Fighting idiocy is better than copying it.

Submitted by Prashant (Germany), Mar 10, 2022 at 06:01

Dear Dr Pipes, I have long believed that Islamophobia is a wrong term because people's fear of Islam is genuine and not a phobia. Islamic doctrines, for example, about killing those who oppose Muhammad cause genuine fear of Islam. Islamic apologists, however, like to depict this kind of genuine fear of Islam as a phobia so they can make Islam look good and claim their victim status.

This kind of lies and idiocy by Islamic apologists causes confusion in other people and in this confusion well meaning people start to copy Islamic bad behavior.

Recently, a new term is being launched: hinduphobia. As a hindu, I can genuinely say that no one is much afraid of me. Have you seen a Hindu brandishing a rifle? Or, converting a non-hindu by deception or force? Or, calling for someone's death for not being a Hindu. Or, claiming that marriage is not valid until the non-Hindus partner converts to Hinduism. Etc. Nothing of this kind exists on a planet-wide scale.

So, there need to be nothing like a Hinduphobia.

But, this term is still being coined. An Indian representative to some UN organization recently requested the UN to recognize Hinduphobia just as it recognizes Islamophobia (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/recognise-hinduphobia-and-violence-against-buddhists-and-sikhs-too-indian-envoy-to-un/article38295761.ece)

This demand is absurd. There is no need to match Islamic idiocy. Islamic lies must only be fought, not copied. They should not be matched.

Non-muslims should identify the reasons why Islam is genuinely feared and work to bring changes to Islam so no one needs to fear it. Claiming that everyone is afraid of us too when no one is, establishes a false kind of equivalence.

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