Scenarios
- You’re just Islamophobic
One-liners
- Should I be? In what way?
In-brief
'xxx-phobic’ is often used as a smear without evidence – we need to defuse it. Phobia means 'fear' so its not a moral choice to be accused of - but a factual assessment of whether it is correct to fear something and if so what to do about it.
Things we may agree with Islam on:
- belief in God – though Islam's God is remote and strict, Christianity sees God as loving, relational and Holy
- agree on parts of the OT to some extent
- against same-sex attraction and sex outside marriage, though this maybe qualified in Islam?
- strong family life, though probably seen in different ways
Islam does believe that it has the right to take over the world and apply sharia. Violence and deception are sanctioned where expedient.
If 'Islamaphobia' is used to attack and smear critics then this is problematic on its own - why do this? What is the motivation?
So there are legitimate challenges and concerns. These need to be properly addressed - which would then bring genuine respect to Muslims.
Shield verses
- I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.
Isaiah 45:5