Ok. This is exactly what Stan and some others were alluding to earlier in this thread. You make it sound as if I am against the people you describe because they are different or have different coloured skin or different ethnicity. You don't say I'm racist, but the inference is there. This is the same approach as people like Gordon Brown when confronted by the lady he described as "bigoted". Any debate is stifled under the accusation of "racism". It's a very effective approach. I have no idea what your politics are, but this is an approach employed by the left, generally, to stifle all debate on religion, immigration etc. My mixed race step-daughter is sat next to me reading this and she also agrees that all debate is stifled in this way. I'm out of this one now, as it will probably only head in one direction. Well done with the "spoil the debate" tactic................works every time!
You may have inferred it, but I ABSOLUTELY did not mean to imply it. We're not talking about race anyway. This is about religion.
That is indeed very disturbing Bob. There is a problem and it must be addressed. People just saying that everything is either exaggerated or racist are simply adding to the problem imo.
Religion is religion. Let people get on with it or not at their will. Take the piss without the fear of being murdered and equally accept the piss takers without murdering. It's not that tricky really
So for the avoidance of doubt, you think my wife and son, neither of whom have been to Israel or have any particular desire to go there, should feel embarrassed and apologetic the next time the IDF bombs a Palestinian neighbourhood? Moreover, you think that it will be some sort of failing on their part if they fail to "speak out" about it?
I did my best to word it such that it articulated my genuine sense of bewilderment that the bloke in the kebab shop "should" condemn something terrible done by complete strangers with whom he has only one thing in common. Sorry it wasn't good enough.
I wouldn't say that. I'd say my wife, particularly, has a normal level of human empathy for dead children and so on when watching news coverage of awful things done by the IDF. It's just that she rightly feels that being Jewish makes her no more responsible for the actions of Netanyahu than for the actions of some lunatic warlord in Somalia or Sudan.
You appear to be calling me a liar. There's not really anywhere a discussion can go if you work on the assumption that the person you're interacting with is acting in bad faith. Especially when you have nothing to go on beyond your suspicions.
You my friend are spectacularly and probably intentionally missing the point. I don't think anyone is suggesting that peace loving people should feel "responsible" for the actions of others who are of a similar religion etc. What I believe is that if more Moderate Muslims came out and condemned the actions of the extremists, it may well help to decrease the number of young Muslims being radicalised. Other things would help that too like not invading countries where we have no right to do so etc. It is a complex issue. Spoiling it in the way you attempted is rather too easy and widespread imo.
Of course she's not responsible but we are talking about actions carried out in the name of a certain religion or faith, therefore all involved with the named faith/religion should speak up and be heard. I certainly would if it was my faith murdering people in the name of my god.
I'm still not clear about whether she should be expected to "speak up" about the worst stuff done in the name of the Jewish homeland. Or whether she should be judged as having "failed" to "speak up" if she doesn't. As an aside, I'm guessing you'd struggle to find a single Christian in this country who feels the need to "speak up" in the way you described about machete-wielding Christian militias attacking Muslims in the Central African Republic or about the fact that the desire to promote Christendom as a central principle of European culture was one of the reasons Anders Breivik gave for his killing spree in Norway.
Of course she's not responsible but we are talking about actions carried out in the name of a certain religion or faith, therefore all involved with the named faith/religion should speak up and be heard. I certainly would if it was my faith murdering people in the name of my god. I'm sure a lot of Christians did speak up and condemn those actions. I would if I were. You seem to be struggling within yourself as to what your wife should or shouldn't do. Go ask for her thoughts just to put your mind at ease.
Just asked my Mrs what she thought of those attacks as she is a Catholic. She condemns them totally. Quite simple really mate its just you over complicating things
