Welcome to the Premiere of BROADSIDED! Buckle up and let’s go!
This week, we examine Islamophobia in America, especially post 9/11. It’s no secret. You see it on the news everyday. It seems we are bombarded from all directions with information about America’s “War on Islam”. 23 States are considering or have passed anti-Sharia legislation to combat a non-existent threat in their courtrooms. Hate groups and hate crimes against Muslims are on the rise across our land – all based on fear and bigotry. But does this bigotry have organic roots or has it been helped along by a well-organized and well-funded group? You may be surprised by the answer. Join us ((LIVE)) online Thursday, September 1, 2011 on BROADSIDED on the Here Women Talk Radio Network.
Join us where our guests will be, Gabriella van Rij, author of her autobiography “With All My Might“. Ms. van Rij was born a Muslim in Pakistan, was adopted by a Dutch Catholic diplomatic family and raised in the Netherlands. She speaks of her struggles growing up looking “different” and how she learned to cope. Also joining us will be Faiz Shakir from The Center for American Progress and Mark Potok from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Mr. Shakir recently co-authored a very important and very revealing article entitled “Fear, Inc.“, that follows a most unsettling money trail from the financiers, to the misinformation experts, to the media echo chamber and finally, to an ever more fearful American public. Mr. Potok will share with us how this misinformation leads to fear, bigotry, hate groups and ultimately, violence. We hope you’ll join us and invite a friend to share this most informative hour.
Editor’s note: If you missed the live broadcast, click here for archive or iTunes
Gabriella van Rij
Faiz Shakir
Mark Potok
Vicki Childs
Carol Baker
((Live)) online Thursday, September 1, 2011
11am-12 Noon Eastern (8-9 am Pacific)
You are invited to call in:
877-500-ZEUS (9387)
Dear Mr. Thorneburg:
in the United States of America, in the year 2011, you’re stating that every person who follows the religion of Islam must prove to YOU they do not follow the fundamentalist practices of their religion. Well, to that we can only say, in the United States of America, one is afforded the presumption of innocence and must be proven guilty, not the other way around. Thank goodness for that. And frankly, we’re suspect of your generalized statements. The number of radicalized Muslims has been stated at 10%? By whom? You believe the number to be more like 80% to 90%? Based on what? You have heard former Muslims say that number is closer to the truth? What Muslims? And you’re conflating the idea that all Muslims are brutal to their women, practice genital mutilation and participate in honor killings. There are genital mutilations and honor killings happening right here in our country? Really? And you make that statement bringing forth what proof? Respectfully, you make a lot of serious charges against Muslims without offering anything other than your personal opinions without the facts to support them. We trust you’ll come back to us with verifiable sources other than right-wing opinion blogs. You know, actual verifiable news stories that support your claims. We’ll be waiting.
Put another way, Mr. Thorneburg, one could also say that 80% to 90% of all Christians support the tenants of religion as put forth by the Ku Klux Klan, a fundamentalist Christian group that professes to base all of their activities on fundamentalist Christian values. One needs only visit their website and read their own words to verify their beliefs. Not for one minute would we paint all Christians with the same brush – any more than you should paint all Muslims with the same brush. You speak to the doctrine within the Koran, but can you clarify the following passages for us within the Christian Bible?
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that men are allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how can he tell? Upon asking, most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may the Chicago Bears still play football if they wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
You see, Mr. Thorneburg, we live in a modern age and we have adopted Christian principles that fit modern times. To take those passages from the Holy Scriptures and assume that all Christians participate in these practices is cherry-picking, as you have done with the Koran, in a way that paints all Muslims as fundamentalist whack jobs. We personally know of no Christians who participate in these practices, as we would dare say you know no Muslims who participate in the practices you describe.
May we suggest you take the time to actually read the article called “Fear, Inc.” *the link is above* and educate yourself on what is really happening in this country.
We deeply thank you for your commentary. It personifies the very way the well-funded disinformation campaign in this country has done it’s job to shape the views of individuals exactly like you. We appreciate you proving our point.
I would very much like to see anyone, Muslim or otherwise, PROVE to me that ALL Muslims are not driven to convert the whole world to an Islamic state, as the Qu’ran advocates. The number of “radical” Muslims who, as part of a stated agenda, wish to harm the United States and our people has been estimated at 10% worldwide. I believe the number is more like 80% to 90% and I have heard former Muslims say that number is closer to the truth. Of course, the term “former” Muslim, I suppose, is a misnomer, in that the Qu’ran clearly states one cannot reject Islam once accepted. To do so is to insure your death. Hmmm, what an interesting “religion”. Can’t wait for the “experts” to explain away the brutality women suffer in Muslim countries, the genital mutilation of young girls and honor killings of women and girls happening right here in America. Indeed, you have a long way to go to convince me.
Here you go, Sir.
We want to focus on the groups that are promoting hate against a group of people. These groups use fear to make people believe their point of view that ALL people of the Muslim faith are evil terrorists who want to take over America. I am sure there is a faction that is radical in their beliefs just like there are factions in almost every religion who hate in the name of religion. But, to paint everyone with a broad brush, write hateful books, spew hatred at every turn, and hold yourself as an “expert” so that you can “warn” America is absurd. And, those who fund this hate will be exposed on BROADSIDED. These radical hateful people could come after you next.
Sounds like another dynamite show.