Criticism of Islam
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | "The names of the most prominent victims of persecution for [[criticizing Islam]] are [[Kurt Westergaard]], [[Lars Vilks]], [[Molly Norris]], [[Salman Rushdie]], [[Theo van Gogh]], [[Robert Redeker]], [[Carsten Juste]], [[Flemming Rose]], [[Charb]], [[Mila]], [[Geert Wilders]], [[Ayaan Hirsi Ali]], [[Seyran Ateş]], [[Hamed Abdel-Samad]], [[Tasleema Nasreen]], [[Hassen Chalghoumi]], [[Farag Foda]], [[Salman Taseer]], and [[Asia Bibi]]."--"[[Chomsky explains the Charlie Hebdo murders]]" [http://islamophiliawatch.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-celebrated-linguist-explains-charlie.html] | ||
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| + | "How dreadful are the curses which [[Mohammedanism]] lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as [[rabies|hydrophobia]] in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of [[Islamic commerce|commerce]], and [[Islamic inheritance jurisprudence|insecurity of property]] exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law [[An-Nisa, 34|every woman must ''belong'' to some man as his absolute property]] – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die: but the influence of the religion paralyses the [[social development]] of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and [[proselytizing]] faith. It has already [[spread of Islam|spread throughout Central Africa]], raising fearless [[warrior]]s at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as [[fall of Rome|fell the civilisation of ancient Rome]]." --[[Winston Churchill]] In his 1899 book ''[[The River War]]'' | ||
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| + | [[Cathy Young]] of [[Reason Magazine]] claims that "criticism of the religion [Islam] is enmeshed with cultural and ethnic hostility" often painting the [[Muslim world]] as [[monolithic]]. While stating that the terms "[[Islamophobia]]" and "anti-Muslim bigotry" are often used in response to legitimate criticism of [[fundamentalist Islam]] and problems within Muslim culture, she claimed "the real thing does exist, and it frequently takes the cover of anti-jihadism."--Sholem Stein | ||
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| - | '''Criticism of Islam''' has existed since its formative stages. Early written criticism came from [[Christian]]s, before the ninth century, many of whom viewed [[Islam]] as a radical Christian [[heresy]]. Later the [[Muslim world]] itself suffered criticism. Criticism of Islam in the West was renewed after the [[September 11 attacks]] and other [[Islamic terrorism|terrorist attacks]] in the early 21st century. | ||
| - | Objects of criticism include the morality of the life of [[Muhammad]], the last prophet according to [[Islam]], both in his public and personal life. Issues relating to the authenticity and morality of the [[Quran]], the Islamic holy book, are also discussed by critics. Figures in Africa and India have described what they perceive as destruction of indigenous cultures by Islam. Other criticism focuses on the question of human rights in the Islamic world historically and in modern Islamic nations, including the [[women in Islam|treatment of women]], [[LGBT]] people and religious and ethnic minorities in Islamic law and practice. In the wake of the recent [[multiculturalism]] trend, Islam's influence on the ability or willingness of Muslim immigrants to assimilate in the [[Western world]], and other countries such as India and Russia, has been criticized. | + | '''Criticism of Islam''' has existed since its formative stages. Early written disapproval of [[Islam]] came from [[Christian]]s as well as by some former Muslims such as [[Ibn al-Rawandi]]. Western criticism has grown in the 21st century. |
| - | == See also == | + | Objects of criticism include the morality and authenticity of the [[Quran]] and the [[hadith]]s, along with the life of [[Muhammad]], both in his public and personal life. Other criticism concerns many aspects of human rights in the Islamic world (in both historical and present-day societies), including the [[Women in Islam|treatment of women]], [[LGBT in Islam|LGBT groups]], and religious and ethnic minorities in [[Islamic law]] and practice. In the recent adoption of [[multiculturalism]], some have questioned Islam's influence on the ability or willingness of Muslim citizens and immigrants to [[assimilate]] into [[Western world|Western countries]]. The issues when debating and questioning Islam are incredibly complex with each side having a different view on the morality, meaning, interpretation, and authenticity of each topic. |
| + | ==Examples== | ||
| + | [[Winston Churchill]] criticized what he alleged to be the effects Islam had on its believers, which he described as fanatical frenzy combined with fatalistic apathy, enslavement of women, and militant proselytizing. In his 1899 book ''[[The River War]]'' he says: | ||
| - | *[[Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]] | + | :"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the faith: all know how to die but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome. |
| - | *[[Clarion Project]] | + | |
| - | *[[Criticism of Muhammad]] | + | |
| - | *[[Criticism of the Quran]] | + | |
| - | *[[Criticism of Twelver Shia Islam]] | + | |
| - | *[[Islamic schools and branches]] | + | |
| - | *[[Faith Freedom International]] | + | |
| - | *''[[Fitna (film)|Fitna]]'' | + | |
| - | *[[Freedom of speech]] | + | |
| - | *[[Ibrahim Al-Buleihi]] | + | |
| - | *[[Internet Infidels]] | + | |
| - | *[[Islam and domestic violence]] | + | |
| - | *[[Islam and violence]] | + | |
| - | *[[Islamic feminism]] | + | |
| - | *''[[Innocence of Muslims]]'' | + | |
| - | *''[[Islam: What the West Needs to Know]]'' | + | |
| - | *[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons controversy]] | + | |
| - | *[[List of critics of Islam]] | + | |
| - | *[[The Satanic Verses controversy|''The Satanic Verses'' controversy]] | + | |
| - | *[[Shia–Sunni relations]] | + | |
| - | *''[[Submission (2004 film)|Submission]]'' | + | |
| - | *[[Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case]] | + | |
| - | *[[Trial of Geert Wilders]] | + | |
| - | *[[Why Islam?]] | + | |
| - | ==Criticism== | + | [[G. K. Chesterton]] criticized Islam as a derivative from Christianity. He described it as a heresy or parody of Christianity. In ''[[The Everlasting Man]]'' he says: |
| - | *[[Apostasy in Islam]] | + | :"Islam was a product of Christianity; even if it was a by-product; even if it was a bad product. It was a heresy or parody emulating and therefore imitating the Church...Islam, historically speaking, is the greatest of the Eastern heresies. It owed something to the quite isolated and unique individuality of Israel; but it owed more to Byzantium and the theological enthusiasm of Christendom. It owed something even to the Crusades." |
| - | *[[Islamic State]] | + | |
| - | **[[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ]] | + | During a [[Regensburg lecture|lecture]] given at the [[University of Regensburg]] in 2006, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] quoted an unfavorable remark about Islam made at the end of the 14th century by [[Manuel II Palaiologos]], the [[List of Byzantine emperors|Byzantine emperor]]: |
| - | *''[[Fitna (film)|Fitna]]'' | + | |
| - | *[[Freedom of speech]] | + | :"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." |
| - | *[[Freedom of speech versus blasphemy]] | + | |
| - | *[[Ibrahim Al-Buleihi]] | + | As the English translation of the Pope's lecture was disseminated across the world, many [[Muslim world|Muslim politicians and religious leaders]] protested against what they saw as an insulting mischaracterization of Islam. Mass street protests were mounted in many Muslim-majority countries, the ''[[Majlis-e-Shoora]]'' ([[Pakistan]]i parliament) unanimously called on the Pope to retract "this objectionable statement". |
| - | *[[Internet Infidels]] | + | |
| - | *[[Islam and violence]] | + | |
| - | *[[Islam and domestic violence]] | + | According to historian [[Warren Dockter]], Churchill wrote this during a time of a fundamentalist revolt in Sudan and this statement does not reflect his full view of Islam, which were "often paradoxical and complex." He could be critical but at times "romanticized" the Islamic world; he exhibited great "respect, understanding and magnanimity." Churchill had a fascination of Islam and Islamic civilization. [[Winston Churchill]]'s future sister-in-law expressed concerns about his fascination by stating, "[p]lease don't become converted to Islam; I have noticed in your disposition a tendency to orientalism." According to historian Warren Dockter, however, he "never seriously considered converting". He primarily admired its martial aspects, the "Ottoman Empire's history of territorial expansion and military acumen", to the extent that in 1897 he wished to fight for the Ottoman Empire. According to Dockter, this was largely for his "lust for glory". Based on Churchill's letters, he seemed to regard Islam and Christianity as equals. |
| - | *[[Islamic feminism]] | + | |
| - | *''[[Innocence of Muslims]]'' | + | == See also == |
| - | *''[[Islam: What the West Needs to Know]]'' | + | * [[Clarion Project]] |
| - | *[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons controversy]] | + | * [[Criticism of Twelver Shia Islam]] |
| - | *[[List of critics of Islam]] | + | * [[Faith Freedom International]] |
| - | *[[The Satanic Verses controversy|''The Satanic Verses'' controversy]] | + | * ''[[Fitna (film)|Fitna]]'' |
| - | *''[[Submission (2004 film)|Submission]]'' | + | * ''[[Innocence of Muslims]]'' |
| - | *[[Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case]] | + | * [[Internet Infidels]] |
| - | *[[Trial of Geert Wilders]] | + | * [[Islamic Circle of North America]] |
| + | * [[Islamic feminism]] | ||
| + | * [[Islamo-leftism]] | ||
| + | * ''[[Islam: What the West Needs to Know]]'' | ||
| + | * [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons controversy]] | ||
| + | * [[List of critics of Islam]] | ||
| + | * [[Muslims Condemn]] | ||
| + | * [[Regensburg lecture]] | ||
| + | * [[Shia–Sunni relations]] | ||
| + | * [[Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case]] | ||
| + | * [[The Satanic Verses controversy|''The Satanic Verses'' controversy]] | ||
| + | * [[Trial of Geert Wilders]] | ||
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Current revision
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"The names of the most prominent victims of persecution for criticizing Islam are Kurt Westergaard, Lars Vilks, Molly Norris, Salman Rushdie, Theo van Gogh, Robert Redeker, Carsten Juste, Flemming Rose, Charb, Mila, Geert Wilders, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Seyran Ateş, Hamed Abdel-Samad, Tasleema Nasreen, Hassen Chalghoumi, Farag Foda, Salman Taseer, and Asia Bibi."--"Chomsky explains the Charlie Hebdo murders" [1] "How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die: but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome." --Winston Churchill In his 1899 book The River War Cathy Young of Reason Magazine claims that "criticism of the religion [Islam] is enmeshed with cultural and ethnic hostility" often painting the Muslim world as monolithic. While stating that the terms "Islamophobia" and "anti-Muslim bigotry" are often used in response to legitimate criticism of fundamentalist Islam and problems within Muslim culture, she claimed "the real thing does exist, and it frequently takes the cover of anti-jihadism."--Sholem Stein |
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Featured: |
Criticism of Islam has existed since its formative stages. Early written disapproval of Islam came from Christians as well as by some former Muslims such as Ibn al-Rawandi. Western criticism has grown in the 21st century.
Objects of criticism include the morality and authenticity of the Quran and the hadiths, along with the life of Muhammad, both in his public and personal life. Other criticism concerns many aspects of human rights in the Islamic world (in both historical and present-day societies), including the treatment of women, LGBT groups, and religious and ethnic minorities in Islamic law and practice. In the recent adoption of multiculturalism, some have questioned Islam's influence on the ability or willingness of Muslim citizens and immigrants to assimilate into Western countries. The issues when debating and questioning Islam are incredibly complex with each side having a different view on the morality, meaning, interpretation, and authenticity of each topic.
Examples
Winston Churchill criticized what he alleged to be the effects Islam had on its believers, which he described as fanatical frenzy combined with fatalistic apathy, enslavement of women, and militant proselytizing. In his 1899 book The River War he says:
- "How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the faith: all know how to die but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome.
G. K. Chesterton criticized Islam as a derivative from Christianity. He described it as a heresy or parody of Christianity. In The Everlasting Man he says:
- "Islam was a product of Christianity; even if it was a by-product; even if it was a bad product. It was a heresy or parody emulating and therefore imitating the Church...Islam, historically speaking, is the greatest of the Eastern heresies. It owed something to the quite isolated and unique individuality of Israel; but it owed more to Byzantium and the theological enthusiasm of Christendom. It owed something even to the Crusades."
During a lecture given at the University of Regensburg in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI quoted an unfavorable remark about Islam made at the end of the 14th century by Manuel II Palaiologos, the Byzantine emperor:
- "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
As the English translation of the Pope's lecture was disseminated across the world, many Muslim politicians and religious leaders protested against what they saw as an insulting mischaracterization of Islam. Mass street protests were mounted in many Muslim-majority countries, the Majlis-e-Shoora (Pakistani parliament) unanimously called on the Pope to retract "this objectionable statement".
According to historian Warren Dockter, Churchill wrote this during a time of a fundamentalist revolt in Sudan and this statement does not reflect his full view of Islam, which were "often paradoxical and complex." He could be critical but at times "romanticized" the Islamic world; he exhibited great "respect, understanding and magnanimity." Churchill had a fascination of Islam and Islamic civilization. Winston Churchill's future sister-in-law expressed concerns about his fascination by stating, "[p]lease don't become converted to Islam; I have noticed in your disposition a tendency to orientalism." According to historian Warren Dockter, however, he "never seriously considered converting". He primarily admired its martial aspects, the "Ottoman Empire's history of territorial expansion and military acumen", to the extent that in 1897 he wished to fight for the Ottoman Empire. According to Dockter, this was largely for his "lust for glory". Based on Churchill's letters, he seemed to regard Islam and Christianity as equals.
See also
- Clarion Project
- Criticism of Twelver Shia Islam
- Faith Freedom International
- Fitna
- Innocence of Muslims
- Internet Infidels
- Islamic Circle of North America
- Islamic feminism
- Islamo-leftism
- Islam: What the West Needs to Know
- Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
- List of critics of Islam
- Muslims Condemn
- Regensburg lecture
- Shia–Sunni relations
- Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case
- The Satanic Verses controversy
- Trial of Geert Wilders
