Is this even a serious question? It’s one of the world’s major religions,

And accounts for a massive 4% of people in the UK. Are you seriously shocked that people don’t have in depth knowledge of something that’s barely more significant than statistical variance?

You could worse than spend an instructive half hour on Wikipedia, and broaden your horizons a bit

Or, y’know, ask a question and start a discussion with the hope of learning something.

The question is a serious one not least because in many sections of Islam people believe an Imam (ie religious leader) should be the overall head of a country, no election no democracy. As posted above there isn’t one head of Islam any more than there is one head of Christianity, references to the Pope just refer to Catholics which is just one branch of Christianity. Henry VIII’s whole gig was to make himself head of his own branch of Christianity. Islam is just the same.

A comment on Saudi in relation to the above, you cannot judge the leadership (ie Royalty) of Saudi in terms of the general population. Large parts of the Suadi population are very poor and the religious zealots there have latched onto widespread discomfort amongst the population about the behaviour of the Royal Family who they see as far too close to the West

On the Xtian side there is Opus Dei, who run Spain.

They’d like to, but they overstepped themselves with their recent attempt at limiting access to abortion and have been taken down a peg or two.

Not the answer you probably want, but I always look back to socio-psychology when it comes to religion. The ‘leaders’ come and go but the song remains the same, a hymn, a rally to war, a call to prayer, an instruction to be faithful…etc

The thing that ‘runs’ dogmatic/organised religion (including Islam) is the fragile ego and the resultant drive for group identity. This then becomes a way to exert power over the in-group (and the ‘out-groups’)

The psychology of religion

^^^ I find this interesting (including the suggestion that militant atheists have more in common with dogmatic religion than many perceive)

Cougar, you’re right of course. I apologize 😳

which is why you’re a mod, and I’m not.

As I understand it there is no established Muslim ” church ” no established hierarchy. Each Muslim finds their own way to God guided by their chosen Imam or interpretation of the Koran . There is no head honcho to condemn these acts on behalf of the whole religion just a number of individuals of varying significance to speak for themselves or the branch they nominally lead . Their views can be so diverse that they will have feuds even bloody ones over when Eid starts and ends.

They’re all mental though, aren’t they?

You cannot say that about the mods Binners for they will verily smite ye from on high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_terrorism

I don’t recall hearing the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Pope apologising for Joseph Kony and the Lord’s resistance army in Uganda.

No doubting that some terrible things have been done in the name of Christianity in the past. It’s taken the Chatholoc church quite some time to even acknowledge institutional child abuse by priests and likewise the terrible treat of children born outside of marriage especially in Ireland

Oh they knew the damage the former was doing and that it was happening hence whey they tried to cover it up

the BBC did not know about Saville the church covered it up to protect the Church…what a great moral authority it is

The main problem with religion – is the belief of any single group that their religion is right and everyone else is wrong!

Live and let live – beautifully simple philosophy with really complicated implications for everyone 😀

If beards are a pointer then this guy must be pretty high up

The main problem with religion people – is the belief of any single group that their religion is views are right and everyone else is wrong!

Live and let live – beautifully simple philosophy with really complicated implications for everyone

Sorted.

Cougar, you’re right of course.

Had to happen eventually. That’s probably statistical variance as well. (-:

There are only 2 things I really cannot stand in this world.

1. People who are intolerant of other peoples cultures

2. The Dutch

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ882QYzr-M[/video]

What I don’t get is why National Socialism(say) and Islam should be considered different, they both encourage racial and sexual heirachy and brutality to anyone who doesn’t conform calling one a religion doesn’t make it any more acceptable.

devash – Member
The bastardos who fly planes into buildings

No, there were no real planes, just drones projecting holographic planes. Classified directed energy weaponry turned the steel and concrete towers into dust in mid-air. None of which were done by Islamic people.

having followed @Tiger6791 – Member link up there, I ended up watching Austin Powers clips for about 15 mins…Now there’s a religion I’d follow, Yeah Baby!