British Muslims get "negative" press

Bess writes: Well, here's a surprise. An in-depth analysis of the specific nouns, adjective and general tone employed by the press to describe British Muslims has concluded that the tone is generally "negative". According to the BBC a team at Cardiff University have examined nearly 1,000 newspaper articles published over the past eight years.  They discovered (and I wonder who paid for this groundbreaking research?) that nouns like “extremism, suicide, bombers, militancy and radicalism” predominate, while terms like "fanatic" and "fundamentalist" accounted for more than 35 per cent of the adjectives used. “Islam was portrayed or constructed in the language as dangerous or backward or a threat” said Dr Paul Mason, a member of the team. Unfair? Yes, definitely but hardly new ground.

Comments

[Brian J Deller]

If the cap fits.... Why do we not see much more in the Press of open criticism from Muslim leaders constantly decrying and the radicals rants and murdering actions?

[BobinHouTX]

What do you mean unfair? What garbage. I am a Baptist, and the only time I ever heard the word Baptist used in association with terror was when the five Baptist doctors and nurses at the children's hospital in Yemen were murdered by a Muslim fanatic who did not want his culture contaminated. What rot! Are there Islamic sponsored children's hospitals operating in Christian countries? No! The UK had better wake up to the threat they have allowed to immigrate in as well as wake up to their failure to maintain their Christian roots. Islam is a religion that cannot survive without suppressing other viewpoints. It supports the use of the deception (lies) and says that Allah is the greatest deceiver of all. How can it be trusted? You need to look at its' history rather than its' recent rhetoric. And remember what caused the Crusades was not Christian aggressiveness, but the reaction of Christians to Muslims who robbed and plundered Christian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.

[susie]

So Besss thinks its OK if people of one religion are constantly vilified in the press; and there's no need to research the coverage and to try to quantify? The research has been very useful in quantifying the unfair (which Bess admits) coverage, particularly in the Sun, Express and maybe Mail. It's surprising that she's quite so dismissive; after all, some people might say its Muslim's perception that coverage is negative rather than this being a reality, when the survey shows it is not just paranoia at work, but coverage really is unfair, to a breathtaking degree. Also, Dispatches bothered to check out some of the most sensationalist stories involving Muslims, and foud them to be baseles. Again, this was well worth doing.

[John Jarman]

I think I would be inclined to reserve judgement until I read the whole report... and even then would like to see the evidence for myself.
During my working life I met many muslims both straight and criminal ... I was a Police Officer... They were no more dangerous or fanatic than any catholic or anglicans I met. Indeed most just wanted to be left to go about their business in peace... just like I do.

[Kaafir]

If muslims get bad press they are the only ones responsible for it ! They are never in tune with any country's laws. They want sharia laws, while they escape from countries which have sharia laws to the one having civil laws and make the most noise to get the maximum benefits as muslims while the same courtesy is never extended to the non-muslims in the Islamic countries.

Moreover why the countries should be Islamic ?? Can't they just be countries with civil laws with majority of population happens to be muslim !? So that the kaafirs can have equal chance of migrating and settling in those countries.

[Sheryl]

I believe that this research and the dispatches programme were enlightening... It never ceases to amaze and disappoint me that members of the press are so comfortable to join the negative debate about Islam, without the researching the true message of the religion, stripping away the misconceptions, misinterpretations and cultural layers, which are so prevalent in the continued debate. I studied Islam for a year before converting and I am a white middle class professional women. Delve beneath the inflammatory views of a minority of corrupted individuals, take away the cultural traditions of many people from other countries and you find the most peaceful, generous, fair and liberating faith, built upon all of the Abrahamic faiths. As women, I have discovered a true sense of peace, empowerment, liberation and meaning to my life from Islam. If the press were to report the 'True messages of the peace of Islam' then maybe the message will start to resonate with the misguided and Muslims will start to feel less alienated. The Islamic Research Foundation, would be the best place to start.

[Rick Beekman]

Bess;
I must agree with several statements already made.

I have nothing personal against any Muslim. I know several ans they are very knowledable on various topics. I don't see the "Peaceful" Muslims standing up against the extremist Muslims as Brian mentioned. As also mentioned by BobinHou Tx when I showed the One-sided partiality afforded Muslims in their countries against we "Infidels" (Christians). It grieves me that Our Country (USA) allows Muslims to come here to worship "Allah" in their own Mosques without any problem with full Police protection..yet if you go to certain Muslim nations a Christian is not allowed to bring a Bible in..or Witness to Muslims or even have a Christian Churches. Iran is one those I am speaking of.

Because the World needs Oil from Muslim nations is the reason they are accorded "Favorable" status.

Orin other words the "Golden Rule"...whoever has the GOLD (Black Gold-OIL) Rules!!

[John]

Rik,

They already have their own book of nonsense, they don't need you witnessing another on them!!

[Rick Beekman]

John;
Proverbs 3 v 35 "The wise shall inherit glory but shame shall be the promotion of fools"

Proverbs 13 v 13; "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."

Proverbs 16 v 25; "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man..but the end therof are theways of death."

Have a great and blessed day!

[Stuart Hartill]

Actually Bobinhoutx, the Muslims were in Britain centuries before the Baptists, and in Europe it was Muslim academics who preserved the ancient Christian writings on which much later bible scholarship is based, while the crusading lager louts would have happily burnt them.
If you can be bothered to research a Liverpool gent called Abdullah Quilliam you'll find that even in the 19th century the Muslims were a well organised, respectable bunch - again unlike Baptists. Having grown up in inner city Yorkshire I have no doubt who I prefer as neighbours. Also funnily enougn, I recently asked our local police to consider bringing aggressive begging charges against evangelicals who were pursuing parents with young families through a local beauty spot. If threatening five year olds with hellfire and damnation isn't demanding money with menaces then I don't know what is!

[John]

Do you think it's right that I should be destroyed, simply for not believing a word of the word?

That's religion in a nutshell, believe without evidence or burn for eternity.

[Azar]

With regard to comments made to date. There are countless Islamic leaders and scholars who constantly speak out against the terrorists and misguided, but the press never pick up on it. Peace TV, is a channel devoted to Islamic teachings and it extoils the true message of Islam, which is peace. Dr Zakir Naik, Sheik Ahmed Deedat, Hussain Ye, Yusuf Estes, to name but a few. Put these people up on prime time to debate and the world will start to understand that terrorism is un-islamic, peace, acceptance and tolerance are woven within the fabric of the religion. As for evidence, scientifically, there is nothing written in the holy qur'an that can be disputed. I would encourage everyone to read Dr Maurice Bucaile book on science, the bible and the qur'an.

[Rick Beekman]

John;

You stated; "do you think it is right I should be destroyed because I don't believe a word of the word."?

Let's put it another way John; If you lived here in America and the Law states You cannot Murder someone Do you think the Judge will excuse you for murdering someone Just because you did'nt "Believe"??
That Judge will probably send you to Prison for a Very long time for your Unbeleif in The Law and Your Foolish Act.
Romans 2 v 11; "For there is no respect of persons with God."

Apostle Peter wrote; (Acts 5 v 29) "Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said We ought to obey God rather then men."

John; God is a merciful and forgiving God. He is also a God of Judgement. When somebody laughs and Mocks His Word..If They later Repent he will forgive them and Forget anything wrong they ever did against His Word. If They don't Repent and continue To "Thumb their Nose" so to speak at Him/His word..Then they will meet him one day as Their Judge And it won't be a Pleasant experience on that day. So the moral is this; seek a church that teaches ONLY God's word..Obey what that Word says..an d you'll get the Loving savior..not a Judge....

[John]

Rik,

I'm not quite sure what on earth you're on about.

Firstly, even without belief in a cloud dweller, I understand that murder is wrong. I'd also hazard a guess that most people in society believe this.

Am I to believe that the only reason you don't go on a murdering spree of Yaweh-like proportions is becuase you believe in his (especially when it comes to murder)
contradictory word?

What does that say about your moral code? I try and treat all animals with respect. I don't believe it is my right to have dominion over the other creatures I share this planet with.

Do you also believe, that before Moses made up the 10 commandments, everyone thought it was perfectly ok to murder whoever they felt like murdering?

I'll tell you why, becuase in order for your tribe to survive, it would be counter productive to permit murder, ergo, it's not really neccesary to iinvoke God.

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. While he was on his way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him. "Go up baldhead," they shouted, "go up baldhead!" The prophet turned and saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two shebears came out of the woods and tore forty two of the children to pieces. (2 Kings 2:23-24 NAB)

Anyone who is captured will be run through with a sword. Their little children will be dashed to death right before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked and their wives raped by the attacking hordes. For I will stir up the Medes against Babylon, and no amount of silver or gold will buy them off. The attacking armies will shoot down the young people with arrows. They will have no mercy on helpless babies and will show no compassion for the children. (Isaiah 13:15-18 NLT)

Why would I seek out a church, when I understand the bible to be myths, fables and a control manual for a growing population?

I'd like to offer you some advice, if you try and communicate what you believe in to sentences we can all understand, instead of the constant quoting from the bible, then you'd have more chance of getting your point across, as it is you come across as someone who is not on this planet.

As shown, it's just as easy to contradict your bible passages with other bible passages showing the complete opposite. Until you can rid yourself of copy and paste, then you have no idea in how to hold a conversation, a debate or even offer a contribution.

The book itself is enough for you, but for my (god given in your view) mind, I need evidence, so therfore I ask you again, do you think it's right that I should be destoyed? Especially taking into consideration that god designed my mind, and has a plan for me. Is his plan for me to go to hell?

If not, why give me an independent mind in the first place? If he loves us and wants us to go to heaven, why create the mind at all?
It seems the only rel free choice we have, in your opinion is the choice to believe in god, for everything else is irrelevant.

Do you ever question your faith? Ever?

[Rick Beekman]

John;

Your last question first; Yes I believe and trust in God and his Word.

Next; Your citing examples where people were killed by God for various reasons. God also repented of his thoughts to kill all the children of Israel when he delivered them out of Egypt showed them one miracle after another..and they still complained and murmured.
he spared many who could have been slain because he also had mercy on them.
Read this; Psalm 78 v 49 to 78 this will explain some of it. As our Creator John God can do whatever he so desires. He owns our souls the land we walk on..the stars the moon..the sun all of it.
Makes no difference whether you believe it or not..it is still a sobering fact.

Finally; I quote scripture because this is a Religious blog site correct? If this was say a Blog about Music..singers etc then you are correct John..I have no buisness there quoting scripture.

I'm like everyone else I have other interests I can converse on. One of the main reasons I quote scripture is to show those who might not know (Regarding Religious/Spiritual matters) what God's word says about the subject.

Many on here Love the Lord and may not be aware of what his word states on various issues. If you don't want to believe..that is your right. Don't however tey to diss God's word unless you know all the facts and reasons why certain things in The Bible took place. If you ask me a question I will do my very best to answer it without being evasive. Have a Blessed day!