I’ve seen this meme in a few different forms since the Paris attacks, but as clever as it seems, it is a false equivalent.
The KKK, in its three incarnations, is primarily about “White Supremacy”. Founded during Reconstruction out of anger over the results of the Civil War, the actions of the KKK were focused on intimidating the Black population–to prevent free Black people from enjoying the liberties granted to them. The group eventually faded only to emerge again in the early 20th century as immigration to the US swelled. This time Jews and Catholics (many from the poorer parts of Europe) were the target of their racism. As immigration slowed, so to did the influence of the KKK. They emerged for the third time in response to the Civil Rights movement. They pushed to maintain segregation; once again hoping to keep Black Americans from achieving equality.
For the KKK Christianity has always been subservient to racial ideology. They were not founded as a Christian group. They were/are a Nationalist movement focused on “preserving White rule” and protecting “the White race”. Christianity is read and understood in support of that basic premise. This is an important distinction to understand.
ISIS on the other hand, as difficult as it is to state without backlash, is primarily about Islam. Their every motivation is rooted in their theology. While the KKK’s actions were dictated by racialism, ISIS’s actions are dictated by their reading of Islam. As Graeme Woodexplains,
The reality is that the Islamic State is Islamic. Very Islamic. Yes, it has attracted psychopaths and adventure seekers, drawn largely from the disaffected populations of the Middle East and Europe. But the religion preached by its most ardent followers derives from coherent and even learned interpretations of Islam.
Virtually every major decision and law promulgated by the Islamic State adheres to what it calls, in its press and pronouncements, and on its billboards, license plates, stationery, and coins, “the Prophetic methodology,” which means following the prophecy and example of Muhammad, in punctilious detail. Muslims can reject the Islamic State; nearly all do. But pretending that it isn’t actually a religious, millenarian group, with theology that must be understood to be combatted, has already led the United States to underestimate it and back foolish schemes to counter it. We’ll need to get acquainted with the Islamic State’s intellectual genealogy if we are to react in a way that will not strengthen it, but instead help it self-immolate in its own excessive zeal.
Please understand, I am not saying that simply because ISIS isIslamic, that allMuslims are terrorists. I am most definitely not!
What we have is a very difficult academic query: Would ISIS exist without Islam? Some say ‘yes’–their situation is such that Islam just happens to be the ideology they are using. If Islam didn’t exist they would use a different ideology. Others argue ‘no’. Either way, they are simply not comparable to the KKK. The KKK could most definitely exist without Christianity. They wouldn’t have to use a different ideology, because they are not rooted in Christianity. This comparison obscures what the KKK is really about.
What would a fair comparison be? Perhaps the Westboro Baptist Church, perhaps Bodu Bala Sena, perhaps individuals such as Yigal AmirorShelley Shannon. Religious extremism underpins these groups and individuals. They are motivated by their deeply-held religious beliefs.
A whooooooole lot of evangelical places should get shut down
For those who don’t know what this means (like I didn’t), a church is a 501c3 organization: a tax exempt entity. In order for it to stay that way they may not get involved in legislature- including endorsing a political candidate. So if you witness someone doing this, you can report them to the IRS using form 13909. (If you’re in the US)
I take exception to the word “retard” it is a disparaging word for the mentally challenged. And these people are far worse than mentally challenged, they are willfully ignorant, their behavior is disgusting and flies in the face of logic, reason, compassion, empathy, and human dignity. They are pathetic excuses for human beings and they pretty much disgust me.
