Islam a Race?

[JP]

It would seem not....

Islam means the active submission to the one God. It is strictly a monotheistic religion since it restricts worship to the one supreme Lord who is the Originator and Creator of the universe. Peace (the root from which the word Islam is derived) is attained through complete obedience to the commandments of God, for God is the source of all peace. Muslims are those who believe in one God and in Muhammad as the final Prophet of God. They devote their lives to the service of God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

According to this it is a monotheistic religion, quite straightforward really.

The superior stasi thought and behavior police running some educational establishments in this country think differently and use threatening behavior so the minions comply. This school seems to think Islam is a race.

I do hope you can read the letter.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRZWjNMUEAEHoxT.jpg

[Maeght]

This was two years ago wasn't it and they apologised for the 'inaccuracies'. What brought it to your attention now?

[JP]

Indeed, less than two years ago the head teacher of this school and the head of the RE department thought Islam is a race.

In addition instead of explaining and encouraging, the head teacher decided to use the threatening approach even to the extent of  labelling the children as racists if they did not attend.

These people should not be running an educational establishment, nor should they be giving succour to people who do the same to stifle debate and criticism.

[Maeght]

Okay, but my question was hat brought it to your attention now, two years later.

[Hope]

JP, whilst I wouldn't agree that Islam is a race, there is an argument that it started out as one.  As I understand it, Mohammed believed that it was the faith of Ishmael, the child born to Abraham by his wife's servant - Hagar.  As such, it was a tribal faith which, unlike its half-brother Judaism, has spread beyond its original roots.

[Outrider]

I don't think it is a race but I think the people in it are protected by the racism laws like many religions that people might be attacked for.

It is, broadly, illegal to discriminate for reasons of race, gender, sexuality, age or religious affiliation in the UK - the law is about discrimination in general, not race specifically.

Of course, one of those categories is the odd one out...

O.

[Rhiannon]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

[Hope]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

No, he was referring to sexuality, Rhi.     In fact, I'd suggest that, on that particular score, there are two exceptions.

[Outrider]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

Religion, yes. Whether you believe or not, probably not, but with the freedom of religion in this country your religion is a choice, yes.

O.

[Outrider]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

No, he was referring to sexuality, Rhi.     In fact, I'd suggest that, on that particular score, there are two exceptions.

Well played, sir

I mean; no, obviously, but nevertheless, well played

O.

[Nearly Sane]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

Religion, yes. Whether you believe or not, probably not, but with the freedom of religion in this country your religion is a choice, yes.

O.

So you believe you choose your beliefs?

[Outrider]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

Religion, yes. Whether you believe or not, probably not, but with the freedom of religion in this country your religion is a choice, yes.

O.

So you believe you choose your beliefs?

No, but I think you choose with whom you associate, and which explanation for those beliefs you support. Believing in a god isn't being religious, it's being faithful. Being part of a congregation with a specific set of tenets (some more liberally or strictly defined than others) is being a part of a religion.

O.

[Nearly Sane]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

Religion, yes. Whether you believe or not, probably not, but with the freedom of religion in this country your religion is a choice, yes.

O.

So you believe you choose your beliefs?

No, but I think you choose with whom you associate, and which explanation for those beliefs you support. Believing in a god isn't being religious, it's being faithful. Being part of a congregation with a specific set of tenets (some more liberally or strictly defined than others) is being a part of a religion.

O.

Isn't your choice of whom you associate with based on a belief of whom you should associate with?

[Outrider]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

Religion, yes. Whether you believe or not, probably not, but with the freedom of religion in this country your religion is a choice, yes.

O.

So you believe you choose your beliefs?

No, but I think you choose with whom you associate, and which explanation for those beliefs you support. Believing in a god isn't being religious, it's being faithful. Being part of a congregation with a specific set of tenets (some more liberally or strictly defined than others) is being a part of a religion.

O.

Isn't your choice of whom you associate with based on a belief of whom you should associate with?

It's one of the influences, yes, but it's not the entirety of it.

O.

[Nearly Sane]

In what way? How is it any more if a choice than anything else?

[Aruntraveller]

You think religion is a matter of choice?

No, he was referring to sexuality, Rhi.     In fact, I'd suggest that, on that particular score, there are two exceptions.

Will you ever stop your stupid misrepresentations?

We've been through this before. When did you choose your heterosexuality?

BTW putting a  to try to make it seem like a joke or funny in some way fails. Just stop it.

[Hope]

Isn't your choice of whom you associate with based on a belief of whom you should associate with?

Over the years I've had to associate with plenty of folk who I wouldn't have chosen to associate with.

[Hope]

Will you ever stop your stupid misrepresentations?

We've been through this before. When did you choose your heterosexuality?

BTW putting a  to try to make it seem like a joke or funny in some way fails. Just stop it.

Trent, I won't stop expressing my opposition to homosexual relationships until you give me uncontrovertible evidence that it is good for society.

[Outrider]

Will you ever stop your stupid misrepresentations?

We've been through this before. When did you choose your heterosexuality?

BTW putting a  to try to make it seem like a joke or funny in some way fails. Just stop it.

Trent, I won't stop expressing my opposition to homosexual relationships until you give me uncontrovertible evidence that it is good for society.

Every negative claim you've made about the supposed social impacts of homosexuality has been refuted.

Even if they weren't, that still doesn't justify your erroneous assertion that people can choose their sexuality.

Even if - and there's no reason to suppose it is the case - there is negative consequence to society for homosexuality, that's not an argument that they choose their sexuality.

O.

[Nearly Sane]

Isn't your choice of whom you associate with based on a belief of whom you should associate with?

Over the years I've had to associate with plenty of folk who I wouldn't have chosen to associate with.

Which is in complete agreement with what I was saying

[Nearly Sane]

Will you ever stop your stupid misrepresentations?

We've been through this before. When did you choose your heterosexuality?

BTW putting a  to try to make it seem like a joke or funny in some way fails. Just stop it.

Trent, I won't stop expressing my opposition to homosexual relationships until you give me uncontrovertible evidence that it is good for society.

Every negative claim you've made about the supposed social impacts of homosexuality has been refuted.

Even if they weren't, that still doesn't justify your erroneous assertion that people can choose their sexuality.

Even if - and there's no reason to suppose it is the case - there is negative consequence to society for homosexuality, that's not an argument that they choose their sexuality.

O.

And it was also a non sequitur

[Outrider]

In what way? How is it any more if a choice than anything else?

I'm a determinist - at the base level I don't think anything is actually a 'choice'. However, whilst whether or not you believe is a subconscious conclusion, adopting a particular sect, following the precepts and the like is a choice - there are enough people out there who are 'spiritual but not religious' or 'believe, but don't go to church' or 'think there's something out there, but don't know what' to know that you can just believe, you don't have to believe in a specific set of tenets.

O.

[Nearly Sane]

In what way? How is it any more if a choice than anything else?

I'm a determinist - at the base level I don't think anything is actually a 'choice'. However, whilst whether or not you believe is a subconscious conclusion, adopting a particular sect, following the precepts and the like is a choice - there are enough people out there who are 'spiritual but not religious' or 'believe, but don't go to church' or 'think there's something out there, but don't know what' to know that you can just believe, you don't have to believe in a specific set of tenets.

O.

So you don't believe there are choices and you believe things are choices? Care to untie the knot?

[Rhiannon]

You can't be a practicing Christian and not go to church. I've tried it both ways. Church is an integral part of Christian life.

There are spiritual paths that don't require some kind of fellowship. Monotheistic religion most definitely does.

[Rhiannon]

My grandmother was a RC. She quit going to church during the war but she still lived and died a RC; it broke her heart that she couldn't practice her faith.