Hm, France really believes into their schools, that's why they will make school obligatory from the age of 3, as per Macron's latest speech on "séparatisme".
Clearly the teachers are on the frontlines, so to speak. It looks like the others side treats them accordingly.

You reap what you sow...

Another beheading in France:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54729957

Tom

This is desperately sad. The general reaction to President Macron's tremendous response has been terrible. Boycotting French products and accusations of Islamophobia, it feels like the poor teacher who had his head cut off has been forgotten amongst it all

There are few things that make my blood boil as much as religious extremism, and in modern times I find those claiming to act on behalf of Islam as the most insidious and by far the most dangerous.

Macron now either has to stick to his principles of supporting freedom of exprssion in a liberal country and deal with the fallout, or backtrack and appease the zealouts into stopping their madness.

In the end, France may just have to accept that as its Muslim population is now so large (8% in 2017 so likely now 10-15% in 2020) that the country has now irrevocably changed and the same level of freedom of expression that once existed in a predominantly Christian culture no longer applies as before.

This clash of cultures and ideals is likely only going to get worse as time goes on throughout Europe as Muslim populations and resulting levels of radicalism present within them increase.

And now in Nizza (link in German):


https://www.20min.ch/story/jihadist-...e-795011404557


Alleged islamist decapitates old woman

Already posted an hour ago.

Tom

Not really. Muslims make not even make sense in first place. The culture clash includes TV, football, pop music and all other media. I see the young men trapped between extremist parents and at the same time lusting for a fast car and a GF in a tiny dress. I wouldn't be surprised if extremist parents also talk about how France have irrevocably changed their kids and how they don't respect their own culture/heritage. I bet on artists and football players winning the influence war on kids over boring priests.

My place in this culture war is long hair. I enjoy the looks of disapproval of other immigrant parents with young kids at the ethnic food shop. Due to m complexion and skin people think I'm from Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey or some place with strict rules of how a man should look. Then I get to my car and turn the engine on.....I see how the pupils of the kid dilate and I know my job is done. I seeded discontent and restlessness, the kid one day will ask himself why the others have nice things and the family only has rules to follow. Bonus points if my wife is wearing a mini-skirt.

I think you are confusing what the word extremist means... it does not mean 'traditional' or 'conservative' like you are using with your example of the parents, which is not what I am talking about. Extremism is the kind of radical mindset that results in hate speech, violence and terrorism. It is, by definition, extreme.

You are aware that at the very latest since 1938 appeasement has been a dirty word?

By your reckoning, the UK and Switzerland with about 5 % Muslim population, don’t have much longer to go before “freedom of expression” has to be similarly curtailed. Unofficially, it already is.

One point I do agree with: things are going to get worse.

I'm not sure I fully understand your post, but yes I believe that the more established a predominantly theistic culture gets, especially one as sensitive to criticism of its tenets and figures as Islam, the more you will have to take that into account when expressing yourself in the media. It just seems like common sense and the rise of terrorist activity and willingness to commit public atrocities over the last decade makes it even more so.

With “1938”, I was trying to point out that appeasement does not work. In case the year doesn’t ring a bell: München –“peace for out time”/sell out of Czechoslovakia.

Don’t you think that it might be better to prevent a “predominantly theistic culture” forcing its sensitivity and tenets upon people who have managed to drop a lot of that ballast? Common sense doesn’t always work – usually quite a hard sell with self-righteous religious fanatics.

They might just steal your car, go for a joyride and trash it instead

I believe that's known as 'Islamophobia'.

Right... and at this point how do you suggest that this would be achieved?

It's to be expected, I suppose.

Are there any concessions to be gained by genuinely admiring Islamic architecture?

Certainly not by avoiding mention of the light green elephant in the room. If I was deluded enough, I would have proposed “my grand solution” in the initial riposte to your appeasement strategy. Remember, we agreed, things will get worse.

You never came back at which percentage of a country’s population appeasement of Muslim sentiments was a given. IMHO at a certain point, Islamist barbarianism in Europe will finally trigger local reactions. Christian fundamentalists - or the rise of the right. Would you prefer to live under Sharia law or perhaps a “benevolent” fascist dictatorship is more to your taste?

I do concede that Muslims might luck out – after all, the climate debate is currently overshadowed by the corona crisis, and who knows – the Back Street Boys might make up and go on tour again!

Aged like milk