Duchess, this is a criticism that I would like to be read without reference to my username or to whatever sordid past you think we share:
Why is it that you devote a lot of effort to defending what you would call backwards Islamic practices, but tend to not make excuses and rationalize the backwards practices of Christian or European societies?
To me, it would make sense to take a perspective where you are ready to rationalize the shortcomings of the Aztecs, the Tang dynasty, Mohammed and the Sahabi, the Dark Age Byzantines, etc...
But when you choose to exert effort only to defend non-European, non-Christian groups (as the trend seems to go), it shows a very large bias that makes it hard to take your posts (as a whole) serious.
The post that was quoted here has been removedThis thread is about Muslims [and others] in Indonesia and the reforms to the criminal code. It's about their religious freedom. Are you going to speak
up for the humanity and rights of my Muslim friends here? Or have you come to this thread to sniff for a white conservative American male you can browbeat with your Debates Forum catchphrases?
@fmf saidNice knowing you FMF.
"Anyone trying to persuade others to abandon their beliefs in one of Indonesia's officially recognized religions may face up to four years' imprisonment or a maximum fine of Rp 2 billion [approx. USD 140,000]."
Here Are the Most Contentious Articles in Indonesia's New Criminal Code ~ Jakarta Globe 2nd September 2019
https://tinyurl.com/y6fyakuj
A severe blow for religious freedom, agreed?
Where do we send flowers?
Islam really is a religion of peace.
No, really.
The post that was quoted here has been removedWithout looking anything up, I can say that the Byzantines fully consented to the 1st Crusade and directly benefited from it.
The second Crusade also involved the Byzantines directly playing a role in the region, and one could argue that they pressured Crusader lords to swear fealty at several points.
I believe it was the Fourth Crusade in which the Byzantines were directly attacked and ravaged horribly.
... I am curious why you assume that I love the Crusaders?
That is a gross assumption.
You do not know enough about me to make that judgment.
The post that was quoted here has been removedA true Muslim believes that the Quran is the word of god as given to Muhammed , the prophet of allah . One is not a Muslim if one does not believe this.
Do your friends believe that the Quran is literally true or metaphorical ?
A very old Muslim friend of mine believes it is meant metaphorically . Yes , I actually asked him .
Maybe you could ask your friends . I would wager they think it is meant metaphorically .
Metaphorically = Good
Literal = Very Bad