Cultural Relativists have it all wrong!

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Wednesday September 13, 2006 20:02

by pat c

Rights trump culture & religion

Once again, Maryam Namazie takes on the Islamists and shows the left that it is necessary to stand up to those who use the excuse of multi-culturalism to impose misogyny and homophobia. Full story at the link.

pat c

Cultural relativism is not only a prescription for inaction and passivity in the face of the oppression of millions of people struggling and resisting in the Middle East and here in the west but is in fact racist in and of itself.

The demand of cultural relativists for 'sensitivity' and 'responsibility' (whilst thoughtfully reminding us that we have the right to mock and criticise - at least for now - in the west) are savvy attempts at actually restricting expression on and opposition to religion and culture and its adverse effects on people's lives. After all, cultural relativism is brisk business for the many self-appointed cultural and religious 'leaders' working hand in hand with the state.

But are we really expected to respect, for example, a belief that women are sub-human, that 'disobedient' children need to be exorcised, or that gays are perverts because someone or some religious groups believe it to be so? How about the belief that girls who date non-Muslim men should be murdered in the name of honour? Or that little girls should be veiled and not mix with boys or swim? And does anyone in their right mind really think that such beliefs are equal or equally valid to humanist, secularist, left and progressive ideals fought for by generations?

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Comments (7 of 7)

Great piece. The Left needs to know what these Iranian wackos are really like

by righteous pragmatist

Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:13

The world has to do everything it possibly can to stop these lunatics getting their hands on nukes.

Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:25

Maryam also opposes US militarism. She believes that change can only come about through internal action in Iran. If the US were to attack Iran then that would only make the mullahs stronger.

Not if we take out their nukes

by Righteous Pragmatist

Fri Sep 15, 2006 15:01

Pat C, the US has indentified the Iranian nuclear sites and has contingency plans for taking them out before Iran gets its hands on nuclear weapons if diplomacy fails which looks extremely likely with President Ahmedinijad in control. If a US assault (possibly with commando raids and laser guided bombs and cruise missiles) destroys their nuclear capability, then the Iranian mullahs will be internationally humiliated and the way will be paved for moderate forces to take control.
Give the remarks of the Iran wackos on gays, on women, on democracy, on individual freedom, on the existence of Israel, its is obvious that these scum will use nukes either in rockets or give them to terrorists.
You might not like the US, Pat C, but the enemy of your enemy is your friend when it comes to Iran.

Er yea

by Joe

Fri Sep 15, 2006 15:28

Righteous Pragmatist back in late 2002 you were telling us all that President Bush had identified Saddams WMD sites. Your credibility around here is not great.

I think you also proclaimed a US victory in the Iraq war no less than five times.

Fri Sep 15, 2006 15:39

Your belief in the ability of the US Military to carry out precision bombing and commando attacks is touching. It is odd that they have not demonstrated such capabilities in Iraq.

The Iranian Resistance oppose any intervention by the US/UK/Israel. Such Imperialist intervention would only stengthen the position of the mullahs.

Eh really.. touching is it?

Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:08

Al-Zaraqawi was killed by a precision strike.
Saddam Hussein was bagged by a commando raid.

Sat Sep 16, 2006 20:45

And that is 2 out of how many actions? In any case an informant led the US forces to Saddam who was alone in a hole. A Boy Scout Trro could have captured him in those circumstances.

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Cultural Relativists have it all wrong!

Comments (7 of 7)