You're Very Kind to Prof. John L. Esposito

Submitted by Robert (United States), Sep 25, 2022 at 22:52

Dr, Daniel Pipes,

You have had a long running feud over the years in which John Esposito, instead of engaging in a rational discourse with you, he merely engaged in insults and ad hominem arguments about you in his various fora where you were not even present. In fact, in one incident, which you have on your web site, your adversary, John, confesses and reveals his motives (unintentionally) that for "15 years he used to be a scholar that everyone ignored" (not necessarily an exact quote). What I think that this reveals is that not being ignored is what Esposito wants more than anything else. Well, attacking you in defense of Islam, which it's billion population - what better way is there for not being ignored. And now you are generous in reviewing his book here! You could have done worse - you could have ignored it.

But I think he also unintentionally honors you by recognizing you as the most important critic of (though "mistaken" in his view) Islamism (or Islam).

Esposito is an Islamist or Islamic apologist. He reminds me of a parent who instead of punishing their misbehaving child with admonishment instead rewords the child by remarking that they really are deep down wonderful. In brief, his view is that Terrorism in the name of Islam really has nothing to do with "true" Islam, or "real" Islam. Accordingly, it is you who Insult Islam because you call it Islamist Terrorist, implying that this terrorism is somehow connected Muslims and is a danger to Civilization, suggesting that there are Muslims who are Terrorists. It's actually a common and successful defense: "no true Muslim could possibly be a terrorist."

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