Freedom of Rhetoric: Response to DawahFilms

Response to DawahFilms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lej7reDiJXA

I didn't make it quite clear in this video, and I realize that as I'm proof-watching it, but I am not advocating the banning of any religious texts. I am trying to provide some perspective on what the banning of hate speech may entail if the criteria for hate speech is as DawhFilms states it to be.

To Ali:

I reject the notion that you are responsible, or accountable for the actions of others.
I reject any attempts to silence your freedom of speech or religious expression.
But I do ASK, and I mean ask as a favor, not an obligation, to help me understand why I should think that Islam is a religion of peace. I have a hard time understanding how a broad, sweeping claim like that can be made for any of the three major monotheistic Abrahamic traditions, when they are so riddled with violent moral prescriptions.

From where I sit it does not appear any more rational to generalize them as "peaceful" than to generalize them solely as "violent". It seems to be cherry-picking either way.

You are a person with much more information regarding the nature of Islam, and the Islamic community than most non-Muslims, and I would encourage you to help me, and others, understand what you mean when you say that it is "peaceful".

Thank you for your time.

Spoken Word & Musical Score:
Phil Strohmann

The opinions expressed in this video by Phil Strohmann do not represent the views of any other person alive or dead, including the following individuals, bands, or organizations.

Artwork:
Kassidi Keys
http://www.theartofkkeys.com
http://kassidikeys.deviantart.com

Music for Opening Titles & End Credits:
Praeter Caelestis
http://www.praetercaelestis.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Islam
• Muslim
• Koran
• Qur'an
• Sharia
• Bible
• Torah
• Christian
• Christianity
• Judaism
• Atheism
• Theism
• Burden Of Proof
• Morality
• Ethics
• Morals
• DawahFilms
• Hate Speech
• Freedom Of Speech
• Rhetoric
• Death Threats
• Criticism
• Religon

[martiangrundy]

An excellent video.

For some reason I haven't come across you before.

Wise words.

Chalk up another sub M8.

[PhilStrohmann]

@martiangrundy Glad to meet you, and thank you for the kind words.

[BillKiernan]

@PhilStrohmann great video. do you have any idea which video dawah films defends Muhammeds 9 year old bride?

[PhilStrohmann]

@BillKiernan Thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

I'm not sure what video DawahFilms mentioned that. It seems to me that I remember him talking about it, but I can't remember when, or in what capacity he did so. It seems to me he defended it as not being a marriage in the typical sense, that he was caring for the girl but did not consummate the marriage. I think that's what he said, at least.

You're probably better off just asking Ali.

[sum1unxpected]

i think the issue of hate speech is very clear cut.

hate speech is anything that i choose to interpret in a way that justifies banning it.

[PhilStrohmann]

@sum1unxpected Heheh. I'll have to remember that one.

[askirojadu]

@DawahFilms

In the video that this is a response to you say "the similarity between many anti-theists and fanatics is that they think the same way", you go on to explain how its just a matter of time before anti-theists become fanatics and violent. You generalize anti-theists into violence by the word "many". Now exchange anti-theists with Muslims and tell me if you see a problem.

[askirojadu]

Thankyou for showing dawahfilm's that not all antitheists "think like fanatics". If I was an antithiest I would have flipped out on dawhafilms for things he has said considering the hypocrisy of it all.

[JRBendixen]

All nice and fine, Dawah just disagrees with you on all but your first points.

Free speech: Bad

Multiculturalism: Bad

Enlightenment: Bad

Death penalty: Yes(stoning and hanging is preferred)

Subjugation of women: Affirmative

threats: Yes

ect.

But what I say matters little, so try to ask Ali about these points and do yourself the favor of being blunt.

[sum1unxpected]

@DawahFilms

i think we both would find it ridiculous if the line between free speech and prohibited speech was a qualifier.

[PhilStrohmann]

@rise1931 Thanks, very kind of you to say.

[rise1931]

Wonderful work as usual. I always enjoy hearing your perspective.