Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Have philosophical discussions about politics, law, and government.
Featured Article: Definition of Freedom - What Freedom Means to Me
Post Reply
Spectrum
Posts: 5161
Joined: December 21st, 2010, 1:25 am
Favorite Philosopher: Eclectic -Various

Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Spectrum »

Here is an extract from the following article;
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/ ... o-islamic/

..........
Why are liberals and leftists always defending Islam?

They have nothing but scorn for Christians who oppose the LGBT agenda. But Muslims oppose the LGBT agenda even more. To the point, in many Islamic countries, of killing gays.
Feminists attack Christianity for its alleged mistreatment of women. But Islam treats women far, far worse than anything seen in the West.

Similarly, Muslims in general support traditional sexual morality and oppose abortion. And, unlike Christians, in Islamic countries, they would likely punish the leftists who are agreeing with them for their secularism and unbelief.

When a terrorist turns out to be a Muslim, those on the left make a point of saying that we shouldn’t blame all Muslims, which is true enough. And yet when a Christian does something that offends them, they don’t make the same caution against over-generalization about Christianity. Indeed, they often tar all Christians with the same brush.

................

Why?
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
Woodart
Posts: 290
Joined: March 3rd, 2017, 1:49 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Woodart »

Spectrum wrote:
Why?

Many, not all, bleeding hearts are not practical. They project and extend their own values on to others – whether or not “the other” wants it. The thinking goes – if I want others to treat me with respect and tolerance – I have to extend respect and tolerance to them. This is the idea of the golden rule – a good premise – most of the time. However, should I love and respect the man with a machete attempting to cut my head off? No – I think not.
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Sy Borg »

That is a horrible and wildly incorrect generalisation, Spec.

I and many others are deemed "left wing", seemingly because we haven't let ourselves join the new ranks of psychopathic drones being mentally conditioned for war. Yet, being (purportedly) of the left I have no time at all for Islam, or defending anything but the Muslim individuals I have met and liked. Otherwise I just see Islam as superstitious, misogynist, bigoted, repressive, aggressive, like a more extreme version of Christian fundamentalism.

The two sides are at war and each are drawing secularist supporters by drawing the conflict as "defence of culture". I say a pox on both of their Abrahamic houses and their ongoing feuds that have lasted for millennia, off and on.

The reason why some reactionary left wingers rebel against anything that the right hates? Because they are reactionaries, too excited about their domestic squabbles to notice that there is a bigger picture. Ditto Trump and Trumpism. Ditto this whole Abrahamic feud - two insane groups going at it, drawing in secularists to choose a side who are too blinkered or dumb to realise that they are being conscripted by superstitious maniacs.
User avatar
JamesOfSeattle
Premium Member
Posts: 509
Joined: October 16th, 2015, 11:20 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by JamesOfSeattle »

Woodart wrote:However, should I love and respect the man with a machete attempting to cut my head off? No – I think not.
Ideally, it is preferable for you to love and respect the man trying to take your head off, even as you take his head off in self defense. It's just really hard.

*
Woodart
Posts: 290
Joined: March 3rd, 2017, 1:49 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Woodart »

JamesOfSeattle wrote: It's just really hard.

*

I would say - more than really hard.
Spraticus
Posts: 132
Joined: January 29th, 2014, 6:43 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Spraticus »

Greta wrote:That is a horrible and wildly incorrect generalisation, Spec.

I and many others are deemed "left wing", seemingly because we haven't let ourselves join the new ranks of psychopathic drones being mentally conditioned for war. Yet, being (purportedly) of the left I have no time at all for Islam, or defending anything but the Muslim individuals I have met and liked. Otherwise I just see Islam as superstitious, misogynist, bigoted, repressive, aggressive, like a more extreme version of Christian fundamentalism.

The two sides are at war and each are drawing secularist supporters by drawing the conflict as "defence of culture". I say a pox on both of their Abrahamic houses and their ongoing feuds that have lasted for millennia, off and on.

The reason why some reactionary left wingers rebel against anything that the right hates? Because they are reactionaries, too excited about their domestic squabbles to notice that there is a bigger picture. Ditto Trump and Trumpism. Ditto this whole Abrahamic feud - two insane groups going at it, drawing in secularists to choose a side who are too blinkered or dumb to realise that they are being conscripted by superstitious maniacs.
Absolutely. The OP is not just attacking a straw man, it's attacking a caricature of a straw man.
Sacrontine
Posts: 447
Joined: July 14th, 2014, 11:59 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Sacrontine »

Very simple, it's because they live in countries were Christianity is the dominant religion, and many powerful and wealthy people are christian. In other words Christianity is a strong religion with much influence, it should be able to take a punch or two.

Remember that when you are criticizing Islam, no one in Muslim majority countries will hear you. Instead the one who get the criticism are the mostly poor, uneducated muslim minorities in christian-dominated countries.
Gertie
Posts: 2181
Joined: January 7th, 2015, 7:09 am

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Gertie »

Why are liberals and leftists always defending Islam?

They have nothing but scorn for Christians who oppose the LGBT agenda. But Muslims oppose the LGBT agenda even more. To the point, in many Islamic countries, of killing gays.
What? Like most people I deplore bigotry, whoever is promoting it, don't you?
Feminists attack Christianity for its alleged mistreatment of women. But Islam treats women far, far worse than anything seen in the West.

Similarly, Muslims in general support traditional sexual morality and oppose abortion. And, unlike Christians, in Islamic countries, they would likely punish the leftists who are agreeing with them for their secularism and unbelief.
These are generalisations, and there's actually a nuanced discussion to be had about the different ways women's sexuality is treated by different cultures, but it does concern me when religion is used to oppress women, whatever religion, where-ever it's happening. Where I live religion isn't much of a threat to my rights, I wish this was true for everybody and condemn it when it's not. Dom't you?
When a terrorist turns out to be a Muslim, those on the left make a point of saying that we shouldn’t blame all Muslims, which is true enough. And yet when a Christian does something that offends them, they don’t make the same caution against over-generalization about Christianity. Indeed, they often tar all Christians with the same brush.
Eh? I don't, do you?


Sorry but you're just echoing unhelpful stereotypes this Christian apologist is using to defend his own religion against criticism, while he ironically complains that Liberal Lefties 'often tar all Christians with the same brush'.
Judaka
Posts: 251
Joined: May 2nd, 2017, 10:10 am

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Judaka »

I think that the radical left supports Islam because they have an insulated western view of the world whereby the west are actors and all other people are acted upon, Muslim immigrants are minorities and the radical left feels compelled to defend all minorities and the Muslim nations are the result of Western imperialism, radical Islam and etc of which the radical left believes do not represent Islam or the Muslim population of the world. This further pushes the narrative that Muslims are victims, just the same way that feminists say that men are victims of the patriarchy because it restricts their freedom and punishes them for being different ie we are not able to express our feelings and we are expected to behave in a masculine way or conform to masculine ideals, with regards to Islam the radical left seems equally inconsistent about who exactly the state of Islam represents and who is responsible for it. Men are victims, women are victims, refugees are victims and there is nobody left to blame and this is not really exclusive to the west either. Obviously everyone recognises that "radical Islam" is a problem but the question is how does this relate back to the everyday Muslim? Are the majority of Muslims just law abiding people with similar philosophies, ideals and dreams to anybody else or are they hardcore misogynistic, anti-liberal and hateful people who willingly subscribe to a destructive ideology. Is the ideology itself even hateful or has it been hi-jacked by violent extremists. This is the complexity surrounding the issue of Islam and while I think the radical left have gone too far, it is difficult to take a strong stance on Islam without taking it on a case-by-case basis, the religion consists of too many people for a clear cut answer.
Spraticus
Posts: 132
Joined: January 29th, 2014, 6:43 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Spraticus »

Spectrum wrote:Here is an extract from the following article;
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/ ... o-islamic/

..........
Why are liberals and leftists always defending Islam?

They have nothing but scorn for Christians who oppose the LGBT agenda. But Muslims oppose the LGBT agenda even more. To the point, in many Islamic countries, of killing gays.
Feminists attack Christianity for its alleged mistreatment of women. But Islam treats women far, far worse than anything seen in the West.

Similarly, Muslims in general support traditional sexual morality and oppose abortion. And, unlike Christians, in Islamic countries, they would likely punish the leftists who are agreeing with them for their secularism and unbelief.

When a terrorist turns out to be a Muslim, those on the left make a point of saying that we shouldn’t blame all Muslims, which is true enough. And yet when a Christian does something that offends them, they don’t make the same caution against over-generalization about Christianity. Indeed, they often tar all Christians with the same brush.

................

Why?

You would probably regard me as a horrible liberal leftie if you met me. I am most certainly opposed to all the nasty, dictatorial, bigotted religions, including those versions of Islam that are misogynistic, homophobic etc., rather like the vile Christian sects who pursue the same agenda. I am also an atheist so don't in general support religion at all but I do recognise that for many ordinary people it provides a decent and supportive social club, so I wouldn't ban it.

Basically this post is just an escapee from the alt-right echo chamber. It bears no resemblance to the real world.
Woodart
Posts: 290
Joined: March 3rd, 2017, 1:49 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Woodart »

A characteristic I notice in people in general is defensiveness. It does not matter if you are on the left or right or in the middle. Why are people, generally, defensive? I think people are because they want to be right or righteous. Who does not want to have the superior point of view? We all want to be the top dog in our own estimation. So, the question is what is the best point of view? If you lean left it is probably associated with socialism (in various forms), religious tolerance, economic interdependence, environmentalism, freedom of speech, social welfare, governmental regulation, more egalitarian characteristics, Etc. If you lean to the right your governmental preference is probably more authoritarian – capitalistic sovereignty, prefer authoritarian religions, less government regulation & environmental protection, oppose welfare and gun regulation, more individualistic characteristics, etc. These are generalized characteristics – not hardened fast rules. Most people are a hybrid of these attributes in various combinations – centrist – center right – center left.

So people on the left tend to want freedom of expression, people on the right tend to want a form of censored expression. I think this is generally true – so what does it mean? It means lefties want everyone to have their point of view expressed - even views from the far right. Do people on the right want freedom of expression? No – they do not. Is Islam a tolerant religion? No – it is not.

So the original question is:
Why are liberals and leftists always defending Islam?
The answer is because they want freedom of expression. Do lefties like Islam? I would venture to say most do not. Why, because Islam is a right wing religion. However, there is a kind of blindness with many liberal thinkers because they no nothing or very little about the principles of Islam. They have never studied it. Why?
Spectrum
Posts: 5161
Joined: December 21st, 2010, 1:25 am
Favorite Philosopher: Eclectic -Various

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Spectrum »

Greta wrote:That is a horrible and wildly incorrect generalisation, Spec.

I and many others are deemed "left wing", seemingly because we haven't let ourselves join the new ranks of psychopathic drones being mentally conditioned for war. Yet, being (purportedly) of the left I have no time at all for Islam, or defending anything but the Muslim individuals I have met and liked. Otherwise I just see Islam as superstitious, misogynist, bigoted, repressive, aggressive, like a more extreme version of Christian fundamentalism.

The two sides are at war and each are drawing secularist supporters by drawing the conflict as "defence of culture". I say a pox on both of their Abrahamic houses and their ongoing feuds that have lasted for millennia, off and on.

The reason why some reactionary left wingers rebel against anything that the right hates? Because they are reactionaries, too excited about their domestic squabbles to notice that there is a bigger picture. Ditto Trump and Trumpism. Ditto this whole Abrahamic feud - two insane groups going at it, drawing in secularists to choose a side who are too blinkered or dumb to realise that they are being conscripted by superstitious maniacs.
I agree it is a generalization [a fallacy]. I guess it is because there is one group that is very noisy and aggressive.

This why some of the left are redefining themselves as the Progressive Left as opposed to the very noisy and aggressive 'regressive left'.

What I find disturbing with this regressive left is their drive and desperations to stop all sort of expressions, and critiques of Islam when it is Islam-in-part that would not hesitate to kill and rape them wherever the opportunity arise for SOME Muslims to do it in the name of Islam.

Another point is there are NOT many [except a few] on the left who are condemning the stupidity of these regressive left.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Sy Borg »

Spectrum wrote:What I find disturbing with this regressive left is their drive and desperations to stop all sort of expressions, and critiques of Islam when it is Islam-in-part that would not hesitate to kill and rape them wherever the opportunity arise for SOME Muslims to do it in the name of Islam.

Another point is there are NOT many [except a few] on the left who are condemning the stupidity of these regressive left.
Have you noticed moderates on any "side" - left, right, Islamic, Christian - going public and criticising their extreme elements? Yes, of course it happens at times but, as you suggest, it's not the norm.

I get the feeling that silent moderates figure that the "other side" already do enough of that critique. When I attended an anti Iraq invasion rally I was annoyed at the exhibitionist presence of the Socialist Alliance. Needless to say that they were the media magnets while the quarter billion "dull" protesters like me who simply cared about the issue were not of interest to the paparazzi. If they'd been hired by John Howard himself the Socialist Alliance couldn't have done a better job of undermining the efforts of the moderates at the protest. So the government had an easy excuse to toss us aside and the compliant right-dominated media did the invasion cheerleading and, before long, Howard was popular again.
Londoner
Posts: 1783
Joined: March 8th, 2013, 12:46 pm

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by Londoner »

Spectrum wrote: ..........
Why are liberals and leftists always defending Islam?

When a terrorist turns out to be a Muslim, those on the left make a point of saying that we shouldn’t blame all Muslims, which is true enough.
You have answered your own question.

To blame 'Islam' would be to blame all Muslims. That would be wrong in the same way as blaming 'blacks' in general for anything a black person does.

And yet when a Christian does something that offends them, they don’t make the same caution against over-generalization about Christianity. Indeed, they often tar all Christians with the same brush.
If that was the case it would be equally wrong.
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7932
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Why is the left so sympathetic to Islam?

Post by LuckyR »

Spectrum wrote:Here is an extract from the following article;
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/ ... o-islamic/

..........
Why are liberals and leftists always defending Islam?

They have nothing but scorn for Christians who oppose the LGBT agenda. But Muslims oppose the LGBT agenda even more. To the point, in many Islamic countries, of killing gays.
Feminists attack Christianity for its alleged mistreatment of women. But Islam treats women far, far worse than anything seen in the West.

Similarly, Muslims in general support traditional sexual morality and oppose abortion. And, unlike Christians, in Islamic countries, they would likely punish the leftists who are agreeing with them for their secularism and unbelief.

When a terrorist turns out to be a Muslim, those on the left make a point of saying that we shouldn’t blame all Muslims, which is true enough. And yet when a Christian does something that offends them, they don’t make the same caution against over-generalization about Christianity. Indeed, they often tar all Christians with the same brush.

................

Why?
Many have already pointed out the overly simplistic generalizations in this post but there is actually a kernel of a real issue here. Namely that those who promote a policy of tolerance will tolerate those who disagree with them. The opposite is also true: there are those who don't care as much about process, they care more about outcomes. For the outcome driven, ideas like fairness are less important, it is more about promoting those of a similar bent to move closer to the outcome of their choosing. Two different ways of looking at the universe. One is clearly more efficient than the other, which is why the world is the way that it is right now.
"As usual... it depends."
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Politics”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021