Why do Atheists defend Islam?

[abaris]

That's part of the reason that Obama refuses to call terrorists Islamic, because it will logically put the spotlight on Muslim immigration. But Obama identifies with brown people and Muslims, and doesn't want to stop Muslim immigration, no matter what the cost to national security.

Wow, if stupidity would hurt, we would hear you scream all the way from Australia to Europe. Anyway, must be really scary to be you. But there's a remedy, you know. It's called education. And by that I don't mean hero worshipping every wayward rightwinger.

[mralstoner]

Wow, if stupidity would hurt, we would hear you scream all the way from Australia to Europe. Anyway, must be really scary to be you. But there's a remedy, you know. It's called education. And by that I don't mean hero worshipping every wayward rightwinger.

If you're an atheist, then congratulations, you just demonstrated the point of this subject thread.

[Losty]

I openly criticize Islam and defend Muslims, and I am not ashamed of either.

[Bob Kelso]

Eh?

Fuck Islam right in it's Abrahamic ass. Fuck the Muslims that perpetrate horrific acts in it's name, and fuck the twats that enable them.

Nice peaceful Muslims that don't fuck with people on the other hand? They're alright, even if they believe some really stupid things.

Any questions?

Edit: Feel free to exchange "Islam" and "Muslim" with "Christianity/Christians", and "Judaism/Jews", because they're in the same boat.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

[Athene]

[Excited Penguin]

I despise Islamist Ideology - that is, the idea that Islam should be politicised and not simply practiced as a religion in a non-abusive way. If there are muslims(as there are) who think imposing Islam on the rest of the world, regardless if they agree with it or not, is a good idea then I despise them and oppose them in every way. The muslims that I support are secular ones, those who value liberal values and don't think their religion should be forced upon others or that others should suffer because of the tenets of their religion.

How's that? Do we agree there, abaris?

[abaris]

Because they're afraid and don't want to be targeted by extremists. People may simply have too much pride to admit such a thing, so they'll pretend that their reluctance to give Islam the same treatment as they would Christianity is based on "something else".

Say what?

Targeted by extremists? I would just as soon wipe my ass with the Qran as I would with the bible or the Thora for that matter. Paper quality may be a bit lacking, but otherwise ....

You, like so many others, don't seem to understand the issue. It's not defending the religion, if someone defends the people. It's right there, before your nose. In this very OP. He interchanges Islam and muslim as if it was the same and gives it a derogatory meaning on the side. Maybe I'm a bit more sensible to the terminology, coming from a jewish family. But the groundwork, as far as words are concerned, is just the same as it was some 80 years ago. That's the problem. Not attacking or defending a religion. It's attacking a whole group of people, just because they all follow a religion that also harbors radicals.

It's also fundamentally stupid and speaks of a lacking ability to make distinctions, since we're talking about a multitude of ethnicities, cultures and religious differences within Islam.

[Excited Penguin]

Abaris, do you agree with what I previously wrote?

I think you're picking a non-existent fight here.

[Athene]

Because they're afraid and don't want to be targeted by extremists. People may simply have too much pride to admit such a thing, so they'll pretend that their reluctance to give Islam the same treatment as they would Christianity is based on "something else".

Say what?

Targeted by extremists? I would just as soon wipe my ass with the Qran as I would with the bible or the Thora for that matter. Paper quality may be a bit lacking, but otherwise ....

You, like so many others, don't seem to understand the issue. It's not defending the religion, if someone defends the people. It's right there, before your nose. In this very OP. He interchanges Islam and muslim as if it was the same and gives it a derogatory meaning on the side. Maybe I'm a bit more sensible to the terminology, coming from a jewish family. But the groundwork, as far as words are concerned, is just the same as it was some 80 years ago. That's the problem. Not attacking or defending a religion. It's attacking a whole group of people, just because they all follow a religion that also harbors radicals.

It's also fundamentally stupid and speaks of a lacking ability to make distinctions, since we're talking about a multitude of ethnicities, cultures and religious differences within Islam.

My post wasn't directed as you specifically, so I'm not sure certain why you seem personally offended.

I recognize  the distinction between Muslims and Islam. It's the same distinction that separates Christians from Christianity. So what? Many faiths are comprised of a multitude of ethnicities, cultures, and religious differences, including Christianity. When has that stopped certain atheists from ripping Christianity apart and criticizing that religion close to the point of ridicule? The exact same people will only give only a cursory critique of Islam. Justified or unjustified, the reason for holding back on identical criticism is often fear. They want to, but simply think better of it. 

It's unfair to label people as stupid or racist simply because they notice.