This documentary uses the Koran and a handful of experts to attempt to show the case that Islam is going to advance and use violence until a worldwide Islamic Theocracy is established. This, they argue, would necessarily require the downfall of Western Civilization. As there are some segments of Western Civilization that would not resist the encroachment, opting instead for peaceful coexistence, then there is a particular vulnerability in the West to these advances. This film is intended to be a due warning to foresee and avoid this fate, hence the movie's title.
Based on the evidence presented in the film, they make a very convincing case. The passages from the Koran and the historical events with which I was already familiar agree with my previous understanding. From this basis, the authors and experts build a very solid argument about Islam's goals and its pattern of behavior with its neighbors and non-Muslim societies. As others have pointed out, the film does not have any frills when it comes to production, but it does stay focused on the topic and is overall very cohesive. The commentary from the ex-PLO member was particularly enlightening and chilling. All the politicians who appear in the film are made to look like clueless idiots.
The natural questions then arise (at least in my mind) about how accurate the film's characterizations happen to be. I don't tend to take comments, even from experts, as gospel. One complaint I have is that the credentials of the experts were not given in the film. They did flash a brief caption about what book they had written, or what organization they were affiliated with, but no actual listing of qualifications to justify their role as an expert. Another complaint is that they did not cover the demographic roller coaster that Europe is heading toward due to high immigration of Muslims and plummeting birthrates of native Europeans. My final complaint is that they do not provide any statistics to indicate whether the concerns they are raising apply to a small minority of the Muslim world, a vast majority, or somewhere in between. This would have made their case that much stronger.
At present, I would consider myself tentatively convinced of their argument. It should not come as a surprise that the value of the documentary wholly rests on the accuracy of the statements made in it. If the statements are true, then the West will need to act accordingly. If the statements are false, then the filmmakers' agenda should be exposed. I plan to verify the claims in the film and to achieve a greater understanding of Islam in the process. I suggest that those concerned about the direction of Western Civilization do the same.
Based on the evidence presented in the film, they make a very convincing case. The passages from the Koran and the historical events with which I was already familiar agree with my previous understanding. From this basis, the authors and experts build a very solid argument about Islam's goals and its pattern of behavior with its neighbors and non-Muslim societies. As others have pointed out, the film does not have any frills when it comes to production, but it does stay focused on the topic and is overall very cohesive. The commentary from the ex-PLO member was particularly enlightening and chilling. All the politicians who appear in the film are made to look like clueless idiots.
The natural questions then arise (at least in my mind) about how accurate the film's characterizations happen to be. I don't tend to take comments, even from experts, as gospel. One complaint I have is that the credentials of the experts were not given in the film. They did flash a brief caption about what book they had written, or what organization they were affiliated with, but no actual listing of qualifications to justify their role as an expert. Another complaint is that they did not cover the demographic roller coaster that Europe is heading toward due to high immigration of Muslims and plummeting birthrates of native Europeans. My final complaint is that they do not provide any statistics to indicate whether the concerns they are raising apply to a small minority of the Muslim world, a vast majority, or somewhere in between. This would have made their case that much stronger.
At present, I would consider myself tentatively convinced of their argument. It should not come as a surprise that the value of the documentary wholly rests on the accuracy of the statements made in it. If the statements are true, then the West will need to act accordingly. If the statements are false, then the filmmakers' agenda should be exposed. I plan to verify the claims in the film and to achieve a greater understanding of Islam in the process. I suggest that those concerned about the direction of Western Civilization do the same.