Since your very first post, you seem to defend the idea that this website is somehow "too critical" of Islam: correct me if I'm wrong.
This is my first "intro" post:
http://www.councilofexmuslims.com/index.php?topic=4740.0And this is my first substantive post:
http://www.councilofexmuslims.com/index.php?topic=4741.0This post not only does NOT say or imply this site is "too critical" of Islam, but also, in contrasting this site with FFI, explicitly states the reverse-- that I believe most of the criticisms here to be entirely reasonable. So consider yourself corrected.
Zaephon, you are obviously possessed of an incredible amount of intelligence, but also an incredible amount of arrogance-- otherwise you would be wiser than to continually put words in my mouth, which can easily be refuted. I can't say that humility is my greatest virtue, but over the years I have learned not to overestimate my own abilities nor underestimate those of my adversaries, whether in real-life situations where it actually matters, or in pointless debates like this. I'd advise you to do the same.
And you are doing this based on your own experiences and notions, which exclude any real knowledge of, or personal contact with, Islamic ideology and religion.
An exaggeration to be sure. I do not, like you, live in a Muslim-majority country and I am not myself (nor have ever been) Muslim, but this does not mean I have no knowledge of, or personal contact with Islam.
Even though I have some sympathy for Christians, just as you have some sympathy for Muslims, I would never go to an ex-Christian forum to preach how Christophobic they all were, or as you'd say, to object to "certain criticisms of Christianity."
Well, bully for you. If you want to critique how I waste my time on the internet, that's fine, but I can assure you that I don't care a bit how you waste yours.
In your case, you never saw the jagged and ugly face of Islam, and yet you claim our critiques are somehow too harsh.
Please avoid lumping yourself in with everyone else. As proven above, I have assigned no collective negative assessment to the critiques on this site. Some critiques by individual posters are too harsh, but on the whole I believe I've made it quite clear that I don't believe this site or its participants in general are too harsh.
But the workings of propaganda are quite complex. In any democratic society, the successful distribution of propaganda requires the consensus of each social unit.
Each social unit? No, merely a plurality, or arguably a strong majority, but not each and all.
In other words, all that is required to "suppress" any viewpoint in a democratic society is to provide the most alluring and not necessarily the most convincing arguments, refute or appear to refute counter-arguments, and establish a majority. This means that the defender of an idea must attempt to refute the counter-ideas of an opponent.
That's not suppression, that's persuasion. In any event, you make it seem as if I'm part of an organized effort of propaganda, rather than some blowhard shooting his mouth off on the internet b/c he has a bit too much time on his hands at the moment. I can assure you it's the latter. The former is reserved for union and other political activity, not anything to do with Islam.
Why I object to your position is another matter. Simply put, because you "object to our criticism of Islam" based on your own notions and prejudices,
Yes, I have my own notions and prejudices, as do you. And again stop using "our" when you really mean "you". I understand you are trying to rally the troops to your defense, so to speak, by implying that my attacks on your position are an attack on everyone else here, but I predict it will be a waste of your time, as the contributors here seem pretty damn smart to me, even (or rather, especially) when I disagree with them.
because you are personally alien to Islam and its ugly aspects, I consider you irrelevant.
Again, I freely admit I'm irrelevant to the topic at hand (Islam), but gee, it sure seems like you're investing a whole lot of time into rebutting someone who is irrelevant.
I would not dare to assert a strong viewpoint about the ethnic tensions in Thailand, a field I am alien to, let alone chide Thais for being ignorant of the matter.
False analogy. The ethnic tensions in Thailand have very little impact on your own country's situation, whereas issues regarding Islam have a great deal of impact on my country's internal politics and external policies.
Good, at least you acknowledge the nationalist element. Given your love of definitions, I would expect you to include nationalism in that definition, too. The ideology of the fringe radicals mentioned above cannot be reduced to Judaic fundamentalism.
Ah yes, well, I have enjoyed this debate quite a bit myself. These sorts of exercises help keep my mind sharp, as well as entertained during periods of boredom. But if you'll excuse me, seeing as how (as you are so quick to point out) I DON'T live in a Muslim country, and it's a Friday night, it's time for me to go out and get drunk, and with any luck, not wake up in my own house tomorrow. We'll continue the discussion another time.
Topic: Mohammad, the Pedophile