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> Any religion that fundamentally doesn't tolerate the existence of other religions and calls its followers to slaughter those who don't convert is "bad religio

by dghf 11y ago

> Any religion that fundamentally doesn't tolerate the existence of other religions and calls its followers to slaughter those who don't convert is "bad religion". Islam is a "bad religion". Well, if that's what Islam calls its followers to do, it's a good job most of those followers don't pay any attention. Even Iran permits Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians to worship within its borders: they are subject to discrimination and harassment, but not forced to convert to Islam under pain of death.

cygx 11y ago
You're aware what happens to apostates in Iran? Also note that there are special allowances made for people of the Book, so Jews and Christians are not quite as bad off as others, theologically speaking.
- dghf 11y ago
  Yes, I'm aware of the penalties for apostasy in Iran, and that the toleration shown to Jews and Christians is not extended to other faiths (it would seem the Bahá'í get a particularly rough time of it). But the comment I was replying to made a blanket statement that Islam calls for the slaughter and forced conversion of those of other religions, when the facts simply don't bear that out. Yes, some Muslim individuals and groups do hold to such an extreme interpretation of Islam; and media reports do suggest that most religiously inspired killings are committed by Muslims. But most Muslims don't hold such a stance, and most Muslim countries do allow at least some measure of religious toleration -- even a theocracy like Iran. The most notable exception, of course, is the West's ally Saudi Arabia.
  - cygx 11y ago
    Take the data from the 2013 Pew poll, which theoretically represents about 1 billion muslims. One of the questions was about support for the death penalty for apostasy. The report doesn't come with a global average, but you can go to the annex, add some census data and do the math yourself. You'll end up with a number of ~40%. The idea that all muslims are out to kill infidels is of course ridiculous hyperbole. Nevertheless, I consider the number I just quoted worryingly high.
    - dghf 11y ago
      I agree with you.

by dghf 11y ago

cygx 11y ago

You're aware what happens to apostates in Iran? Also note that there are special allowances made for people of the Book, so Jews and Christians are not quite as bad off as others, theologically speaking.

dghf 11y ago
Yes, I'm aware of the penalties for apostasy in Iran, and that the toleration shown to Jews and Christians is not extended to other faiths (it would seem the Bahá'í get a particularly rough time of it). But the comment I was replying to made a blanket statement that Islam calls for the slaughter and forced conversion of those of other religions, when the facts simply don't bear that out. Yes, some Muslim individuals and groups do hold to such an extreme interpretation of Islam; and media reports do suggest that most religiously inspired killings are committed by Muslims. But most Muslims don't hold such a stance, and most Muslim countries do allow at least some measure of religious toleration -- even a theocracy like Iran. The most notable exception, of course, is the West's ally Saudi Arabia.
- cygx 11y ago
  Take the data from the 2013 Pew poll, which theoretically represents about 1 billion muslims. One of the questions was about support for the death penalty for apostasy. The report doesn't come with a global average, but you can go to the annex, add some census data and do the math yourself. You'll end up with a number of ~40%. The idea that all muslims are out to kill infidels is of course ridiculous hyperbole. Nevertheless, I consider the number I just quoted worryingly high.
  - dghf 11y ago
    I agree with you.