Having laid into the nonsense term “Islamophobia”, it’d be useful to mention those cases where anti-faith is a cover for true bigotry.<\/p>\n
First, anti-Christianity and the american class system. \u00a0You may know the joke: Old sociology professor meets one of his young stars in the states. \u00a0Asks him what he’s doing. \u00a0The kid responds, “Well, I’m studying the American class system”. \u00a0The professor: “Really? \u00a0I didn’t think they had a class system in the states.” \u00a0“Oh, no one does. \u00a0That’s how it survives.”<\/p>\n
I’ve had this experience a lot online. \u00a0I will be discussing some minor point with some member of the American middle class, and after I demure from the accepted line, I am informed that, as knuckle-dragging, ill educated bumpkin I, naturally, cannot understand, and that\u00a0if only<\/em> I had gone to college, I would get it. \u00a0Then when I, a little piqued by this, inform the person of my real qualifications, I am greeted with a howl of indignation about elitism, snobbery, how dare I etc.<\/p>\n This stance isn’t hypocrisy, or isn’t only hypocrisy. \u00a0It’s US class system at work. \u00a0There seems to exist within many members of the US middle class a deep envy and resentment of those above them, and a deep hatred and fear of those below. \u00a0I imagine that everyone here knows Bill Maher. \u00a0Next time you have a chance, listen to how he describes the working class. \u00a0He talks about a group of funny people who come from elsewhere. \u00a0Who have weird customs and nasty food. \u00a0Who – and this is a dead giveaway \u00a0– have poor\u00a0hygiene\u00a0 and depraved sexual habits. \u00a0Of course, when pressed he will admit that they aren’t that bad really, just not that bright and easily mislead, and of course,\u00a0some\u00a0<\/em>are quite alright…<\/p>\n This stuff isn’t no better than racism. \u00a0It’s no different than racism. \u00a0And it does not good to object that both parties are “white”; the most vicious racial hatreds arise when there is very little difference.<\/p>\n It is very easy for this to hide underneath a mask of being anti-Christian, especially anti American christian. \u00a0Long before A+, \u00a0long before even elevatorgate, I had grown revolted with the fools on FtB, especially P.Z. Myers. \u00a0Spend some time browsing through the posts and especially the comments there and you will this filth writ large.<\/p>\n I have evolved a few tests of whether or not someone is serious about their anti-religion or whether they are simply looking for a way to disguise their bigotry. \u00a0In this case, I would say that the test is firstly, whether they are able to take on Christian fanaticism from elsewhere, in particular Africa and Russia where the Church still holds terrifying power, and secondly, whether they can train their criticism on the religion of the non-working class, especially on the political class they support. \u00a0Quick: \u00a0when was the last time you heard one of the FtB complaining about the bible thumping Al Gore and Bill Clinton? \u00a0For myself, I have only seen the Hitch and Francis Wheen take them on (both of them members of the political left, for the record).<\/p>\n The question of anti-Judaism and antisemitism is another thorny one. \u00a0Anti-Semitism is even more toxic and dangerous than regular racism. \u00a0Every place this paranoia has risen it has been disastrous for anyone even close to it. \u00a0That does not mean that one should not criticize judaism; apart from anything else, the anti-semite can usually tolerate the fascist branch of Judaism quite well.<\/p>\n How can one tell when one is the other? \u00a0Well, a good rule is that if, in a comic against circumcision, you have a blond, blue eyed superhero facing off a bunch of sinister, hooked-nosed, child-stealing rabbis, then you probably have crossed the line. \u00a0Yes, seriously<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the record, this works in reverse, on the question of Israel. \u00a0I always find it useful to find out from my fellow Zionists which Israel do they support. \u00a0The secular, democratic nation with a record in science and technology that is practically\u00a0unequaled? \u00a0Or the racial state enshrined by biblical prophecy? \u00a0This is not a nothing question, as there are even some neo-Nazi groups that will defend Israel (again: yes, seriously<\/a>), including the BNP.<\/p>\n Finally, Islam. \u00a0Getting the obvious out of the way, yes, accusations of racism are constantly used to shut down criticism of Islam, and it is a pathetic and contemptible tactic. \u00a0Most people do not decide to take on a death threat for the rest of their life out of mindless bigotry. \u00a0That said, there are those for whom being anti-Islam is a mask for something else. \u00a0For instance, I believe that my transatlantic cousins have something called Chris Matthews that walks like a man. \u00a0During the the Dubai ports question – well, see for yourself:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n