I don't think it's especially about Islam, as there hasn't been this support given to other muslim groups. It's the anti-Zionist line that has fired up the protesters. The problem is that many don't seem to recognise any legalistic distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism
Great read. Only thing I might suggest is distinguishing between anti-Zionism and antizionism. One is a conversation about Jewish statehood, the other is bigotry.
Antisemitism is to jewish people what antizionism is to the Jewish state. Neither are engaged in ‘criticism’, but instead create their enemy using libels, before offering their own movement as a solution to an evil of their own creation.
Antizionsts are not actually engaging with really existing Israel or really existing ‘zionism’—whatever that word even means…
Antisemitism is not ‘the opposite’ of Jewry, just as antizionism is not ‘the opposite’ of the jewish state. These are just hoardes of bigots buoyed by institutionalised libels—casting themselves as the ‘resistance’ to some racially wrong and/or colonising manipulating class.
So antizionism is best not given the rights afforded to it by a hyphen. We wouldn’t want people to get the idea that it actually engages with or responds to the object of its ire..
Anti-Zionism was an academic and genuine conversation—one that involved Jews. It didn’t survive the 20th c in any meaningful sense—jews were still beng exiled by the thousands until the early 1970s from Poland—guess where most of them went..?!
Manichaeism roughly speaking is a very Dualist view that sees everything as either being intrinsically part of a demon god or part of a good god.
The Manichaen thread in Islam for example: the roughly Wahhabist line divides the world and people into intrinsically evil or intrinsically good etc as being intrinsically evil - no nuance no complexity and no Love .
So does much of the modern western Left.
Needless to say.
The above is a very simplified explanation.
There have been a number of Christian’s heresies that had (or have ) similar Manichaen traits for example the Paulicians who believed that there are two Gods, an evil God, known as the Demiurge, and a good god
Such sects have often been eschatological and in some cases actively seeking to bring on the end of this world etc.
my empress ;Anna Komene of the most eastern theme of Byzantium loved your comment
🙂🙏
I’ve had a fascination with Byzantium since I was a teenager and in recent years as Western Christian a growing interest in the Byzantine churches: the Greek and Armenian orthodox churches
My main point for the purposes of this discussion is the West generally and the left in particular has little to no knowledge of the sheer complexity and history of the world roughly bounded by Constantinople, Isfahan and Antioch .
Thank you for unpicking these nuances and troubled discourses, you articulated what we are all trying to identifying the path to the core of our shared humanity.
I support the invitation accorded to Randa Abdul-Farah to discuss her new novel. She would have been interviewed, not given a free platform. She would have spoken to mostly the converted who oppose the Zionist project in Israel. The event would have passed quite peacefully, I believe. Now, by cancelling her, she has become the story.
There are many parallels between the colonisation of Australia and the colonisation of Palestine. One difference is that murdering the colonised is now against international law.
Finally, I don’t believe the colonisers are innocent, as I don’t believe we in Australia are innocent since we enjoy the benefits and privileges associated with stolen land.
I respect your opinion on these matters, but there's a world of difference between saying someone is not 'innocent', in general historical terms, and justifying the murder of individuals. Ideology is dehumanising.
I don't think it's especially about Islam, as there hasn't been this support given to other muslim groups. It's the anti-Zionist line that has fired up the protesters. The problem is that many don't seem to recognise any legalistic distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism
Can someone please explain to me why Islam is the left’s favourite religion? What is it about Islam that is so appealing?
Great read. Only thing I might suggest is distinguishing between anti-Zionism and antizionism. One is a conversation about Jewish statehood, the other is bigotry.
Antisemitism is to jewish people what antizionism is to the Jewish state. Neither are engaged in ‘criticism’, but instead create their enemy using libels, before offering their own movement as a solution to an evil of their own creation.
Antizionsts are not actually engaging with really existing Israel or really existing ‘zionism’—whatever that word even means…
Antisemitism is not ‘the opposite’ of Jewry, just as antizionism is not ‘the opposite’ of the jewish state. These are just hoardes of bigots buoyed by institutionalised libels—casting themselves as the ‘resistance’ to some racially wrong and/or colonising manipulating class.
So antizionism is best not given the rights afforded to it by a hyphen. We wouldn’t want people to get the idea that it actually engages with or responds to the object of its ire..
Anti-Zionism was an academic and genuine conversation—one that involved Jews. It didn’t survive the 20th c in any meaningful sense—jews were still beng exiled by the thousands until the early 1970s from Poland—guess where most of them went..?!
Thanks, Josh. It's a distinction I've never heard before.
Until recently, neither had I!
Where did you hear of it ?
Interesting point thanks
Manichaeism roughly speaking is a very Dualist view that sees everything as either being intrinsically part of a demon god or part of a good god.
The Manichaen thread in Islam for example: the roughly Wahhabist line divides the world and people into intrinsically evil or intrinsically good etc as being intrinsically evil - no nuance no complexity and no Love .
So does much of the modern western Left.
Needless to say.
The above is a very simplified explanation.
There have been a number of Christian’s heresies that had (or have ) similar Manichaen traits for example the Paulicians who believed that there are two Gods, an evil God, known as the Demiurge, and a good god
Such sects have often been eschatological and in some cases actively seeking to bring on the end of this world etc.
You should have been a theologian, John!
my empress ;Anna Komene of the most eastern theme of Byzantium loved your comment
🙂🙏
I’ve had a fascination with Byzantium since I was a teenager and in recent years as Western Christian a growing interest in the Byzantine churches: the Greek and Armenian orthodox churches
My main point for the purposes of this discussion is the West generally and the left in particular has little to no knowledge of the sheer complexity and history of the world roughly bounded by Constantinople, Isfahan and Antioch .
Thank you for unpicking these nuances and troubled discourses, you articulated what we are all trying to identifying the path to the core of our shared humanity.
John, I prefer to comment on your final sentence. Yes art has given us much to appreciate and admire. Thank you. I do not support division. Jeff
I'm afraid division is the new black nowadays. I'd like to see a little less of it myself.
I support the invitation accorded to Randa Abdul-Farah to discuss her new novel. She would have been interviewed, not given a free platform. She would have spoken to mostly the converted who oppose the Zionist project in Israel. The event would have passed quite peacefully, I believe. Now, by cancelling her, she has become the story.
There are many parallels between the colonisation of Australia and the colonisation of Palestine. One difference is that murdering the colonised is now against international law.
Finally, I don’t believe the colonisers are innocent, as I don’t believe we in Australia are innocent since we enjoy the benefits and privileges associated with stolen land.
Brian Peat
I respect your opinion on these matters, but there's a world of difference between saying someone is not 'innocent', in general historical terms, and justifying the murder of individuals. Ideology is dehumanising.