I think the point is that Islam is often treated as a race rather than a religion. However, it is not the same as someone saying something about Italians or Ethiopians like the lady in the first video suggested.
It is a religion and because it is a religion, there can be a discussion about the religion that is not controlled by the religion and people cannot be called racist for doing this.
As a religion, when people make comments about the religion, when you join a religion, that is what you sign up for. Almost like getting married. You take the good and bad things people say about your religion and that is what you have to deal with. The religion should not seek to control the discussion as long as it is only a discussion.
If we are only
talking about things pertaining to the religion, there is no harm done. Everyone can walk away in peace.
Religion
should not be used to control others. Unfortunately, many people do seem to feel controlled by Islam when they are born into Muslim families. There was a lady I listened to the other day named Sarah Haider who is part of an atheist ex-Muslim movement. I had no idea that there were so many people leaving Islam for atheism, but I think that reiterates the initial point about Islam not being a race as well, because you can't choose to be German, but you should be able to choose to follow a religion or not.
She has co-founded an organization called ex-Muslims of North America because she says that she realizes that people don't often feel they have a choice to leave Islam or not because it is often treated as a race rather than a religion or the concept of race and religion is fused because it also functions in a political way. She explains this difference and this subject in a much more diplomatic way than the lady in the opening post in my opinion, even though I am encouraged that people have the freedom to do what she did. It does make me feel safer to know that we have the freedom to express ourselves even though I might not feel so comfortable being as blunt as she was.
As compassionate people, it would not be appropriate for me to not show support for people who want to question Islam from their own experience as well as others who want to as well. I would not want to offend anyone because of their beliefs, but I also can't disregard their comments just because the idea that someone might not want to continue in the religion of Islam is offensive to the ones who do wish to continue.
Here is a speech she gave about this subject and her organization. I thought she was very professional. Hopefully, any response will also be as professional.
