The Islamist "Problem"

The following post was originally my response to an email from my father.

Dad,

First of all, I think a discussion on this topic would be better since it is such a lengthy email and a topic with several different points. However, I will give a brief run-down of my thoughts on the matter.

Simply put, I believe that Mr. Wilders is wildly exaggerating the Islamist threat. He is using fear-mongering tactics very reminiscent to those used during the Cold War against Communism. As you well know, Americans were told again and again that Communism and its adherents would infiltrate each country and take them over--leading to the total destruction of liberty and a return to a world with conditions unseen since the middle ages.

This obviously did not happen due to multiple factors, some of which are also directly applicable to the Islamist threat. One important reason why Islam will not take over the world is that only a small percentage of professed Muslims desire to be ruled in a theocratic sort of way (ala a caliphate). This is evidenced by the fact that out of all of the Middle Eastern countries, Iran is the only one that is truly theocratic (and even it is becoming freer and more Westernized every year). Also, although ISIS is indeed seeking to establish a caliphate, they are not supported by ANY country on earth--or even Al Qaeda, for the matter--which should be a telling sign that there is not a mass Muslim conspiracy to form an all-encompassing Islamist caliphate. The real reason why they now hate America and its Western allies is because they are constantly occupying and bombing countries (and innocent women and children) over there. These terrorist organizations provide the best outlet for people whose entire families and fortunes have been destroyed by Westerners to exact revenge upon them. Would it be any different if the same thing was happening to Americans in our country? I think not.

As for Israel being the supposed lone beacon of human rights and democracy in the Middle East, it is quite interesting that about 90% of all Palestinian casualties in the recent conflict in Gaza were women and children, and also that Israel bombed schools, hospitals, power plants, and water treatment facilities--does that sound like a government that was respecting non-combatants? Granted, Hamas (the government of Gaza) used its civilians as cannon fodder to curry worldwide support, but should a so-called civilized country with such an elite military be committing such atrocities in response to the firing of unguided and very inaccurate rockets? Additionally, the Palestinians have stated repeatedly that they only seek a state of their own--nothing more. How is a people supposed to react when their land is given away to mostly foreigners by Western countries (Sykes-Picot Treaty) then that new country constantly blockading the most basic of items from entering the country and also settling in their segregated areas thus forcing them to move yet again?

Is it not interesting that the country that supposedly wants to annihilate Israel--Iran--has the second largest Jewish population in that region (second only to Israel itself)? Could it be that the propaganda machine of the West wants its people to think this?

Lastly, the issue of Muslim immigration into Europe is very real, but should be looked at through a historical lens. It is true that Muslim populations are increasing at a much faster rate than that of the native Europeans (mostly due to birth rates); however, is this really to be feared? Take a look into the history of America and its various waves of different immigrants. Were people also fearful and hateful towards the Irish, the Germans, the Japanese, etc? How did these fears play out? Did any of the supposed fears of these groups taking over America pan out? Furthermore, what makes Muslims so different from these groups? Was it not feared that Catholics would follow the papacy over the US government? Did that come to pass?

In summation, politics is driven by fear-mongering. If you take a look at the headlines today, the media is telling us that we should fear Putin and the Russians, ISIS, Assad, ebola, etc. Also, taking a look throughout history--especially leading up to the major wars--fear was always central in entering wars and taking away all of our liberties and freedom.

So no, I am not scared of this Islamist threat and I believe Mr. Wilders nothing more than a typical fear-mongering politician seeking even more power and resources to advance his own agenda, and that he has no concern for any of his constituents' freedoms, but is seeking powers that will only lead to the destruction of the small number of those that remain.

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