This week in Islam

[GostHacked]

How many casualties? How does that compare to some of the other events other members have linked to in this thread about "this week in Islam"?

People riot over a stupid hockey game. That to me might be worse. So much for civility in the west.

[Shady]

People riot over a stupid hockey game. That to me might be worse. So much for civility in the west.

Compare it to the "civility" of the rest of the world.

[Big Guy]

Compare it to the "civility" of the rest of the world.

What is the intent of this comment and this thread?

What message are you sending?

[Shady]

What is the intent of this comment and this thread?

What message are you sending?

My comment was intended to point out our rare and rather insignificant instances of incivility, compared to real and significant incivility elsewhere. As for the intent of the thread, I didn't create it. But I'm assuming it's purpose was to point out the constant, and growing problem of Islam throughout parts of the world, as compared to other religions or political movements.

[Guest]

Like this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11016794/40000-Iraqis-stranded-on-Sinjar-mountain-after-Islamic-State-death-threats.html

[Big Guy]

My comment was intended to point out our rare and rather insignificant instances of incivility, compared to real and significant incivility elsewhere. As for the intent of the thread, I didn't create it. But I'm assuming it's purpose was to point out the constant, and growing problem of Islam throughout parts of the world, as compared to other religions or political movements.

OK Lets assume that you are correct - that Islam is a growing problem throughout parts of the world and that there are elements of Islam that are a danger to the rest of the world. There are about 2 billion Muslims on this earth. What do you suggest that we do about it?

[Mighty AC]

OK Lets assume that you are correct - that Islam is a growing problem throughout parts of the world and that there are elements of Islam that are a danger to the rest of the world. There are about 2 billion Muslims on this earth. What do you suggest that we do about it?

Excellent! This is the question we should be asking not just about Islam, but about religion in general. I think the answer lies in diminishing religious commitment. This can, slowly, be achieved by expanding the world view of believers, empowering those suppressed/oppressed by the religion (generally women) and promoting skepticism through open discussions and critical analysis of religious concepts. Freedom, knowledge and a little affluence go a long way to snuffing out superstitions.

[Shady]

Excellent! This is the question we should be asking not just about Islam, but about religion in general. .

This thread is about Islam in particular. Start your own thread if you wanna drag in "all religion", which seems to be the usual fallback position of you folks. Because god forbid Islam is crticized by itself.

[Mighty AC]

This thread is about Islam in particular. Start your own thread if you wanna drag in "all religion", which seems to be the usual fallback position of you folks. Because god forbid Islam is crticized by itself.

Islam is just better at using the same brainwashing techniques employed by all religions, plus it is protected and endorsed by more nations. However, like I said the same freedom, knowledge and affluence that has been killing Christianity can be used to weaken all superstition. It will just take patience and many generations of deprogramming. Eradicating indoctrinated beliefs like religion or racism has to be a gradual process.

[Shady]

Islam is just better at using the same brainwashing techniques employed by all religions, plus it is protected and endorsed by more nations. However, like I said the same freedom, knowledge and affluence that has been killing Christianity can be used to weaken all superstition. It will just take patience and many generations of deprogramming. Eradicating indoctrinated beliefs like religion or racism has to be a gradual process.

Yes, yes, all religions, all religions, all religions.

[Mighty AC]

Yes, yes, all religions, all religions, all religions.

Exactly. Like all diseases. Some are worse than others, but we do our best to fight them all.

[Shady]

Exactly. Like all diseases. Some are worse than others, but we do our best to fight them all.

Definitely. But this thread is for Islam.

[Mighty AC]

Definitely. But this thread is for Islam.

I suggested that it can be fought through knowledge, empowerment, critical discussion and freedom, with a little help from affluence. How would combat the spread of Islam? Do you think the steps required to reduce the number of Muslims would be different than any other religion?

[Bonam]

I suggested that it can be fought through knowledge, empowerment, critical discussion and freedom, with a little help from affluence. How would combat the spread of Islam?

And how do you suggest that these things be introduced into nations that purposefully keep their populations indoctrinated with false "knowledge", do everything possible to disempower women, punish critical discussion with death, do not support "freedom", and whose populations are largely in poverty rather than being affluent? Regime change? We've seen in Iraq and Afghanistan how well trying to push these things on an unwilling nation works.

No, the surest defense against Islamic radicalism is the simple fact that nations that subscribe to it are essentially trapped in the dark ages and can pose no real threat to us. All we have to do "to combat the spread of Islam" is not let too many Muslims into our own countries so that their conflicts and superstitions do not ignite here. Sadly, we are failing at that one simple step as well, with Muslims (of which a substantial chunk are "radical") being shipped in by the millions into Western countries and fighting their feuds on the streets of Europe and North America.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Bonam

[Big Guy]

Definitely. But this thread is for Islam.

So Shady, what do you suggest we do about it?

[Mighty AC]

No, the surest defense against Islamic radicalism is the simple fact that nations that subscribe to it are essentially trapped in the dark ages and can pose no real threat to us. All we have to do "to combat the spread of Islam" is not let too many Muslims into our own countries so that their conflicts and superstitions do not ignite here. Sadly, we are failing at that one simple step as well, with Muslims (of which a substantial chunk are "radical") being shipped in by the millions into Western countries and fighting their feuds on the streets of Europe and North America.

Segregation would certainly be an effective strategy, but not one that I am comfortable with.

Long term, I think we combat problems associated with Islam, and all religion, by continuing the secularization of the west through the methods I mentioned. I think it is harder to breed large numbers of new generation faithful in highly secular and skeptical locales.

Additionally, I would like to help those suffering in Islamic states, but as you said, we can't force democracy and regime change. I think we need to support the brave citizens that risk their lives to combat the atrocities prevalent within their culture. Whether they are denouncing honour killings and institutionalized rape or demanding access to education and equal rights for women, the western world needs to show support to help fertilize change from within.

Hastening our transition away from oil based fuels will ultimately help as well. Reducing the economic and political power enjoyed by middle eastern petro states will give the secular world greater leverage to demand human rights improvements.

[GostHacked]

Shady does not have resolutions, none. That is why you will never hear any solutions about Islam from him.

[Big Guy]

Shady does not have resolutions, none. That is why you will never hear any solutions about Islam from him.

One day many years ago, my great uncle sat me down and gave me some sage advice;

Never criticize volunteers unless you are ready to volunteer.

Never babble on about problems unless you have solutions.

Never spit into the wind.

I have tried to follow his advice.

[GostHacked]

Never babble on about problems unless you have solutions.

Even when you do have solutions to problems, some simply don't want to hear it. Otherwise, the advice is solid.

[Hal 9000]

Shady does not have resolutions, none. That is why you will never hear any solutions about Islam from him.

We've all asked for you're (anti-Israel people) solutions to the Gaza problem and the only one who actually has any solutions is Jacee - and that is to just give terrorists whatever they want - so don't be so quick to judge.

[GostHacked]

We've all asked for you're (anti-Israel people) solutions to the Gaza problem and the only one who actually has any solutions is Jacee - and that is to just give terrorists whatever they want - so don't be so quick to judge.

I actually provided a couple solutions.

The leader of Israel and the leader of Palestine in a final all out one on one cage match to the death. Winner's camp takes all. My other solution was more drastic , nuking all of the area. ALL of it.

[WestCoastRunner]

We've all asked for you're (anti-Israel people) solutions to the Gaza problem and the only one who actually has any solutions is Jacee - and that is to just give terrorists whatever they want - so don't be so quick to judge.

You are assuming people who have empathy for innocent palestinian civilians are anti-israel and are supportive of terrorists and that is just ridiculous. I honestly don't understand your attacks on people on this forum who don't agree with you.

[Shady]

Shady does not have resolutions, none. That is why you will never hear any solutions about Islam from him.

Are there solutions? Maybe a few decades from now, Islam will have gone through it's reformation, and things will have gotten somewhat better. Aside from that, I have no idea. However, with technology and younger generations, maybe things will speed up a bit.

[WestCoastRunner]

However, with technology and younger generations, maybe things will speed up a bit.

Shady, your posts so far, dismiss any thoughts from the younger generation.

[Hal 9000]

You are assuming people who have empathy for innocent palestinian civilians are anti-israel and are supportive of terrorists and that is just ridiculous. I honestly don't understand your attacks on people on this forum who don't agree with you.

I have empathy for Palestinians too (although it's starting to wain). One of the reasons I hate Hamas is what they do their people. But, lets be honest here, you people are running down Israel left and right, while holding no accountability to Hamas or the palestinian people themselves.

I'm not attacking you or anybody else. If someone trashes everything about Israel, then makes excuse after excuse for the actions of Hamas and the Palestinians...well, its not a ridiculous assumption then - is it?