouble with the Arab Muslims in Chicago who loved me when I “bashed” Israel and never criticized the Palestinians or Muslims … apparently, Christians like me are only good when we are needed by some.

The most depressing part is not that the extremists scream about dumb things, but rather than the majority is just too cowardly and afraid to stand up for their rights. Watching them wallow in self-imposed oppression is a real tragedy.

Still, being on the outside of this disease has actually freed me :) … and I can be more open, principled and I can embrace justice more freely without worrying about “what the neighbors” have to say any more. And that is the only realization for those who try to speak out against injustice.

So, thanks fanatics! I am free!

Ray Hanania

]]> By: Murad http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/#comment-15921 Murad Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:27:49 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/12/15/responding-to-intolerance-with-intolerance-needs-to-stop/#comment-15921 Khadija, this is an important post you've written. I agree with this part completely: <blockquote>Sorry! That’s intolerance too! Real tolerance is really respecting people’s opinions.</blockquote> But how would you react if someone's opinion was hateful or if they undermined your rights in any way? Would you still tolerate it? Or would you disagree so much to the point of it being considered an "intolerant reaction"? Khadija, this is an important post you’ve written. I agree with this part completely:

Sorry! That’s intolerance too! Real tolerance is really respecting people’s opinions.

But how would you react if someone’s opinion was hateful or if they undermined your rights in any way? Would you still tolerate it? Or would you disagree so much to the point of it being considered an “intolerant reaction”?

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