This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In "Bagley unscathed" (Forum, Oct. 31), Walt Soltys noted that some Muslims rioted because of a cartoon but Christians didn't storm The Trib over an offensive cartoon, and then he generalized: "And that, my friends, is the difference between we Christians and them Muslims."
Here are a few logic definitions that over the years have helped to define my understanding and opinions:
Inductive logic: The suicide bomber was one of "them Muslims"; therefore, all Muslims are terrorists.
Deductive logic: The bomber was Muslim, but by far the Muslims are gentle, law-abiding citizens; therefore, the bomber was an unrepresentative extremist.
Bigot: A person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.
Opinions of bigotry and inductive logic create fear and hatred. They are unfairly derogatory and harmful to the majority of Muslims who, like the majority of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, etc., are kind, gentle and law-abiding.
An apology from Soltys is in order.
Karen Johnson
Bountiful