---"I can't see that I am heading, even 'gradually', in any such direction" Can't help but notice that we have moved with considerable ease from "that small but unavoidably noticeable BY THEIR OWN WILL & CHOICE minority" to "by the actions of so many of its adherents"--- .,,.
Yes, I do see what you mean, Jim. BUT you have taken two discrete remarks out of their separate contexts.
The first referred to individual, or small groups of, Muslim citizens of this country and other western states, misbehaving ostentatiously in public in order to draw public attention to their activities, AS A DELIBERATE PROVOCATION TO THE GENERAL POPULACE as an expression of their defiance of the majority's values. I am more & more reminded by that particular element of Millwall Football Club's pathetic supporters with their pathetically provocative chant of "Everybody hates us; we don't care." I think it a sad attitude, whether from disaffected E London youths or from disaffected young Muslims plotting to blow up national monuments.
My second point referred to the actions of the legal governments and established priesthood [the same people, largely] of sovereign states, with whom we continue to maintain diplomatic relations & who continue to have voices & votes in international forums like the UN, whose actions are a disgrace to the whole of C21 civilisation. These are, to my mind, well rubricated as "so many of its adherents".
Please do not claim or pretend not to recognise the distinction I have drawn here.