I have been back and forth several times about whether or not to post about the recent bombings.
On the one hand, it feels wrong to give the terrorists any of our time, but on the other hand, if it is ignored, that is a kick in the teeth for the victims of the attacks. Ultimately, I decided I would publish this post because I feel what’s happening is too big to ignore.
Firstly, I would like to express my heart felt sympathies to everyone who lost their lives or their loved ones or were affected in any way by the recent attacks in Beirut, Paris and Bali. In fact, I would like to extend that to anyone who has been touched by terror attacks anywhere at any time.
The people responsible for these attacks are sending a message: fear us.
We must not give into that fear.
The aim seems to be to divide us. For a small minority, it seems to be working. I have read countless attacks on the entire Muslim community across Facebook and Twitter and it both saddens and sickens me.
It saddens me that these terrorists are killing in the name of a religion that on the whole is a peaceful religion.
It saddens me that seemingly intelligent people are falling into the trap of blaming all Muslims. The extremists who carry out the attacks make up around 0.03% of all Muslims. From what I have witnessed personally, the Muslim community as a whole are as disgusted and shocked at the killings as any religion.
It sickens me that the terrorists have succeeded, even if only in a few cases, in making people turn on each other.
Surely if all non-Muslims attack innocent Muslims, eventually, they will fight back. We will wipe each other out and do the terrorist’s jobs for them.
Lets not forget that these terrorists kill indiscriminately. Remember that the attack that happened in Paris, that got the most media attention here in the UK (whether because they are our neighbour and ally or because the people took to social media to continue the discussion from what they had read is another story), that was needlessly barbaric, and killed over 100 innocent people, is only the tip of the iceberg when compared to Syria.
Those refugees that some people want to blame for all of this live in a country that suffers attacks like that every single day. Those people aren’t coming here to hurt us, they are coming here because the other option is to die.
I hold my hands up. My first, knee jerk reaction to the Paris attacks was to say we have to close the borders. Not because I think the Syrian people deserve to die, but because I was worried that the terrorists could enter under the guise of being a refugee.
After the initial shock wore off, and I thought about it logically, I realised that not only will closing the borders not stop the terrorists getting in if they are determined enough, but also, that that would be playing into their hands. We would be allowing fear to divide us, and fear to rule us.
It is time to stop thinking of people as Muslim or Christian, forget gender, nationality or political views.
It is time to go back to basics and remember we are all people.
It is time to stand together, united, and show these terrorists that we will not be divided by fear.
We will stand united together, as one nation.
We will not allow their hatred to poison us against one another.
We are united. We are one.
Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments, even if they are different to mine, but please keep them civil!
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War has left refugees of all religions. I wish people were more compelled to see our similarities when it comes to basic needs rather than flagging all the differences. A starving homeless child of any faith is a tragedy and a fixable problem.
I’m glad you decided to post.
Exactly, how can anyone see a child in pain or starving and not care? We are all people at the end of the day and everyone deserves help when they are in a bad place.
Thank you 🙂
I’ve been debating about jumping back into the refugee discussion. It saddens me to see so much stupidity on Facebook, especially when fed by stupidity in the media
Same here. I actually avoided Facebook for a few days because the things I was seeing where making me so mad, and arguing with the people who think like that serves no purpose because they just won’t see reason. And yes, the media really doesn’t help matters with the sensationalist headlines and utter garbage!
I have dropped my Facebook usage drastically because of all the crap people re-post from supposed reputable news sources. I boggles my mind that they believe all of it and the hatred is enough for me to take breaks from social media all together.
I think some people miss the sarcasm in “if it’s on Facebook it must be correct”!
It’s that stupidity that infuriates me on Facebook because I personally know about 90% of my Facebook friends and I know they are intelligent people, yet they fall for all of the idiocy the media puts out there.
I completely agree we can’t let them win! We shall stand united in the wake of such destruction and it’s disgusting to see people can commit such violent acts! I hate that it changes the way people see other people and I don’t want my son to grow up fearing a group of people based on the actions of a few individuals! Thank you for sharing (and hosting)
It is essential to teach the next generation not to condemn an entire group because of the actions of a tiny minority who commit atrocities in their name. I am glad you are one of the people who will be teaching their child not to do this 🙂 Thank you!
Well said ✌🏻️🙏🏻 glad you posted x
Thank you 🙂
Death by hatred will always sadden those of us who truly have a conscious/soul. Unfortunately greed and religion are always going to rule the world and it’s only getting worse. But I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to let them prevent me from going to a football game or a concert …I refuse to let them win in that way. Great post Debbie. And as always thank you for hostessing. 💌Trista
It really is getting worse and I believe it will get even worse before it gets better (if it ever does get better). There is such little value placed on human life these days by certain groups of people that they believe it is ok to commit these acts. Good on you for refusing to live in fear! Thank you 🙂
Very well said. As you say, the irony of the situation is that all those reacting with hatred, prejudice and hysteria are the ones who are helping the terrorists the most, doing exactly what they need us to do. Particularly as regards the refugees, who have fled these people, who agree with us, not the terrorists – they want us to leave them nowhere to turn, to make them angry and disillusioned & to drive them back to the terrorists. #anythinggoes
Exactly! It really annoys me that the refugees are being lumped in with the terrorists – if they agreed with them, they wouldn’t be fleeing! Thanks for your comment, I’m so glad I’m not alone in this way of thinking 🙂
Debbie you speak what I think many of us feel. The amount of fake news out there and that people actually believe it all is something I just can’t understand. Then there is all the hatred towards all Muslims. I often tell people to educate themselves first before posting something about a religion or a country they know nothing about. The U.S. has a lot of issues around immigration and now the terrorists have escalated those issues. I agree that we shouldn’t deny passage to those who need it. In trying to protect our countries, we are withdrawing the offer of safety to the refugees, thereby giving into the fear and not standing our ground. Great post once again Debbie! Visiting from #anythinggoes
That’s where a lot of the problems come from – the media posts sensationalist rubbish and people blindly believe it – even people who previously had no problem with the group of people they are now blaming and condemning. Thank you 🙂
I think you summed it up nicely. Thanks for hosting #anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 And thanks for linking up!
Thank you for posting this. I do agree with you – we are all human beings and this is what we should recognise and stand up for. But in saying that, it is the diversity that makes us humans. The diversity should be respected and celebrated and not feared and used as a weapon. I am guilty of shying away and preferring to keep quiet. The most important thing I tell myself I can do is to smile and acknowledge, or validate or say something nice, being non judgemental to someone…I believe that collectively, these small acts of random kindness will go a long way in fighting the hate in the world. #anythinggoes
Yes, that’s a good point – we are all different and we believe different things. That’s what keeps the world interesting, and you’re right, it should be celebrated not feared. I totally agree too that acts of kindness fight hatred, often a lot better than shouting from the rooftops. Action speaks louder than words, and action doesn’t always have to be aggressive!
I agree closing the borders is not the way to go. The refugees are scared of the very same people we are and by turning against them we’re giving the terrorists the narrative they want.
#AnythingGoes
Exactly, if the refugees believe the same things the terrorists did, they wouldn’t be fleeing! Thank you 🙂
I have gone back & forth about writing something too. It’s hard to know what to blog about sometimes but I think going with your gut instinct is the best way to go. This time I opted not to write the post. I agree with what you are saying & I had the same first reaction too. But, I think that’s the goal of these terrorists – to make us close our borders, to be afraid, to turn on fellow citizens who are from other countries. You are right, we need to ban together. Thanks so much for hosting Debbie x
I tend to go with my gut instinct on whether its a good idea to post something or not, if your gut says no or your heart isn’t in it, I think its best to leave it. I think that’s their goal, we mustn’t fall into the trap of helping them achieve it! Thanks for linking up 🙂 x
I agree that we need to stand together as a team, fighting to overcome these terrorists once and for all. I’m also disgusted at many of the Facebook posts I see. I truly hope that people can come to the realization that hatred of a certain group of people is not going to solve problems, but create more. #AnythingGoes
Exactly! I mean hate on the terrorists by all means, but not the millions of other Muslim people, they are as disgusted as the rest of the world!
Well written post! I totally agree that we should stand together and be united. We should not blame each others’ religion as this will just create even more hatred among different religions which is totally wrong. Great post! #AnythingGoes
Thank you 🙂 The people who commit these acts hide behind religion, but what they do is not in anyway a true representation of the religion. I don’t know if they truly think it is or if they just use that to ease their consciences.
It’s a fab summary of how we all feel. It is so easy to have that kneejerk reaction and say close borders or blame groups but you are right – we are all people. We all need to stand together against it regardless of religion or race. Thanks for hosting #anythinggoes x
I believe the people who commit these acts are certainly not a true representation of the religion, but it’s important that we remember that. Thanks for linking up 🙂 x
Well written post, I was watching a documentary yesterday on Isis women and a woman went undercover for nine months to see how Isis women controlled the public and how extreme their views were on Western culture and it was shocking. Using social media death threats were carried out and when they discovered the spies identity they threatened to kill her. While this is terrible we must remember that it is a very small minority of Muslims who actually believe in Isis and reinforcement so we must not scapegoat the peaceful Muslims around us.
Thank you. I imagine that was very eye opening. I always somehow imagine the woman are bullied into this and given little choice but I guess this shows that that’s not the case, they do actually believe it. I think the woman who went undercover is extremely brave.
I totally agree, we can’t judge millions of people based on the beliefs of a minority. The non extreme Muslims are as shocked and disgusted as the rest of the world by this behaviour.
Thanks for hosting #anythinggoes and sharing your thoughts on the situation. I live in Germany, so the events in France are very close. It is frightening and I don’t really know what to think to be honest.
#anythinggoes
I think with it happening so close to us (I’m in the UK so close to me on the other side) it really brings it home that this can happen anywhere to anyone. Thanks for linking up!
so true…as a parent everytime something like this happens my heart breaks into a million pieces. just wish people to love more than hate!
I can’t imagine how terrifying it must be to be a parent in these times. It’s not fair that children have to grow up in a world filled with hate.
I was also debating whether to post about these attacks or not. At the end I didn’t but now I think I should’ve done it. I’m glad you actually posted it because I think it is important to speak up! This is something that has to stop and the reasons for these attacks are just ridiculous!! Why can’t we all get alone regardless what religious we are? I don’t understand why they have to be so extremist and hate us so much!! I wish for us to live in a better world, a peaceful one specially for our kids!! Thanks for sharing this and for hosting #AnythingGoes 🙂 x
I don’t know why we can’t all just live and let live! To be honest, I don’t think they even know why they hate others so much, I really think the religion is just a front. Thanks for commenting and linking up 🙂
Such an important post and message Debbie. People forget that at the end of the day what you believe doesn’t make you the bad guy. We are all people. We all feel. We all love. We shouldn’t tar everyone with the same brush.
Kindness can spread as quickly as hate. Let’s try that!
Thank you 🙂 It would be lovely if we could get kindness to spread as quickly as hate, I think the world would be a much better, safer place!
I think when it happens to somewhere that you’ve been it becomes more real. I went to Paris as a teen and went to Tunisia on a family holiday. It makes you realise that actually are closer than they appear on the news. But we mustn’t let them win, and drive us to live a life of fear and hatred.
#AnythingGoes
Yes, when you can picture the actual place and have memories there I think it would seem more real. Definitely not!
Showcase Tuesday Link Up 24 November 2015 | The Blog Centre
[…] We are almost done with November with today being the last Tuesday and the last week of November and there is no stopping the end year rush now. With all the sadness and tragedy in the World, we can only hope that December can be a month of love and happiness as our thoughts go out to those who have suffered from the atrocities of terrorist attacks. My Random Musings shares this post United We Must Stand. […]
I really hope everyone can embrace December as a month of love and peace!