General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I continue to wonder why progressives are so protective of Islam [View all]karynnj
(59,503 posts)people because of their religion. The trigger for that is that the RIGHT is demonizing Islam itself and the people whose religion it is.
As to all the things you list as wrong -- no one is saying that they are perfect or should be emulated. You say those values are "mainstream" in contemporary Islam. Can you really back that up? Have you ever known Moslems as neighbors?
Yes, I know that there are quotes from the Koran which are atrocious. Yet, if look hard enough, there are some really atrocious things in both the Torah and Bible. I assume that you similarly find them homophobic and sexist. As to pro-theocracy, it more likely matters what nation the person lives in. In this country, there are good liberal politicians willing to say that their own religious believes do inform their consciences - thus their legislation - many articulate as Mario Cuomo did where the line is where they can not legislate their own religious believes.
I am annoyed and have no respect for Bill Maher, because he has so little respect for anyone not like him. I suggest instead of asking why some progressives give Islam a pass - which I don't think they do --- ask why liberals do reject the gratuitous insults towards Judaism or Christianity.
If you go on any right wing site, you will find hateful discussions of both Kerry and Obama not condemning Islam, not calling attacks by Moslems terror (even when they do in two languages as Kerry just did), or taking out of context any comment that includes Islam as one of the world's religions. In particular, they hated the effort made (mostly by Kerry) to get ME imams to condemn terrorism. The administration sees that beyond military, they need to win the battle of ideas.
It is easiest to recruit terrorists if they see their religion under attack by outsiders. It may be nothing Americans say will make a difference. However, the attack against ISIS is being done in a different way than the two major wars. To succeed, it must be a battle by the region with coalition help against ISIS. Only that will be sustainable.