# What exactly is good about Islam? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 28, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304 "2016-11-28T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/101 "2016-11-28T23:52:19Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > None of these things are in the New Testament. From the Christian bible though. Is God of the old testament not the God of the new? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/102 "2016-11-28T23:55:08Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > None of these things are in the New Testament. Sorry, Marcion, Irenaeus defeated you around 1,866 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/103 "2016-11-28T23:56:55Z")
nmn ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/104 "2016-11-29T00:06:06Z")
I’m so disappointed in you guys. All these posts, and no one mentioned George Carlin? "millions of dead motherfuckers, all because they gave the wrong answer to the God question: “Do you believe in God?” “No.” Boom! Dead. “Do you believe in God?” “Yes…” “Do you believe in my God?” “No.” Boom! Dead. “My god has a bigger dick than your god!” ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/105 "2016-11-29T01:42:59Z")
Hello, **KimJongUn**. I must say, the stench of troll is strong with you. (Broad-brushing, button-pushing, lazy posting, illogical statements, antagonism, casual dismissal of reasoned responses and smug claims of victory! Slow down fella!) I’m sure we are poles apart in our world views, but I would like to reach out to you by focusing on our similarities. Like you, I am not particularly good at expressing my muddled thoughts or making sound and logical arguments. Like you, I can be a bit of a near-sighted fool. Like you, I enjoy imaging that I am right and others are wrong. Like you, I am irreligious. Like you, sadly, I am rather lazy. And like you, I know almost jackshit about Islam, which is why I don’t go spouting off about banning all Muslims or forcing them to convert to some other belief. If you are genuinely curious about the merits of this religion, acquaint yourself with some of it’s followers. Visit a local mosque. Step ot of your bubble, my brother. Go, and sin no more. > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > \*\ > > \\* Best post ever. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/106 "2016-11-29T01:44:46Z")
Three pages in and no one’s mentioned the 72 Virgins thing? I mean, hey… Although I myself would prefer a dormitory full of porn stars. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/107 "2016-11-29T02:10:49Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Three pages in and no one’s mentioned the 72 Virgins thing? I mean, hey… > > Although I myself would prefer a dormitory full of porn stars. With my luck, they’d all be Ron Jeremy. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/108 "2016-11-29T02:17:42Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > For the purpose of this discussion Atheist is a religious belief. ‘Atheist’ is never a religious belief. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/109 "2016-11-29T02:24:43Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > ‘Atheist’ is never a religious belief. Yeah, but for the purposes of the exercise lack of belief can be persecuted too so had to be included. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/110 "2016-11-29T02:29:04Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > None of these things are in the New Testament. Not a jot nor tittle…who was it who said that, again? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/111 "2016-11-29T02:51:44Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > In places in which Christian groups are similarly powerless, like in many parts of Africa, Christian extremist violence is as common or more so than Muslim extremist violence. Please explain, “more so”? Either religion has no bearing on how people act, or it does and people act accordingly. If the latter, why would you expect a follower of someone who taught people to ‘turn the other cheek’ to be more violent compared to someone who was a warlord and beheaded people for fun? > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > And the great majority of the harping about how evil Islam is, is nothing more than a Christian attempt to destroy their rival and push Christianity. That’s why everyone goes on and on about Islamic terrorism and bigotry and whatnot, but instantly starts making apologies for Christianity when anyone points out it has the same flaws. The actual difference is that someone killing in the name of Christianity could be considered a hypocrite. Islam, not so much. Not all religions are the same. I can’t imagine there are many Jainists that are going around killing people and using their religion as an excuse for doing so. > [@Human\_Action](#): > > Like its peer religions, Islamic scripture exhorts its followers to display virtuous behavior;… Sure. What constitutes virtuous behavior in Islam, btw? Not how millions might practice it, but what does the text say? > [@NAF1138](#): > > Yeah, but for the purposes of the exercise lack of belief can be persecuted too so had to be included. The only people who would persecute atheists are those who are religious. Atheists don’t persecute other atheists because they are atheists. There is freedom of religion and from religion because there IS religion. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/112 "2016-11-29T03:12:49Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > The only people who would persecute atheists are those who are religious. Atheists don’t persecute other atheists because they are atheists. There is freedom of religion and from religion because there IS religion. :dubious: Kay. This is sort of a non sequitur. Do you have a script that just searches for the word atheist so you can charge in and make random arguments or did I just get lucky? ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/113 "2016-11-29T03:47:43Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Please explain, “more so”? Either religion has no bearing on how people act, or it does and people act accordingly. If the latter, why would you expect a follower of someone who taught people to ‘turn the other cheek’ to be more violent compared to someone who was a warlord and beheaded people for fun? People draw from religion what they want to draw from it. Peace-loving people tend to see the peaceful aspects; people driven by hate are drawn to the hateful and violent aspects. (And ‘turn the other cheek’? “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34 If you want to find an angry, even vengeful Christ, He’s in there. Pick the right slant on the right verses, and you too can read the New Testament to demand violence against the unbeliever.) > [@Uzi](#): > > The actual difference is that someone killing in the name of Christianity could be considered a hypocrite. Islam, not so much. Who’s doing this considering? Some of the greatest Christian theologians said that killing in the name of Christianity was a good, loving, Christian thing to do, while many Muslim clerics have denounced ISIS and its adherents as contrary to Islam. Is the Grand Mufti of Egypt more or less representative of his faith than Martin Luther? > [@Uzi](#): > > Sure. What constitutes virtuous behavior in Islam, btw? Not how millions might practice it, but what does the text say? How many Christians practice Christianity exactly as the New Testament demands? What does the text say? “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.” 1 Corinthians 14:34 “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” 1 Timothy 2:9 ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/114 "2016-11-29T03:51:02Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Sure. What constitutes virtuous behavior in Islam, btw? Not how millions might practice it, but what does the text say? Here are 3 examples: Quran 2:178 It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for ransoming the captives; and who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfill their promise when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and afflictions and the steadfast in time of war; it is these who have proved truthful and it is these who are the God-fearing. The zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is a special tax, to be paid to the neediest in one’s society. Quran 3:135 Those who spend in prosperity and adversity, and those who suppress anger and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good. Quran 46:16 And We have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. His mother bears him with pain, and brings him forth with pain. And the bearing of him and his weaning takes thirty months, till, when he attains his full maturity and reaches the age of forty years, he says, ‘My Lord, grant me the power that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do such good works as may please Thee. And make my seed righteous for me. I do turn to Thee; and, truly, I am of those who submit to Thee. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/115 "2016-11-29T03:56:45Z")
Speaking of hypocrisy…It’s quite amusing, in a very sad way, to see someone using the moniker of a horrendous murdering atheist and at the same time condemn a religion about which he knows damn near nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/116 "2016-11-29T04:11:05Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Here are 3 examples: You left out a few: > [@](#): > > Quran (2:191-193) - “And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing… but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun(the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)” > [@](#): > > Quran (2:216) - “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” > [@](#): > > Quran (4:76) - “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…” > [@](#): > > Quran (4:89) - “They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.” ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/117 "2016-11-29T04:22:00Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > People draw from religion what they want to draw from it. Peace-loving people tend to see the peaceful aspects; people driven by hate are drawn to the hateful and violent aspects. (And ‘turn the other cheek’? “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34 If you want to find an angry, even vengeful Christ, He’s in there. Pick the right slant on the right verses, and you too can read the New Testament to demand violence against the unbeliever.) I’m asking about ‘more so’. Sure you can say that the New Testament\* is just as violent as the Quran, but is it actually? How much further do you have to ‘slant’ a verse in one over the other? But the underlying question remains unanswered: Does religion have an impact on how people act? \*I left out the Old testament because Islam includes at least parts of it as revealed truth, so to Christians and Muslims it should be a wash as to what they garner from it. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/118 "2016-11-29T04:45:04Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > I’m asking about ‘more so’. Sure you can say that the New Testament\* is just as violent as the Quran, but is it actually? How much further do you have to ‘slant’ a verse in one over the other? But the underlying question remains unanswered: Does religion have an impact on how people act? > > \*I left out the Old testament because Islam includes at least parts of it as revealed truth, so to Christians and Muslims it should be a wash as to what they garner from it. I don’t know. How would YOU interpret Luke 19:27? “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them here and kill them in front of me.” Personally, I don’t think you have to slant that at all to conclude that Christ, at least in that passage, wants Christians to kill unbelievers. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/119 "2016-11-29T05:24:39Z")
> [@KimJongUn](#): > > The reason I’m mainly criticizing Islam is because of Trump’s recent victory and many liberals have been claiming Muslims and Islam isn’t that bad of a religion. Islam is an ancient, barbaric ideology with a book bathed in blood, much like Christianity, with good bits that people pick out to justify their belief. Muslims are, by and large, law-abiding and reasonable citizens. The vast, _vast_ majority of them are not terrorists. Just like the vast, _vast_ majority of atheists and christians in the USA are not terrorists. They are as deserving of our constitutional protections and sympathy as anyone else. Case in point: only 4% of them polled as wanting to vote for Trump. That certainly puts them above Christians in the “not backing a dangerous, clueless demagogue” department. How 'bout you? Can _you_ claim to have made that choice right? ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304/120 "2016-11-29T05:29:37Z")
I personally know or have known dozens of Muslims and none of them believe in beating women or killing infidels. And so when I see Islam characterized by the beliefs and interpretations of a very small number of its extreme adherents, I recognize that as untrue and I speak against it. I don’t judge actual Muslims by what’s written in the Quran anymore than I judge actual Christians by what’s written in the bible. I judge them by their actions and by their actual character. When people like you, who clearly don’t have any meaningful firsthand experience of Islam or Muslims, make sweeping generalizations, I recognize immediately that it puts people I love and care about in danger of being misunderstood and vilified and possibly worse, and so I speak against it. So, as other posters have pointed out, it’s not a question of “supporting Islam,” it’s about standing up against ignorance and protecting people who have done no wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-good-about-islam/773304.md?page=7)