Mo3, one thing you are missing is that we are already well aware that there are several different Muslim sects, each with their own interpretation of the Qur’an, just as there are several different Christian denominations, each with their own interpretation of the bible(s).
You have made it clear that your sect’s interpretation (or at least your personal interpretation) of the Qur’an is more peaceful and less abusive than many of them in the Middle East. You believe in the ‘Religion of Peace’ version of Islam. Good for you. That does not mean that we hold any misconceptions about what Islamic extremists have done and are continuing to do. Many of them are guilty of the mistreatment and oppression of women and many of them are guilty of murdering innocents in the name of Allah. That is the truth… not a misconception. They interpret the Qur’an in such a way as to justify the atrocities they commit… just as you interpret the Qur’an as indicating that they are wrong.
Christians do the same exact thing. Some will use their interpretation of the bible(s) to justify hatred toward homosexuals. Some will use their interpretation of the bible(s) to justify the oppression of women. And some will use their interpretation of the bible(s) to be loving and charitable to their fellow man. The existence of the latter does not mean that the former do not exist. Same goes for you. Your interpretation of the Qur’an does not mean that the extremists do not exist or that the atrocities do not happen.
You seem to think that we are under the misconception that all Muslims are extremists, but you are wrong. We know better than that. In fact, I think most of us are aware that if you take the Qur’an and compare it to the bible(s), without taking the actual worshippers into account… Islam seems a bit more peaceful than Christianity (debatable). That does not change the truth, which is that, in general, Muslims are committing more atrocities in the name of their god than Christians are in this day and age.
That is not a misconception. The misconception is yours. That misconception is that we (atheists) think that all blame lies with the Qur’an itself. We do not think that.
Another misconception that you seem to hold is that we give any kind of credence to what the Qur’an says in the first place. I’m sure you must know this, but we (atheists) consider all ‘holy texts’ - (The Qur’an, The Old Testament, The Torah, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon, and even Dianetics) - to be works of fiction.
Personally, I find it disturbing that these works of fiction have inspired such hatred and heinous acts throughout the centuries. Murder in the name of some make-believe deity has been happening since religion was invented by man - and will probably continue until man stops believing in fairytales. Of course, man does not need religion to justify his atrocities, but it is sure a handy excuse.
You have made it clear that your sect’s interpretation (or at least your personal interpretation) of the Qur’an is more peaceful and less abusive than many of them in the Middle East. You believe in the ‘Religion of Peace’ version of Islam. Good for you. That does not mean that we hold any misconceptions about what Islamic extremists have done and are continuing to do. Many of them are guilty of the mistreatment and oppression of women and many of them are guilty of murdering innocents in the name of Allah. That is the truth… not a misconception. They interpret the Qur’an in such a way as to justify the atrocities they commit… just as you interpret the Qur’an as indicating that they are wrong.
Christians do the same exact thing. Some will use their interpretation of the bible(s) to justify hatred toward homosexuals. Some will use their interpretation of the bible(s) to justify the oppression of women. And some will use their interpretation of the bible(s) to be loving and charitable to their fellow man. The existence of the latter does not mean that the former do not exist. Same goes for you. Your interpretation of the Qur’an does not mean that the extremists do not exist or that the atrocities do not happen.
You seem to think that we are under the misconception that all Muslims are extremists, but you are wrong. We know better than that. In fact, I think most of us are aware that if you take the Qur’an and compare it to the bible(s), without taking the actual worshippers into account… Islam seems a bit more peaceful than Christianity (debatable). That does not change the truth, which is that, in general, Muslims are committing more atrocities in the name of their god than Christians are in this day and age.
That is not a misconception. The misconception is yours. That misconception is that we (atheists) think that all blame lies with the Qur’an itself. We do not think that.
Another misconception that you seem to hold is that we give any kind of credence to what the Qur’an says in the first place. I’m sure you must know this, but we (atheists) consider all ‘holy texts’ - (The Qur’an, The Old Testament, The Torah, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon, and even Dianetics) - to be works of fiction.
Personally, I find it disturbing that these works of fiction have inspired such hatred and heinous acts throughout the centuries. Murder in the name of some make-believe deity has been happening since religion was invented by man - and will probably continue until man stops believing in fairytales. Of course, man does not need religion to justify his atrocities, but it is sure a handy excuse.
