69 million page views

two perceptions of social order

Reader comment on item: Islamic religion: motive for terror?

Submitted by myth (Germany), May 31, 2013 at 17:42

I agree with both explanations as to why Cameron did not want to attribute the Lee Rigby murder to Islam. First, Cameron avoids antagonizing moderate muslims. Second, he wants to evade the necessity of policy measures directed against muslims were he to blame islam.

I offer a third explanation that is at the core of the second. Cameron overlooks that social order was seriously and intentionally challenged and had not been restored.

The murder of a soldier disrupts public order. When the police arrest the murderer Cameron sees social order restored. The number of islam-related murders is insignificant compared to the total sum of homicides in Britain - no need to respond. That is the Western perspective. It is based on the idea that all citizens share the same concept of social order.

The perception of social order from an islamist standpoint differs in sequence. When the killer murders a soldier in the name of islam, it is this act that restores social order. It is the social order of the sharia. The subsequent arrests by the police are but a negligible side effect.

When Cameron concludes with "go about our normal lives" he misjudges the restoration of social order. A substantial fraction of 10% or more muslims go along with the sharia social order. They may be disgusted with the details of the killing, but they do welcome the death of a british soldier who fought on muslim territory.

The police could do nothing to re-align those non-violent islamists with the British social order. Cameron underestimates the extent of the effects. He does see the killer but he is blind to the many silent islamist supporters who are reaffirmed both by the crime and the PM's reaction.

If I was Prime Minister on that day I would have said "The British people and I have doubts that every muslim in Britain condems this murder".

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

Reader comments (16) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Just another racist Arab incident / Nov 2021 [75 words]SaraOct 11, 2022 19:29287342
In a rare moment of truth: Governor of Nablus: the mothers of Shahids are 'perverts'. [312 words]GilOct 8, 2022 20:29287251
Another 'rape jihad-culture' "Palestinian" arrested [24 words]Marie G.Oct 6, 2022 11:05287173
More Than Enough Evidence that 'Palestinian Jihadi' Culture Does Not Seek True Freedom - Only Domination [55 words]M ToveyOct 6, 2022 12:55287173
From reaction to racially targeting Jewish girls by sexually harassing Arabs [175 words]Marie GOct 6, 2022 15:22287173
1islam miss understood [110 words]samirJun 2, 2013 09:43206626
1Victims of Arabian imperialism [128 words]dhimmi no moreJun 5, 2013 15:53206626
1two perceptions of social order [315 words]mythMay 31, 2013 17:42206584
What may happen [31 words]ValinMay 29, 2013 20:24206564
Jihad Has Many Folds [79 words]Hicham ChehabMay 29, 2013 13:04206561
6Islam and violence and criminal clerics that incite violence and jihad [133 words]dhimmi no moreMay 28, 2013 17:04206542
DNM brings a very important point [231 words]PrashantMay 29, 2013 13:24206542
1Echo in Britain [36 words]VijayMay 30, 2013 05:29206542
8Looting in the name of Allah! [379 words]dhimmi no moreMay 30, 2013 06:55206542
3I am on your side of the fence brother [53 words]PrashantMay 30, 2013 23:19206542
2Pakistani gangs and the decline of England [171 words]dhimmi no moreMay 31, 2013 07:25206542

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)