Pat Robertson on Islam

14.4.08

"I want to say it again, and again, and again: Islam is not a religion, it is a political system meant on -- bent on world domination, not a religion. It masquerades as a religion, but the religion covers a worldwide attempt to exercise power and to subjugate the world to their way of thinking."

Robertson added: "They want a caliphate as they had once before; they want all people to be subjected to Sharia and to live under their rules and their domination. It is every bit as insidious as communism, perhaps more so. But to say, 'Well, it's a religion, and you should leave a religion alone,' that's just not the way it works."

Then he warned 'those weak of faith' that:"[L]et me tell you what they're going to do to you will be more horrible than anything you can imagine. And you better understand that Christianity is the way to freedom and not to slavery. This other thing is the way to slavery, not freedom."

I know Pat Robertson is a fundamentalist racist, sexist, and hatemonger who once called for the assasination of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. I also know that his recent comments are not new but an ongoing diatribe against Islam and Muslims.

What irks me is that Robertson's comments are not being condemned by John McCain or any of his supporters. Does McCain support Robertson's views of Islam and Muslims?



What about McCain's spiritual advisor, Rod Parsely, does he support Parsley's fiery call for the destruction of the "false religion" (Islam)?






This is some of what Parsley thinks about Islam:

"I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore."

McCain has lobbied hard for Parsley's support, and that of Robertson. As it stands now, I believe that McCain must support their hatred.

I suspect that there will be quite a few Mccain supporters, and others, who will want to believe the nonsense that Robertson and Parsley are saying.

This is a shame because all of what they spew is nothing short of flagrant hatemongering that is blatantly ignorant of what Islam is, and what Muslims believe about the West and Christianity, in particular.

What Robertson and Parsley won't tell their followers is that Christianity has more in common with Islam than it has differences. They won't also point to the numerous places in the Qur'an where Christians and Jews are proclaimed believers.

If they were to highlight the fact that Islam traces its origins through Judaism and Christianity it would weaken the nonsense that Islam is bent on world domination and, therefore, a threat to Christianity.

Islam does not advocate conversion or the kind of evangelical outreach that characterize Robertson and Parsley's brand of fundamental Christianity.

The Qur'an is emphatic in its declaration that there can be no compulsion in religion in any terms.

But Robertson and Parsley are less misguided than they are purposeful in scapegoating Muslims.

It is striking to note just how much Robertson and Parsley's anti-Muslim sentiments and advocation evokes Nazis beliefs about Judaism and Jews.

Just like the Jews under the racist Nazis, Muslims are being portrayed as agents of evil who exist for no other reason but to contaminate the lives of their believers (herrenvolk).

I don't think any thinking people should lose sleep about either one of these bigots. But I do think we should be asking McCain some tough questions about his hatemongering bedfellows.

Thanks to Angryindian for making me aware of Robertson's comments.

Ridwan Laher