Are Americans Islamophobic? If yes, what's causing that and how can it be corrected?

Question

Is it the media behind that? Is it the politicians trying to magnify the danger and use the fear factor to justify their lavish spending on military and negligence for the good of the nation?

Answer 1

We're not islamophobic. We're fanaticphobic. And terroristphobic. We want to be able to take our families to Disneyland without having to worry about being maimed or killed by a raving lunatic who thinks he has a mission from God, and that forcing others to bow down with a gun to their head is acceptable.
Our nation was built on tolerance, and we find Islamic fundamentalism to be barbaric, distasteful, and a mockery of true religion when it is used as an excuse to do evil.
So listen closely--if WE did what YOU do, WE would be executed as criminals by our own courts! It can be compared to using the KKK to spread Christianity by force. The idea is abominable to us, and to ALL civilized people, REGARDLESS of religion!

Answer 2

I would say it's getting to that point, yes. The media plays a role in spreading the word, but I wouldn't blame them for the phenomena. When the media does their job, we become Islamophobic. If they didn't, we'd simply be ignorant. I say this because Muslim extremist groups blatantly say "Kill Americans." They don't say "Fight the soldiers, but let them go if they run." They flat-out say "Kill Americans." and they mean CIVILIANS.

Our military follows the Geneva Convention, which states you cannot kill a non-combatant. If someone isn't fighting, the worst you can do is take them prisoner. Even then, they are to be treated humanely. (And yes, I know it doesn't always work that way, but most of the time it does.) Extremist terror cells just don't care--it's as if they've degenerated into something subhuman and evil.

And since you don't see Buddhist extremists, Hindu extremists, Atheist extremists, Wiccan extremeists, or basically any other kind of extremist....yes, we're becoming Islamophobic. As for the solution, unfortunately there is no easy answer. Evil begets evil.

Answer 3

NOT all americans are like Islamophobic. Some are very understanding and they accept only the authentic sources.

Unlike many who answered your question seem to be from the arrogant, ignorant lot.

Because, Islam means PEACE. So How can a religion be called as Terrorism, Fundamentalism when it means PEACE???

The media is the biggest culprit that it always shows WRONG picture about Islam. The whole media is owned and run by Jesish lobbies who hate the spread of islam that is taking place at a tremendous pace.

Those who write the verses of the QUran in which GOD commands to kill the infidels DELIBERATELY dont mention the context of the verses. Because IF THEY DO, they cant BLAME ISLAM AT ALL.

ALL THE VERSES THAT ASK TO KILL THE INFIDELS ARE REFERRING WAR. AND THEY WERE ORDERED FIRSTLY TO THE COMPANIONS OF THE PROPHET WHO WERE TORTURED, KILLED, ROBBED OF THEIR PROPERTIES BY THE PAGAN MAKKAN INFIDELS.

Therefore, GOD commanded that 'If these Infidels persecute you, KILL THEM AS THEY KILLED YOU. Fight them as they Fought you.

BUT AGAIN, the verse says "BUT PEACE IS BETTER IF YOU KNEW"

Why dont the enemies of Islam quote the following verses and not show the REAL picture???

Thats what i said they are actually ARROGANT & IGNORANT RACISTS.

I ask them to Take a step forward and be responsible citizens to say ONLY what is the TRUTH.

PEACE BE ON ALL OF YOU.

Answer 4

I think we are. I read a book about this in my terrorism class in undergrad. Since the 70s, movies, books, the media, etc., started switching from using communists as the bad guys to Muslims. The idea of Arabs as being bad is fairly embedded into our culture. And certainly, some politicians have tapped into that over the last few years.

Education is really the only way to combat it. Children are generally made familiar with Hanuka, Kwanzaa, Christmas...but not Ramadan or anything like that. People need to be taught the positive aspects of Islam, and why Muslims choose to do some things that we are unfamiliar with -- like growing beards and wearing the headscarf.

Answer 5

A lot of Americans are 'islamophobic'.

The reason is because they were led to beleive that Islam is a savage, violent religion based off of inequality and prejudice. It is not, of course, but most Americans fail to realize that Islam is based off of the same principles and scriptures as Christianity. Of course, they have a right to fear EXTREMIST Muslims, just like any person has the right to fear an extremist-anything.

Educating Americans on the true nature of Islam is important, and making them realize that it isn't all Muslims that want to attack/kill non-Muslims. Same thing happened with the Japanese at Pearl Harbour, the Germans and the Nazis, and the Russians and the Communists. Not ALL of a group participates in something we perceive as baaaad.

Answer 6

Many are. Not all, but many. I think it's a combo of what you said coupled with humans' tendency to fear and loath what is foreign and unknown to them. How many Americans have ever met or befriended a Muslim? How many of them know anything at all about the basics of Islam? I think ignorance and fear of the unknown are two of the biggest factors.

Answer 7

These verses might have something to do with it.

Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war. Sarah 9:5

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah (blasphemy) and his Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter. Surah 5:33

Answer 8

HaHa i always laugh when i hear people go yea man they think you should kill anyone that doesnt beleive in what you do. And im like well the old testament says the exact same thing. And they go wow youre and idiot and look away.

Answer 9

If you ask me, most Americans (not all) hate anyone who is not white, Christian or whatever or American. Their media is messed up and they make it look like EVERY muslim man in this world is a suicide bomber or every muslim woman is forced to cover and be beaten all the time. Hahahahah I am a Muslim woman (convert) married to a man from Arabia and he treats me like a princess. But then its the viewers fault because they choose to believe nonsense like this. I wish ppl didnt have sucha bad view on ALL muslims, only the ones who really deserve it (bin Laden).

Answer 10

Yes, but then again, you don't see Buddhists running around threatening to kill people for publishing cartoons, now do you?