Now, while I do not always support the way Par Condell expresses his ideas nor do I support his views on European integration, the man is a symptom of our times. The current political culture of shutting our eyes and ears and screaming multiculturalism so loud that no-one else can have a say, well, will lead to people like Pat to express their grievances loudly, publicly and sometime, with let us say, non-academic language.
Now, having said that, his criticism of both Christianity and Islam in Europe are well placed and do express legitimate concern over the future of our Enlightenment values. There are many books on the subject which try to eschew the question of political correctness and make everyone look like fascists to even dare question anything, but there are also those inside the mainstream academic community who realise the complexity of what is going on and offer a wider, more complex, but also more critical view of both sides or parties in this argument. We mustn't assume that everything is so black and white or that Muslims in Europe represent a single homogeneous group, sharing the same values and ideas all around.
Yet there is one thing about which there is no place for discussion, debate or compromise and those are our Enlightenment values of the freedom of use and expression of reason and in this regard, Pat has and will have my absolute support. The way he expresses his message might to some people be unpleasant, but it is there, lurking under the media blackout. When Olivier Roy, the last man you will find to express direct criticism says that multiculturalism doesn't work anywhere, well, that stands for something.
@Skybird: Any way I can contact you through the PMs? I have a question about using some of your work.
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