Is there a general consensus amongst Yahoo!Answers that all Muslims are terrorists?

Question

All the questions on Islam, the majority of answers are feel that ALL Muslims have the "potential" to become terrorists.
That Islam is not a religion of peace, but one that incites hatred and violence.
Nothing is futher from the truth.
But when I try to explain this, I am labelled a "Muslim Apologist".
Its infuriating.

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

It does seem to be that way to a large degree sadly. I also believe this is one of the explanations as to why there are wars in the world and terrorism in the first place. People dislike others for being different from themselves and seem to have a need to demonise others. One of the reasons for this being a severe lack of self-awareness, confidence, assurety, just a general lack of safety in who they themselves are. There is a need to be "better", to be right and also something deeper in some people bordering on hate. It's fundamental human emotions that anyone can have or suffer from.

The dislike and hate for Islam goes back a long way, and it has become part of the collective subconscious of Europe and the West in general (mostly industrialised countries with real power in the world). Of course, this doesn't mean that individuals cannot choose for themselves, and indeed, as is proven here at Yahoo! Answers, some people do which is to their credit. These are the ones who, no matter what faith, belief or no belief they themselves hold, are able to look at things truthfully and with understanding and intelligence.

One theory states that ever since the major enemy of the West fell, Russia, there was a need for a new enemy. If not, there wouldn't really be any need for the weapons industry would there. The made up "enemy" to replace Russia was Islam. Every event since, politically motivated most of them, or any bad act by any so called muslim state or a muslim individual, is used to abuse this religion and its followers. As a result, more and more muslims become more and more sensitive and you end up in a bad spiral of lacking communication, compassion and a deterioration of the possibility of peaceful relations between human beings who, at the end of the day, are just that, human beings, irregardless of religion etc.

Political systems and leaders, plus media, will and does often strengthen already existing views in society because politicians need to be on the right side of the public opinion; any media source that doesn't appeal to the public opinion in some way will not survive, their readers or viewers would diminish if there weren't enough interesting views (meaning, the same way that they themselves feel) for them to read. And these views have to be similar to what these people already feel. Of course there's a lot of other normal things that are reported that don't need to match anyones pre-determined views, like a robbery, the weather, tv listings etc. But underneath all of this there is a definite line of thinking, that shows itself in the political line that the newspaper or channel may be championing like most of them do. Are they more conservative? Liberal? Independent?

Stereotyping serves many purposes, most of which aren't good. So anyone doing this towards Islam, muslims (followers of Islam) or anything else, be it coffee, nationality, race, food, redheads or anything, is most likely not engaging or answering in an objective, truthful and intelligent way. These people are quite easy to spot, and yes, sadly, there seems to be many of them here at Yahoo! Answers. Although this isn’t the only place and at the end of the day it is a reflection of real life (which is very scary indeed, think about it, people who seriously believe these highly strange things full of hate and dislike and bigotry, lacking any ability to accept anyone who is slightly different from themselves).

It is quite scary indeed for in these voices you hear signs of the greater troubles outside, in the world. What will it lead to? Where will we end up when so many seem to hold negative views, oftentimes in combination with a severe lack of knowledge plus hate, about Islam. Where does this leave muslims? Not in a safe place.

Answer 2

I do not believe that all Muslims or terrorists nor do I believe that Islam incites violence and hatred (I threw stuff at the TV when I stopped on the 700 Club and Pat Robertson was saying that Islam was a religion of terrorists and it was a violent hateful religion and that Christians needed to know this information). Islam incites violence and hatred no more than Christianity does...the key factor is in the individual and how the individual uses it.

Christians have used their religion to incite violence and hatred throughout history (but we ignore this fact). The majority of terrorist attacks committed on American soil are committed by white American Christian fundamentalists (but we ignore this fact and assume, as in the case of the Oklahoma City bombings, IMMEDIATELY that it was Muslim terrorists).

Just as one would not want to be judged by the actions of one member of a group you are a part of, don't judge an entire religion based on the actions of a few extreme fanatics...because the tables can be so easily turned...and the fundamentals behind the religion of Islam don't call for terrorism or anything of the sort (just as the tenets of Christianity are supposed to teach love and peace, not hate).

Answer 3

My feeling is that it's not the religion that causes the Middle East to be such an "angry" place, it's the politics. That region has been the hotbed of activity since colonial times (before that, even, but the current strifes are based in colonial policies.

A little history: Everywhere else in the world, countries are formed through a long historical process -- people of different heritages live in an area, form their own culture, then fight wars to gain more land and assimilate more people into their group. This usually takes hundreds, thousands of years. That's the natural way of forming a country.

Now, the countries that you see on the map in the Middle East weren't formed that way -- they were formed that way by Britain and other countries based on their colonial interests in the area. without regard to whether those borders are natural. As a result, people are stuck with others who are not like them, and who are sometimes even historical enemies. Ancient land claims were disregarded and that has caused a lot of anger in the region there.

It has nothing to do with the religion of the majority of Middle-Eastern people. If the tables had been turned and Islam was the majority religion of Europe and Christianity was the majority religion of the Middle East, the Christian Middle Eastern people would be the angry ones, and the rest of the world would be stereotyping Christians as terrorists.

Never look at the stereotype, always look at the individual -- you'll be a lot more understanding.

Answer 4

One saying that I use a lot is, "it is what it is". I have studied the religion of Islam from its very beginning to the present, have I think I see it for what it is. It began with Muhammad, a war lord whom in his elder years married a 6 year old girl. His armies killed thousands and Islamists have been killing ever since. People say Islam is a religion of peace, but can you honestly see any evidence of that? I've looked and I dont see it. I have been to the middle east several times and seen Muslim people up close and personal. I've talked with them and got into their heads. They do NOT want peace.

Another misconception is about the word Islam. I have been told the word Islam means peace. That is false. The word Islam translates to "submit to Allah". Since when is submission equated with peace? Its not peace, its a warning.

I think one should look at the largest concentration of muslims in the world, Indonesia, to get an accurate view of muslims/islam. Do you think Indonesia was always a muslim country? It wasn't. Indonesia was forcefully converted, and I encourage you to read about it. Some estimate as many as 30 million, yes million, chinese were killed when the country (or group of islands) was taken by muslims. I know thats a huge number, but many chinese people I've spoken with say its a low estimate.

When I saw the cheering crowds on CNN after the 9/11 attacks I knew in my heart there are no real moderate muslims. They all support the cause, whether they are the ones doing the dirty work or not. No, they are not all alike like mindless zombies, some stand for this and some stand for that, but they all seem to support the terrorism happening right now globally. I havent really heard or seen any real renouncement by the major Islamic Groups or Organization condemming the actions going on, have you? Their usual response is to blame Israel, and change the focus from themselves to the Jews. When asked a simple question their tactic is to deflect the discussion towards Zion.

You can close ur eyes to the Islamic Movement all you want, and I suppose there is nothing anyone can do or say to change ur mind. I am not saying hate muslims, I am saying watch what they do, not what they say.

Answer 5

I Know without a shadow of a doubt that all Muslims are not terrorists. I work with many Muslims who I consider friends and know for a fact that they are people with needs and wants just like me and are suffering for the outrageous actions of a few. People who have very little information on a topic tend to spout what they know and then embelsih it to the extreme, resulting in what could only be described as bulls**t. Also, many of the questions asked here are not neutral but directed to elicit an opinion from one extreme or another. They are asking for the answer they want or the one they would give; the one that matches their opinion. And keep in mind that anonimity does strange things to people, very few people would shoot you down face to face for the things that you believe. Stay strong and may I congratulate you for having an opinion of your own. So many go along with the pack without a second thought, so good on you.

Answer 6

Your leaders must start speaking out publicly against the fanatics. Arab countries must stop teaching hatred in schools. Muslims must unite against the fanatics.

Yes, Islam is religion of peace on earth the same as Judaism, but the peaceful Muslims must be more vocal and make changes in political systems.

Answer 7

i think this is more of the american status quo. i beleive it is because americans are ignorant to the ways of islam and are brainwashed by their controled media. when we try to defend ourselves we are automatically labled as a terrorists. this was prophetzised by the prophet muhammud sallahualayhewasallam. do not become discouraged and continue to teach people the truth about islam. islam is the fastest growing religion world wide alhumduallah. islam proves itself by the way of the quran and many muslims world wide showing examples. i know it does not seem like it but we live in the west. so it just seems this way. we do not have to apoligize for being muslims and never feel like that. allah is on our side. allah shows those the truth whom allah chooses. good luck sister sallam

Answer 8

Anyone has a potential to be a terrorist; it really isn't an exclusive club to one belief system.

People should not be generalized & stereotyped. No one likes it. I have friends of various beliefs systems including Muslim. Don't judge the book by the cover.

Answer 9

All religions can be used for hatred and violence. Unfortunately, most of the religions make a god from our ego thought systems - one that is rewarding, judgmental, loving, punishing, etc. This serves as a dangerous basis for fomenting violence because it has as its roots separateness and judgment. While most don't go to the extreme of terrorism and violence, many engage in the negatives by judging others as saved, not saved, infidels, believers, etc.

Answer 10

No one is saying that only that some muslims become terrorists and it seems the islamic leaders deni they were muslim rather than trying to correct wrong teachings