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Wow, I’ve been surprised by the vehemence of anti-Islamic statements on threads recently. Yes, there are some voices of moderation in the crowd. I know people get exasperated with Christian proselytizing, but I feel there is another level with the slams of Mohammed and Islam. Am I reading this right? Is it reasonable?
Personally I stopped bothering with most of the primary players in the Islamic threads shortly after each of them started posting. I think a lot of the animosity is directed at those particular posters, not, for the most part, Islam in general. There are of course plenty of derision-worthy issues with Islam and I’m sure those get hit on a good bit as well, but I suspect there’s a good bit of extra venom included due to the derision earned by those primary players ... unfortunately.
What I don’t get is why people keep participating with threads that are at that kind of level, so at the very least I think you’re right in that there’s some kind of ugly draw to fling poo that compels a whole lot of people, and we’d do well to grow out of that.
Keep that first comment in mind though—I don’t exactly have my finger on the pulse of those threads.
I go easy on our Muslim members because, as Celal pointed out, religion infuses every aspect of their society and thinking so much that religion is given as the reason for everything. When someone is indoctrinated in this way and comes to this forum I keep my arguments aimed at the assumption Allah exists, which is my primary goal in any religious discussion. I’ve found that derision doesn’t help make my points.
samy is very polite but forthright in his posts and I appreciate this and do my best to respond in kind, but I try to keep the conversation out of his playing field, meaning I will not discuss the finer points of the Quran or Bible or any other holy book.
...... I keep my arguments aimed at the assumption Allah exists, which is my primary goal in any religious discussion.
That’s pretty much how I’m coming to see things. I don’t see any reason to assume any god except the one I believe in exists, so why bother with the finer points? I used to let Islam get under my skin, but now I don’t think it’s worth it. I can certainly understand someone thinking that about my particular brand of Christianity, as well.
...... I keep my arguments aimed at the assumption Allah exists, which is my primary goal in any religious discussion.
That’s pretty much how I’m coming to see things. I don’t see any reason to assume any god except the one I believe in exists, so why bother with the finer points? I used to let Islam get under my skin, but now I don’t think it’s worth it. I can certainly understand someone thinking that about my particular brand of Christianity, as well.
//Cue Ominous Sound Track// As Ecurb teeters on the edge of infidelity, looking at his own assumptions and realizing that he has no privileged point from which to confirm his beliefs. Do they crumble, leaving only the shards of ancient faith or does he rise above this terrifying understanding and face the world of uncertainty at high noon, head on, six guns at the ready, as a true Texan. //Fade to White Screen//
As Ecurb teeters on the edge of infidelity, looking at his own assumptions and realizing that he has no privileged point from which to confirm his beliefs. Do they crumble, leaving only the shards of ancient faith or does he rise above this terrifying understanding and face the world of uncertainty at high noon, head on, six guns at the ready, as a true Texan.
There is no teetering. All contact with this present world is tenuous, so it resembles teetering at times. However, as a Transcendent Texan, I will rise above this present uncertainty and gain the kingdom.
Islam is a vile and insidious religion, no need to pretend otherwise.
Don’t hold back, now, GAD.
I know,I know. But the tenets Islam are really no different then those of Nazism and if I said Nazism is a vile and insidious ideology, no need to pretend otherwise, no one would bat an eye or whine about painting all Nazis with the same brush and it being unfair to the good Nazis.. But once again religion gets special treatment because they do it for god not themselves.
Islam is a vile and insidious religion, no need to pretend otherwise.
Don’t hold back, now, GAD.
I know,I know. But the tenets Islam are really no different then those of Nazism and if I said Nazism is a vile and insidious ideology, no need to pretend otherwise, no one would bat an eye or whine about painting all Nazis with the same brush and it being unfair to the good Nazis.. But once again religion gets special treatment because they do it for god not themselves.
People pick and choose what to follow in any holy book. I was raised Jewish, yet we didn’t stone anyone for failing to keep the Sabbath. However, there are modern Israeli Jews who build on contested land, feeding the deadly turmoil in their country by insisting that the Bible cedes them certain territory.
Can’t you imagine that there would be more reasonable Muslims who reject the violent rhetoric?
My primary objection to religion is when others are expected to get with their program. I don’t mind if someone wants to be Muslim as long as they don’t hold anyone else to their rules who doesn’t want to live by them.
My primary objection to religion is when others are expected to get with their program. I don’t mind if someone wants to be Muslim as long as they don’t hold anyone else to their rules who doesn’t want to live by them.
So then you are only against real Muslims not the artificial ones.
Islam is a vile and insidious religion, no need to pretend otherwise.
Don’t hold back, now, GAD.
I know,I know. But the tenets Islam are really no different then those of Nazism and if I said Nazism is a vile and insidious ideology, no need to pretend otherwise, no one would bat an eye or whine about painting all Nazis with the same brush and it being unfair to the good Nazis.. But once again religion gets special treatment because they do it for god not themselves.
People pick and choose what to follow in any holy book. I was raised Jewish, yet we didn’t stone anyone for failing to keep the Sabbath. However, there are modern Israeli Jews who build on contested land, feeding the deadly turmoil in their country by insisting that the Bible cedes them certain territory.
Can’t you imagine that there would be more reasonable Muslims who reject the violent rhetoric?
Um, the bible says god gave it to them and history shows that they occupied it. So what you don’t like is real Jews, you know, the ones who believe the bible is the word of god and not just made up of bullshit that you pick what lie makes you happy from.
There is no teetering. All contact with this present world is tenuous, so it resembles teetering at times. However, as a Transcendent Texan, I will rise above this present uncertainty and gain the kingdom.
It’s not teetering. All is deeply uncertain, so it seems to be uncertain, and that’s why I’m certain. This one uncertainty is really highly certain.
Skipshot: samy is very polite but forthright in his posts and I appreciate this and do my best to respond in kind, but I try to keep the conversation out of his playing field, meaning I will not discuss the finer points of the Quran or Bible or any other holy book.
I was cordial with Sami until he mentioned that “only” 10%-15% of Egyptian women had clitorectomies, but it was for their own good. I then went berserk and started slamming my head onto my keyboard. Now, alas, whenever I see his name of the screen, it is immediately followed by the word “clitorectomy” and I can’t seem to erase the connection from my mind, so I’ve decided it is best to refrain from further dialogue. I’ve lost objectivity. This is much better than losing your clitoris.
Skipshot: samy is very polite but forthright in his posts and I appreciate this and do my best to respond in kind, but I try to keep the conversation out of his playing field, meaning I will not discuss the finer points of the Quran or Bible or any other holy book.
I was cordial with Sami until he mentioned that “only” 10%-15% of Egyptian women had clitorectomies, but it was for their own good. I then went berserk and started slamming my head onto my keyboard. Now, alas, whenever I see his name of the screen, it is immediately followed by the word “clitorectomy” and I can’t seem to erase the connection from my mind, so I’ve decided it is best to refrain from further dialogue. I’ve lost objectivity. This is much better than losing your clitoris.
That is just one of many outrageous positions he has argued for.
If I made the same arguments from a secular POV I would be called a immoral monster but samy gets a pat on the back for being a good moslem who we should meet half way.
