Islam = evil

[Angst]

Let's for the sake of this thread assume that Islam is a religion of war, incompatible with democracy and incompatible with modern civilization, basically, Islam is evil.

So if I convert to Islam, say, now, do I then support war if it served to spread my faith? Am I not a supporter of democracy? Will I decivilize? Will I become evil?

Or is Islam more complex than that, making this thread's premise a contestable standpoint?

 

[squadbroken]

Or is Islam more complex than that, making this thread's premise a contestable standpoint?

Yes. Why is this a thread, again?

 

[Angst]

Some people believe that Islam is inherently evil. I question that, since I don't think I am evil (I can never know, of course, but still) so I wanted to know if, in the case I turned Muslim, I catched the evil fever.

 

[JollyRoger]

I do not think a thread equating Islam with Christianity is getting off to the correct premise.

 

[Quackers]

your premise is wrong, it's like saying all americans only eat food deep fried in cheese. completely bigoted. some muslims are motivated by their religion and firebrands which stoke up anti-western feelings leading to rare terrorist attacks vs the west. however most muslims just want to live peaceful happy lives.

 

[squadbroken]

Some people believe that Islam is inherently evil.

Those people are stupid. Why dignify them with a platform, even a loaded one?

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Is there a conspiracy to test the limits of the mods?

 

[AlpsStranger]

In principle I don't like it any more than I like Christianity and it is hard to deny that it seems to be more vicious and regressive in practice. I'll take an army of Christian apologists over a handful of martyrs. I make no effort to defend Islam itself because I don't think it's worth defending unless it undergoes some serious evolution and enlightenment.

That said, individual Muslims in this country deserve the benefit of the doubt. I make absolutely no apologies for defending American Muslim civilians. No one should be harmed, as a person, just for their beliefs. The beliefs are fair game, of course, and bracing criticism is part of freedom. Rioting because someone burns a book is acceptable 0% of the time in 0% of contexts.

CLARIFICATION: I consider Koran burning, Mohammad cartoons, and rigorous, even insulting, criticism of Islam protected speech. I'm only talking about actual harassment of individuals. I also consider Bible desecration and insulting Christianity to be protected speech so Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Modern Paganism, Wicca, Atheism, etc. same rules as above.

 

[emzie]

I'll take an army of Muslim apologists over a handful of crusaders.

 

[Angst]

Those people are stupid. Why dignify them with a platform, even a loaded one?

I believe in the better of people.

some muslims are motivated by their religion and firebrands which stoke up anti-western feelings leading to rare terrorist attacks vs the west. however most muslims just want to live peaceful happy lives.

Here you're being reasonable. Thanks for acknowledging the goodwill of my faith.

 

[Archbob]

While I do not think Islam is evil, I do think the way many of he Muslim countries practice it(sharia law) is very backwards and detrimental to economic and social development.

 

[Angst]

And does that not make Islam a bad thing?

 

[Archbob]

And does that not make Islam a bad thing?

I don't think its the Koran itself, a lot of the bad stuff is mostly tribal traditions that have little to do with actual Islam. I see it as mainly an excuse to keep the leaders in power and oppress women.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

Sharia law can be separated from civil society the same way witch-hunting was. The fact that both exist(ed) do not make their respective religions bad in and of themselves.

 

[civver_764]

Islam is a cultural phenomena that is extremely hard to generalize. I think the world would be better without it, but it's not going to go away overnight.

 

[Angst]

I'm actually disappointed in this forum. You guys are way too sensible for this thread.

 

[Arwon]

Sharia law can be separated from civil society the same way witch-hunting was. The fact that both exist(ed) do not make their respective religions bad in and of themselves.

What do you think sharia means?

 

[Angst]

It's actually kind of funny, I think sharia means legislation. So sharia law means law law. Am I wrong here?

 

[hobbsyoyo]

It's the application of Islamic law, IIRC. Just because it is part of civil society doesn't mean it must necessarily be.

 

[LordRahl]

Islam's main problem is that it never went through a period of Reformation. That's why it feels like it belongs 400 years in the past, and you have 12 year old girls being sentenced to death for burning Koran.

All religions are crap, but Islam really takes the cake.