REPLY 1

This is the reply to the above letter, with my comments in red.

On Sept. 18, The State Journal-Register published a letter exhorting America to awaken to what was characterized as the dire threat posed by the Muslim religion (letter to the editor: “Wake up, America”).

I was struck with the notion that this diatribe was better suited to a Ku Klux Klan pamphlet than the editorial page of my newspaper. I could easily imagine that in 1920, this same author might have been editorializing on the dangers posed by “the colored races” migrating to northern cities, in 1900 on the threat of hordes of Jewish immigrants and in 1850 on the swarms of Irish “papists.”

The “colored people” refered to here were brought here against their will, or at least the ones I assume the writer is refering to were. The resentment and anger of some segments of the decendants of these involuntary immigrants is perhaps understandable however counter-productive it may be. The writer plays the typical card of racism with no basis in fact. The Jewish “hoards” refered to came to this country legally. They for the most part didn't come here to kill Americans or overthrow the government. To my knowledge they never tried to compel anyone to convert to Judeism. As for the “swarms” of Irish “Papists”; I myself am of Irish decent, and none of my ancestors owned any slaves, or killed any Americans for religious reasons, or beheaded anyone for refusing to convert to Catholicism. And for that matter calling people hordes and swarms seems a little racist and intolerant to me.

Bigotry and ignorance have ever been the unfortunate hallmarks of a certain segment of American society, and it is apparent from this letter that they are now redirected toward the latest target of opportunity.

I have to agree that ignorance and bigotry is all too common in america. But I think we would disagree on just who the ignorant bigots might be.

This letter was an insult to the many God-fearing, patriotic, (who's god? And for which nation?) )Muslim people of this community and contrary to the ideals of tolerance (The writer's notion of tolerance seems to be different than mine) we claim to hold dear in the United States. The Muslim people, in fact, follow the world’s largest monotheistic religion. (I don't understand why this would be considered a good thing, considering that islam wants to destroy the world's second largets religion) Muslims honor the moral precepts of the Ten Commandments and worship the God of Abraham.(At least according to the Koran. I think Jews might disagree.) Those of my acquaintance have uniformly been friendly, generous, devout persons deeply devoted to their families.

People who are Muslims are mostly like everybody else. I have nothing against Muslim people, per se. My distain is for those who accept the tennents of Islam and use them as a reason to kill me and other unbelievers. I find it very hard to believe that any civilized person wouldn't feel the same. But apparently, the writer doesen't)

The real threat to American values are not Muslims, (This is total delusional nonsense. Anybody who wants to kill me for whatever reason is a threat and my enemy.) but those among us who so easily let fear and hatred take place of reason and tolerance, and also newspaper editors who publish hate-mongering without a word of apology, embarrassment or disavowal.

Using the words “reason” and “tolerance” in defense of any religion is oxymorinic.

And the writer seems to be urging the newspaper editors to practice censorship in aid of political correctness. How very tolerant.

James R. Leinicke