Actually, I believe any logical and reasoned discussions about the merits of Islam gives a sort of legitimization of Islam-as-a-real-religion.
To me, discussing whatever merits or fallacies regarding Islam is akin to discussing the value added by Zombies.
On the face of it you are correct, and I agree.
Islam has no merits to have a discussion about and one cannot reason with the unreasonable.
Prior to 911, most people had only heard about or learned about Islam through some poems or movies. They likely knew that it was said Islam was one of the great religions and Mohammad was similar to Christ.
At that point their knowledge and interest ended.
After 911, the media claimed there were only a few radicals, while Bush declared Islam was a religion of peace. They promptly went back to sleep on the matter.
The situation today is much different. Jihads no longer slink about in cave, but have their own state with towns and cities, income, a real business model, magazines and other media.
Public figures like Steven Crowder, are trying to wake the slumbering people up to the reality of Islam, its history and intentions. You may not be ignorant of Islam nor slumbering, however, others are: even to the vast majority of US citizens and media. This must change. Islam must be defined for what it really is, not the Islamic taqiyya or media misinformation/disinformation.
It really is not necessary to go into a reasoned and logical discussion on the matter - simply stating all the facts and full history - often and loudly will suffice. Muslims hate this method and will do everything possible to change the topic back to something reasonable, which they can then ‘prove’ they are in the right: or as you said make it appear the Islam is a religion, and legitimate at that, just an Arab version of Christianity: (please go back to sleep while we slaughter you).
To a muslim simply publicly stating all the facts and full history is akin to forcing them to care for a dog, eat pork, and die at the hands of a woman all rolled into one.
We need more Crowders, not fewer. The public must be dissuaded of the notions that Islam is a version of Christianity or is a religion.