General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: It's not just Trump: Islamophobia in America is spiraling out of control [View all]MellowDem
(5,018 posts)and religious privilege is great, so great in fact that Islamophobia only exists as a term because of it. I mean, Obama invited Rick Warren to the inauguration, he is comfortable with religious inspired bigotry, as are most Americans, it's all quite normal to most. And part of it is that he's a spokesman, so he has to be genial to the powers that be, and Islam is one of the privileged, powerful religions in the world.
Plenty of ex-Muslims criticizing Islam and just plain legitimate criticism of Islam from any corner is referred to as Islamophobic now, because it's a wonderful way to make discussion of a religion tough to do, which is tough enough anyways with all the privilege religion has in our society.
Many people have legitimate fears of Islam, which would make it not a phobia, and which is why it is a terrible word.
Can you name some other bigoted belief systems that should be given a designation of phobia to apply to those who don't like it?