I am an ex-muslim. I left because of the sheer stupidity of the religion. Especially when you look at so-called 'scholars' of Islam - from Anjem Choudhary to Zakir Naik it confirms my beliefs. They also seem to be quoted a lot here, they seem like everyone's favourite here and elsewhere like in the news.
However, I recently came across Hamza Yusuf of Zaytuna College (not just him but others like Tariq Ramadan). They seem to have a really good understanding of western civilization - its history, philosophy, science etc. This seems to me quite shocking, tbh he seems like one of the most relatable and understandable as well as intelligent and eloquent speakers of Islam, up there with Dawkins, Hitchens or Harris when it comes to atheism.
Does anyone know any others like him? I see literally no mention of him by atheists - even muslims who are seen as 'favourable' by atheists like Maajid Nawaz - who most Muslims don't like. Yet it is the opposite with Hamza Yusuf (he actually has a favourable opinion by most Muslims) and he is apparently 'the most influential scholars in the west', yet he is virtually unheard of.
Welcome. Hadn't heard of him prior to your mention. But bear in mind this isn't a think tank of Islamic ideals; if anything, pretty much the opposite. Religion in all of its aspects, whether Islam or Christianity or any other is more the object of derision than any object of praise.
But we are fairly open minded (at least we claim to be) so open for discussion. Happy to have you, and be happy to learn more.
Hamza is an American Christian who reverted to Islam, I think he might be a Quran only muslim.
Quote from: DarkShadow on January 19, 2016, 02:46:35 PM
I am an ex-muslim. I left because of the sheer stupidity of the religion. Especially when you look at so-called 'scholars' of Islam - from Anjem Choudhary to Zakir Naik it confirms my beliefs. They also seem to be quoted a lot here, they seem like everyone's favourite here and elsewhere like in the news.
However, I recently came across Hamza Yusuf of Zaytuna College (not just him but others like Tariq Ramadan). They seem to have a really good understanding of western civilization - its history, philosophy, science etc. This seems to me quite shocking, tbh he seems like one of the most relatable and understandable as well as intelligent and eloquent speakers of Islam, up there with Dawkins, Hitchens or Harris when it comes to atheism.
Does anyone know any others like him? I see literally no mention of him by atheists - even muslims who are seen as 'favourable' by atheists like Maajid Nawaz - who most Muslims don't like. Yet it is the opposite with Hamza Yusuf (he actually has a favourable opinion by most Muslims) and he is apparently 'the most influential scholars in the west', yet he is virtually unheard of.
I am a theist, so naturally I have a more positive opinion of religious leaders who are progressive than most people here. And I have listened to a few of Hamza Yusuf's lectures. I respect his progressivism within the context of Islam. He is non-Arabic, intellectual, with some origins in Sufism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamza_Yusuf
Of course, this in the context of how I would relate to a progressive religious leader in any religion .. or outside of religion. He could be a transition figure for someone moving from Islam to something else. It would be hard, aside from hitting oneself on the head, to change directly from one culture to another.
Are you looking for someone whose native language isn't English? I would contact the Zaytuna Institute. Tariq Ramadan, is similar, but has criticized both Muslim regimes and Israel, and is banned there. Is that a bad thing? Of course, in the US ... most Muslim leaders are unknown.