It would have been funny if it wasn't so sad
Reader comment on item: "A Corrective to the Pipes Worldview"

Submitted by Boris (United States), Aug 29, 2005 at 21:21

I found very amusing your opponent's statement that "...converting the world to one's point of view is widespread and a natural human desire". For two reasons:

1. This is a typical argument of "stupid yourself!", as they would say in Russia (common term to indicate a method of arguing by reversing the accusation towards the opponent). This method does not work, primarily because it does not defend the accused in any way. Specifically, even if we are talking about "natural human desire", we are still talking about "human desire" and the response does not change that.

2. Your opponents, Dr. Pipes, do not seem to understand that you are talking about methods, not goals. I am pretty sure that you would like your opponents adopt your point of view, that is the reason we debate hot issues. However, there is a big difference in HOW are we trying to make people to take our point of view. Nobody will object if muslims try to spread Islam by peaceful means - lectures, newspapers, books, etc. Another story is using violence, pressure or lies.

In my opinion, violence in spreading the word of Islam comes from muslim's unability to use peaceful methods of argument. Your opponent's call to learn about Islam from real and well educated sources is very weak. It is not a rocket science - if religious theory is hard to see without expert's help - there must be some problem with the theory.

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