I don't accept this as a word, and if I were called it I wouldn't take it as an accusation of any wrongdoing.
It doesn't matter whether you accept the word or not.
An All Party Parliamentary Group recommended the following definition, which I assume, would be used in any prosecution of a hate crime motivated by Islamophobia.
"Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness."
https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...70ceee/1543315109493/Islamophobia+Defined.pdf
A thief can proclaim that he does not accept the word "stealing". It would not prevent a prosecution. It might end up with him being committed to an institution rather than a prison.
(We've seen recently, the problems with people inventing their own definitions of words, which differ from the normal definition.)
If I were to accept the word, I'd say that it couldn't possibly be a crime to be "Islamophobic". A phobia is a fear, and since when has it been a crime to be afraid of anything - ...
You are quite correct, no-one can be prosecuted for a fear that they have. Otherwise psychotic people would end up in court, rather than the doctors.
It is any manifestation motivated by their fear that causes them to land up in court, if that manifestation results in a crime being committed.
Hopefully, those in danger of committing a crime because of their psychosis are recognised before they commit any crime and are treated accordingly.
A phobia is a fear, and since when has it been a crime to be afraid of anything - especially when that thing is genuinely frightening? I think fear, or at the very least caution, would be any reasonable person's reaction to Islam.
I'd love to see this defended in a court.
You believe that it is normal and reasonable to be genuinely frightened of Islam?
What if you are wrong, and it is not normal or reasonable?
Does that mean the you are suffering from paranoia?
Do you recognise any of the following?
Warning signs that psychosis may be imminent include:
- Seeing, hearing, or tasting things that others do not.
- Suspiciousness and a general fear of others’ intentions.
- Persistent, unusual thoughts or beliefs.
- Difficulty thinking clearly.
- Withdrawing from family or friends.
- A significant decline in self-care.
https://www.psycom.net/paranoid-schizophrenia