Losing his religion - Apostate Ibn Warraq campaigns for the right not to be a Muslim

Boston Globe ^ | 0/18/03 | Lee Smith

[bedolido]

EVER SINCE SEPT. 11, 2001, American scholars, pundits, and ordinary citizens have not hesitated to offer their opinions about the state of Islam. Critics say the religion is long overdue for the kind of a thoroughgoing reformation that modernized and diversified Christianity in the 16th century. More sympathetic voices argue that today's Islam is not an ideological monolith but a thriving culture, with as many Islams as there are Muslims. But what has been virtually ignored is that there are Muslims, both in the Muslim world and outside it, who want nothing to do with Islam, moderate or otherwise.

[Uncle Miltie]

"Muslims who disown or even criticize their faith publicly are likely to be accused of apostasy, a crime punishable by death under Islamic law–a penalty enforced in a number of Muslim nations, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan."

What-a-bunch-of-nice-guys Bump.

[goldstategop]

Its an interesting critique of Islam by a secular humanist. I have no use for them for in the main like the Left in general, they loathe religious people and traditional values. I'm an individual who believes people of differing persuasions can get along in modern societies. People should be free to think as they please without external coercion. And how much of their religion they want to observe should be between them and God.

[Gabrielle Reilly]

read later.

[happygrl]

Highly doubtful that this religion has anything to contribute to America.

[bedolido]

Highly doubtful that this religion has anything to contribute to America.

I agree... wait it subtracted 3,000 people in New York, and is still subtracting. Kinda anti-spread-the-gospel of islam.

In the 70's and 80's there was a New York slogan "New York Is For Lovers"... However about "Extreme Islam is for Murderes".

[bedolido]

However about "Extreme Islam is for Murderes"

S/B: "How about "Extreme Islam is for Murderers"

[Cronos]

Highly doubtful that this religion has anything to contribute to America.

I hate to admit it, but this cult, or rather the civilisation which sprang around it, or inspite of it (sorry for all the legalese, but *) played a very important role in mathematics, bringing indian numerals to the west, by maintaining the Greek philosophies when the West had forgotten them. They DID play a part in developing the modern world which we live in, just as even Genghis Khan's hordes or the AlQ have, good points AND bad points.

[bedolido]

They DID play a part in developing the modern world which we live in, just as even Genghis Khan's hordes or the AlQ have, good points AND bad points.

So does fecal matter... but I don't want it telling me how to live.

[philosofy123]

RELIGION

If you leave it you will be killed

If you get killed in its defense, you will go to heaven

If you bring more members in, you will go to heaven

If you pay money to support it, you will go to heaven

If you kill its enemy, you will go to heaven

That is similar to the mafia?

[AppyPappy]

But it's not a cult.

[AppyPappy]

RELIGION

You misspelled Islam

[AppyPappy]

Uhhh....this is the 21st century. What are they contributing now?