# Is this bigoted?  \[Ed. title, per OP\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bigoted-ed-title-per-op/551815>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [August 28, 2010, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bigoted-ed-title-per-op/551815 "2010-08-28T18:28:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bigoted-ed-title-per-op/551815/41 "2010-08-31T02:35:20Z")

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> [@RickJay](#):
>
> > [@Mehitabel](#):
> >
> > Can’t be racist, Muslims are not a race. Most of them are as Caucausian the Swedes, just with darker skin.
> 
> Jesus, this again?
> 
> **“Race” is subjective.** It is not a biologically meaningful concept; it’s sociological. What constitutes a “race” depends on the perspective of the observer. One of the basic definitions of race is “a people classified together by a shared heritage, history, nationality, or geographic distribution.” It is just as correct to refer to Swedes or Arabs as a “race” as it is to refer to blacks or whites as a “race.”

However, in the US race has specific legal connotations under the law. It may be fine to argue the finer points here, but when push comes to shove, race (and color) refer to physical characteristics and differences. Since the topic is Muslims, it’s a religious issue, although Muslims of a different racial and/or color background could make a subordinate discrimination claim there as well.

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**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bigoted-ed-title-per-op/551815/42 "2010-08-31T05:28:33Z")

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> [@tomndebb](#):
>
> And as all you can muster are insults and accusations of lying–both prohibited in Great Debates–you would do well to stop posting if you cannot behave yourself.
> 
> [/Moderating]

You are right. I should have written “deliberately dishonest”, “false” and “ignorant” which must be completely a-ok. I shall take care to use those exact words next time.

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