Do you think I am racist?

Question

I was accused or being racist recently because I (Apparently) insulted Islam by saying I do not agree with a lot of their beliefs and I think it is a backwards faith.

Is this racist? How can this be when Islam isn't a race?

Answer 1

i can see it is insulting but i would see it as a difference of opinion but it could be said very offensively

Answer 2

That is not a racist comment, but i can see why someone may be offended by it.

But your comment does show that you need to do a lot more research before you voice your opinion. Islam has been displayed as a backward faith that promotes violence and murder, by the media. The media have brainwashed everyone into thinking what they want them to think. Do your own research and you will find more evidence against the government and media than you will for.

However, anyone that has actually switched the TV off, put the newspapers down and bothered to read up about Islam, has come back and said it is not backwards and is a religion of peace.

Islam promotes peace, self-respect, equality amongst men and women within the family and working parts of life, it is well adapted for the advances in life.

Answer 3

More ignorant than racist

Answer 4

Brother, You answered your own question.  Only an individual and God know if racism is present unless that individual opens his/her mouth and proves it.

Answer 5

Disagreeing isn't racist. (Painting a broad stroke over all people of any group, is racist.)

On the other hand, the term backwards is a little insulting, don't you think. Nothing major, but it indicates intolerance of people who believe differently. Instead of giving it a bad label, just say you disagree with its beliefs, and be prepared to state what specifically you disagree with. Hopefully your answer will be based on what Islam actually says, and not judging the religion based on the people; there are always obedient and disobedient muslims and people of all religions.  

Answer 6

I will give you the dictionary definition of racism and you can decide for yourself.:  the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.  There is much confusion generally about the real meaning of racism, especially on this site.  To dislike the idea of immigration is not racism.  I share your beliefs about Islam.

Answer 7

i think the word has just become a weapon to use against anyone who disagrees about a situation where race/culture/language/religion is even a minor aspect. I think this is a pity because it prevents meaningful dialogue and undermines the experiences of victims of GENUINE racism

Answer 8

Of course it isn't racism, it's just your opinion. We live in a society with freedom of opinion and speech, and i'm sure that arabs don't particularly like our civilisation either, so...!

Answer 9

That's not racist to me. Sounds like you were stating your opinion of a faith system....

Answer 10

answer: no, that's not racist.  There are Muslims of every ethnic group.  

It might be bigotry.  Most likely its simply a matter of opinion and someone was threatened by you not sharing theirs.

Answer 11

It is racist if you can`t treat everyone the same. I got accused of being racist for laughing at the Africans walking to the well instead of making there home near it. If whites can be idiots so can blacks so the fact I laughed at there stupidity shows I was treating them as equals. Islam is a third world religion for third world mentality people

Answer 12

I call it intolerance on their part, you should be allowed to voice you're opinion. If it offends then what does it say in the bible..... Ah yeah "Turn the other cheek" but being muslin they would rather send round a suicide squad.

You can't please people all the time eh?

Answer 13

I wouldn't say it was racist, but sometimes words can have a negative impact on people- "backwards" was probably that word.

Answer 14

Not racist, but opinionated, insensitive and bigoted. But it sounds like they might be a little bit too.

Answer 15

I don't see that as racist, I see that as a difference of opinion.

Answer 16

Apparently some Muslims who participate on this site are overly sensitive about anything negative being said about their religion. They are like many other theists - they can dish it out but they can't take it.

Answer 17

Islam is NOT a race, it's an ideology - therefore, the answer is no.  

Answer 18

You were just expressing an opinion. You should be prepared to back your opinions up but I don't think that makes you racist. Racism is discrimination on the grounds of racial background, not faith.

Answer 19

No, your not! I don't agree with any religion, that don't make me racist! xD

Answer 20

People who call this racist are not very intelligent, as they obviously have no idea what the word racist means. In short, they are probably religionists.

Answer 21

Racism is blaming a race of people for doing something/for problems. You are not racist.

Unfortunately, the world these day's confuses this, and the actual 'racist' people are the ones blaming other people, singling them out just to get some attention because they're different in some way... With this being the case, how can a person become so low enough to use their differences as self pity?

Answer 22

Islam is a faith, acceptance of a way of living. Muslims who are serious don't recognize race.

So, no you're not racist for this, just disagreeing. Whoever said that wasn't clear on what Islam is.

Racism is contempt for another RACE. Bigotry is broader, contempt for another group, for whatever characteristics it has.

Answer 23

Disagreeing with some beliefs/concepts of Islam is one thing.  Saying it's a backwards faith is quite another entirely.

Was Hitler racist because he killed millions of Jews, even though there is no Jewish "nation"?  Yes, I'd say so.

Answer 24

Not racist because you were not predjudice against their ethnicity.

'backwards' is probably not the most subtle way to describe anothers' religious beliefs, but i agree there are what seem 'primitive' aspects to Islam, such as attitudes to women

Answer 25

That is not being racist, just a difference of opinion.  If you said the same about Christianity you could not be called racist.

Answer 26

That's not being racist. The correct term would be bigoted, it just gets mixed up with racist because 'bigoted' sounds rather generalised to some.

However, if what you have put there is truly all you said, you weren't even being bigoted. If you had said that all Muslims are backwards people, that would have been bigoted. Criticising the religion is not bigotry at all.

Answer 27

That was definitely not a racist comment.

Answer 28

No. You're right.

I think the correct word for what you are is bigot.

It's okay to have a different opinion, it's not okay to insult them for their opinion (for example, by saying they are backwards).

Answer 29

If you were aggressively referring to Islam as a "backwards faith" you would be a bigot, not a racist.

Peace.

Answer 30

Its true what your saying, but its insulting to the religion by saying it that way (backwards faith), we know it is because of how unfair it is to women, but people do believe in that religion and we should respect that not give our opinions which create wars. Islamic people are muslim and when you refer to backwards faith they take it to heart to there religion. Racist isnt only about colour, you can be racist in many other ways.  

Answer 31

Insulting Islam is not racist.

It's racist to associate other races with Islam.