Do you ever present a point of view that you do not really believe?

Question

In order to generate more open responses to a subject that are of greater value to the audience... or to make a point that at first does not appear related to the subject matter?

For example in my previous questions I presented a case for christian people to resort to physical violence against people of other religions in the name of preserving their faith.

This was rejected by most (one person saw the comparison I was making) so why is this ideology fostered and even nurtured by the islamic faith?

If you think that these people are only a small proportion that are not supported by the majority of muslims. Then go out and ask muslims whether they think these "terrorists" will go to heaven... ask them if they think they should burn in hell.. ask them why they do it and whether they think their reasons are just. I have I think you will be very shocked at their responses.

I don't think the issue is should we respect their ideologies. We clearly do this already. The point is should they respect ours more.

Example conversation..

"So as a muslim do you think its wrong to kill"

"of course"

"Why do some muslims think they will go to heaven.. you know suicide bombers".

"hmmm err well they believe they are fighting a jihad... a holy war"

"Do you tink they will go to heaven"

No response.

"Sorry I didn't mean to upset you"

"Its not that its just that... well we get taught these things and well its what we believe... we are friends and I don't want to lose that"

"ok man no problem"

"I would never do anything like that"

"Would you tell the police if you knew someone who was?"

"We are taught that the word of Allah is stronger than any law".

"Ok dude you're right lets forget this conversation"

Not one muslim person I have met has said they would inform the police if they knew of such activity.

Answer 1

Playing Devil's advocate can be fun sometimes, you can really fire back at a person when they try and be funny to your question :)

Answer 2

Its good to present a view contrary to your own beliefs from time to time in discussion. It helps you to understand an argument better when you have to defend it and see the sense in it. I'll argue black is white with people because it also brings me great pleasure to debate and challenge.

The second part of your comment seems concerned with the islamic terorist threat and the nurturing of such activity by their own faith. I don't think its fair to restrict your point to religious cirumstance. Religion is just a shield to them, a method of justification of their political ambitions.

Religion was a very handy device in Northern Ireland when the IRA were blowing innocent people up al over the place (and ditto for loyalists and, to a lesser extent, the British Army). I am no expert, but I don't think there was any justification for these actions in the Bible either. Certainly, the priests/vicars/etc were tearing ther hair out condeming every terrorist action.

Answer 3

I live in UK, and I was, like many others, horrified about the terror atacks in London, as well as the foiled atacks these days in London and Scotland.
As a Christian, I dont know too much about muslims and their religion, and , of course not all of them are resorting to these outrageous acts.Not all muslims are terrorists. But we cant deny the fact that, truth being said, almost all terrorists are muslims.
When did a Jew or a Christian ( dont tell me about the IRA, or other organizations who do terrorist acts , as these have no link whatsoever with religion) put on a belt with explosives and blow himself and others to smithereens?
When did a Hindu placed a bomb in a mosque?

We all hear muslims here in UK that they must unite, that they must speak out, loud and clear against this threat.Yet, in the latest polls, we found that many of them suported the 9/11 events, and even said that was not the muslims who did the highjackings.

Answer 4

Just because one does not believe in a certain point does not make it invalid. And I would gladly make it to bring balance in a discussion. Most westerners are extremely out of touch with what happens in the muslim world and tend to make sweeping generalisations. And here I must admit I cannot entirely exclude myself.

Personaly I think that their is hostility towards the western world in the middle east that is merely being justified by the unfair use of Islam. Look at christian current afairs and I am sure you will find some cases where personal prejudices are being legitimised by the use of religion. Or even worse: political goals are legitimised by the use of religion.

Answer 5

True Christians are convicted by the Holy Spirit to always tell the truth and as such are supposed to give a Christian viewpoint on each and every subject. Unfortunately therew are many people around who call themselves Christians but are not Spirit filled or Spirit led and they do not represent true Christian views.
Christians should not fight for their Faith..they may have to die because of it due to persecution but..what the heck?...Jesus died for my sins...I would die for my Faith in Him.
Best wishes, Mike.

Answer 6

I think that most of us dont understand why they do it to be honest. Non-western Muslims have a totally different culture and different values and Western logic is derived from Western culture and Western values. Who are we to impose our societys ideologies on them and to be certain that we have the superior civilisation? And if we count ourselves morally superior them we are considering a judgement from an outside source i.e a God. And some of us dont believe in God.
Yes, sometimes I do like to play devils advocate for the sake of bringing out a more carefully considered argument.

Whiteworker- you have really missed the point havent you?

Answer 7

I would not be shocked at Islamic responses. It is a violent religion. They teach their children to hate and kill. Men stone their wives to death for things they have done themselves. The cut off the heads of anyone that may disagree with their point of view.
This is a peaceful religion? We should show them respect? I don't think so.

Why would I present to other people points of view I do not believe myself? People who do that are dishonest. Surprise,surprise.

Answer 8

I'm a muslim.

Those guys are denied of Heaven, they'll burn in Hell.

Heck, the Qu'ran says so. Care to see the particular verse?



Anyway, I always present points I do not believe in to others, usually from my side (theists and Muslims for example) because sometimes, they *try* to attack the other side, but their point would be so stupid it's just gonna embarass me to be a part of that guy. So I'll just point out why.

Answer 9

I usually give a nuetral standpoint. I hate being the subject of bashing. Plus I just don't care most of the time.

Answer 10

the only green the hollyweird liberals care approximately is the money in the financial company. those liberal hypocrites won't decrease down on their lavish existence yet they go with the rest human beings to stay in the stone age. in basic terms like a common Callyfornya liberal.

Answer 11

This sort of attack on other religions and assumptuous rational that all these people are terrorists makes me wonder what your expectations are out of such a question.