it's statements like this that make it obvious you have never interacted with actual Muslims, on the street, with all due respect. What you say might be true of Political Islam--even if it also applies moreso to Christians imo, i mean most of our preachers will "Quote" "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" at one with a completely straight face, right; and most Christians will nod their heads in agreement, too--so again i would suggest that different frames are available, even if they are not near as comfortable. For a Christian who identifies with the world anyway.
I have to apologise to you. Interaction with muslims or people who come from a muslim background on secular issues is one thing. To talk to muslims about what they believe is another. If you do not believe in critical thinking, then ofcourse most will express their basic belief and leave it at that, just as a lot of church goers would express their view, and not be able to hold a coherent discussion as to why they believe.
A common islamic concept is corruption. You have corrupted the Inshallah. Now muhammed in his writings is a little imprecis. He likes dedicated believers who follow Jesus's teaching, but is critical of hypocrites. Therefore he criticises those who do not follow the revelation, implying their is an authentic revelation in the bible. At some point therefore a corruption has to of occurred, except this cannot be identified.
This inshallah of God is love, that love is the highest ethic of all, it encapsulates the whole of the law and the prophets. And the problem is Muhammed does not mention love at all, even love of God. So one has an ethical and philosophical problem. Muhammed could be the corruption, and what he expressed is actually a distortion of Gods Inshallah.
Again the Koran is a copy of Gods Koran in heaven, except 20% is not understood, with words that have no exact definition. And verses are used without context to found morals and an approach which is totally open ended and a subjective focus. The Haddith on the other hand is thousands of saying, which may or may not carry authority, upon which most of Islam stands. And most have not read or know the variations because they are so vast. So as soon as you want to define something definitively, one has a problem. A vague Koran, and a massive series of quotes or examples in the haddith which may or may not be valid cause debate, which is not allowed, the Imam tells you the meaning. The average muslim then goes with the local Imam, daily prayers, and thats fine. In Egypt they have phone lines for Imams to tell you if what you are doing is banned or okay, haram or halal, because there are no principles as such, just examples from the haddith. But here is a problem. Muhammed never drove a car, so can a woman? And since the book of law is closed, shariah, there can be no new revelation, so its just interpretation.
My simple test was 3 fold. Do you support death for apostacy, blasphemy and unbelief? Now most muslims refused to respond, which means if they decide I commit any of these three, they can kill me with no comeback. Another layer is if you are born into a muslim family you are a muslim so any change of position on Muhammed, is worthy of death. Now no matter how rosy you paint this, it is not freedom, or the ability to express yourself or even suggest marrying a six year old girl is pedophilia, and sex with a nine year old is just wrong. But here is an idiology that says its ok, and to even suggest this is wrong, ie Muhammed sinned, is blasphemy.
Now I do not know your understanding of Islam, but for some me just typing this is worthy of death. And I am just telling you their beliefs, and saying what the UN declares as wrong behaviour, and even as part of many countries constitutions.
Now I follow a simple principle, if you love others, Amen. I will not talk of breaking morality unless you harm others, and you can believe what you like and change it as many times as you like.
We live in 21st Century, but still whole cultures are happy to kill relatives because of a change of faith. And for me to protest such an idiology, is again to put myself in the firing line. To poke fun at Muhammed and his take over of Medinah is something that can get you killed. This is what I find unacceptable to any degree from any group. And this is from the best of peoples, who have the best of lives following the best person who ever lived. Sure thing.
It is the west that has destroyed their perfection, yet whole communities want to leave their paradise for the west. Now any sane person can quickly work out the basic idiology is wrong and creates a dysfunctional society.
