Racism, Multiculturalism and Islamphobia.

Posted on by Opher

Some thoughts on the racism and Islamophobia that Trump and Brexit have unleashed.

14 thoughts on “Racism, Multiculturalism and Islamphobia.”

  1. “…to depose the prevailing British culture which is the result of enlightenment and centuries of social struggle.” The enlightenment… I’m starting to see articles here and there that say the enlightenment has failed. What do you think?

    1. That sounds like a religious backlash. The separation of State and Religion is fundamental to the freedom, tolerance and scientific advancement of a society in my view. Many extremely religious people still hanker after the church/faith imposing its will on the people.

      2. To enable a separation of state and religion, enable an age of tolerance and progress of science. I think a number of philosophical thinkers had come to view the theocracy of the church as stifling and wanted more freedom of thought. They were not necessarily atheists but no longer believed in all the dogma. Scientific knowledge had undermined a lot of the dogma. They wanted more freedom. Religion was intolerant and repressive. People were tortured and killed for unorthodox views. The Age of Reason saw a more philosophical approach.

      3. So actually if it hadn’t been for religion and the monks that were working with math and keeping records that provided us with so much science information, etc., the enlightenment might not have happened? 😉

      4. Well maths and science both came out of the Middle East prior to Islam. I’m not sure that it was too much to do with the monks that kept it alive. Where did you get that from Cheryl? As far as I’m aware there were a lot of eminent people working at science through from the Renaissance who found themselves in conflict with religion.

      5. I just figured since a lot of the unrest started with religious scholars who’d been studying science as well they must have played at least a part in it.

      6. Difficult to say. It was impossible to declare you didn’t believe back then – you’d be burnt – so everyone was religious even if they weren’t. Two of the founding fathers were atheist.

  2. Opher you know you come out with all this so called clever talk, but what you really are saying is you do not like anything that has made this Country what it is, you are ashamed of our past then like all the other other morons tear down all the Monuments. One cannot get rid of History, get rid of our past. You may not like Christian teachings, you may not like the fact that this is a Christian Country and will remain so. Dear God you blame everything on Brexit, Religion, President Trump, Theresa May etc etc. I don’t hear you blame the Labour PM bastard Blair who lied and took this Country to a War, Wars we will fight for God only knows how long. Blair the man with blood dripping from his hands. You want Corbyn and his left wing cohorts, you going to pick up the shit that they will leave, no of course not while you sit in your house drawing your comfortable Pension from being a State Teacher. Brexit is not responsible, President Trump is not responsible for all the wrongs in the World. there were decent hard working blue collar people who voted for him. they took enough crap from Obama and they wanted their fair crack of the whip, suddenly thats all wrong. It saddens me greatly to see how this Country is going, left wing bias from the BBC all the time, wealthy pathetic left wing arseholes who will only destroy this Country. Let all the immigrants/migrants in/pay out more and more money to those on benefits (yes there are those who are worthy) but those that don’t need the money and are stealing Taxpayers money. Tear down everything that made this Country good, gave you a Free Education, University you conveniently forget that.

    You want a perfect world Opher, well you will never get it. I am so glad that I have less years ahead of me than behind because I do not want to see this Country completely destroyed by Corbyn and his nutters and as a Labour Voter all my life I will Vote Conservative to make sure he is kept out of office. As for Brexit, did you moan and moan like a spoilt brat when we joined the Common Market, like hell you did now we are out, accept it and stop your moaning like a spoilt brat.

    1. Hi Anna – where have you been? I was getting worried about you.
      Of course I want a perfect world. I’m an idealist. Of course I know I can’t have it – I’m a pragmatist. But it doesn’t stop me from trying to make it better and railing against all the things that are wrong.
      Yes – I do believe Brexit and Trump are both extremely damaging and will create a worse world for our children. It already is.
      In terms of Britain – I think it is one of the best of countries. But it hasn’t always been as has done some dastardly things in the past. Our greatness was built on asset stripping the rest of the world and our history is one of gross inequality. While the rich lived in their stately homes the poor lived in slums and hovels.
      I don’t think we should tear down monuments though. The past is the past. You can’t alter it even if they represent some unpleasant aspects of the past.
      As I keep saying Anna – fortunately after the Enlightenment we separated church and state and ceased to be a theocracy – which is great. I’ve read my Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies and I would not have liked to live in the terror of a Christian Theocracy any more than I would an Islamic or Hindu one.
      Yes Blair did make some mistakes – the war was a mistake – but he ran the economy better than any other government has done and he properly funded the public services and regenerated city centres. You can’t take that away from him.
      So you are voting for the most extreme right-wing government in recent history – outstripping even Thatcher. You are happy with their dismantling of the NHS, destruction of education and demolition of social services – the weak, mentally ill, poor and sick can go to the wall? You are happy with the wealth of the nation being siphoned off to the wealthy and multinationals?
      I’m not. They disgust me.
      Give me the sense of Corbyn every day. He cares about ordinary people – not just the wealthy.
      I’ll continue to moan and shout at the senseless destruction of this country at the hands of a bunch of fascists such as May, Davies, Rees-Mogg, Hunt, IDS, and the rest of the heinous scum who are presently lining their own pockets at our expense just like Cameron and Osborne did. Brexit will cost this country countless billions and make us less as a nation. That is a fact. Why should I sit back and let some dogma-driven self-serving morons ruin the place for my kids?
      What is this put-down about so called clever talk? I just speak my mind. As I am intelligent that obviously has some cleverness in it. You might not agree with me but I’m not stupid.
      Nice to hear from you again Anna. I hope you are well?

    2. Does a move to the left eliminate poverty ? Is there no poverty in China or Soviet Russia ? What is our definition of poverty , no food or no bathroom? Most voters have their eye on personal gain and when they become disillusioned they vote for the opposition. Centuries of politics have not removed the pyramid of wealth that dominates , as it always has, human society. The common market provided a huge gravy train for a new set of politicians who sprang up everywhere , but not just in Europe the UK now carries three parliaments and numerous mayors . Along with the politicians are the lawyers who are looking forward to a field day sorting out the new rules for Brexit. Not long ago Mr Macron was going to reduce the French parliament by one third , but now has found a job for his wife. The house of Lords continues to grow as successive governments elevate their cronies to join. Those who hold the countries purse strings always manage to look after themselves and taxes are an unlimited supply of wealth. A fair crack of the whip is very difficult to define but a good way to get it is to enter the legal profession or politics. Undertakers do well these days and at least they have a regular supply of work.

      1. Kertsen – I think social democracy, as found in Scandinavia, tends to create a fairer society. They pay higher taxes and get far better services. I like that a lot. That is the direction I think we should be heading in.
        At present automation and globalisation has put money into fewer and fewer hands. A small number get stupidly rich and use every tax loophole going to avoid paying their share and the majority languish.
        I despair at the greed of politicians and their corruption.

Comments are closed.