Muslim reaction to criticism

Sam Harris:

...

There is an uncanny irony here that many have noticed. The position of the Muslim community in the face of all provocations seems to be: Islam is a religion of peace, and if you say that it isn't, we will kill you. Of course, the truth is often more nuanced, but this is about as nuanced as it ever gets: Islam is a religion of peace, and if you say that it isn't, we peaceful Muslims cannot be held responsible for what our less peaceful brothers and sisters do. When they burn your embassies or kidnap and slaughter your journalists, know that we will hold you primarily responsible and will spend the bulk of our energies criticizing you for "racism" and "Islamophobia."

...
The "moderates" actually want laws to prohibit criticism of Islam. The Saudis have been trying to suggest an international treaty. What is it about Islam that makes it so fragile that criticisms and insults are perceived as such threats? While Christians have had their own quarrel with blasphemy, in the modern world there is a more mature reaction. God is seen as more powerful with the ability to hold those responsible for the blasphemy to account without the need for tantrums by his followers.

George Jones expresses this point in his God's Gonna Get'cha (For That).

It is not clear if the Muslim view is that God, or Allah, is fragile or unreasonably angry. Perhaps some Muslims fear that their failure to throw a tantrum will result in God punishing them for the acts of others. The latter view seems like a very unjust God.

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