President Obama: Do you really love America?

[Aisha]

I disagree with religion, but a "moderate" muslim simply is not the same as an ISIS millitant.

On what basis do you you claim that a moderate muslim is different than an Islamic militant that simply hasn't picked up a gun yet? On what bit of islamic theology does your assessment stand?

On none, I know religion in itself advocates violence in different ways. And I cannot act like I know the islamic theology as well as the christian one.

But still, a ISIS militant and a moderate muslim are not the same thing. Being a muslim or a christian does not make you a militant murder that has not picked up a gun yet. There are some that do, and most who don't. Also I do not think ISIS convictions are completely religious. I think they have a goal, and use religion to make it seem right to themselves. (speculation of course.)

I am convinced that labeling any muslim as an extremist will work against us, and will close the opportunity for debate. It will only make the gap bigger, something we should try to avoid, at least here in the western world.

I have to add, the violence is not the reason why I disagree with religion/god.

[Jacob(smooth)]

This thread made my brain cry. The title alone tells you all you need to know about the op.

[DeistPaladin]

...hmmm, maybe if your guy, barack, would appear more engaged when one of our American hostages is beheaded by ISIS instead of running off to the golf course maybe there wouldn't be any questions about his patriotism or his courage.

[Cato]

mralstoner,
Your argument here is pathetic. If I start posting videos of pint sized preachers will you suddenly become Christian? Do you now see that your 'it's so simple even a twelve year old gets it' argument doesn't get you very far?

[Minimalist]

...hmmm, maybe if your guy, barack, would appear more engaged when one of our American hostages is beheaded by ISIS instead of running off to the golf course maybe there wouldn't be any questions about his patriotism or his courage.

Go fuck yourself, Adolf. As long as he is black, shitstains like you will always play the same FOX game.

Eat shit you nazi prick.

[abaris]

Go fuck yourself, Adolf. As long as he is black, shitstains like you will always play the same FOX game.

Eat shit you nazi prick.

Short and to the point. Just how I like it.

[Brakeman]

On what basis do you you claim that a moderate muslim is different than an Islamic militant that simply hasn't picked up a gun yet? On what bit of islamic theology does your assessment stand?

On none, I know religion in itself advocates violence in different ways. And I cannot act like I know the islamic theology as well as the christian one.

But still, a ISIS militant and a moderate muslim are not the same thing. Being a muslim or a christian does not make you a militant murder that has not picked up a gun yet. There are some that do, and most who don't. Also I do not think ISIS convictions are completely religious. I think they have a goal, and use religion to make it seem right to themselves. (speculation of course.)

I am convinced that labeling any muslim as an extremist will work against us, and will close the opportunity for debate. It will only make the gap bigger, something we should try to avoid, at least here in the western world.

I have to add, the violence is not the reason why I disagree with religion/god.

So you don't have any facts to base the opinion on, just that you want it to be so that it doesn't work against us in some way?

I think there is a difference between a muslim that will not choose to follow the violence in their religion and those that have simply yet to do so. I think learning and knowing this difference is vitally important and it is something that we fail at doing. Hoping/wishing/pretending is not a reasonable reaction to the danger.

Modern christians just don't have the level of fervent belief coupled with the idea that jesus was a non-violent peace lover. This keeps their violence down. If jesus had lopped off heads like mohamed (piss be upon him), then I think they would be just as violent.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I think cherry-picking probably has a big part to play in the process of becoming moderate or radical, myself.

[Cato]

I also think the process works in reverse, particularly for those that wish to use religion as the basis of power and influence. Some will arrive at their moderate or radical views from outside religion and then find justification in the local holy book.

[Aisha]

I base my opinion on the society I live in. I work with many muslims, I went to school with many muslims and I have a muslim father in law.
This has nothing to do with hoping/wishing/pretending, but with the society I see and the people I talk to. And no, I do not pretend to know islam very well, and I do not want to use "knowing many muslims" as an argument. It is simply what I see, and what I base my opinion on.

I agree with your point, it is good to know the difference between a muslim that will choose the violence in their religion and one that does not.
Same as we can't assume that all muslims are extremist terrorists, we can't assume all muslims are not extremist terrorist.
But treating every muslim as if they are terrorist, because there is danger, will not get anyone any further. Treating someone as a criminal, without the person having done any crime, will make anyone feel angry, upset and will make anyone want to stand up against the society they are in.

The danger of ISIS does not only exist against christians and jews, they kill anyone against their standpoint, also muslims.

I am convinced that labeling any muslim as an extremist will work against us

I should have specified: here I do not mean us as "us atheist", but as us, humanity.