Feedback about the “About NYARBB” page

Feedback about the About NYARBB page should be posted here.

 

Draft of NYARBB position against both Islamism and anti-Muslim bigotry

Below is a draft of a position statement against both Islamism and anti-Muslim bigotry. Comments appreciated.

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NYARBB will need to tread a very delicate balance as far as Islam is concerned.

On the one hand, we oppose the political ideology of Islamism (states governed by Islamic law), especially its more repressive and retrograde forms. We need to take a strong stand against Islamist persecution of “apostates,” persecution of gays, restrictions against women, etc., just as we also oppose the Christian religious right wing. We are stauch supporters of modern secular society, with separation of church (mosque) and state.

On the other hand, Muslims in general, including the more moderate and reformist Muslims, have themselves been the target of a lot of bigotry and harassment here in the U.S.A., especially after 9/11/2001. We need to oppose that, too. We also oppose the egregious human rights violations, e.g. torture, that have been justified in the name of opposing Islamist terrorism. We will be active in political movements against the war, against torture, and in favor of indicting Bush and Cheney for war crimes and for starting a war based on lies.

 

Draft of NYARBB position against anti-Illuminism

Below is a draft of a position statement against anti-Illuminism. Comments appreciated.

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“Anti-Illuminism” is a late-1770’s word for accusations against “the Illuminati.” Anti-Illumimism is very similar to classical anti-Jewish propaganda such as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, except that, instead of or in addition to Jews, today’s versions of anti-Illuminism scapegoat Pagans, occultists, “Satanists,” atheists, gays, feminists, environmentalists, etc.

 

Draft of NYARBB position on 9/11

Below is a draft of a position statement about 9/11. Comments appreciated.

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The events of 9/11/2001 are relevant to the following concerns of ours:

1. The militant and repressive Islamist worldview of Al Qaeda, a stark reminder of the danger that religious fanaticism poses to the entire world.
2. The wave of anti-Muslim bigotry and harassment of Muslims after 9/11.
3. The Bush administration’s war crimes against Muslim countries, including even torture, justified by the post-9/11 “war on terrorism.”
4. On the other hand, the U.S. government’s long history of support for Islamist militants, continuing even after 9/11. (See The use of Islamist militants by American and Israeli militarists on the Cooperative Research site.)
5. The U.S. government’s longstanding “friendship” with extremely intolerant Islamist regimes such as Saudi Arabia (covering up for Saudi Arabian facilitation of lots of real terrorism in the name of Islam, including the 9/11 attacks), while falsely demonizing other Muslim countries such as Iraq. (See the Cooperative Research site’s pages about Saudi Arabia and Inquiry into the Decision to Invade Iraq.)