Re: John Howard's message to the Muslims
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:56 pm
Philosophy is the father of culture. Come on Keith! If philosophy doesn't guide culture then what does? Is culture just a tumultuous mass of personal habits to you? I don't think so.
Also, do not assume what I do not like; doing so adds nothing to the debate. I was merely pointing out your hypocrisy. I thought that accusing someone of racism just for having an opinion on elements of a culture/religion is, I think, presumptuous, overly simplistic thinking and a tad ignorant. If someone says something you don't like, or you think inaccurate then argue the point, not the man.
For what it's worth there are many aspects of my own culture I despise, and many aspects of Islamic culture I'd adopt without hesitation. But to tell me, or anyone that they're racist, but just don't know it (poor dears), is pompous, utterly patronising and like most generalisations, usually inaccurate.
An attack on Islam/Christianity is not an attack on Muslims/Christians, though they often take it that way due to it being, as you've already said, closely entwined with culture and ethnicity. And that's a problem both the the accuser and accused have to understand when criticising/taking criticism. Some put their points across better than others and some take those points much more rationally also.
I didn't take your attack on Christendom as an attack on Christians. I hope you think of this the next time you attempt a little amateur psychoanalysis.
L o L.
Also, do not assume what I do not like; doing so adds nothing to the debate. I was merely pointing out your hypocrisy. I thought that accusing someone of racism just for having an opinion on elements of a culture/religion is, I think, presumptuous, overly simplistic thinking and a tad ignorant. If someone says something you don't like, or you think inaccurate then argue the point, not the man.
For what it's worth there are many aspects of my own culture I despise, and many aspects of Islamic culture I'd adopt without hesitation. But to tell me, or anyone that they're racist, but just don't know it (poor dears), is pompous, utterly patronising and like most generalisations, usually inaccurate.
An attack on Islam/Christianity is not an attack on Muslims/Christians, though they often take it that way due to it being, as you've already said, closely entwined with culture and ethnicity. And that's a problem both the the accuser and accused have to understand when criticising/taking criticism. Some put their points across better than others and some take those points much more rationally also.
I didn't take your attack on Christendom as an attack on Christians. I hope you think of this the next time you attempt a little amateur psychoanalysis.
L o L.