(June 14, 2016 at 8:37 pm)FoolyFools Wrote: Okay, so... This has probably already been discussed. I kind of don't feel like bumping anything or searching though (I'm a bad seed). Came into this recent problem when trying to discuss Islam on social media (my first mistake, I know) after current events. I try to express why Islam has a lot to do with the recent massacre and as to why Islam is not good, one of the most violent religions, and I have even suggested that it is idiotic and has no place in modern society. Lots were/are appalled at me, of course, and call me out immediately for not bringing other religions into the mix... I am apparently incredibly xenophobic and ignorant if I only scrutinize Islam. If I talk about religion in general though, I'm well just an asshole. But not a xenophobic asshole. It is quite frustrating. I feel that Islam is a completely different religion than the others and that it needs to be talked about separately.

Oh, and might I add that whenever I express that Islam is bad, people always like to chime in with the list of Muslim people that they personally know adding that they are very nice people. It completely derails the conversation and makes it hard to talk about anything else. I find myself constantly digressing to hit all points when talking about Islam. Never a straight path.

So, my question is, is it bigoted, rude, or xenophobic to only discuss one religion? Or must you tackle them all? Are all religions equally bad?

P.S. Sorry if this has already been spoken about. I'm sure every atheist has come across this in one form or another.

With the ingenious concept of 'Islamophobia' this is increasingly common - the conflation of the religion of Islam with the concept of race, itself an inherently racist notion, from which one can infer that most people think of Islam and Muslims as being primarily about brown people with beards and burkas. Obviously it's a religion, so any kind of prejudice would not be racism. Secondly, 'Islamophobia' is a stupid concept because a phobia is an irrational fear, and anyone alive today, Muslims included, who can't think of even one rational reason to fear Islam must be in a coma. 

The problem is that Islam is a cultural identity for most of its adherents, and so when one voices criticisms of the religion, people take it as a personal attack. The religion has a collective victim mentality so they play the hurt feelings card, and use this to avoid acknowledging or addressing any criticism of their belief system even when it is valid.

But you have people like Ben Afleck who go after Sam Harris and accuse them of bigotry to score points on talk shows because it's fashionable - this is symptomatic of the modern phenomenon of Western Guilt. 

Your concerns are justified. Islamofacism is a huge threat to the future of human civilisation, threatening free speech and free expression with violence in non-Islamic countries. If we let them succeed in that, we are capitulating and they have won, so bravo for voicing your concerns.

(June 14, 2016 at 8:37 pm)FoolyFools Wrote: Okay, so... This has probably already been discussed. I kind of don't feel like bumping anything or searching though (I'm a bad seed). Came into this recent problem when trying to discuss Islam on social media (my first mistake, I know) after current events. I try to express why Islam has a lot to do with the recent massacre and as to why Islam is not good, one of the most violent religions, and I have even suggested that it is idiotic and has no place in modern society. Lots were/are appalled at me, of course, and call me out immediately for not bringing other religions into the mix... I am apparently incredibly xenophobic and ignorant if I only scrutinize Islam. If I talk about religion in general though, I'm well just an asshole. But not a xenophobic asshole. It is quite frustrating. I feel that Islam is a completely different religion than the others and that it needs to be talked about separately.

Oh, and might I add that whenever I express that Islam is bad, people always like to chime in with the list of Muslim people that they personally know adding that they are very nice people. It completely derails the conversation and makes it hard to talk about anything else. I find myself constantly digressing to hit all points when talking about Islam. Never a straight path.

So, my question is, is it bigoted, rude, or xenophobic to only discuss one religion? Or must you tackle them all? Are all religions equally bad?

P.S. Sorry if this has already been spoken about. I'm sure every atheist has come across this in one form or another.

It's real simple. Islam is a tool a very popular one that delegitmizes the christian church. It consumes potential church members and therefore reduces the power the christian church has over world and local politics. granted it does indeed have it's draw backs but most see it as the lessor of two evils, and will be tolerated so long as the christian church is perceived to be in power or it becomes a global/standing army with nukes threat. If God allows Christianity to reduced in great number you will see the same type of attacks from 'logic and reason' on islam as you do christianity. Until then understand islam and left wing atheist nut bags share a truce and anyone stepping out of that truce will be targets and destroyed.

Quote:Until then understand islam and left wing atheist nut bags share a truce and anyone stepping out of that truce will be targets and destroyed.

Who the fuck are you talking about here?

(June 16, 2016 at 9:13 am)Drich Wrote:

(June 14, 2016 at 8:37 pm)FoolyFools Wrote:   other.

It's real simple. Islam is a tool a very popular one that delegitmizes the christian church. 

I suppose they have that at least going for them

(June 16, 2016 at 9:13 am)Drich Wrote: It's real simple. Islam is a tool a very popular one that delegitmizes the christian church.

Yep. You're right, that is real simple.  Wrong, but real simple.

That's a project that is running itself, it really needs no assistance.

No, you're not xenophobic for criticising Islam.

FoolyFools Wrote:So, my question is, is it bigoted, rude, or xenophobic to only discuss one religion? Or must you tackle them all? Are all religions equally bad?

P.S. Sorry if this has already been spoken about. I'm sure every atheist has come across this in one form or another.

Comparing and contrasting is a tool we use to analyze things. Some people think that when the topic is Islam, we should not use that particular tool. The motivation for not wanting to use the full arsenal of reason on this topic is probably the same as any other time you're asked not to use reason: it's not very convenient for your position. If you can't even discuss other religions without being accused of some kind of deflection, how will you figure out if they're equally bad?

No worries, topics repeat in forums, that's part of the territory.

The problem most white people have with Islam is that they don't like it because it challenges their sense of entitlement and being in charge. Whites, especially Americans, have been brainwashed into the Judeo-Christian propaganda. Muslims have the Arab propaganda drilled into them. So each group has a different deity and cultural reference.

The whites don't like it because they are nervous about losing their position of control that they have had for centuries.

The Arabian muslims are eager to push for control because they have been dominated for centuries by the white Christians. The black African muslims are mostly insane because they've caught hell from everyone for so long they don't know which way is up. The same is true to a lesser extent for the Asian muslims.

The main problem is how to reach a new equilibrium and balance of power before one side goes bonkers and kill off the other side. There's always been acts of terrorism, especially in the Middle East. Previously the Westerners didn't care because they were only rarely affected. Thomas Jefferson had the first major American run in with them.

Right now the occasional terrorist attack is just background noise. It's irritating but nothing major. However, although only a handful of terrorists are responsible one day something will happen that will really tick Americans off and we will attack and destroy all muslims without a second thought. It's how we roll. Don't ever think it won't happen.

Quote: It's real simple. Islam is a tool a very popular one that delegitmizes the christian church.

If that's all it did I would be a supporter!