Rogers Rant. This one
is about the word “racist” and how it is misused. According to the Oxford
Dictionary racism is: 1. Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race
based on the belief that one’s own race is superior, 2. The belief that all members of
each race possess characteristics or abilities specific
to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. The dictionary
defines a “race” as: Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics. Nowhere in these
definitions does it mention religion. People can be of any religion no matter
their race. You can change your religion; you can’t change your race. So, don’t
call someone a racist when they dislike or distrust people of a particular
religion. It is not racism; the proper term is actually religious prejudice.
Now for the world according to Roger.
I do not care what religion you are. You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh,
Buddhist, Wicca or any other of the hundreds of religions (or sects/denominations
within these religions) in the world today. What I do care about is when you
use your religion as an excuse to murder, harm, oppress, or enslave other
people just because they do not believe in the same god (or worship the same
god in the same manner) as you. I am not necessarily talking about a lone wolf
nut job with mental issues. I am also not talking about the small racist hate
groups that used their twisted version of Christianity to legitimize their
racism. Yes I do have a problem with people like that, but I am talking bigger
picture. Many religions have had issues throughout the years. Christianity went
through a dark time where it was punishable to belong to the wrong
denomination. Fortunately those days are over for Christians. I am talking
about the worldwide issue of terrorism and oppression being committed by
members of the Muslim faith. Do I believe that the majority of Muslims are
peace loving people, yes I do. But on the other hand there is a largely
disproportionate population that believes if you are not Muslim then you should
die. These people are organized, highly armed, and well trained. They are also
experts at blending in with peace loving Muslims and society as a whole. That
is, until it is time to strike. These same people also do not believe in human
rights. In fact under their own sharia law woman do not have rights; they are basically
the property of their husband. Men or women do not have the right of free
speech. Blasphemy is punished and the punishment can include death by
beheading. Due to these beliefs and recent activities around the world and on
our own soil I have become distrustful of Muslims. I am not proud of this distrust, but I believe
the safety of my family and the American way of life is more important than
bowing to the sensitivities of Muslims. So with this all being said and getting
back to the original point of this article if you must label me for my belief
do not label me a racist. I do have religious prejudice, but I am not a racist.
