I think people have a right to be scared.
I know I am. And it does not mean I have no compassion for the oppressed or unfortunates.
But it doesn't work the way social media memes are going about... working up a frenzy of indignation ...trying to bully coerce shame people into compassion and political correctness. Use the heart.
But also use the head.
Please people don't post absurd memes about how unchristian and uncaring you are if you are fearful of the consequences of an action.
Accept that you're wrong if you're misinformed but don't be ashamed of your fears.
Fear can't be denied. It has to be faced for courage to be born.
Unfortunately charity cannot afford to be uncritical and indiscriminate nor endless.
Charity also begins at home. Save your compassion for your homeless your war veterans your orphans.
Save the world but first do your dirty dushes and laundry.
I see everyone irrespective of race or religion posting how we must save the Syrian refugees.
Now I will state something that has puzzled me for some time. And btw this required me to be honest and courageous.
What I don't see and have not seen are posts where a Muslim instead of defending his position,that all Muslims are not terrorists, (we know that believe me!), or being aggressively offended about the victimization of Palestinians by Zionists, are concerning themselves with the victimization of All people of All Religious Denominations.
Where are the social memes by Muslims protesting against theocratic oppressive misogynistic regimes, such as Saudi Arabia, or the persecution of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh or the Christian minority in Pakistan? Or the police brutality in Indonesian crackdowns on pubs?
Why are their protests not equally tilted towards secular issues?
Why not be equally concerned about atrocities perpetrated by legitimate Islamic regimes and theocracies on minorities? I am not talking about terrorism here.
We all accept the position that all terrorism does not stem from Islam.
But I am also thinking this, how about Muslims organizing equally zealous spirited protests for topics other than Islamophobia, for issues not affecting just their Muslim brethren but all of their human brethren, Christians, Hindus, Buddhist atheists agnostics
Gays et all?
This is pure mind speak. With a tiny flutter in the heart of how I will be shamed by my FB friends now...as petty and small minded.
Now I await comments of what a racist bigoted prejudiced Islamophobe I am.
Though I have many Muslim friends who care about me and I about them in real life. In the virtual word beautiful words of prayer have all the virtue.
Bring on rationality and you're a vice to be eschewed.
But honestly, this aspect, I confess to being bothered about.
Well my friends I have to be me.
And the labels belong to you.
(c) Amrita Valan 2015
