Why do Atheists defend Islam?

[Ben Davis]

Not a retardent?

Not necessarily a retardant. The point I've been making (quite clearly, I thought) is that there have been times (e.g. the Golden Age) when Islam has been an accelerant of progress, other times (e.g. now) when it's been a retardant. Clearly Islam is a contributor to both situations but not the sole driver. I'm trying to have a discussion with you about what the other factors might be. All I seem to be getting in return is 'Nope, it's just that all Islam is bad!'.

Here's how that worked: Non-Muslims are your enemies, take them all over the world and give them either Islam or the sword if they reject it - that's the Koran for you!

But that's not all the Qur'an says. Like most other holy books, it contains good points, too. That's why I say that it's the archetypal interpretations which are key: are the leadership instructing "The Qur'an tells us to love everyone!" or are they saying "The Qur'an tells us to kill everyone!" and do the majority of adherents agree with the leadership? We have historic examples of the social, political and cultural impacts of both sides of that scenario.

Am I making sense to you?