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What do "Moderate" Muslims believe?

Sietske22

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what do "Moderate" Muslims believe?

do they believe that Atheism should be a crime?

do they believe that it should be a crime to insult Mohammed, insult Islam?

do they believe that women should have the right to work, vote, drive, live alone, not cover their hair?

do they believe that non-Muslims should have full rights, and be able to have authority over Muslims?

do they believe that non-Muslims should be able to visit Mecca?

do they believe that Muslims should have the right to leave Islam?
 
what do "Moderate" Muslims believe?

You have to define moderate, as it shifts depending on the location of the Muslim (an American moderate is going to be more easy-going than someone from a Middle Eastern hell hole). I do find it amusing that everyone quotes "moderate"... as if the notion of a moderate Muslim is paradoxical.
 
Perhaps you should read what they have to say themselves rather than ask non-Muslims with no expertise in that subject?
 
You have to define moderate, as it shifts depending on the location of the Muslim (an American moderate is going to be more easy-going than someone from a Middle Eastern hell hole). I do find it amusing that everyone quotes "moderate"... as if the notion of a moderate Muslim is paradoxical.

I found it very troubling that even in Egypt, with the Muslim Brotherhood kicked out and made illegal, its still a crime to be Atheist and to "insult" Islam.

I wonder if those are both crimes in Turkey, Bosnia, and Albania as well.
 
I found it very troubling that even in Egypt, with the Muslim Brotherhood kicked out and made illegal, its still a crime to be Atheist and to "insult" Islam.

What do you mean, "even in Egypt"? Is Egypt supposed to be the epitome of Muslim moderation? It has been on the verge of failing for years.

Why are you afraid of asking an American Muslim?
 
what do "Moderate" Muslims believe?

do they believe that Atheism should be a crime?

do they believe that it should be a crime to insult Mohammed, insult Islam?

do they believe that women should have the right to work, vote, drive, live alone, not cover their hair?

do they believe that non-Muslims should have full rights, and be able to have authority over Muslims?

do they believe that non-Muslims should be able to visit Mecca?

do they believe that Muslims should have the right to leave Islam?
In order to provide definitive answers to each of these questions, a poll would have to be performed. If you want a general idea of what Muslims worldwide believe, then you should take a look at a survey that Pew did of Muslims around the world : The World.
 
You have to define moderate, as it shifts depending on the location of the Muslim (an American moderate is going to be more easy-going than someone from a Middle Eastern hell hole). I do find it amusing that everyone quotes "moderate"... as if the notion of a moderate Muslim is paradoxical.

Given recents events, you have to admit that that's understandable.
 
what do "Moderate" Muslims believe?

1. do they believe that Atheism should be a crime?

2. do they believe that it should be a crime to insult Mohammed, insult Islam?

3. do they believe that women should have the right to work, vote, drive, live alone, not cover their hair?

4. do they believe that non-Muslims should have full rights, and be able to have authority over Muslims?

5. do they believe that non-Muslims should be able to visit Mecca?

6. do they believe that Muslims should have the right to leave Islam?

This is all going to come down to how you define "moderate" Muslims and more importantly how much stock they put into the literal wording of the Quran. For the most part the answer is not good for any of these questions.
 
Given recents events, you have to admit that that's understandable.

Just to clarify, you think it's understandable that the notion of a moderate muslim is absurd given recent events?
 
are religions criticized in this forum ?
 
You have to define moderate, as it shifts depending on the location of the Muslim (an American moderate is going to be more easy-going than someone from a Middle Eastern hell hole). I do find it amusing that everyone quotes "moderate"... as if the notion of a moderate Muslim is paradoxical.

there isnt a moderate islam in QORAN.this term was invented by westerners to form obedient islamic states .their definition of 'moderate' comes from how they are moderated by the west
 
Given recents events, you have to admit that that's understandable.

It's understandable for people to blame the majority for the actions of the minority (the majority being 1.6 billion). It's also the goal of Muslim extremists to get people siding against Muslims, thereby disenfranchising their own people to grow their numbers. Do you want to play into the hands of terrorists?

The vast majority of Muslims are not just want exist and be happy, especially those who live in nations where such things are a practical alternative to extremism.
 
Just to clarify, you think it's understandable that the notion of a moderate muslim is absurd given recent events?

No, no, that's definitely more strongly stated then I meant. It does seem, though, that Islam is pretty much an "all in" religion. It does not seem like someone can just go to their mosque once or twice a week and be content to life a "secular life" otherwise. Even the link posted by TPD showed that a majority of Muslims favored Sharia Law (which some varied opinions about the extent and to whom it should apply).
 
there isnt a moderate islam in QORAN.this term was invented by westerners to form obedient islamic states .their definition of 'moderate' comes from how they are moderated by the west

Now that's an interesting perspective.
 
there isnt a moderate islam in QORAN.this term was invented by westerners to form obedient islamic states .their definition of 'moderate' comes from how they are moderated by the west

Well, yes. Moderation is how you balance various elements of your life -- in this case, religion. If you have nothing in your life but religion, you're going to be less moderate than someone who has a job, a family, and the things that make living in a functional society worthwhile.

Hopefully this topic remains in this form because I think extremism and moderatation are healthy aspects of religion to discuss.
 
It's understandable for people to blame the majority for the actions of the minority (the majority being 1.6 billion).

No, it's not understandable for people to blame the majority for the actions of the minority.

Not yesterday, not today, not next week, not next year. Not ever is it understandable for anyone to blame the majority for the actions of the minority.
 
No, no, that's definitely more strongly stated then I meant. It does seem, though, that Islam is pretty much an "all in" religion. It does not seem like someone can just go to their mosque once or twice a week and be content to life a "secular life" otherwise. Even the link posted by TPD showed that a majority of Muslims favored Sharia Law (which some varied opinions about the extent and to whom it should apply).

millions of people in Turkey live a life as you defined in Turkey ,cotton.but l know we are exceptional
 
No, it's not understandable for people to blame the majority for the actions of the minority.

I said it's understandable, not excusable. I understand why people would blame Muslims, because Muslims perpetrated the attack in the name of Islam. It's intellectually lazy and emotional, but I know why it's done.
 
Well, yes. Moderation is how you balance various elements of your life -- in this case, religion. If you have nothing in your life but religion, you're going to be less moderate than someone who has a job, a family, and the things that make living in a functional society worthwhile.

Hopefully this topic remains in this form because I think extremism and moderatation are healthy aspects of religion to discuss.

lets change it to moderate people or extremist people .because religions cant be moderate while they have rules to follow .but the 'moderate islam' in Turkey isnt as you think .those islamists are really islamists.but because turkey is still a secular country ,they cant do whatever they want for now
 
lets change it to moderate people or extremist people .because religions cant be moderate while they have rules to follow .

I agree. Religions are what they are, for better or worse. I don't think that all religions are equal, but I do think that all religions can produce extremists and moderates. There are Buddhist extremists, for crying out loud.
 
what do "Moderate" Muslims believe?

1. do they believe that Atheism should be a crime?

2. do they believe that it should be a crime to insult Mohammed, insult Islam?

3. do they believe that women should have the right to work, vote, drive, live alone, not cover their hair?

4. do they believe that non-Muslims should have full rights, and be able to have authority over Muslims?

5. do they believe that non-Muslims should be able to visit Mecca?

6. do they believe that Muslims should have the right to leave Islam?

One of my best friends is a Muslim and I have talked to him extensively about the tragedy in Paris which led to us discussing his faith. These are his opinion based on what he told me.
1. No, he is one of a handful of theists in our friend group
2. No, he doesn't appreciate the more crude jokes but he fully supports freedom of the press
3. Yes 100% he (along with many Muslims) think women should be completely equal
4. Yes of course he things everyone should have rights and by "authority" you mean politicians, police, judges, etc. then yes he agrees with that also
5. Haven't discussed this with him
6. He wouldn't like people to leave because he sees it as the truth but I think he would be completely fine if someone did.

His whole family shares similar beliefs but his parents are a little more strict on people publishing things that insult Islam because they see it as "hate speech"
I hope this helped to show some people the largely unrepresented side of Islam in this forum. If you have any questions about my friends belief fire away and I'll answer them to the best of my ability.
 
"Moderate" as in "religion is not that central for them", or as in "not very radical views"?

As for the latter, I had the chance to talk a lot with an Ahmadiyya Muslim. The Ahmadiyya are a rather special Muslim group (which is not even recognized as "real Muslims" by mainstream Muslims -- maybe "the Jehova's Witnesses of Islam"), since they believe their founder Ahmad was a legitimate interpreter of Quran announced in a certain verse. That's a claim most other Muslims reject. Have to say, while he was very pious, he was also *very* moderate in his political and social views. Unfortunately, Ahmadiyya make only a very small share of Muslims in general.

For example, they believe "Jihad" is foremost a spiritual struggle inside the heart of a believer: The believer must strengthen his faith and eliminate doubt. Violence against "infidels" is only justified in very rare, very special situations.

I read a few things about the Ankara School of Muslim theology. It's one of the few Muslim schools that seek to introduce critical historicism into the interpretation of Quran -- something that's long standard for Christians who aren't fundamentalists, but still uncommon in Islam. They feel in order to properly interpret a verse in Quran, one has to consider the certain situation Mohammed was in when he made this verse. Their results are accordingly much more "modern" (in the Western sense) than that of mainstream Islam.

As for the term "fundamentalism": As far as I know, that means believers who interpret their respective scripture *literally* and allow no other interpretations. Hence, Christians who take the Bible literally, like a history book, are "fundamentalist".

In this sense, almost all Muslims are "fundamentalists". It's a most basic tenet of Islam that "Quran is the literal word of God". This is just as central for Islam as the claim that "Jesus died for our sins" is for Christians. Sine qua non. If you don't believe Quran is the literal word of God, by far most Muslim authorities will not consider you a Muslim anymore.
 
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