philosoraptor42

American Atheists have provided an epic article about the "Leaving Islam" campaign and why atheists shouldn't be too happy about it. The article is posted on the Richard Dawkins website. Unfortunately it's way too long and the comments on the Richard Dawkins website suggest that most people reading it haven't understood how dodgy the FDI really are. Lucky for you, I've done a bit of research. (On top of taking a quick look at Pamela Geller's blog and recoiling in horror from the crazy.)

"LEAVING ISLAM" CAMPAIGN CONCEALING

CHRISTIAN SUPREMACIST AGENDA?

At first glance, it appears to be a publicity campaign that Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and other like-minded people can support --ads on buses asking "Thinking of Leaving Islam?" and promises of help for those fleeing one of the world's most oppressive religions.

The ads have appeared on over two-dozen New York City buses; but a similar effort in Detroit, Michigan failed when the transit company refused to display a message which, it says, promotes ethnic hatred..

The same company, SMART, earlier accepted ads from the Detroit Area Coalition of Reason which carried a slightly different message --"Don't Believe in God? You Are Not Alone."

Well the first thing that's missing is any kind of discription of what is actually on the "Leaving Islam" poster. So here it is for you:



In case you cannot see the image above, the poster features two statements at the top as follows:
"Fatwa on your head?"
"Is your family or community threatening you?"

Both are clearly daft questions since the first port of call in either of those scenarios would be to contact the police.

In the centre of the advert in large letters are the words "Leaving Islam" and at the bottom is a website address RefugeFromIslam.com. If you choose to check that website out, it will automatically direct you to the following address http://freedomdefense.typepad.com/leave-islam/ (which is no mistake, since it still says "Refuge From Islam" at the top). More on that website in a moment...

Interestingly the poster also includes the words "Got Questions? Get Answers" down the side of the advert, which exactly mirrors another bus advert aimed at introducing people to the faith:


So what does the article say next?

Now, SMART is being sued by the Freedom Defense Infinitive, which according to its web site has as its goal "to go on the offensive when legal, academic, legislative, cultural, sociological and political actions are taken to dismantle our basic freedoms and values." This same group which thus far has unsuccessfully sponsored the Detroit bus advertisements also led the recent effort to stop construction of an Islamic mosque just three blocks from Ground Zero (former site of the World Trade Center) in New York City.

All of this raises questions about state-church --make that state-mosque -- separation in America; and how best to combat what conservatives often describe as "Islamo-fascism" or a creeping Islamization of America which, some say, is well underway under the guise of religious freedom. Are separation, Enlightenment and good pubic policy the goals of "Leaving Islam?" and the FDI? The answer is not clear.

Actually the answer is very clear indeed. It's a big fat NO!

Freedom Defence Infinitive appears to be a bit of an embarassing typo, but it seems likely that they meant to write Freedom Defence Initiative. Either way, Freedom Defence is in the address of the website I mentioned above because they are the ones pushing this advert, not simply a separate group who've decided to make a stand.

FDI Provide "Help" For Ex-Muslims
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FDI's Big Meeting: The Guest List
( Read more... )
Thomas More Center

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The Article Continues. Mentions Geert Wilders A Lot. Really Not Important.

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The Ending

They end their article as follows:

Finally, there is the perplexing question of how Atheists and kindred nonbelievers should approach the entire issue of Jihadist ideology. Do we encourage "moderate" Muslims to speak out more against terrorism? Research shows that the overwhelming majority of Muslims in America and abroad reject the militant call to religious war broadcast by groups like al Qaeda. Muslim cultures vary, from the Middle East to South Asia. They have different legal and religious strictures concerning women, education, alcohol and practices generally taken for granted in the West. They are in constant flux as they approach and deal with the powerful forces of modernity and Western classical liberalism. Some say that gender equality and empowerment for women is the great ticking time bomb that will revolutionize, or at least substantially change, Islam. Is there an Islamic Reformation in the works?

Questions still remain, and so does the influence of religious ideology. Atheists and other nonbelievers especially must ask if bus ads, drawing Muhammad and cheering on the critics of Islam constitute a viable strategy for both the near and far future.

This is actually quite a promising finish to the article, but as you can see above, some of the most important issues with the FDI are oddly untouched in the article while unecessary details are added in related areas. Perhaps they'd have been better off splitting their article into several more manageable bits.

Setting A Good Example...

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Update: Hmmm, it seems that my mention of Anders Gravers Pedersen has got me noticed by someone going by the name Stephen Gash. Those wondering who this guy is might find this link rather helpful.