Mini-skirts in Saudi - Shock horror!

[Brian Peacock]

The 'the left loves Islam' stick is easily and eagerly snatched at and weilded but I don't think it carries much force or withstands even cursory scrutiny.

[pErvinalia]

They don't "love" it, but they show it unnecessary respect often simply because it's part of the third world oppressed by the west.

[Hermit]

The 'the left loves Islam' stick is easily and eagerly snatched at and weilded but I don't think it carries much force or withstands even cursory scrutiny.

...they show it unnecessary respect often simply because it's part of the third world oppressed by the west.

Both true.

[Brian Peacock]

They don't "love" it, but they show it unnecessary respect often simply because it's part of the third world oppressed by the west.

'They'? All left-leaners? 'Tis lazy talk man.

[NineBerry]

I love Islam. Great DJ.

[Hermit]

They don't "love" it, but they show it unnecessary respect often simply because it's part of the third world oppressed by the west.

'They'? All left-leaners?

[pErvinalia]

They don't "love" it, but they show it unnecessary respect often simply because it's part of the third world oppressed by the west.

'They'? All left-leaners? 'Tis lazy talk man.

Only if you're too lazy to apply context. I'm a lefty, so I clearly don't mean all left-leaners.

[Forty Two]

The 'the left loves Islam' stick is easily and eagerly snatched at and weilded but I don't think it carries much force or withstands even cursory scrutiny.

"Love" may be a loaded term, but the Progressive SJW ilk appear to think Islam is a marginalized group, in need of protection. I've seen a good bunch of active atheists, active members of major activist organizations, arguing in favor of Islam where they most certainly object to Christianity in the same context. When Christianity is involved, church and state is a very clear line. When Islam is involved, I very much see Mosque and state as secondary to "Islam is marginalized and oppressed..."

There is also a fairly substantial group on the left that equates criticism of Islam with racism. Even hatred and mockery of Islam, profane and vulgar insults to the false Prophet and his silly religion, is not racism, yet there is this thread through the Progressive left to call it "Islamophobia."

There is also the thread on the left that leaps to defend Islam where that defense is not afforded other religions. Such as if someone says "islam is a pile of shit, a bad moral guide, full of lies and is oppressive to women, gays, etc." -- it's very common to see Progressive folks leaping to the defense of Islam, to make sure that cautionary disclaimers are put front and center.

Some portions of the left are big on ridiculing "religion" but there should be no specific mention of Islam. Dawkins and the gang were applauded and cheered when they took down Mother Theresa and explained how Christianity is horrible, etc. But, Dawkins and the gang were never Christianophobes. They are, of course, Islamophobes.

[Animavore]

The problem with the right is when they criticise Islam they often post complete lies. A friend of mine, for instance, recently posted a long list of things Muslims apparently aren't allowed do. I showed it to the two Muslims I work with and we laughed our asses off at the sheer ignorance of it. The right don't seem to be able to get their heads around the idea that Islam isn't an homogenous group. I think the list may have been for the Taliban or ISIS. Not that ignorant idiots can tell the difference.

[Svartalf]

well, I know they aren't allowed to partake in intoxicants, they aren't allowed to eat pork products, and they aren't allowed to eat or drink or fuck during the day a whole month per year, and it seems that month falls in summer more often than is his turn. am I an ign orant clod?

As for the difference between muslim groups, yes, I'm in complete ignorance for the most parts, though I know that it's a specific sh'a twelver custom to whip oneself around the anniversary of the battle of Kerbalah.

[Animavore]

Is that any less mad than Filipinos crucifying themselves?

[Forty Two]

It is very tricky, Feck, because so many of the vehement anti-Islam mob in Oz, the ones that demonstrate about stopping a mosque being built for example, are right-wing buffoons whose veneer of being against Islam for rational reasons covers a racist red-neck mentality. The left, in trying to oppose these guys, are far too lenient in their views on Islam.

There really isn't anything inherently wrong with opposing Mosque-building. I oppose church-building, too. I definitely don't want a Mosque near my house. Islam is a cult, in my view. I don't like it. I don't want it around my kids. If I had my 'druthers, the churches would be far away, too. I agree with racist, rednecks on 2 +2 =4, and when the sky is blue I'll acknowledge that too.

Too much effort, I think, is spent on agonizing over defending something awful so that we don't get lumped into a group that is also awful. We should be able to address the ideas without having to worry about whether some unsavory characters agree with us on that point.

[pErvinalia]

well, I know they aren't allowed to partake in intoxicants, they aren't allowed to eat pork products, and they aren't allowed to eat or drink or fuck during the day a whole month per year, and it seems that month falls in summer more often than is his turn. am I an ign orant clod?

As for the difference between muslim groups, yes, I'm in complete ignorance for the most parts, though I know that it's a specific sh'a twelver custom to whip oneself around the anniversary of the battle of Kerbalah.

There is such a thing as 'cultural Muslims' exactly the same as there are 'cultural Christians'.

[Forty Two]

Is that any less mad than Filipinos crucifying themselves?

Of what relevance is the relative madness?

[Animavore]

well, I know they aren't allowed to partake in intoxicants, they aren't allowed to eat pork products, and they aren't allowed to eat or drink or fuck during the day a whole month per year, and it seems that month falls in summer more often than is his turn. am I an ign orant clod?

As for the difference between muslim groups, yes, I'm in complete ignorance for the most parts, though I know that it's a specific sh'a twelver custom to whip oneself around the anniversary of the battle of Kerbalah.

There is such a thing as 'cultural Muslims' exactly the same as there are 'cultural Christians'.

Yeah, that's the guys I work with. They're actually atheists. Lol.

Actually, nearly all the IT department are atheists.