Racism's Legacy

Submitted by Ludvikus (United States), Feb 15, 2015 at 13:19

We have a dark American past which we have essentially overcome, even if we haven't achieved perfection, a state not for this world.

It used to be that even after one's ancestors were freed out of bondage through our extreme bloody Civil War (Rifles were perfected in our roles in the 19th century Industrial Revolution), both the South, as well as the North, succeeded in producing a second-class citizenship status based solely on the color of the skin into which one was born, a condition which one couldn't change merely by stepping out of the Sun.

Religion, however, is another matter. One can change one's religion - at least in the United States, not on the pain of death. Furthermore, one can change a religion from the inside - as in the case of the Protestant Reformations, when Christian Churches were established outside the realm of the roman Pontificate.

Accordingly, one can and should be critical of Islam (not that I do not write "ISlamism"). Non-violent opposition, and even positions below the level of respect, are not inconsistent with our unfortunate experience and endurance of Racism. One cannot choose one's biological heritage. But one can choose, and reject, one's cultural heritage, including one religion, or religious practices.

Accordingly, Islam, which practices beheading in Saudi Arabia, while Europe has abandoned Capital Punishment, and the United States has instituted Leathal Injection in some jurisdiction, is not entitled to respect. Muslims, as such, needn't be invited to the White House; rather Islam should be encouraged and enticed to clean up its own house, or convert to a truly religion of Peace, like the one which deifies the non-violent Jesus, as opposed to the great conquering warrior of the 7th century, Muhammad, may he rest in peace.

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