What really is a moderate Muslim?

by KateWild 95 Replies latest members adult

• 

  Simon

  are there any liberal muslim communities which tolerate members leaving the religion?

  That's a good question to add to the list.

  If you leave the Church of England for instance, they don't really threaten to 'hunt you down' and most mainstream churches don't (they may encourage people to return which could be seen as pressure to some but it's very mild).

  Being allowed to leave without any retaliation or threats is needed to be moderate and moderates would not treat people who have left any differently.
• 

  LoveUniHateExams

  @Simon

  Exactly. If a catholic says 'no mas' there might be a few tears at lunchtime but that's about it.

  However with muslims ...?
• 

  Simon

  Catholicism is a mature and confident religion. Islam is a teanage brat in a hoodie that wants to spray paint anything nice.
• 

  EmptyInside

  For some who think religion needs to go. We can't force people to give up their religion. That is just as bad as them trying to force us to join their religion. There are many of faith who try to do some good in this world.

  I sort of miss having a strong faith. But,now,I'll have to find another way.
• 

  LoveUniHateExams

  @EmptyInside

  Agreed, banning religion would be unachievable and faintly ridiculous. People's faith does inspire them to do good - that's fine.

  Simon has hit the nail on the head re Islam, though. Islam IS acting like a reckless brat and muslims need to sort this out.
• 

  Gustv Cintrn

  Moderate Muslim = Liberal JW/Catholic/Protestant

  Means unorthodox/unradical about their faith.

  GC
• 

  Terry

  In Fundamentalist religion, being "moderate" is a curse and not a blessing!

  In Christianity, Jesus (of Revelation) vows to "vomit" out of his mouth those who are lukewarm.

  Fundamentalism is black and white thinking where shades of gray pave only the road to the wrath of Allah.

  Getting rid of the infidel has always been Step 1.

  When the Prophet (may his name be blessed) Muhammed took his armies across the known world, his mission was written in the blood

  of those who had OTHER and more moderate opinions.

  When you look at any society which is a theocracy, the political and the religious parts are not two things requiring moderation--but--are ONE THING

  requiring troops in order to stem their viral takeover.

  The Topic Question is moot.
• 

  LoveUniHateExams

  Just saw a Newsnight vid on youtube (see link below). It touches on what it means to be a 'moderate muslim' and seems to show what kind of discussions are happening within the muslim community.

  Maajid Nawaz comes across as truly moderate and liberal, Mehdi Hasan is the motormouth and Mo Ansar gives a good account of himself.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb1LR6887cc. - enjoy
• 

  Phizzy

  Even "moderate" Muslims learn the words of the Qu'ran by rote, many of them not really understanding the full import of the words they repeat in Arabic if it is not their first language.

  But when the words are explained to them by a Radical preacher, they spring to life, already being part of the person's very soul. Hence a "moderate" is easy to radicalise.

  As our recent Nobel prizewinner Mallala said "Education is the answer", but such education needs to be capable of countering the indoctrination that goes on from birth.

  However reasonable and moderate religious people may seem, they, be they christian, jew, muslim, bhuddist or whatever, they are the seedbed in which extremists grow.
• 

  humbled

  Thinking.

  When a religious text teaches you to choose a middle path that is peaceful or to love your enemies--and you do that--is this radical or conservative ?

  How can we say? Isn't it true that Quakers(christians) suffered at the hands of other Christians(in the 1700's for being the wrong kind of Christian? Are Quakers Conservative or moderate or...what?

  What of a Muslim who stays to the middle path, advocating for peace--believing this was the dominant voice of Islam?What are they? Aren't they Muslims?

  The article Kate invite us to read should make all of us think--non-Muslims of course--but Muslims too.

  The article suggests this thinkingis a key component of being moderate--because the definition of a moderate Muslim changes.

  Any of us here should be able to understand the dilemma of belonging to a religion and hearing the voice for peace and love then having your leaders call you to hate. Yes, we have to think about that--