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Originally Posted by angus58

What about The Telegraph, The Times or The Guardian, all of whom have reported on the same stories, albeit in less colourful style, language or eye grabbing headlines? Or is it the case that ANY story that shows muslims in a bad light is by definition "racist" or "rancid" or "scaremongering"? Talk about political correctness gone mad.

Like it or not, it is a FACT that muslims hold some pretty abhorrent beliefs, such as anti-semitism, homophobia and the subordination of women. And what about the draconian and often brutal penalties meted out by Sharia law, usually applied more strictly and unjustly towards females? Are we supposed to remain silent on that for fear of offending muslims? Debates on these issues are squashed by the politically correct brigade who see any criticisms as "racist".

Just because these issues are sensationalised by the red tops does not diminish their authenticity or the seriousness of their consequences. It is almost as if muslims have been elevated to some special status where any criticism of their beliefs and practices are somehow sacrosanct and beyond reproach, yet they are free to criticise, reproach and castigate the beliefs, culture and practices of anyone who is not a muslim with impunity, just as the vote chasing Baroness Warsi has done in this instance.

It isnt the stories as such, it is the way they are written. That's not to say the stories arent a problem, I'd question the validity and accuracy of every single one. Take the Daily Express headline for instance, thee "Muslim plot to kill Pope" one; all that had happened was that six foreign men were arrested on suspicion of plotting against the Pope, nothing was proven and as it happened they were released without charge.

But it's the tarring all Muslims with one brush which is the major problem here, taking the extreme and portraying it as the norm. I would go into detail with each headline but I dont see why I should need to, anyone with half a brain can see the problem with the headlines that myself and Judas has posted. Clearly you cannot because you are guilty of the exact same thing as the papers; you make sweeping statements like "Muslims hold abhorrent beliefs" and see the situation in a "them and us" manner. It's Islamophobia pure and simple, and no amount of "PC gone mad" rhetoric will change that.

Muslims are not elevated to a special status at all, on the contrary, it would seem that prejudice against them is far more acceptable than it is other religions.