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On Friday, Rupert Murdoch tweeted that Muslims (sorry, "Moslems") should be "held responsible" for terrorism unless they destroy jihadism:
Maybe most Moslems peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 10, 2015
As Max Fisher has discussed in detail here, it's bigoted and Islamophobic to hold Muslims responsible for the acts of terrorist extremists like the Charlie Hebdo attackers, whom they do not support and cannot control, simply because they share the same religion.
But JK Rowling, in her perfect Twitter response to Murdoch, points out that it's also just plain weird.
After all, if Muslims are somehow automatically responsible for Islamic terrorism, then presumably adherents of other faiths should also be blamed for the terrible things done by their co-religionists.
Like, say ... Rupert Murdoch:
I was born Christian. If that makes Rupert Murdoch my responsibility, I'll auto-excommunicate. http://t.co/Atw1wNk8UX
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 11, 2015
.@dom209 The Spanish Inquisition was my fault, as is all Christian fundamentalist violence. Oh, and Jim Bakker.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 11, 2015
Australians also tweeted sarcastic apologies about their shared responsibility for the extremist cancer within their own community — a certain Mr. Rupert Murdoch:
@rupertmurdoch @A_Liberty_Rebel As I was born in Australia can I apologise for inflicting Rupert on the world
— Malcolm MacKinnon (@MalcolmMackinno) January 10, 2015
Maybe all Australians lovely but until we recognise and destroy the growing pus sore that is @rupertmurdoch we must be held accountable.
— Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) January 10, 2015
And let's not forget people named "Rupert" — when will they recognize and destroy the extremism of their fellow Ruperts?
@hrtbps I'd like to offer an apology on behalf of us all. Murdoch's comments don't represent the views of mainstream Rupert community
— Rupert Franklin (@rupert_franklin) January 10, 2015
— Rupert Franklin (@rupert_franklin) January 10, 2015