Heads in the sand

 In a recent post, "ISIS Extremism or Islamic Doctrine?", Raymond Ibrahim summarizes recent atrocities carried out by Islamist groups and rightly points out that we should focus on the ideology common to these groups, Islam itself. 

"A lie, by definition, conceals the truth. And when unpleasant but vital truths remain hidden, they go unacknowledged, unaddressed, and ultimately unresolved."

"This principle underscores one of the most consequential falsehoods of our time: the claim that violence committed in the name of Islam is wholly unrelated to Islam itself. This widespread denial has enabled what is, at its core, an ideologically vulnerable religion to become one of the most persistent sources of global instability, with no end in sight..."

 "No problem can be solved unless it is first acknowledged. The uncomfortable but necessary truth is that Islam — not this or that terrorist group — provides the ideological framework that inspires hostility and violence against non-Muslims. Unless this reality is faced head-on, the cycle of denial will only continue — along with the persecution and loss of countless lives."

I am afraid the reality that Islam embraces violence, intolerance, prejudice, inequality, discrimination, polygamy, etc. will only be faced with more heads in the sand than watchdogs like Raymond Ibrahim.