What is a real Muslim?

[Brian37]

I am an atheist, no I am a human, "atheist" is the off position I hold, it is not my DNA.
I am a Muslim, no, you are a human, "Muslim" describes the position you take on one god claim.
I am a Christian, no and again, "Christian" is the position you take on one god claim.
I am a Buddhist, no and again, that is the position you take.

I think you're being pedantic here.

All saying "I'm an atheist" actually means is that you don't believe in god. It's irrelevant whether you think it's the default position because that really doesn't matter when defining an atheist.

And @Rob, I'd say it is exactly the same.

Why is our definition of a teapot any more valid than what we think a muslim must be?

Sure, one is an actual object and the other a religion. But ultimately I can say whatever the damn hell I please about myself and you're not anyone to tell me different. Or are you?

My point is really one of "does your own description go with what everyone else's description is?". Because that's how we define what words mean, by popular opinion.

I could say I'm black for instance. Now, by most people's account of what constitutes as "being black", I'm not. But would I be given credence if I said I was one thing, even though I'm not?

I don't see why there is a distinction for religious beliefs but not things like skin colour, or teapots.

Is it because they're beliefs, and somehow that means it's different? Why? Because you choose it?

In legal terms the law would call me white British, regardless of what I say. It would also call me a human being and not a magic teapot. But religion? I can see why the law would let me call myself whatever I want. But then I'd say it speaks volumes of the pointlessness of what the law has to say.

No, I am not being pedantic. Yes for many it is used as a shortcut. But the reason humans are so divided over labels is because they DO without realizing it, treat the label as if you could draw blood and DNA and find a molecule specific to that label. "I am" allows humans to set up social orders based on labels. The only thing WE are in reality are humans.

You can certainly argue and would be right many are aware of that "I am" being a short sentence", all I am saying is far too many humans worldwide are not that self aware.