Should we be allowed to criticize ISLAM?

Question

I believe so, but not in a malicious way, but in a truthful way.

Like if you have a friend who has his laces undone, you do not say:

"Oi your so stupid, don't you know how to tie laces"

But instead guide them in the right direction:

"Hey watch out, your shoelace is untied, you might trip"

So if you apply this to religion, instead of saying:

"You idiots still stone people to death because of stupid reasons"

You would say:

"I respect your right to believe what you want, but this cannot affect my freedoms as a HUMAN BEING"

OR WOULD MUSLIMS TAKE OFFENSE STILL!!!!!!?

Drago_65 your glasses look stupid

To those calling me a racist, I am going to take that as an indication of your own ignorance, as religion is not race, it is a belief or in some cases it is an ideology.

Please don't be sucked into this nonsense way of placing religion on a pedestal, as I am here to knock it off.

Answer 1

I wouldn't and i am muslim.

Answer 2

That is very simplistic. You are allowed to have your own opinions, sure, as you should be. However, as with any religion, it is not all or even a majority that are crazy loons. Sure, there are a handful of Muslims who behave in abhorent ways and use religion to justify horrifying behavior.....just as there are a handful of Christians who do this as well. I do not hold it against Christianity on the whole, or on Christians in general, that people claiming to be christians have done terrible acts. You should make the same choice regarding Islam and Muslims. Further, you should also question whether anyone committing such violence or hate would actually be recognized by the Muslim faithful as an actual Muslim in faith or practice. Many Christians do not see Westview Baptist Church members or Jim Jones followers to be mainstream Christianity. Just as the 9/11 terrorists and osama bin laden are not faithful Muslims.....b/c Islam and Christianity have a moral code that all of these people have broken.

Answer 3

I think all religions should be open to critical examination, and that includes self-criticism because that is a path to reform and improved behavior both with the practioners of the religion and within the ranks of the clergy and the institutional organization whether mosque, temple or church.
However, not everyone is on the same page about this. There's still too much "my way or the highway" thinking in the fundamentalist branches of the major, monotheistic religions..

Answer 4

Duck duck duck - you are such a goose (ie foul racist). I really hope you don't go to the U of O because I'd hate to think a fellow alumni is such a maroon.

Would anyone take offense to someone making sweeping idiotic generalizations about the religion they practice? I'd have to guess - YES.

Do all Muslims hold all the same beliefs? NO
Do all Christians hold all the same beliefs? NO
on and on and on...

Still, if you are an American citizen you are covered by the First Amendment - so criticize all you want as long as you allow the people you are criticizing the same rights of free speech when they criticize you back...

edit - Ok, you pedantic bigot. Racism does apply not just to race but an individual's culture - which religion happens to be part of...

Answer 5

I would suggest learning more about Islam. The religion of Islam is a very peaceful religion, if you read the Koran. The society that sprung up around Islam is what you need to direct your diatribes to.

The Christian Bible has many rules for stoning as well.

As for 'should I be allowed?', I think that you are allowed to speak your mind. But please, expect people to speak their minds right back at you. If you want to have a good discussion on religion, make sure you are very well informed before you start in on it. If you're not, luck will have it that the person you're talking to is very well educated in their and other's religions.

Answer 6

I don't know where you live, but in America freedom of speech and freedom of religion are two of our fundamental rights. You have a right to criticize Islam just as Muslims have a right to take offense. What neither party has the right to do is infringe on the rights of others. It is precisely this type of fundamental freedom that the US is interested in protecting around the world. They are also precisely the types of freedoms that fundamentalist theocracies have been known to put people to death for exercising.

That being said, it is my personal opinion that Muslims will take offense at almost anything. There is nothing they seem to enjoy more that the feeling of righteous indignation.

Answer 7

Muslims are probably more likely to take offense to discussions like this now because they are going to feel defensive since they are constantly being confronted. As to your original question, I think we should be free to speak our minds but it is probably more productive if we actually have clear understanding of Islam, which most of us non-Muslims don't (maybe you do). We are much more aware of some negative aspects, and I think that many Muslims, especially in America, don't necessarily find certain things (like stoning) to be a fundamental part of their religion.

Answer 8

It really depends on the person you say it to. Some Muslims would respect your views whilst others would slam their fist down and say you are wrong.

In answer to you question then, yes I suppose we are allowed to criticise Islam, just as we are free to criticise anything in this world. A way of life can be questioned, we're not all the same, we're all allowed to have our own thoughts and opinions.
Its up to the person on the receiving end of our views to decide how to react to them. And its up to us to decide how we should air our views in order to not create so much tension that would cause too much distress, as at the end of the day, people's lives revolve around this belief.

Answer 9

Sure you can criticize... just as others criticize Christianity, and other religions. I think all should be tactful, but many are not, especially on Yahoo Answers.

Answer 10

You do not need to insult millions of people because of their religion. I would like to see more women's rights in Islam, but overall they have been a very well rounded group. In Islamic society it is their custom to welcome strangers into their homes as guests. And they value helping the poor. If only move republicans could learn from this way of thinking.

Answer 11

You know your god is man made when he hates the same people you do. Why can they criticize us and our choices of religion, but we can't say anthing about theirs..theirs isn't right, yours isn't right, no religion is right...if it was everyone is going to hell.