Debate:Does mainstream Islam endorse violence?

Yes

The mainstream is by definition that branch of an organization which is most vocal and controls the policies of the organization. Thus we refer to the mainstream media as the most visible outlet of journalism, with the most access to the policy makers. The non-violent branch of Islam may be the numerical majority, but in terms of influence they are of no consequence, because they either fear or choose not to speak out. Teresita 17:26, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

main·stream /ˈmeɪnˌstrim/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[meyn-streem] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

By definition, you're completely wrong. --Rustyjd07 17:29, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

(Curses! Rusty beat me to it. But see what I would've written) - WHAT!? "Mainstream" = "the principal or dominant course (see here). Dominant means the larger. The majority of Muslims are peaceful and contribute directly and greatly to American and European culture. By definition, too, the radical elements of a group of people are not the "mainstream."-AmesG_yo! 17:31, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

In some countries, the "mainstream" attitude seems to be one of condonement. I am not sure whether that is the case in all Islamic nations (i.e. Turkey or Indonesia). One thing that we can all agree on, I hope, is that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. MountainDew 17:33, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

Squeaky wheels and grease isn't the debate topic. Please stay on the issue at hand, else intelligent conversation is impossible. Thank you. --Rustyjd07 17:34, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

Rusty, quit being ridiculous. You know what I'm saying. MountainDew 17:35, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

Mainstream doesn't mean nation-by-nation - it means Islam as a whole over time.-AmesG_yo! 17:36, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

No

No way does mainstream Islam endorse violence. Only the radical few (who we all hear about in the papers) take the sections of the Koran literally about attacking/killing infidels. You don't see Indonesia (the most populous Islamic country) pumping out terrorists and constantly killing Christians/Hindus/Jews/etc. Those who believe that Islam promotes violence are sheltered in their learnings. Jrssr5 10:28, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

No. How many Western Muslim terrorists are there? (I mean those who have lived in Western nations their whole lives). It's environment, not religion, that causes violence. Czolgolz 10:31, 3 April 2007 (EDT)