Product Description

"Robert Spencer has here assembled a collection of documents devastating to PC myth and multiculturalist wishful thinking. Anyone concerned about the dangers of politically motivated distortions of Islamic theology and history should not miss this explosive and enlightening volume." JEFFREY RUBIN, Editor, Conservative Book Club

"A necessary corrective to the prevailing opinion fostered among academics by Karen Armstrong, Abou El Fadl, et al. that Islam is a religion of peace, justice, and tolerance. The work brings to light the total suppression of human rights in Islamic society, the true meaning of jihad (armed conflict against all nonbelievers), and the horrors of dhimmitude (life for Christians and Jews under Islamic law). It should be required reading for all those who seek a true understanding of the socioreligious basis for the rise of Osama bin Laden and his network of international Islamic terror." PAUL L. WILLIAMS, PhD, Author of OSAMA'S REVENGE: THE NEXT 9/11--WHAT THE MEDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVEN'T TOLD YOU

THE MYTH OF ISLAMIC TOLERANCE brings to light the deeply ingrained historical, cultural, and religious elements of a profound modern crisis--the violence, fanaticism, and contempt for outsiders that characterizes much of the Islamic world today. This wide-ranging group of essays clearly explains how these poisonous attitudes are rooted in laws and cultural habits that are connected organically to the concept of jihad and its corollary institution, dhimmitude--which are in turn a primary impetus for global terrorism today. The scholars presented in this essential volume come up with many surprising and disturbing conclusions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101331 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 594 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Spencer, author of Islam Unveiled, edits this collection that sets out to debunk the theory that Muslims are tolerant of non-Muslims. Although the theme merits exploration, this book does not clarify it. The essays' authors frequently cite jihad and dhimmi as intolerant principles within Islam, but do not define them. Vague references to these ideas do not explain why Islam is inherently intolerant. Several authors also quote the Qur'an out of context and describe Muslims with large generalizations. Yasser Arafat, of the PLO, is presented as representing Muslim attitudes—a characterization most Muslims would probably disagree with. Comments describing alleged troublesome behavior by Muslims lack sources and citations. Some authors ignore basic Islamic concepts; Bat Ye'or, for example, says that the dhimmi treatment was considered "justified by the superiority of the master-race," although the Qur'an strictly states though that all races are equal in Islam. The collection includes multiple essays by the same author, including 17 by Ye'or. The resulting repetition and monotone provide little insight and a disconnected feel. This book would have been more persuasive and less alarmist if it had excluded half the essays.
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From the Inside Flap
This enlightening collection of essays by some of the world's leading authorities on Islamic social history focuses on the pervasive legal and cultural oppression of non-Muslims in Islamic societies. The authors of these-in-depth but accessible articles explode the widely advocacy groups, of a largely tolerant, pluralistic Islam. In fact, the contributors lay bare the tyrannical legal superstructure that has treated non-Muslims in Muslim societies as oppressed and humiliated tributaries, and they show the devastating effects of these discriminatory attitudes and practices in both past and contemporary global conflicts.

The insightful chapters presented in THE MYTH OF ISLAMIC TOLERANCE explain how the legally mandated subjugation of non-Muslims under Islamic law stems from the Muslim concept of jihad--the spread of Islam through conquest. Historically, the Arab Muslim conquerors overran vast territories containing diverse non-Muslim populations. Many of these conquered people surrendered to Muslim domination under a special treaty called dhimma in Arabic. As such, these non-Muslim indigenous populations, mainly Christians and Jews, were then classified under Islamic law as dhimmis (meaning "protected"). Although protected status may sound benign, this classification in fact referred, most importantly, to "protection" from the resumption of the jihad against non-Muslims. The authors maintain that underlying this religious caste system is a culturally ingrained contempt for outsiders that still characterizes much of the Islamic world today and is a primary catalyst for jihad terrorism, jihadist-martyrdom bombers, and a Nazi-like racist antisemitism taught in school systems and propagated via the media.

Included are Ibn Warraq writing about Edward Said and the "intellectual turbans" he has placed on today's academic establishment, forestalling honest discussion about Islamic tolerance; Bat Ye'or on the devastating effects of the dhimma, the system that actually defines the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in Islamic states; Walid Phares on the little-noted oppression of Middle Eastern Christians; and much more--including a devastating series of articles by UN expert David G. Littman on the advancement of Islamic intolerance at the United Nations and other provocative topics usually ignored by Muslim apologists.

This hard-hitting and absorbing assessment of Islamic teachings and practices regarding non-Muslim minorities uncovers a significant human rights scandal that rarely receives any mention either in academic circles or in the mainstream press.

About the Author
ROBERT SPENCER is a freelance writer, the director of Jihad Watch, and an adjunct fellow of the Free Congress Foundation. His previous books include ONWARD MUSLIM SOLDIERS: HOW JIHAD STILL THREATENS AMERICA AND THE WEST; ISLAM UNVEILED: DISTURBING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORLD'S FASTEST GROWING FAITH; and INSIDE ISLAM: A GUIDE FOR CATHOLICS.

Customer Reviews

They Mythof Islamic Tolernace-Book
The Myth of Islamic Tolerance: How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims

Eveyone that is an American,Jewish, etc. needs to ready this book and learn what is happening to this world.

Support from both sides
I've taken the time to read through all 45 (at this time) reviews of this book, and I discovered something quite fascinating. In essence, the vast majority of the reviewers all provide support for this book -- and I'm not just referring to the "5-star" reviews, but the "1-star, what an idiot" reviews, as well.

If you carefully read through the responses to this book, you'll note that almost all of the well-written, well-communicated reviews -- most from obviously learned individuals -- give high praise to the book. And the 1-star reviewers' comments quite often are a) much shorter, b) blast away mindlessly, with little support, and c) often have little more to say than "Oh yeah? Well, you're stupid!"

And I consider both of these to be quite insightful -- and very much in synch. (Kind of like listening to a calm, erudite, well-versed, well-spoken scientist explaining his disbelief in UFOs and alien landings, then hearing redneck Bubba talk about when "me and Ethel was just standin' out in the yard when this huge spaceship came and picked us right up off our feet", if you see my point.) To me, that's not a "one for, one against"; it's a "two for".

One reviewer even had the lack of understanding to comment on how "tolerant" Islam was, because "look at all the Muslims living in America". They can dress however they want, go to schools with the American children, work in American businesses, etc. Doesn't that show how tolerant Muslims are? (No, fool; it shows how tolerant AMERICANS are. To actually support your point, let's ask the question about whether Americans living in predominantly-Muslim countries can wear what they want, live as they want, believe what they want, etc. Women, try deplaning at the airport in Tehran in shorts and a T-shirt!)

Also, note how many of those issuing diatribes against the book, do so against the author himself -- when he is really not much more than the compiler of the information! Another case of a clear inability to comprehend the message.

Other critics have tried to use the "Yeah, but..." rebuttal, pointing out that other religions (the usual example is Christianity) have had their periods of intolerance -- to the point of death -- as well. When I was little, my grandmother used to ask "If someone else does something wrong, does that make it right for you?"

As a Christian, I DETEST those clearly-unChristian activities throughout history. There is nothing that can be said to excuse them away. They are ungodly, and certanly not representative of true Christianity. However, I would certainly not try to use anyone else's mistakes as support for my own!

This book -- and the author's other books -- makes one thing clear: there is a dangerous movement in the world (and coming soon to a city near you!) that is bringing a religion of intolerance and violence into our everyday lives. Examine it carefully, and be better prepared.

17 years in Islamic lands
I have spent 17 years working in Countries were Islam is the dominant religion. What this book points out is sad but true. If you are a not a Muslim in an Islamic nation you have no rights. In Saudi Arabia Bibles are not allowed and confiscated. In Sudan you are killed. In Egypt you are a 3rd class citizen. THe Q'uran not only teaches this type of behavior but more and more it is being acted out upon those who dare disagree. We need more books like this one for sure.