Hey guys
I need your opinions below - here's my intro if you want to know more about me -
http://www.councilofexmuslims.com/index.php?topic=26313I'm a pragmatic kind of guy, and I want to help others! Social media presents the BEST opportunity for me and you to free people's minds
I feel a sense of responsibility to help my community and Muslims around the world.
In a way, being a believer in Islam is not an issue. If it makes people happy, they respect and tolerate others - great. It's being religious which causes issues:
1) It creates these thugs who want to impose Islam on others by force. They speak the loudest
2) It makes people intolerant and close-minded
3) BIG ONE - it hinders economic/social/scientific development
On number 3) this is the biggest reason for me.
Currently, it's no surprise why Muslims are lagging in the world when it comes to economic/social/scientific development.
The richest Muslim countries are those that got lucky with oil. The ones progressive without oil are the ones with the most liberal government/people (Turkey)
My theory is that a religious government, or a society which is too religious - hinders economic/social development.
Why? The government will control the people, and "control" is the opposite to freedom which is required for growth.
And when people are too religious, they are not thinking about this world. Islam encourages people to forget about making a difference in this world. Focus on the hereafter.
Also it makes you close-minded, and that will affect the other areas of your life > chances are you won't progress as a person or achieve much.
HOW DO WE MAKES PEOPLE LESS RELIGIOUS?
I think the answer lies in creating "seeds of doubt". If people aren't sure whether they have the truth, they don't even need to leave Islam, they will automatically becomes less religious, more tolerant and more progressive.
Speaking publicly and attacking Islam is sure to backfire. In fact research shows this hardens belief.
Trying to propagate a revision of Islam or reformation won't work either. People will see you as a hypocrite, and they won't even consider it because how can you edit that which is already perfect and the Word of God? The only people that follow this approach are already very liberal - what's the use in impressing them?
It's about changing the masses, and I think it's only possible by creating "seeds of doubt". Making people think twice, engaging the rational part of their mind, making them curious - without attacking them, without telling them Islam needs to be changed.
This in theory could make people less religious.
Facebook could be used to achieve this, it's probably the best way.
I have 2 approaches which I think could work
1) Creating a Facebook Page which asks intellectual questions to challenge Muslims about what they believe and why? In a peaceful manner without disrespecting. Almost engaging in a debate.
This would be promoted by paid advertising.
Talking from from my interactions, most Muslims don't even engage the rational part of their mind. Religious belief is primarily an emotional thing.
2) Creating a Proud To Be Muslim page - keep reading...
Getting followers and likes would be much easier, and could be done by paid advertising.
And "tricking" in a way. I don't want to give specific examples, but there's a lot of nonsense stuff in Quran/Hadith which apologists completely avoid!!
What you would do is mention and promote this stuff on your page - and say something like "this is the truth, forget science. Islam has the answers"
People will wonder WTF is this what Islam says? No one told me?
And challenge people this way. It's a technique that has been used in the past, and I can't recall where I read about it but it's effective in changing people's minds.
I need opinions
This is not something I will do overnight but it's a long-term project and it's only because I want to see Muslims and Muslim countries succeed. If you were a Muslim you should be able to relate to this. I actually desperately want people to wake up, and not waste their years here on Earth. And people all around the world to wake up and catch up to the West!
Firstly - would you agree with my assessment above?
Secondly - which approach do you think would work better on Facebook?
Look forward to your thoughts!
Topic: My Plan To Influence Using Facebook - Need Your Opinions