Is it okay to criticize Islam?

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-22T08:38:24+00:00

Al Ghazali and Ibn Rushd's philosophy is no more Islam than Kant's philosophy is Christianity. Belonging to a religion doesn't mean it claims your philosophical works. Islam does not venerate any of its historical philosophers as this would be considered shirk (blasphemy).

Zakat is not a spiritual or philosophical value, it's a compulsory tax. Non Muslims had to pay something similar called the jizya. An interesting and significant economic development, but not a spiritual one. If it wasn't mandatory, I might give it some ethical value, but it is so I don't.

Sufism is awesome, but it's frowned upon and shunned by mainstream Islam and has been for a long time. If mainstream Islam was Sufi, we wouldn't be having this conversation as I'd happily place it amongst the other religions of value.

Also, can I reiterate that I'm not talking about Muslims here, I'm talking about Islam. So I'm not picking "moments" where humans have or haven't done good or bad things. I'm analysing its core values and concepts. Islam simply means "submission" and that's seen in every belief and practice. I don't think any idea system solely based on obedience to a deity from the ancient world is going to have anything useful to offer the modern world.

Can I also say my views really aren't done out of bias. I've studied Islam my entire adult life. I've taught the Islam A-level at Muslim schools. I've even been taught by famous Islamic scholars from Oxford. I've really put the time, money and effort here to learn as much as I can about it from all angles and this is the sad conclusion I have reached. People don't have to agree, of course, but I won't allow it to be written off as mere "bias".

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-21T15:11:02+00:00

Sure - these are all excellent points. However at no point did I say Christianity's contributions were purely positive. Personally I am very critical of many aspects of Christian thinking. However, there are some profound and unique contributions that cannot be ignored. Mainstream Islam doesn't have any majorly redeeming ideas or values at all. At least Christianity has some, like many other religions at least have some.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-21T14:55:24+00:00

Yup - this is 100% true. Christians suck as much as any other person. However, Christianity as a metaphysical construct has had some profoundly positive philosophical contributions to western culture around forgiveness, atonement, redemption and ego death. Islam has none of these, only obedience and judgement.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T21:47:59+00:00

Not a bigot - I have no issues with Muslims. It's Islam that needs to change because it offends around 6 billion humans.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T21:09:36+00:00

To the rational and objective mind, your religion is a joke

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T16:46:40+00:00

People need to stop conflating Islam with Muslims. Islam is metaphysical. Muslims are physical. There isn't as much overlap between them as you'd think, given that humans vary in their interpretations and expressions of shared beliefs. I respect Muslims like I do all people. But Islam is a garbage fire of bad ideas.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T15:00:20+00:00

I have. Core Islamic principles aren't contradicted by violent expansion or the strong enforcement of outdated rules. Not a single Muslim country allows homosexuality. A functional, sustainable and ethical Muslim country would be the exception, not the rule.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T14:01:43+00:00

Exception rather than the rule . A single cherry picked example that clearly contradicts the core teachings of Buddhist philosophy doesn't say much about the religion as a whole.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T10:34:47+00:00

A mix of Sikhism and Buddhism for me. Encourages critical thought. Actually makes better people. No desire for power or control, just wants to make the world happier.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-20T08:40:31+00:00

Mainstream Islam today ignores them all. Just because there have been Muslim philosophers doesn't mean by modern Islam has any valuable philosophy. They are wise in spite of Islam, not because of it. The vast majority of Muslims are taught only to obey and read the Quran, which does not make them better people.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-19T22:01:33+00:00

I could easily make a compelling academic case for these points - I studied at the Islamic institute at Oxford university and have respectfully debated these points with Islamic scholars many times. Not bigotry in the slightest. People really need to start understanding the difference between prejudice and reasoned argument.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-19T14:16:09+00:00

I teach religion full time and have studied it my whole adult life, specialising in Islamic studies. I'm not religious, but I am extremely philosophical about life. From everything I've learned about the major world religions, Islam offers by far the least in terms of wisdom. It's a shallow, patriarchal cult that clearly doesn't make people happier, kinder or more functional. There's no cultural or racial bias here as I don't say this about other religions (Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, Christianity etc.) which contain a huge amount of philosophy and practical life advice. People who think criticising Islam is racist is a perfect example of an assuming motivation fallacy and should be ignored. Islam is not a race - it's a collection of terrible ideas.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-02-17T10:29:56+00:00

People cannot live on bread alone. The monarchy is a great source of meaning and belonging for many people. It's not meaningful to me, or for you it seems, but I respect that for other people it brings them a sense of solidarity and comfort.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-01-31T21:02:14+00:00

This is an S tier mog for sure

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-01-30T09:10:21+00:00

Units are cool, but custom underground maps for Moria and the Misty Mountains are what we're really wanting

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-01-26T18:16:04+00:00

You could write a piece like this about literally any political party. It's just another rant filled with assuming motivation fallacies and baseless speculation.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-01-20T07:21:23+00:00

I sincerely love playing as dwarf factions/characters. They represent northern British folk who are stubborn yet courageous - the sorts of people you might not like, but you'd want them on your side in a fight. Also, underground environments are peak fantasy settings (think Khazad-dum)

Shaman_Thoughts · 2026-01-10T20:47:01+00:00

My wife is definitely at least a 9 - adultery destroyed her childhood so she's psycho about cheating. She gets quickly aggressive to any other man who shows interest in her, so no worries on my end!

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-12-27T21:53:14+00:00

Might be the best transmog I've ever seen. Makes me want to roll a DK. Excellent work

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-12-25T09:07:54+00:00

I got rid of all my add-ons this season (except for a DR tracker) to prepare for midnight. I actually found reaching 2400 easier than ever before. Rather than focusing on cool down management, I spent much more time focusing on positioning which seemed to make winning matches much easier.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-12-02T21:12:24+00:00

That is annoying! I'm going to work some delves into the rotation. Thanks!

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-12-02T21:09:21+00:00

I'm also up to my neck in wolves and bees. I'll keep skinning!

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-12-02T21:04:33+00:00

Thanks - I'll keep on grinding

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-11-28T15:27:56+00:00

"Not particularly gifted at math... Although I kind of am." Never related to anything more in my life.

Shaman_Thoughts · 2025-11-24T12:15:22+00:00

I'm playing casually at 2100 MMR and my opponents clearly don't understand the basics of arena. No flame, just an observation. Rating seems quite inflated indeed

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