Atheist Debates - Debate Review - Secular Humanism vs Islam w/Issa

This debate was full of agreement and agreeable discussions - making it unique within the set of "Matt debates Muslim". Primarily, this is because Issa is already a fan of secular humanism, but he values Islam as well and wants to see Muslims better treated and better represented.

[onlyme]

When rejection of religion can result in death its impossible for victims to leave.

[JamesRichardWiley]

It's hard for me to take seriously a 50 year old man who claims to be talking to a Hebrew god
who gave him permission to marry a 6 year old girl and begin sexual relations with her 3 years later along with nine other wives.

[oldmanh]

At my tender age of 86 every time I listen to you, I learn something new, thank you Matt

[trixiepup]

There are so many problematic verses and passages in the qur' an and hadiths. Extremely problematic!

Issa seems a smart guy.
I am not understanding why clinging onto something so vile like those Islamic texts? He should just abandon them, instead of trying to make his version of Islam concocted by his fantasy.

[jamiegallier]

I appreciate these explanatory reviews.

[identityfor]

Someone stabbed Salman Rushdie. You're very brave for these talks.

[reloadedmatrix]

I like Issa. He appears to be a good person, but very confused.
I read this biography. He studied comparative religion and is part of a Jewish sect.
It appears that he mixes up different religious traditions and other stuff to claim that is Islam. Umm..

I wonder what he thinks of the verse sura 4:34 of the qur' an that sanctions wife beatings?

[sverdmester]

Although it is not exactly an ideal argument, maybe one can be made that this version of Islam could find a place in parts of the world that are not quite ready for straight up secular humanism?

[Iverath]

I can appreciate finding agreements in a debate.

But you have to disagree about something, so you can have a debate.

Issa was just completely at sea in this discussion.

[Hi-cuvx]

Great video Matt, was hoping if you could do a separate video where you dive deep into why Islam appeals to the Andrew Tate mindset.

[arandomguyyearsago]

Are you going to debate Jake The muslim metaphysician or Mohammad Hajib the existence of God & Secular humanism?

[syphertheth]

I didn't find Issa to be a terrible human and his version of Islam seems rather bland which is good. But the man cannot take criticism. A lot of people tried to be nice and offer him valid critique but he was having none of it. It was childish.

[bewareofcults]

My ancestors were victims of castration done by Islam.
I do not appreciate Issa trying to obfuscate how evil Islam is by making up his own " version" of Islam not supported by Islamic texts and the history of Islam.

[Rico-Suave_]

Great video, thank you, note to self(nts) watched all of it 15:35

[mikefoster]

I commented under that debate that I felt Issa was being a bit slippery (I knew he was Sufi, but still felt he was slightly whitewashing some Islam aspects). He messaged me and we chatted, both of us keen to assert that we're actually fine with people who are different and plurality etc (not dogmatic monsters, basically). It was nice.

I couldn't resist trying to nail down the 'plurality' thing a bit more, so asked Issa whether he thinks Muslims would broadly be fine if there were always about as many atheists as Muslims in future (as I would). No reply. The conversation abruptly ended. So that was that.

I guess the honest answer would have been "no" and suspect he didn't want to acknowledge something that negative about broader Islam. But that was my original suspicion from the start, so it could be my confirmation bias XD

[Chris-opyt]

christianity (and later islam) is an answer to many things, including jewish exile and occupation by romans, but also a response to ideas of democracy by greco-roman philosophers.

[ronlynquist]

I think all people believe in things that would seem irrational to others. Even secular Humanists. But as long as what they feel they need to believe in isn't forced on others, and they are able to interact with others in a positive way, then what they believe isn't necessarily an incumbence to progress.

[rogerbee]

This was a great frame of reference. Bravo!

[AlanShowerman]

Have you thought about debating Matt Walsh on transgender issues? He’s essentially the forefront of the anti-trans movement, would love to see him be taken down a notch.

[djb]

Just employ your favorite debate tactic of the 'hang up.' Works every time