General Discussion

Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)

75. Historically, there may be a case for not considering all religions equal.

Thu Aug 21, 2014, 12:26 PM

Aug 2014

Maher was commenting in the specific context of the extent to which a religion's adherents are prone to use violence in support of their beliefs. My offhand reaction is that Islam and Christianity are head and shoulders above other major religions in that respect. (This is not just violence against other religions or against non-religion. You have to include the deaths arising from Protestant versus Catholic and Sunni versus Shiite.)

I'm not talking about either religion's stated doctrines, but about the actual practices of self-professed adherents.

I wouldn't hazard a guess as to whether Christianity or Islam has the higher total body count. I will hazard the guess that no other religion would be in the running for this shameful title.

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Bill Maher Ignites Twitter Firestorm With Just 21 Words on Islam [View all] flamingdem Aug 2014 OP

:( Cha Aug 2014 #1

I don't see the difference between Islamic Militant Groups Kalidurga Aug 2014 #2

Then you should look harder... Hooked_n_Looped Aug 2014 #3

Look harder leftynyc Aug 2014 #4

Has ISIS butchered as many people as George Junior yet? JaydenD Aug 2014 #85

Whatever leftynyc Aug 2014 #89

So when/if Hillary gets to be President - edited JaydenD Aug 2014 #92

You know what I don't understand leftynyc Aug 2014 #97

It's a good question, and I don't know the answer. JaydenD Aug 2014 #102

Forget the Clintons leftynyc Aug 2014 #107

I don't know, but I do know you can't leave out Clinton when you ask that question. JaydenD Aug 2014 #121

You're deflecting leftynyc Aug 2014 #125

I have no idea why other people say their things. JaydenD Aug 2014 #126

Wait, I might have a reason for the differentiation... JaydenD Aug 2014 #129

Finally leftynyc Aug 2014 #131

If it was only to go in and kill the fuckers of ISIS, I would be all for it. JaydenD Aug 2014 #135

Fair enough leftynyc Aug 2014 #138

I think the fact that we have so recently pulled out of the area (kinda) after tblue37 Aug 2014 #164

clinton hasn't spoke to ferguson. i am tired of it all roguevalley Aug 2014 #153

That guy on the left sure looks like Abu Mosa, the ISIS PR officer who was just killed. tblue37 Aug 2014 #162

Junior was expressing his devotion to the Almighty Dollar and the 1%... Marr Aug 2014 #93

I believe he mentioned God a few times in regards to his murderess run in Iraq: JaydenD Aug 2014 #95

Well, that's very true. Marr Aug 2014 #116

Well, you're wrong then. NaturalHigh Aug 2014 #5

I think there is a force or a mentality that is driving both CJCRANE Aug 2014 #6

Oh please. cwydro Aug 2014 #7

Not the same thing. NuclearDem Aug 2014 #11

Then u need some assistance. maced666 Aug 2014 #14

Then you need glasses Renew Deal Aug 2014 #18

You don't? Mojo Electro Aug 2014 #47

or making the point precisely samsingh Aug 2014 #66

Really? 840high Aug 2014 #60

the robo cops are racists who are not supported by religious groups samsingh Aug 2014 #65

The difference is... stevenleser Aug 2014 #71

you are right samsingh Aug 2014 #79

Why can't we unilaterally condemn ISIS without being required to mention every other aint_no_life_nowhere Aug 2014 #104

I am angry at US cops for breeding and inculcating a racist, right-wing... Anansi1171 Aug 2014 #108

Shouldn't that be a question for........ Fla_Democrat Aug 2014 #8

actually it says a lot in how non muslims should be treated and it is not pleasant samsingh Aug 2014 #67

There are dozens of verses in the Quran calling for death. former9thward Aug 2014 #105

Have you read the Old Testament lately? Blue_In_AK Aug 2014 #122

Does ISIS do their things in the name of the Old Testament? former9thward Aug 2014 #137

I'm just saying that Yahweh was fairly bloodthirsty, as well, Blue_In_AK Aug 2014 #145

Yes both have violence. former9thward Aug 2014 #147

At least they get to keep deaniac21 Aug 2014 #134

What is the context? Are there similar passages in the Bible? Do modern day BaggersRDumb Aug 2014 #154

Yes, there are violent passages in the Bible. former9thward Aug 2014 #156

Yeah, the Crusades taught them well. nt kelliekat44 Aug 2014 #9

500 years ago. And all the while TRIBALISM has always been a force in behavior in the ME KittyWampus Aug 2014 #10

Tribalism is a force in behavior all over the world. JaydenD Aug 2014 #96

Spare me leftynyc Aug 2014 #12

It's weird isn't it? Puzzledtraveller Aug 2014 #25

If you're not aware leftynyc Aug 2014 #29

A spade is a shovel cwydro Aug 2014 #35

I understand that leftynyc Aug 2014 #38

You got handed your head? You mean you were criticized in spades? Jim Lane Aug 2014 #74

Usually it's because they're looking leftynyc Aug 2014 #88

+1 Go Vols Aug 2014 #90

Look up the history cwydro Aug 2014 #39

Sigh leftynyc Aug 2014 #41

when you used it and someone jumped you SwampG8r Aug 2014 #72

Whatever leftynyc Aug 2014 #86

maybe self-interest or buying into the ideology at some level samsingh Aug 2014 #69

The very least thing would be jail leftynyc Aug 2014 #98

after being stoned for the smallest transgression samsingh Aug 2014 #101

You can't lump all Islamic countries together like that Jim Lane Aug 2014 #144

the oppression in countries like pakistan, saudia arabia, yemen, iran, iraq samsingh Aug 2014 #149

secular Turkey Nina7777 Aug 2014 #155

The Crusades never ended. Hugabear Aug 2014 #94

Funny how the Crusades often come up in these threads. Nye Bevan Aug 2014 #61

that was a long time ago samsingh Aug 2014 #68

Bill Maher's Islamophobic bigotry is well-established. closeupready Aug 2014 #13

True, but apparently he's not alone in his ignorance and bigotry. N/T Chathamization Aug 2014 #24

Sadly not - it's a cheap shot, pushing muslims around. closeupready Aug 2014 #36

It�s disturbing how prevalent anti-Muslim bigotry is Chathamization Aug 2014 #53

Exactly. closeupready Aug 2014 #57

Thank you, and fully agree. JaydenD Aug 2014 #100

Plenty of anti-Muslim hate-speech right here on this "liberal" forum CrawlingChaos Aug 2014 #143

And so is his disdain for christianity and all oither forms of religion. LordGlenconner Aug 2014 #49

Like you, I share that disdain; unlike Maher, Islam is no worse closeupready Aug 2014 #56

Agreed. LordGlenconner Aug 2014 #62

Historically, there may be a case for not considering all religions equal. Jim Lane Aug 2014 #75

These are good points, Jim. How muslim would Spain be, for example, closeupready Aug 2014 #109

lol, ok Nina7777 Aug 2014 #152

But wait! That was a long time ago! Doesn't count! closeupready Aug 2014 #158

Islam has an official doctrine that says that? n/t Violet_Crumble Aug 2014 #163

u are totally wrong samsingh Aug 2014 #82

In truth, you are. closeupready Aug 2014 #106

wtf do human slavery and debt bondage have to do with everything. samsingh Aug 2014 #141

Correction. ISIS is also killing Muslims. Violet_Crumble Aug 2014 #165

that's a good point - but they are killing Shias or moderate Sunnis samsingh Aug 2014 #170

Watch Religulous again whatchamacallit Aug 2014 #87

He thinks he's Mel Brooks, when in reality, closeupready Aug 2014 #124

maher is being a brave realist samsingh Aug 2014 #81

If racism is your thing. closeupready Aug 2014 #111

it's not racism to know what a religion is truly espousing samsingh Aug 2014 #139

It's bigotry to broadbrush adherents of a religion.... Violet_Crumble Aug 2014 #166

actually i can tell the difference samsingh Aug 2014 #169

also, the comments are not about culture or skin color samsingh Aug 2014 #140

He sure likes to stir the shitpot with his Islamophobia. JaydenD Aug 2014 #99

It's good for ratings - 'no such thing as bad publicity' school closeupready Aug 2014 #112

That would be very irresponsible of him if that is the case. JaydenD Aug 2014 #123

Bill Maher being a racist is not really news. CBGLuthier Aug 2014 #15

A religion is NOT a race: hifiguy Aug 2014 #19

Incorrect. jobycom Aug 2014 #52

Islam in not a race, it's a religion. cleanhippie Aug 2014 #37

It is both. jobycom Aug 2014 #54

So you're saying a Middle Eastern person and a Caucasian that both follow Islam are the same race? cleanhippie Aug 2014 #118

Agree! get the red out Aug 2014 #127

"People want to equate race with religion in order to make some religions untouchable by throwing smirkymonkey Aug 2014 #160

And some use it to make false claims of racism. Behind the Aegis Aug 2014 #161

Well, it ain't agnostics and atheists slaughtering each other. n/t MindPilot Aug 2014 #16

No, not this time. n/t Crunchy Frog Aug 2014 #43

Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot slaughtered a few in the name of atheism. jobycom Aug 2014 #63

I think you're wrong about the Crusades. Jim Lane Aug 2014 #83

It was about control of the trade routes and of Byzantium jobycom Aug 2014 #103

As an atheist, I agree with Bill Maher. conservaphobe Aug 2014 #17

This. A thousand times. hifiguy Aug 2014 #20

Spot on. Puzzledtraveller Aug 2014 #23

I think that we can all agree that Islamic extremists are among the worst religious extremists Yavin4 Aug 2014 #27

Worse than the Crusaders of yore? whatchamacallit Aug 2014 #91

What about the Islamists of yore? aint_no_life_nowhere Aug 2014 #117

you are way wrong. I don't have the patience to tell you why JaydenD Aug 2014 #159

Excellent post leftynyc Aug 2014 #40

Ditto. n/t Greybnk48 Aug 2014 #42

It is sad that this phenomenon is so common. redqueen Aug 2014 #45

Yep. NYC Liberal Aug 2014 #46

You're absolutely right. Iron Man Aug 2014 #58

Yup. MinneapolisMatt Aug 2014 #59

That rational frankness has no place here! Here, it's all or nothing! arcane1 Aug 2014 #84

I almost never agree with you, but here I do. Marr Aug 2014 #119

Agree with you get the red out Aug 2014 #128

So true. Rhinodawg Aug 2014 #167

I think the offended ought to direct their Quran questions to ISIS. WinkyDink Aug 2014 #21

Calls them as he see's them. Puzzledtraveller Aug 2014 #22

ALL Religions contain an element of backwards thinking. Islam has more than most. Yavin4 Aug 2014 #26

Your post is a broad-brush smear of Islam philosslayer Aug 2014 #28

You can be a religion of peace and still be regressive. Yavin4 Aug 2014 #30

And guns are just for personal safety. 95% of gun owners cause no problems so... randome Aug 2014 #32

LGBT in Islam: Nye Bevan Aug 2014 #55

Post removed Post removed Aug 2014 #150

Culturally speaking, much of the Eastern hemisphere is still mired in previous century thinking. randome Aug 2014 #31

I don't think there's anything about Islam that is violent gollygee Aug 2014 #33

he has a point Niceguy1 Aug 2014 #34

Ignorant statement, since it is their situation at the moment treestar Aug 2014 #44

Have to disagree with Maher Ratty Aug 2014 #48

reconsider Nina7777 Aug 2014 #110

let's also pretend that years of imperialism, of western interference in domestic affairs of the La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2014 #50

Certainly not politically correct. But true. Nye Bevan Aug 2014 #51

key word: "recently" 0rganism Aug 2014 #73

Thank you get the red out Aug 2014 #130

Bill Maher is absolutely right and more courageous than people like me for liking samsingh Aug 2014 #64

Literal truth get the red out Aug 2014 #132

Disproportionate level of violence? Rex Aug 2014 #70

Muslims did that, right? (nt) stone space Aug 2014 #76

Not that I know of. Rex Aug 2014 #78

Bill is wrong, Christianity has slaughtered millions and are still raping children JaydenD Aug 2014 #77

He might well agree with you that Christianity, like Islam, is especially violent. Jim Lane Aug 2014 #146

Ask the Bosniaks and the Rwandans about Christianity LittleBlue Aug 2014 #80

Bill is hell-bent on alienating a couple billion Blue_In_AK Aug 2014 #113

What is the difference between Islamic State and Islam? Nina7777 Aug 2014 #114

agree get the red out Aug 2014 #133

+1000 rollin74 Aug 2014 #136

Agreed. I'm an infidel, and the Koran has nothing good to say about me Dems to Win Aug 2014 #157

He's correct, as usual. sagat Aug 2014 #115

Fuck Bill Maher cpwm17 Aug 2014 #120

Maher is a Libertarian douchebag. Fuck him. Ikonoklast Aug 2014 #142

Bush's Shocking Biblical Prophecy Emerges: God Wants to "Erase" Mid-East Enemies Karmadillo Aug 2014 #148

Bill Maher should know better. hrmjustin Aug 2014 #151

flamingdem ignites a firestorm on DU with just one post. randome Aug 2014 #168