Islam is an evil religion

First of all, I am a practicing Christian. I just find the fact that someone would even think of posting a topic like this offensive, and wrong. I don't believe that very many religions are truly "evil" and this is no exception. I will present this in the form of a simplified (no debate-speak) LD case. I will open with definitions and Resolutional Analysis: Religion: a system of beliefs founded in the idea of a single or group of supreme deities who created the world. Evil: morally objectionable behavior (Princeton Wordnet) I will get to the definition of "moral" later in my case Resolutional Analysis (what the resolution means): Because the resolution specifically states that "Islam" is evil, the pro must prove that the religion is, in and of itself evil. Furthermore, because the resolution states the word "Evil" the affirmative must prove an inherent moral discrepancy. (And must therefore provide something to judge morality or accept mine) Moral Framework (how to judge morals): Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a framework first proposed by Jeremy Bentham, and then revised and explained further by his protï¿½gï¿½ John Stuart Mill. A. )Definition: Utilitarianism holds that an action is right in proportion that it tends to promote happiness and wrong as then tend to promote the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain and the privation of pleasure. B. )Utilitarianism is the only true moral framework When looking to ANY other moral framework you will see that all other frameworks rely on the assumption of utilitarianism. C. )Utilitarianism is the reason good things are good. Think of ANYTHING that is generally thought of as good. Ask yourself, why is this good? You will inevitably end up always answering, either, "This augments pleasure" or "this decreases displeasure" The same follows for displeasure and wrong-ness For example: 1. )Why do we want security? Because it decreases the chances of pain being inflicted on us 2. )Why do we want to protect Life? Because we fear death, and fear is a form of displeasure. 3. )Why do we want to not go to hell? Because hell is the epitome of pain and suffering. 4. )Why shouldn't I go killing random innocent people? Because this increases displeasure for many people. Now let's talk about Islam (case): 1. )The Tenets of Islam, and how they increase happiness or decrease pain. A. )First Pillar: The shahadah, which is the basic creed or tenet of Islam: "'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh", or "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God" Well. .. I don't think reciting things like this is going to hurt anyone. And, I'm sure the Muslims do gain happiness from following their religion (or pain from not) which means that this increases happiness, and is therefore good. B. )Second Pillar: Salah, or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day. Each salah is done facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship. Again, it's a prayer. Prayers do not inherently hurt anyone. And, again, it is very likely (actually it's inevitable) that Muslims either gain happiness from following these laws or gain unhappiness from not. Therefore, again, this is good. C. )Third Pillar: Zakat, or alms-giving. This is the practice of giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. A fixed portion is spent to help the poor or needy. The zakat is considered a religious obligation Unless someone has some crazy argument on why the poor shouldn't be fed and clothed, I'm pretty sure this makes them happier. Because this SAVES LIVES (of the poor) and makes the Muslims either happy or not unhappy, and does not cause pain/displeasure/unhappiness, it is also a good and moral thing to do. D. )Fourth Pillar: Sawm, or fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be mindful of other sins. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. One could argue that fasting causes the person doing it displeasure, but because the pleasure of being close to their god (or even the prevention of social ostracism) outweighs it clearly increases happiness for the practitioner. Also, fasting does not hurt anyone else, and promotes bonding between families (more pleasure) it is clearly a good and moral thing to do. E. )Fifth Pillar: The Hajj, which is the pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. When the pilgrim is about ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white seamless sheets. Rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina. The pilgrim, or the hajji, is honored in his or her community, although Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God instead of a means to gain social standing. Yup, pilgrimage. This increases social standing (see above) and makes them happy for obeying their religious mandates (or fear of social ostracism if they don't) both increase happiness and are therefore good and moral. I will now respond to my opponents claims: First, the pro claims that Muhammad IS Islam. .. this is like saying that Abraham or Paul, or peter or the disciples in general ARE Christianity. Also, if you want to compare religious figures, and bad stuff simply look to the Old Testament. I'm sure my opponent would not deem his own religion "evil" so if I can prove that the same problems exist in Christian writings (the bible) then all of his points flow to the con. 1. )Old Testament: We've got a lot of "bad" stuff happening here: For example: Genesis 34: the rape of Dinah. For those who haven't read this story, Dinah is raped, and then the rapist falls in love w/ her. He asks for her hand in marriage and her father says ok on one condition, that his family gets circumcised. They agree, and when they are all still in pain from circumcision (it's painful if you didn't know) dinah's family attacks and slaughters everyone in the rapist's family and steals everything of value. THIS IS SEEN AS GOOD. Genesis 33: Jacob meets Esau Jacob has concubines. .. and he gives his wives and children away. .. to gain favor. .. and again, this is good. The religion is NOT defined by its writing, but by its dictates. And, as I have shown, the 5 pillars of Islam all increase happiness or decrease pain, and none increase pain. Because of this they are moral, and therefore Islam is NOT evil.