Something... and Half of Something: Germany Judges Islam

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June 16, 2006

Germany Judges Islam

German Mistrust of Muslims and Islam Grows

Experts fear new conflicts after a study published this week showed most Germans doubt the Western and Islamic worlds can peacefully coexist. Mistrust of the 3 million Muslims living in Germany appears to be growing.

In spite of official attempts to promote dialog among religions, distrust of Islam continues to grow, with 60 percent of Germans expecting tension between traditional German society and immigrants from Muslim countries, according to an Allensbach study commissioned by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

"Germans are increasingly of the opinion that a lasting, peaceful coexistence with the Islamic world will not be possible," the researchers said in the survey, released Wednesday.

Germans less willing to show tolerance to Muslims

Germans' image of Muslims has been getting worse since Sept. 11, 2001

The case of a Berlin "honor killing," a quarrel over two Bonn students who wore burkas to school and discussions concerning increasing schoolyard violence among immigrant children have all made headlines in the German press recently.

"In view of the diffuse feeling of being under threat, and the suspected intolerance of Islam, the readiness of Germans to show tolerance to the Muslim faith is sinking," Noelle and Petersen wrote.

Germans' esteem for Islam has been falling since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, with 83 percent of the 1,076 Germans questioned in the survey agreeing with the statement that Islam is driven by fanaticism. That amount was 10 percent higher than two years ago. A majority, 71 percent, said they believed Islam to be "intolerant," up from 66 percent.

When asked what they associate with the word "Islam," 91 percent of respondents connected the religion to the discrimination of women, and 61 percent called Islam "undemocratic." Eight percent of Germans associated "peacefulness" with Islam.

Willing to limit freedom of religion

Most Germans don't believe a mosque should be built in a community that doesn't want it

About 40 percent of Germans queried were willing to limit the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion if constricting the practice of the Muslim religion would lead to fewer violent Muslims choosing to live in Germany. Over half of those who took part, 56 percent, agreed with the statement, "If some Muslim countries forbid building churches, then it should be forbidden to build mosques here."

There was one result amid the responses that improved the mood of those working on intercultural dialog: two-thirds of Germans said they believed Islam does not pose a threat, but that radical, politically motivated individuals are behind extremist acts.

The survey's authors wrote that "there is a pattern of polarization" widening the gap between Germans' feelings of their own situation and "the others," which could be the "beginning of a spiral of conflict."

"Since the end of the World War II, the German population has had a particular aversion to conflict," Noelle and Petersen wrote. "But in regards to Islam, the fronts are obviously getting harder."

Could it be that the world is finally waking up to the hypocrisy of Islam and the threat it poses to all of civilization?

I certainly hope so.

Posted by LindaSoG at June 16, 2006 07:32 AM

Comments

Sounds like we all here in America need to take some lessons from the Germans. I agree completely and totally with the Germans on this one.

Posted by: Austin Petree at June 16, 2006 02:03 PM

Yep, the Germans see the threat. If only America would.

Thanks for visiting Austin, and for commenting.

Posted by: LindaSoG at June 16, 2006 04:32 PM

Let's not kid ourselves. If a nationwide poll were accurately and responsibly conducted in the USA, just what kind of response to you think the pollsters would get?! Blame the MSM and moonbats for covering up what most of us already know: Islam is a huge problem and damned few of us trust them as far as we can throw them. You name one international crisis that Muslim countries volunteered their soldiers for and I'll eat my words: Muslims look after their own and don't give a damn for anyone else. They take international assistance and NEVER give it!

Posted by: Kevin M at June 16, 2006 06:40 PM

"Eight percent of Germans associated "peacefulness" with Islam."

Fast forward to an indeterminate date in the near future, and the headline will read.

"eight percent of Germans think renaming the country Germanistan and instituting Sharia law is a good idea, if it will stop the riots and bombings."

Posted by: annika at June 16, 2006 07:26 PM

WOW! Annika's post is dead-on target!

Posted by: Kevin M at June 17, 2006 11:17 AM

Yeah Kevin, it is right on target.

Thanks Annika!

Posted by: LindaSoG at June 18, 2006 01:55 AM

Living with scorpions is a miserable lifestyle. Germany and the Netherlands are awakening but I fear it's too late. We have our own hands full trying to survive their onslaught without the support of our own countrymen and leaders.

Posted by: Jack at June 18, 2006 03:30 PM