The Islam Thread

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by elphenor

I didn't read what you said I'm responding to Lucem

reading these books like they're literal instruction manuals is really awkward, it's not the way people actually practice religion

Aren’t those people called fundamentalists?

[Frownland]

This **** is so stupid.

[jwb]

Originally Posted by elphenor

I didn't read what you said I'm responding to Lucem

reading these books like they're literal instruction manuals is really awkward, it's not the way people actually practice religion

That really depends on the book. Large portions of the Torah, for example, are quite literally just lists of laws and punishments. I dunno how else you would interprete that.

Islam inherits that tradition. It's not just a list of laws just like it's not a continuous historical narrative the way the Torah is
It's a stream of consciousness style text that is embued with an inherent worldview that includes both law and historical narrative without dedicating itself explicitly to recreating what was already established with the Torah. It reinforces that worldview. Which is why the actual law about stoning adulterers originally appeared in the Torah.

It's true most modern Jews don't follow the Torah. They are probably the most secular abrahamic religion out there. They've completely strayed from actual Judaism. They're basically just a cultural/ethnic group at this point.

[jwb]

Originally Posted by elphenor

I wouldn't normally talk universally about the culture of "Arabic" people either, I might talk about Pakistani culture or something

that could depend on context

I can't really think of a context where you're talking about as diverse and massive a group as Muslims as if they're a traditionalist monolith wouldn't be pretty bigoted

talking about Islam in general is not broadbrushing Muslims anymore than talking about Christianity in general is broadbrushing Christians.

You can talk about sexual repression, homophobia, etc as a generic criticism of Christianity. You can even say it's a negative force on the world. People commonly say all of this.

In reality, if we cut through the BS I believe you're basically just worried that any negative statements about Islam, no matter how true, will arm islamaphobia. I'm not unconcerned about that, but I also think they will find their ammo anyway and the fact that leftists are so prone to pay deference to one of the more backwards religions out there out of sheer PC optics is disengenous and more proof that they are correct. That's how bigots usually think.

[Lucem Ferre]

Mien Kampf isn't so bad either, you're just not supposed to take it literally.

[jwb]

Also it occurs to me with regard to broadbrushing.. why is it less bigoted to say there is a problem with Pakistani culture than with Islam? You're just narrowing the scope of your bigotry.

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by Lucem Ferre

Mien Kampf isn't so bad either, you're just not supposed to take it literally.

Have you read it?

[Lucem Ferre]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

Have you read it?

No, but maybe I should.

[Lucem Ferre]

Originally Posted by jwb

Also it occurs to me with regard to broadbrushing.. why is it less bigoted to say there is a problem with Pakistani culture than with Islam? You're just narrowing the scope of your bigotry.

It's actually more bigoted because it implies every Pakistani thinks the same way. Calling Islam toxic is only talking about the religion and he's calling the people toxic.

[Neapolitan]

It's not like every Pakistani has the same religion. Pakistani Christians are persecuted.