Thanks to you and why you're so right

Submitted by A very concerned reader, Feb 25, 2021 at 18:51

Dear Dr Pipes, dear Prashant,

You're very welcome, Prashant. Like you, I feel there's so much work to do in regards to this endless debate.

I know Dr Pipes discerns between Islamism and Islam. But having been inside the mind of a Muslim man, studied their scriptures, the real sources, the texts, the Hadiths, and what is of more importance, the historical facts, from my point of view, there's no such a thing as the figure of the moderate Muslim like I also used to think of. Because the moderate Muslim is some entity in between an apostate and an infidel. The moderate Muslim is insulted and bashed in their circle and defined as weak. They don't allow to grow Moderate Muslims. And I fail to see in their texts something gentle towards both these groups of people. Moreover, if one is outside the Islamic circle, they need to convert us (if we are attached to a different religion/ideology) or kill us (if we are Muslims who start thinking by ourselves and/or want to abandoned the faith).

I couldn't agree more with Prashant. Once, I defended Islam like I did with every religion, because I hadn't read the Qur'an in detail, and used to believe that all human beings are equal and that God is one, regardless of the name that every religion wants to give to this deity. I thought every human being has their own character and that there were good and bad people in every creed, country, race, religion, etc. But it turns that I was very wrong, and after my experience and deep research of this religion, I had to admit how wrong I was.

It's not about bashing Islam. It's not my intention nor is Prashant's. But I think it's very necessary for our societies to put Islam where it must be. Muslims are raised as a collectivity. Their thinking, their reasoning and their lifestyle is the same for all, and no one can take one step out from what they're taught to think/do. Their values are measured by their religious level instead of valuing the real good deeds done for the good of others without any interest. If you're not Muslim, your values worth nothing for them. With this mentality, what society could grow? And this is the mentality that they want to spread.

Dr Pipes, I believe that being persecuted and stalked because of "leaving a faith" that ones definitely finds so against their core values is something that everyone would consider extreme. We were born as free persons, free to decide our faith, if any, without being coerced into it, thing that they know well how to silently do. I'm judged by someone who is not a terrorist. But indeed, this is the kind of mentality which allows to grow terrorism since he believes in the Islamic punishment.

Again, how could we draw a line between Islamism and Islam? Burqas or burkinis? When nothing peaceful comes from the Qur'an/Hadiths' pages?

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