Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions about the World’s Fastest-Growing Faith

Editorial Reviews. From Booklist. To proclamations that Islam is a religion of peace, Spencer Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions about the World's Fastest-Growing Faith - Kindle edition by Robert Spencer. Download it once and read it on.
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Those insults are not only inaccurate, in my view, but insidious as they attempt to silence one of the few voices still willing to speak out about the serious problems inherent within this religion. It is a truly complex religion, and even though we must never forget t This is an excellent critique of a religion that defies critique. It is a truly complex religion, and even though we must never forget the human element - that people are people and that we must not assume guilt by association nor demand the innocent be punished for the sins of their co-religionists - we also must not be so naive as to willfully allow the sinister elements of Islam or any religion or other group for that matter to advance their positions at the expense of the rights of the rest of humanity.

Jul 07, Jan rated it really liked it Shelves: Unlike other reviewers, I think Spencer tries to give Islam its due.

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He compares and contrasts the arguments that the sympathizers make with the ones the critics make. On the other hand, when he quotes the Quran, but he seems to stick to only the most inflammatory passages. I continue to be curious about why Islam, once at the forefront of culture, science, philosophy, medicine, literature, etc. Spencer argues that Western thinkers in the age of enlightenment posited that God Unlike other reviewers, I think Spencer tries to give Islam its due. Spencer argues that Western thinkers in the age of enlightenment posited that God created the world the natural world to follow a set of laws.

We humans can know and understand those laws, depend on them, and demonstrate them in different ways. He argues that, although there were Muslim philosophers who believed in the validity of conclusions reached using human reason, mainstream or orthodox Muslim thinkers did not. Orthodox Muslims argued that God could do whatever he wanted, and did not need to "obey" any "laws. The only knowledge anyone needed was all in the Quran, for then, for now, and for always.

View all 6 comments. Jan 07, Del rated it really liked it. Always enjoy Robert Spencer's books. I don't always agree with everything he says, but his work is always well researched and well documented. This book asks some bothersome questions about the origins of and the nature of the teachings of Islam that anyone who considers themselves an adherent needs to at least ask themselves.

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Enlightening, controversial and highly recommended. Listened to the unabridged Audible. Jun 13, Justin Tapp rated it did not like it Shelves: This is easily the most Western-oriented and most critical of Islam. Spencer examines modern thoughts from Islamic scholars and clerics and rather selectively quotes from throughout the centuries on subjects ranging from slavery, to women's rights, to warfare. He is pushing back on the criticisms of himself and others of "Islamophobia," rejecting the same caution about political correctness found on the Left that Nawaz and Harris address in their dialogue on Islam.

He is also criticizing the Leftish push toward "multiculturalism" and "plurality" in that it discourages the assimilation needed for everyone living within a border to live under the same laws and have the same rights and opportunities. The "melting pot" of America has had less of a problem assimilating Muslim immigrants than Europe, where you see places like France have essentially a class system that systematically discriminates against foreigners and limits their opportunities.


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He rightly addresses the tensions that Hirsi Ali and Mona Eltahawy raise in their books-- is a woman forced to wear a burqa being deprived of her human rights or is it an untouchable topic of culture and religion? A major weakness of the book, however, is that he mostly lumps "Islam" into one category, not recognizing different strains, such as Sufism, that have a diversity of views and practices.

He pulls quotes from Islamic scholars throughout history without explaining the context of the quote itself, or what school of thought the cleric came from. This is not a scholarly work, but rather a political reaction. Early on, Spencer recognizes the need to deal with the text-- do we approach the Quran as Tom Holland does, as a function of the cultural context it was written in or as an eternal non-created document in an eternal language Arabic that therefore predates the earth and all other religions as is orthodox Islamic doctrine since the s, before which proponents of this view such as Ibn Hanbal were imprisoned as heretical.

He also brings up the thousands of hadiths and the varying degree to which they are considered reliable records of Muhammad's thoughts and deeds. Spencer could have done well to explain the process by which "western" Greek ideas such as reason and rhetoric were initially embraced by Islamic scholars from the s and later rejected as the views of conservative clerics tending to more of a Salafist view that the Quran could not be read and interpreted contextually eventually held sway.

Spencer recognizes that most Muslims do not deal contextually-hermeneutically with the Quran and therefore picking and choosing verses to back a point is a fair game there's no such thing as "out of context. In regards to women, Spencer notes that Muhammad had access to many more women than just his wife, bringing up the controversy over Muhammad marrying his adopted son's former wife, which some claim from various hadiths that Muhammad brought about-- he was impressed by her and made it happen. There is a theme running through many hadiths and writings that hell is filled with more women than men.

Ultimately, Quranic verses dealing with women such as allowing men to have four wives and the patriarchal and tribal customs that existed in the time of Muhammad are what drive later legal and and cultural understandings about the rights of women. Among other books I read along with this one were several written by women who were raised in the Middle East and Africa, they do a better job painting the complex realities of women in Islam. Spencer also raises concerns about the relationship between Islam and democracy. Islam cannot be separated from governance, the Quran is the basis for theocracy, there is no other legitimate government.

Hence, Spencer would predict secular democratic countries like Turkey where conservative, Islamic-practicing ministers have been elected, would gradually erode the remnants of the secular democracy and impose more Islamic-based laws that may run contrary to Western definitions of rights and liberties.

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Many would argue this is what has happened in Turkey since this book was published. Spencer, like many authors, notes that historically the Islamic reaction to stagnation has been a move toward more conservativism such as at the end of the Abbasid caliphate. Lastly, the author addresses the idea of "jihad," since he is the founder of a group called "Jihad Watch. Spencer does not seem to acknowledge that this phrase came about after Muhammad.

Spencer writes that all generally agree that Muhammad gave license to kill apostate Muslim converts, but he may not agree that much of the assimilation of cultures in that first century after Muhammad was done non-violently. The largely Arab armies were outnumbered by the locals, therefore concessions had to be made, they did not have a "convert or die" ultimatum as is so often assumed. Where Jews and others claim massacres occured, there is disputed evidence and other counter-examples; every area's conquest was different.

In short, there is a battle about the definitions and origins of the word and concept "jihad. There is not an overt proposed solution here, but it would seems Western societies absorbing these populations need to have a good apologetic for why the laws and values for having adopted the constitutions and laws that are currently on the books.

In all, I give this book 1. It raises good questions to ask but does so in an unhelpful manner. It is too easy for someone to read this book and draw conclusions without further investigating the history of Islam and engaging with the diaspora of Islamic beliefs. Other books read concurrently that I recommend above this one: Contrary to what a lot of people think, this book nor its author incites hate towards Muslims.

Rather, it does put Islam to the test. Spencer's challenge can be summarized with a quote by Robert Harris: And thus, Spencer discusses the main themes with which Islam has fundamental problems. To state his case, he quotes directly from the Quran, the hadiths and the Sharia and makes a link with a series of anecdotes. This anecdo Contrary to what a lot of people think, this book nor its author incites hate towards Muslims.

This anecdotal character, however, stands in stark contrast with the lack of an analysis of a broader mentality in the Muslim world, whilst the theological texts offer a too theoretical basis. Besides, Spencer gives way too much credit to Christianity, as the "basis of Western democratic values". Nevertheless, 15 years after publication, Islam Unveiled is alarmingly relevant, and offers a good overview of what the West is up against.

Jul 19, Ariel rated it liked it. I read this as part of my "learn more about the middle east" kick which also included Palastine by Joe Sacco and would have also included Said it still will except I was over ambitious at the library and had to return it before reading it. The premise of this book is that Islam reads the Koran as the direct word of god and since Muhammad was actually a leader of a community in an age when being a leader of a community usually meant going to war as opposed to other religious figures like the guy I read this as part of my "learn more about the middle east" kick which also included Palastine by Joe Sacco and would have also included Said it still will except I was over ambitious at the library and had to return it before reading it.

The premise of this book is that Islam reads the Koran as the direct word of god and since Muhammad was actually a leader of a community in an age when being a leader of a community usually meant going to war as opposed to other religious figures like the guy with religious ideas under the Roman Empire's rule that's Jesus, see the Koran has lots of stuff that most of us generally don't find suitable today like killing your enemies and having multiple wives.

A primary hinge for this argument it that Islam does not have the long history of reinterpreting the holy text that Judaism does aka no one is stoning homosexuals even though Leviticus says to straight up nor the benevolent 'turn the other cheek,' 'meek shall inherit the earth' thing of Christianity. Without those things it is harder for moderate Muslims to argue against Fundimentalists and not risk being considered not Muslim. Spencer does a good job citing evidence from current events and to support this hinging claim, but I would like to see the other side, if anyone is arguing the other side As for the rest of the book that basically goes through different chapters of women's rights, human rights What bugged me is his constant reference to how Judaism and Christianity were not comparable.

I would be rather more likely to say that all three religions are outdated to our current values, and more dangerous than helpful, but that the skeptical atheist in me. You will also get the gist of the book in the first chapter where he lays out the argument. No real need to read the rest of the chapters. Its clear after the first couple that the answer to all the rhetorical question chapter titles is no. Apr 16, taarak rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Anyone interested in saving Western civilization from the new barbarian horde.

A must read for any serious student on the threat to Western civilization by the perpetrators of global jihad. Going beyond the shallow distinction between a "true" peaceful Islam and the "hijacked" Islam of terrorist groups, Robert Spencer probes the Qur'an and other sacred documents, as well as Islamic traditions and history and the present-day situation of the Muslim world, to find out why the world's fastest-growing faith tends to arouse extremism. A student of religion for the last Scary!!! A student of religion for the last 20 years, Spencer brings a knowledgeable and critical sensibility to this brave, searching work.

Cutting through the touchy and sentimental relativism of so much current discussion about the subject, he rigorously interrogates Islam. Were Osama bin Laden and his followers perverting Islam when they claimed to find sanction for their attacks against the United States in the Qur'an? Sep 07, Lauren rated it really liked it. I really liked the author's style of compare and contrast vs Christianity and Catholicism, and he was well researched into Islam historically and in modern day. I finished the book very disturbed by Muslim treatment of women polygamy,divorce, child brides, lack of education , the religious rationale behind violence, and a better understanding about how peaceful Muslims -in America- are more the exception Given the current situation with ISIS in Iraq and Syria I wanted to learn more about Islam.

I finished the book very disturbed by Muslim treatment of women polygamy,divorce, child brides, lack of education , the religious rationale behind violence, and a better understanding about how peaceful Muslims -in America- are more the exception than the norm although they obviously are the ones we will have more contact with vs.

Apr 26, Justina rated it really liked it. Although this book is definitely anti Islamic, I think it was well researched and still presented opposing views, often times comparing Islam to Christianity.

Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions about the World's Fastest-Growing Faith

I would like to see an afterward that updates the book in its relation to current events. Spencer's predictions about the world and Islam after the death of Hussein, Bin Laden, and Gaddafi have been correct and his definition of ISIS has somewhat changed since the book being published. Definitely an interesting and shocking read. Apr 15, Joseph D. Walch rated it really liked it.

I was skeptical about this book at first having experienced much religious ignorance in my time, but the author throughout is careful to give a non-biased account of Islam. Concepts such as sharia and caliphates are explained in a way that I was able to understand. It examines the history from Mohammad to present day Iran and unveils the socio-political forces that drive quite a large portion of the world's society.

Apr 20, Jack Bond rated it it was amazing. A real eye opener. Jan 30, Atchisson rated it it was amazing. I wish more people knew of this book and Robert Spencer. Here is probably the weakness of the author, who is not really as strong in the Bible as he is with the Quran. The author from what I understand is Catholic, though from the feel of the book his influence also include Western classical liberalism and a product of Modern Enlightment.

As a result of his influence, the chapters in his book addresses the concern of Secular Western democracy such as whether Islam is compatiable with Liberal Democracy chapter 5 , whether it is compatible with Western pluralistic framework chapter 6 and respect human rights chapter 3 , all three which the author answer in the negative. It makes me want to learn more about these Muslims scholars and their Muslim opponents.


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The work also put historical perspective of the Crusades which the author does not endorse and also pointed out that if Muslims were to argue against the Crusades they also have to argue against Islamic Imperialism as well. Perhaps the saddest part of the book is the chapter on Islam and woman, in which the charge of rape and honor killing was incredibly sad. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Twitter account.

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The Domain for Truth. Amazon This is no doubt a controversial book. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: Email required Address never made public. Will Jesus's second coming be visible to all?