Criticism of Islam Versus Bigotry

A bigot is "strongly partial to his own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ." A Christian, for example, who is intolerant of anyone who is not a Christian, is a bigot. Or anyone who is Chinese and intolerant of anyone who is not Chinese, is a bigot.

If the group to which you are partial is your race, then bigotry is the same as racism. There are definitely people trying to stop Islam's relentless encroachment who are motivated by bigotry. But criticism of Islamic doctrine is not bigotry.

Criticism of Islamic teachings is simply religious criticism, which is a perfectly legitimate and worthwhile thing to do in a free country. If I told you that in Buddhism they believe the source of human suffering is the grasping nature of the mind, is that bigotry? Even if I said I think that might be too simplistic and that there may be other causes of suffering, is that bigotry?

No, that's simply discussing religious texts.

And if I say the Quran says (91 times) that Mohammad is a good example of human behavior, is that bigotry? No. Even if I say I don't like that because the historical records of Mohammad's actions aren't something I want to see emulated, is that bigotry? No. We're just talking about a religious text and history.

And if a Muslim says he believes Jews are evil and should be destroyed, is that bigotry? Yes, it is. But what if he says "it must be true, it says so in the Quran," is it still bigotry? Yes. And if I say I don't like that about the Quran, is that bigotry? No. What if I say all Muslims are evil, is that bigotry? Yes. Get the difference?

The reason it seems to many people that anyone criticizing Islam is a bigot is because some bigots have, in fact, criticized Islam. But criticizing Islam, or any religion, does not make anyone a bigot.

Learning more about Islam can help prevent bigotry and racism. Here's how that works: Prevent Bigotry and Racism.

5 comments:

  1. You dont criticize Catholicism for the "abuse of children" problem. It is not a tenant of Catholicism! You criticize those involved in it, not the religion. Those abusing children are NOT following their proclaimed religion. Jesus does not tell his followers that it is okay to hurt children, on the contrary.
    In Islam, Mohammad is held up as the perfect man & someone all should emulate. Allah told him that he could multimarry & allowed him to marry a child. Because of that, it continues as a tenant to this day, in some places. THAT is an abuse of children problem.
    Can you see the difference between the two? Catholicism DOES NOT condone child abuse by ANYONE & when it has happened, it is absolutely against Christian principles. Individual people have done bad things to children but have not done them in the name of Catholicism or to emulate Jesus. HUGE difference. Might seem like a small distinction to someone unfamiliar with Catholicism but it is not.

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    1. That is an out right lie. The Qur'an says specifically you can not marry a woman or man for that matter until they reach sexual maturity. Arranged marriages are forbidden, women have the right to chose who they marry. It also says even if two young people decide to marry they can not live together until they reach sexual maturity. There is no specific age limit for marriage in the Qur'an just like the Bible from which it is derived from.

      Read your Bible Jesus said it is fine to kill children. Do not get me wrong I love Jesus, but your statement is dripping with hypocrisy
      .

      15:1 Then [a]came to Jesus the Scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
      2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders? for they [b]wash not their hands when they eat bread.
      3 [c]But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
      4 For God hath commanded, saying, [d]Honor thy father and mother: and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

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    2. The new testament doesn't allow for killing of children. But the old testament does allow for punishing of 'extremly deliquest children' with death. As it allows for the stoning of adulters and homosexuals.

      Christ came to establish: "a new covenant with man". A christian lay preacher explained this does negate some of the old testament laws.

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  2. The Koran says 91 times that Muhammad is the perfect example. He married Aisha at the age of 6 and consummated the marriage when she was 9.

    I am not a Christian, so your Jesus example doesn't mean anything to me. I haven't seen many Christians kill their children in the name of Christ. I have, however, heard of plenty of examples of Muslims following Muhammad's example and marrying girls of very young age.

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  3. I criticise ALL religion because it presupposes the existence of a deity supposedly watching over and taking care of us, and simultaneously sheople by the millions praying to this deity and letting it prescribe to them how they should live their lives. And all this, while there has been no concrete evidence or proof for the existence of this, or any other deity right up to this moment.

    Bipeds have been subscribing and following this crap for centuries upon centuries, with various (and many, many groups) taking advantage of sheople gullibility, only to cash in and further their own agendas.

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